327th team earns AF award

Published Nov. 12, 2009
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Let there be no doubt, the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing's Contract Field Team supports small businesses. And their efforts will soon be rewarded. Later this month, the contract field team will be given the Air Force-level Small Business Award for 2008.

Presented by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Ronald Poussard, Air Force Office of Small Business Programs director, a ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 17 during the Air Force Small Business Conference in Washington, D.C. It is the first time in their 57-year history the team has won this award.

"Wow," said Col. Mark Beierle, 327th ASW commander. "This is a Super Bowl win. An Air Force-level award for the 327th ASW Contract Field Team is well deserved recognition for this exceptional team. They are passionate advocates for building and growing strong partnerships for small business while serving warfighter customers across the Department of Defense, the Coast Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration."

The CFT provides maintenance capability to any field weapons system. Contracts can be used for field-level, intermediate-level or depot-level maintenance, modification, repair and inspections at nearly 280 sites worldwide. But, small-business contracts are awarded solely for work performed stateside.

The small-business award honors units that demonstrate significant actions, performance and contributions by awarding small business contracts to support the Air Force or Department of Defense.

In fiscal 2008, the contract field team researched and proved small businesses offered ample support to stateside operations, then awarded more than $24 million to small businesses. In previous years the contracts had been awarded to large businesses.

"When we first talked with our customers about using small businesses, many customers were concerned about how they would perform," said Lois Lum, CFT Program Office director, "but our small businesses did an excellent job and we're very pleased."

Joanne Davis, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center's Small Business Office director, said the CFT team deserves the award.

"They're innovative, forward-thinking and made small business a primary focus," Ms. Lum said. "This office is always grateful when our teams consider the viability of small businesses in large-dollar mission-related acquisitions."