Contracting bids to make the ‘town of Tinker’ better Published June 10, 2011 By Brian Schroeder Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker Air Force Base accommodates approximately 30,000 military personnel, retirees, civilians and contractors on a daily basis. Supporting the operational infrastructure to maintain quality of life and a standard of living and working environment is a difficult task one office deals with head on. Operational Contracting focuses on providing all of the infrastructure support and all of the supplies and services and construction keeping the small town of Tinker Air Force Base running, Gordon Mohon, Operational Contracting Division director of business operations, said. "Contracts can be as mundane as janitorial service or really complex, such as construction or other critical support services performed on base," Mr. Mohon added. "Operational contracting support ranges from refueling aircraft, motor pool operations, dining facility management , and many other services you might not be aware of, like tech order distribution." Although the Army Corps of Engineers handles large-scale military construction base, Mr. Mohon said operational contracting contracts for smaller construction jobs, such as new gates and the serpentine path leading into the base. "Operational contracting is one of the few places where you get to see either the finished product or service," he said. "It really is where the rubber meets the road. It gives immediate gratification for crucial infrastructure work that is being done." Last year, the operational contracting office processed between approximately 1,800 actions totaling $180 million, and Mr. Mohon said they anticipate the same amount of contracting workload again this year. He estimates 80 percent of actions are competitive, with the majority of contracts going to small businesses. "We try to be as competitive as possible when letting contracts," Mr. Mohon said. "We are also big proponents of Air Force socio-economic programs that target small and disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran owned, and HUBZone businesses. In addition, Tinker is a strong supporter of the AbilityOne program, with a total of nine important contract functions performed under this umbrella. "When you pick up the phone, the switchboard services are actually performed by the National Industries for the Blind," he explained. "AbilityOne contractors also perform grounds maintenance, custodial services, and a variety of other work. We take pride in promoting employment of the handi-capable community. These programs are for the greater good, and Tinker benefits tremendously through top-notch services at fair and reasonable prices." Lt. Col. Cecilia Byrne, acting chief of the Operational Contracting Division, said she worked in operational contracting earlier in her career. Colonel Byrne said she is excited to return to this type of work and anticipates a robust and high ops temp workload during her current temporary assignment. "The Tinker Operational Contracting office will be working fiscal year closeout actions into the wee hours on Sept. 30," she said. "Working closely with the 72nd Air Base Wing Comptroller's office, all fiscal year funding actions must be completed and reconciled from an accounting standpoint. Meeting this challenge entails a great deal of planning and preparation from the entire Tinker team, to include requiring offices, supporting functions, and other affected stakeholders. There will actually be quite a few long nights by dedicated contracting personnel in advance of this closeout effort to ensure successful execution of Air Force funds." Operational contracting also manages the robust Government-wide Purchase Card program on Tinker, which encompasses more than 800 cardholders procuring more than $40 million in goods and services annually. Through the decentralized purchasing of small dollar requirements, the program has been a tremendous success, effectively utilizing non-contracting personnel for purchase of their known, immediate needs. It also quickly and efficiently obligates DOD dollars, and frees scarce contracting resources for more complex and larger dollar acquisitions. "Operational contracting is also involved in a number of other initiatives, to include potential in-sourcing efforts at Tinker as well as de-scoping of existing contracts due to budgetary constraints", Mr. Mohon said. "We must continue to find ways to streamline operations and get the most 'bang for the buck' in these pressing economic times." Mr. Mohon also said they are now funding many of their operational contracts incrementally. "We need to build flexibility within our contracts to allow the installation commander ways to re-allocate funds and rapidly respond to continuing budget fluctuations," he explained. Mr. Mohon said currently 58 personnel work within the operational contracting office, in an approximate 3 to 1 civilian to military mix. Despite the pressure and stress of critical requirements and short deadlines, the people working in operational contracting find the job very rewarding, he added. "We are a low density/high demand resource, but the work we do is crucial to the Air Force mission and very gratifying," Mr. Mohon said. "We find that once folks come to Operational Contracting, they usually love it. We have an exceptional group of professionals in our office, and I am proud to serve alongside of them."