AETC first to receive new acquisitions authority

  • Published
  • By Capt. John Severns
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Air Education and Training Command became the first major command authorized to pursue services acquisitions valued at up to $500 million, following the signing of an agreement between the command and Air Force Acquisitions officials.

The new agreement is expected to help streamline the acquisition process and speed the rate at which services are provided to warfighters.

Under the agreement, AETC received "Silver Delegation Authority" from the Air Force Program Executive Office for Combat and Mission Support, commonly called PEO Services.

Silver Delegation Authority gives Garry B. Richey, director of Logistics, Installations and Mission Support for AETC, the ability to manage and oversee acquisitions contracts valued up to $500 million while providing coordinating information to PEO Services.

"This delegation is recognition of the outstanding contracting and program management professionals we have on our headquarters staff, as well as throughout the command," Mr. Richey said. "But it also commits us to maintain robust management and oversight of all our command services acquisition activities -- from requirements definition to source selection and through contract performance."

The contracts in question cover a wide variety of services and support, many of which have a direct impact on the warfighter, according to Colleen Phipps, a contracting official in the AETC Acquisitions Support branch.

The agreement covers contractor support for major programs such as aircraft maintenance, base operations support and trainer maintenance, as well as smaller contracts such as food service and grounds maintenance that impact the daily lives of AETC Airmen.

Officials signed the agreement during a conference on services acquisition hosted by PEO Services in Oklahoma City in June. The conference allowed acquisitions and contracting officers from across the Air Force and other government agencies to discuss the future of services acquisition.

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