Gov. Gregoire�s response to Boeing appeal

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement regarding the ruling from the Government Accountability Office on Boeing�s appeal to award an Air Force contract to a foreign company:

�I am very pleased with today�s ruling by the federal Government Accountability Office to recommend the reopening of bids for the Air Force�s new refueling tanker. When the Air Force announced its decision earlier this year to select Airbus, I questioned the reasoning behind it based on the bid process, and cost and security concerns. I was confident the GAO would agree with Boeing�s appeal, and find that the Air Force made changes during the decision process that gave Boeing�s competitor an unfair advantage.

�Today�s decision is great news for Boeing and the entire country. This announcement means there is another opportunity for Boeing to rebid for the contract and retain high-skill, high-wage jobs in Washington and across the country. The decision also ensures that Boeing will continue to be the world leader in plane manufacturing with the best aviation work force in the nation.�

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