Lawmakers on Capitol Hill reacted within minutes-and even before the official announcement-as the U.S. Navy late Jan. 28 announced a $6.1 billion contract for a team led by Lockheed Martin Corp. to provide the next fleet of presidential helicopters.

But what is less well known is whether any lawmakers will move to block or change the Navy contract, whose upset decision displaced Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (DAILY, Jan. 31).

Likewise, there are other possible reactions that could affect the contract-which had already been signed, according to Stephen D. Ramsey, Lockheed Martin vice president and US101 general manager-including whether Sikorsky protests the award or congressional investigators get involved.

"I am very disappointed that the Pentagon selected the Lockheed Martin/AgustaWestland candidate for the Presidential Helicopter Replacement program," Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) said in a Jan. 28 statement. "The Sikorsky proposal would have been entirely designed and built in the United States, as opposed to only 64 percent of the Lockheed offering. Further, those helicopter technologies of most competitive value will be designed and produced by the European partners."

Hunter is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and a vocal supporter of "Buy American" contract practices. The longtime chairman was powerful enough to hold up recent legislation to reform the U.S. intelligence community until he was assured that military concerns were assuaged.

HASC staff this week should receive a debriefing from the Navy about its award decision, a staffer told The DAILY. "I expect we'll make some noise," he said, adding that Hunter was not pleased "at all."

Last summer, some legislators upset over a Homeland Security Department decision to award the massive US-VISIT contract to Accenture LLP of Reston, Va., looked to void or change the contract, claiming that it charged a foreign company with protecting U.S. borders. Accenture LLP is the U.S. unit of Bermuda-headquartered Accenture Ltd.

Other congressman, notably those representing districts or states where the Lockheed Martin team will perform much of its contract work, such as in New York, hailed the Navy's VXX presidential helicopter award. Reps. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) and Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) issued statements praising Lockheed Martin's US101.

"While those of us in the congressional delegation lobbied the Pentagon hard to choose Lockheed Martin, I'm confident that the merits of the company's designs and its outstanding record of performance stood on their own and won the contract," Hinchey said.

Meanwhile, Connecticut lawmakers slammed the award. "I am especially concerned that the US101 is not all-American, and will continue investigating whether the contract adheres to Department of Defense clearance requirements," Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) said in a statement. "I have requested a debrief of this decision and will work with the Connecticut delegation and Sikorsky to determine the best course of action."

Shays last September requested the Government Accountability Office look into DOD's process for determining compliance with a department directive regarding loyalty of non-U.S. spouses to those working on presidential support programs (DAILY, Jan. 31). That investigation should start soon, GAO told The DAILY, assuming Sikorsky does not first file a bid protest over the award.

A spokesman for Sikorsky, a unit of United Technologies Corp., could not be reached Jan. 31 to comment on whether Sikorsky will protest to GAO. The company anticipates a full debrief on the Navy's evaluation and analysis, according to a Jan. 28 statement.