New contracting agency stand up increases AF flexibility

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The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency officially stood up during a transition ceremony here Nov. 13.

Following manpower cuts last year, Air Force leaders designed AFICA, a field operating agency that reports directly to the deputy assistant secretary for contracting, to ensure bases around the world receive the installation contracting services they need to remain mission-ready.

"This new field operating agency will help us usher in a new era of support to our customers by maximizing our precious and scarce resources," said Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, the deputy assistant secretary for contracting.

The re-designation will not require personnel to move from their current location, as the organization intends to take advantage of virtual environments. AFICA will maintain existing contracting staffs as operating locations at each supported major command headquarters along with specialized contract execution capability at current locations supporting Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Pacific Air Forces. The main benefit of the redesign is to continue to meet the MAJCOM mission needs through deliberate alignment of workload and resources and elimination of duplication of effort.

On Oct. 1, AFICA achieved initial operating capability by consolidating the manpower and functions of eight major command contracting staffs, the Enterprise Sourcing Group, and five specialized execution units into the FOA. The Enterprise Sourcing Group has been redesignated as AFICA and is headquartered here.

By design, AFICA assumes a role in Air Force contracting oversight, specialized execution, and strategic sourcing.

"The complex demands on today's Air Force installations mean that AFICA must operate at peak efficiency to deliver the needed services on time and on cost," said Brig. Gen. Casey Blake, the AFICA commander. "We are ready for the challenge."

Composed of more than 700 personnel at 17 locations spanning 14 time zones, AFICA will support customers at eight major commands: Air Combat Command, AETC, Air Force Global Strike Command, AMC, AFSOC, Air Force Space Command, PACAF, and USAFE. Air Force Materiel Command and Air Force Reserve Command are not a part of the AFICA structure.

AFICA will continue to implement programs and standardize processes as it works toward full operating capability on Oct. 1, 2014.