III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 609 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 7, 2008 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Bond, Mr. Roberts, and Mrs. McCaskill) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Recognizing the need for rapid recapitalization of the KC–135 aerial refueling fleet through re-competition of the United States Air Force's KC–X solicitation.

Whereas aerial refueling tankers are the backbone of the worldwide airpower capability of the United States; Whereas the United States Air Force fleet of KC–135 aerial refueling tankers is aging and needs to be recapitalized; and Whereas recapitalization of the KC–135 medium-sized aerial refueling tanker is the top acquisition priority of the United States Air Force: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)encourages the United States Air Force to quickly re-compete the KC–X solicitation on the terms the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended in its June 18, 2008, decision; (2)recognizes that a rapid, thorough, and fair re-competition under the terms of the original KC–X request for proposals is the best way to provide the United States Air Force with next-generation aerial refueling tanker capability in a timely manner; (3)recognizes that the KC–X solicitation is the first phase of a three-phased strategy for recapitalizing the tanker fleet, and that the KC–X solicitation should be based on a full and transparent competition to select a single aircraft design; and (4)supports the recommendation of the Government Accountability Office that the Air Force reopen discussions with the offerors, obtain revised proposals, re-evaluate the revised proposals, and make a new source selection decision, consistent with this decision.