Ready For Launch

The Air Force is gauging contractor interest in an industry day for companies outside the United Launch Alliance who might want to submit launch-service proposals, according to a Federal Register notice issued this morning:

The Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (Space), as the Compliance Officer under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Decision and Order (hereinafter referred to as the "Consent Order"), in the Matter of Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Boeing Company, and United Launch Alliance (ULA), L.L.C. (hereinafter referred to as the "Respondents"), Docket No. C-4188, dated May 1, 2007, is posting this announcement to publicize the Consent Order, and determine level of interest for a ULA Consent Order Industry Day.

The Consent Order: The Consent Order requires that with regard to covered Government programs, (1) ULA afford all space vehicle manufacturers non-discriminatory treatment for launch services that ULA may provide, and that (2) Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as space vehicle manufacturers, consider all qualified launch service providers on a non-discriminatory basis. The Consent Order also requires firewalls to prevent information from a space vehicle provider being shared by ULA with its Boeing or Lockheed Martin parent company. Similarly, Boeing and Lockheed Martin must have firewalls to ensure that other launch service information is not shared with ULA. The Consent Order also requires that the Department of Defense appoint a Compliance Officer to oversee compliance with the Consent Order by all three Respondents. The current Compliance Officer is the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (Space), Mr. Richard McKinney. The FTC Consent Order states that the Compliance Officer "shall oversee compliance by the Respondents with the terms of this Order, and shall have the power and authority to oversee such compliance."

Industry Day Interest: The purpose of the proposed ULA Industry Day is to inform industry of the Consent Order and its requirements, the ULA, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin compliance with the Consent Order, and the role of the Compliance Officer to oversee the Respondents' compliance with the Consent Order. During the proposed Industry Day, each of the Respondents plans to present information on its specific compliance with the Consent Order requirements. Separate discussion sessions will be available to attendees, at their discretion and request, to meet with the Compliance Officer and his Government team in private to address any questions or comments relating to the Consent Order.

DATES: If sufficient interest exists, the ULA Industry Day will be held the first quarter of 2013.

The meeting location has not yet been determined, the notice states.

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