Contracting, finance, civil engineer team closes out FY09

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  At the end of fiscal year 2009, Eglin's contracting squadron executed approximately $185 million of the base budget. They know well what it is like to run a fast-pace race with high quality on limited resources. 

"The last 45 days are high speed but it is really an all year task supporting all of Team Eglin which includes the center, five wings and numerous associate units," said Maj. Harry Loughran, 96th Contracting Squadron commander. "Since February's stimulus package, we've been working overtime. The infrastructure flight spent $52 million in 120 days."

"It is the end of the yearlong process to ensure the 96th Air Base Wing budget is balanced and obligations are posted before the funds expire," said Capt. Sheryl Collazo, 96th Comptroller Squadron acting commander. "Throughout the year we have various working group meetings and management board reviews to determine the priority of various requirements."

With more than 95 service contracts to expire or go up for rebid Sept. 30, one contracting flight keeps the files stacked high on their desk. Another flight feverishly works with civil engineers to procure millions of dollars for Eglin's infrastructure. 

"The 96th Civil Engineer Group operates the largest U.S. Air Force Base in the world...that means a huge budget," said Julie Palmer, 96th CEG budget analyst. "Lots of dedication goes into a successful close out."

Eglin's biggest projects include construction of facilities for the Joint Strike Fighter, pavement of the runway and quality-of-life efforts like carpet installation in the dorms. 

"Teamwork is key to the success of any organization," said Sandy Weikert, 96th CONS base operating support flight chief. "It is totally heart-warming and rewarding to watch everyone pull together as a team at the end of the fiscal year to ensure we obligate every possible dollar and satisfy every Eglin customer." 

Customers are advised to start working their contracts by the end of summer to ease the rush. This is imperative to avoid costly and time consuming re-work down the road. 

"We meet with contracting once a week starting early August to determine our close-out strategy and cut-off dates," said Captain Collazo. "It's essentially a two step process with each step having multiple facets to them including a lot of back and forth communication with all parties involved." 

The 96th Civil Engineer Group coordinates effort between engineers, contracting and financial management for closeout operations.

"Hundreds of work orders have to be closed and funds from command for base projects don't arrive until the last minute," said Ms. Palmer. "A lot happens before the first nail goes into a construction project. First an engineer programs, designs and coordinates it. Then contracting prepares it and puts it out for bids while base financial management certifies the funds for the award."

While this is the standard procedure; during closeout, this process is highly accelerated.
"We are the business advisors here who help plan the customers' strategy and tell them 'how' to get to the end game," said Ms. Weickert, who is one of a handful in her squadron with the authority to obligate taxpayer dollars. "It takes a team to ensure acquisition is done by the year's end." 

One particular row of cubicles in the contracting squadron is quaintly decorated with hula hoops to remind them they go through hoops for their customers. Other desks are piled with snacks to include one cubicle that serves as a pot luck station. Any visitor may think that personnel live in their office space at this time of year but that doesn't mean the enthusiasm is lost. 

"The enthusiasm within 96th CONS this time year is unparalleled," said Ms. Weickert. "We cook for each other, epitomize the wingman concept, celebrate the victory of contract awards and have spirited competitions among the individual teams and flights - it's a true family organization." 

The squadron is divided in to three distinct flights. The plans and programs flight has responsibility and oversight for all Government Purchase Card transactions, system administration, and budgeting. The base operating support flight is responsible for all services and commodities for Eglin. The infrastructure flight is responsible for all construction-type projects in support of the Eglin community. 

"The Air Force motto for contracting is, 'you got it - we bought it' and this speaks volumes," said Ms. Weikert. 

Additionally she said they meet the challenge with fewer personnel, continuous military deployments and half the workforce enrolled in professional development courses normally completed within the first few years of assignment. 

"Thousands of projects that reach out and touch any customer on base comes through here," said Major Loughran. "We have a huge role in making sure the mission of our customers go on." 

"Wherever you see buildings coming down or going up, roads being paved, grass being mowed, or roofs being fixed, your engineers and the team at the wing are hard at work," said Ms. Palmer.