When we began blogging last week about key draft Request for Proposal (RFP) terms, our main point was that clear and open communication between the U.S. Air Force and the defense industry is critical. While we have constructively engaged the warfighter by asking more than 150 questions related to the draft RFP, our most valuable interaction happens face-to-face. Yesterday we had just such an opportunity when a Boeing team, led by John Lockard (Chief Operating Officer, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems), met with members of the U.S. Air Force's KC-X Tanker program office at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.

The meeting lasted several hours with the Air Force, and its purpose was to allow us to voice both observations and concerns. And as we have done through the submission of questions, our face-to-face engagement was focused on the process of evaluating the proposals. This effort to gather our feedback and potentially address our input through the established acquisition process is appreciated. We were also told our input would be shared with senior Air Force leadership as they move forward to releasing the final RFP in January 2010.

Obviously America's Air Force is working hard to conduct a transparent process and we're eager to provide an American designed and built, combat-ready tanker featuring max capability at lowest cost to meet their future needs.