IAT to transform Air Force Contracting

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In approximately two years, contracting squadrons across the Air Force will change how they do business. 

The Installation Acquisition Transformation will change the dynamics of how the Air Force will do business. At the same time it will maximize contracting resources and save the Air Force money, said Colonel Mark Hobson, Air Force Material Command. 

The transformation is scheduled to begin in 2010 and is estimated to save the Air Force $1 billion annually. These savings will be reinvested in the Air Force's most critical resources: installations, weapon systems, and personnel. 

The basic constructs of a contracting squadron have the squadrons talking at the base and local levels, but not necessarily across the Air Force. Under the current construct, all 71 contracting squadrons are able to provide tactical support to their assigned installation; however, all 71 perform redundant procurement of similar goods and services and do not effectively perform strategic sourcing of these similar requirements. 

"We do an outstanding job of understanding how to buy for our wing commanders," Colonel Hobson said. "However, as an Air Force, we don't fully understand how we are buying, so we cannot leverage the market place favorably. Communicating as an Air Force is where we will save our money because many of our wings buy the same supplies." 

To achieve this goal, IAT will move contracting resources into five geographic regions. While the majority of contracting personnel will move to regional centers, there will still be a contracting presence at the base level to help specialized buying needs for the wing. Dyess' regional contracting headquarters will be in San Antonio. 

While people will notice some changes, the basic contracting mission will remain in place. The IAT will still leave a contracting presence, its planned effect should improve customer support and small businesses will still have an important impact on the mission, Colonel Hobson said. 

The transformation won't necessarily be easy as it will affect the civilian and military contract personnel on base, but it's important that everyone understands that it is a necessary process, the colonel said. 

"Funding is clearly an issue for the Air Force. Recapitalization of our aircraft has to be a priority that we accomplish," Colonel Hobson said. "For example we have a family that has flown the B-52 for three generations. We simply cannot do business as usual, there has to be change." 

" This change will create a fundamental shift in how we (contracting) support our local installations, but achieving Air Force level efficiencies while maintaining focus on the mission and people at Dyess and all other installations will pay huge dividends for the 
Air Force in the future. Seamless transition and effective sourcing are critical as we implement IAT and Dyess is posturing itself in-line with this change without inhibiting the B-1 and C-130 missions at the base," said Lt. Col. Duane Elmore, 7th Contracting Squadron commander.