<i>ULA&#x27;s reasoning was pretty straightforward. The main reason they dropped out of the competition is because the bidding was to be decided largely on price,</i><p>The reason they had to drop out is because they&#x27;re a space launch company without any goddamned engines. The chatter about the bid process is just the typical jawing members of the defense cartel engage in when they deign to speak of competitors. Sometimes they&#x27;re even successful in reopening the bid process. [1]<p>[1]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;KC-X" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;KC-X</a>