All about business

Seven years and two jail convictions later, the Pentagon on Wednesday unveiled its latest attempt to get a $35 billion contract for refueling planes off the ground.

But within moments, the proposal was at risk of a crash and burn after a major contractor considered withholding its bid because it believed the terms unfairly favored its competitor.

And with thousands of jobs at stake for Alabama, the state’s two senators weighed in as well, saying the latest proposal appeared to do little to satisfy Northrop Grumman Corp.’s concerns that the terms were skewed against its larger, more expensive plane.

On Wednesday, the Pentagon publicly released its final bid request for the job flexcheck cash advance. The bid involves building 179 tankers, but the job could be expanded. A final contract is to be awarded in September.

Northrop said in a statement that it would review the complex proposal before commenting. A Northrop pullout would leave Boeing Co. as the lone bidder on one of the most protracted and expensive contracts in Pentagon history.

The Pentagon’s senior leaders on Wednesday defended the proposal.

"We believe that both offers are in a position to win," Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said.

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