366th CONS contributes to $1 billion in savings

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alaysia Berry
  • 366th Fighter Wing
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, ID --  The 366th Contracting Squadron’s cost-saving initiatives helped one Air Force agency save more than $1 billion three years ahead of schedule.

The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, known as AFICA, closed out 2017 by reporting $1 billion in verified budgetary savings and cost avoidance, allowing the agency to post the savings years ahead of schedule.

Maj. Brian Williams, 366th Contracting Squadron commander, described how his unit was able to contribute to AFICA’s savings.

“The 366th CONS, with the help of mission partners, have pursued energy efficient contracts that meet our needs for energy while reducing the annual costs of doing business,” Williams said. “Cost savings is important to the wing in regard to improving the way we operate in a fiscally constrained environment.”

The 366th CONS totaled more than $155,000 in energy efficient contracts for the 366th Fighter Wing, to include purchasing LED street lights and window tinting. Another cost saving initiative included switching dining facility to-go containers to a reusable product with a life cycle of approximately five years. The wing now saves $14,000 annually by eliminating the need to purchase Styrofoam containers.

Two years ago, AFICA established a cost saving’s tracker that helped set the agency on track for budgetary savings and cost avoidance reported by the Air Force Operational Contracting Community.

“The idea is to go from just budget execution to what we call ‘strategic cost management,’ where we’re actually trying to control costs and not just spending money as fast as you can,” said Roger Westermeyer, director of Enterprise Sourcing Support at AFICA.

Williams lauded his team and units across the base for their help in ensuring cost savings here supports the Air Force’s overall goals.

“I want to thank other squadrons within the wing for focusing on acquisition reform,” Williams said. “I encourage all other units to continue thinking of ways we can do business better on our installation.”

The 366th CONS will continue to find innovative ways to save money and reduce costs, including partnering with the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron to identify buildings that need upgrades and repairs in order to reduce costs that generate over time.