The Pentagon Inspector General (IG) is still investigating whether contracting procedures were followed in the now-canceled $15 billion U.S. Air Force program to replace its combat, search and rescue (CSAR-X) fleet.

In December, the IG said it found the Air Force had violated no procedures in making certain key performance parameter (KPP) changes in CSAR-X aircraft requirements. The service originally awarded the program to Boeing for a Chinook helicopter variant, but after considerable controversy and repeated industry protests the effort was scrapped.

The same month, though, the IG launched another investigation -- which has not received the same amount of media or public scrutiny as the KPP review -- into work done by other contractors associated with the CSAR-X program.

"The CSARX-2 review looks at the CSARX support service contractors, which was not part of the objective of the first CSARX audit," the IG said in an e-mail. "The first CSARX audit was to determine whether changes to CSARX key performance parameters were made in accordance with DOD and Air Force acquisition guidelines."

In response to "concerns expressed by Senate and House Armed Services Committee staff," the IG started another audit Dec. 9 into "advisory and assistance service contracts in support" of the CSAR helicopter program.

Those contractors can help with project management, research and development, technical knowledge and other related services.

Sources familiar with requirements developed for the Air Force CSAR-X program said they felt that some contractors had tried to nudge CSAR-X acquisition toward certain aircraft types.

Photo: Boeing