Tinker unit managing $10 billion contract Published Oct. 9, 2008 By Brandice Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- A Tinker unit is managing a seven-year, $10 billion contract. Awarded Oct. 3, and overseen by the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing's Contract Field Team Program Office, the contract, known as CFT, provides maintenance capability to any Department of Defense's weapon systems. The contract can be used for field-level, intermediate-level or depot-level maintenance, modification, repair and inspections at more than 280 sites worldwide. Approximately 15,000 contractor employees with 11 companies will perform the work for all branches of the DOD and other government agencies. "This is the largest contract ever awarded at Tinker," said Gayle Davis, deputy director of the 327th ASW's CFT Program Office. "This is a top-notch contract vehicle for supporting the warfighter with weapon-system maintenance." Contract Field Teams were established in 1951 and Ms. Davis said initially they performed work only for the Air Force. Through the years, particularly after the War on Terrorism began, it expanded to include the other military branches. Over the past few years, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense's Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy requested a formal CFT program office to handle the $10 billion program. The CFT office officially stood up Oct. 5, 2007. Of the companies that will perform the contract work, seven are large businesses and four are small businesses. Small businesses will carry-out only stateside work, whereas the large businesses may perform contract work at any of the more than 280 sites worldwide. Part of the CFT's responsibilities is awarding the task orders. Ms. Davis said by January, at least 151 task orders will be awarded. In order for a task order to be awarded, a request has to be made by a service documenting the requirement. For example, if the Army requests field maintenance for helicopters in Germany, the CFT will offer it to the seven large businesses. "We'll look at their price and past performance under this contract and we award to the best offer," Ms. Davis said. "We have incorporated the [Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 - fair opportunities procedures], so there's more competition and more competition results in a better deal for the government." The fair opportunity procedure allows all competing companies to have an even-handed chance at getting the job.