Contracting to regionalize, simplify operations

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  Moody's 23rd Contracting Squadron is participating in an Air Force-wide Installation Acquisition Transformation process that will regionalize services in an effort to streamline operations and increase efficiency.

The IAT regionalization is a five-year program designed to create the most efficient and effective installation purchase organization, said to Maj. Eric Duncan, 23rd CONS commander.

It was initiated to standardize use of skilled contractors, uphold Air Force standards and decrease contracting workload, added Major Duncan.

Under the new system, there will be five regional centers across the United States directed by Air Force Material Command. Moody's center will be located at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

"It will completely change the way contracting is done at the base level," said Major Duncan. "The majority of the purchasing will be done through the regional centers, but the squadrons will continue to provide business counseling services and perform base-specific contracting actions."

The 23rd CONS will continue to offer programs including the Quality Assurance and Government Purchase Card Programs. These base-level programs are designed to ensure contractors are doing their jobs properly and and allow units to make small dollar purchases using streamlined processes.

"Restructuring will help us take advantage of how our sources and resources can be utilized efficiently and effectively across the Air Force," said Capt. John Darity, 23rd CONS Plans and Programs Flight Chief. "As an added bonus, the stress on manpower and the costs associated with writing multiple contracts for the same goods or services will be reduced."

According to Air Force officials, as a result, contracting units at the wing level will see manpower cuts, with individual contracting squadrons being halved or more. However, regional centers will gain the manpower lost at the wing levels.

"The squadrons at the installations will be significantly downsized," said Charlie Williams, deputy assistant secretary of Air Force for contracting. "A lot of the heavy lifting will be done at the regional center. For those contracting units that remain, their job will be to provide business advisory support for that installation and help them develop requirements and get those requirements into that system."

Since the transformation is still at its beginning stage, there have been no final decisions about how many Airmen will remain at Moody and if the contracting squadron will move into another building, said Major Duncan.

"Contracting will always have a presence at Moody," said Captain Darity. "We are committed to providing excellent customer support and we feel that regionalizing will only increase our ability to provide that support."