If Dave were correct in his assertion about risk assessment, then Boeing would be unqualified to bid. If one looks at Boeing's 10+ year contracting history (limited to US) it reads like a contracting hall of shame. Boeing is not concerned about the fixed price nature (USAF idiots for adopting this) because they know that the specifications are full of flaws they intend to exploit in the form of ECP's, wherein they will "Get well." If contract performance was credibly a part of this solicitation as acquisition regulations require, then Boeing would not be considered qualified... Internationally, Boeing's track record is much the same as domestically - they are an international disgrace. As far as the size of the required airframe, that entire aspect of the current procurement is highly suspect, given the AOA, and specifications of the last procurement. Clearly the USAF has either acted with incompetence (usual for the service), of decided to bow to political pressures from the esteemed Dicks (boy is his name right on). It is time to get Congress of of the procurement business and focused on their constitutional duties. Bottom line, Boeing has been grazing at the public trough for far too long. They are yet to be held accountable. They can't even produce a credible system integration for the virtual fence for DHS!!! Look at the billions that were flushed down the rat hole on the NRO's Future Image Architecture with nothing to show.

It is time for the government to hold Boeing and other contractors accountable. Boeing's track record is dismal, and amongst the worst, yet we keep going back for more. Sole source for the tanker produce indictments last time, why should we expect anything different this time. The current tanker solicitation is a travesty/sham, and exposes the USAF and DoD for just what they are. When a major aerospace firm makes a reasonable conclusion that they can't credibly competed because the specification is "stacked", that gives everyone cause for concern over the ethics with which the US government is conducting business.

In the international community, and in particular with our EU allies, we look like a bunch of self serving, protectionist, idiots, who are indifferent to competitive forces. The comments about trade surplus in favor of the EU, if that was focused on military, then I think the equation would be shifted dramatically in favor of the US.