JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – It’s Mission Monday. Meet Paul Lewis, senior contract specialist with the Air Force Installation Contracting Center’s 338th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron at JBSA-Randolph.
Lewis and his team support the sustainment of Air Education and Training Command’s $1.4 billion base operations support portfolio at five installations through source selections, contract administrations, labor audits, inquiries, claims and appeals and protests.
We asked him to tell us a little about himself and the work he does for the Air Force.
What do you love about your job?
The opportunity to build and sustain business relationships by offering valuable business advice to our customers. This advice helps them meet their current and future requirements for goods and services, and the development of our next generation of contracting professionals. It’s incredibly fulfilling to play a role in ensuring they have the resources that they need to succeed!
When it comes to your job, what keeps you motivated?
I find motivation in leveraging my nine years of BOS experience to provide contract support. This includes assisting three contracting officers and multi-functional teams during critical acquisition phases such as team development, milestone definition and requirement clarification through reviews, discussions and meetings. Additionally, my involvement in award processes and protest resolutions, supporting pilot productions, technology training and educational missions for three program executive office-level projects keeps me motivated and engaged in my work.
Why are you and your team important to the Air Force and Space Force enterprise and your customers?
My team and I play a crucial role in the Air Force enterprise by awarding contracts that provide essential services to five AETC wings. These contracts are not only about securing the best service provider but also ensuring the best value for the government.
Our work is instrumental in executing the Air Force's pilot production programs at two premier wings, which collectively produce over 37,000 pilots annually. Additionally, we support a training pipeline of over 28,000 joint services military and civilian students, offering 400 courses covering 37 different career fields assigned to 2nd Air Force.
Our support extends to 46 mission partners across four major commands. This wide-reaching impact underscores the significance of our team's efforts in enabling the Air Force to fulfill its missions effectively and efficiently.
Describe a project or event you and your team worked on recently that gave you a great sense of accomplishment:
One that stands out is our team's involvement in the Maxwell-Gunter BOS re-compete. This project, which is the largest BOS contract in AETC, required meticulous planning and execution to ensure a successful outcome. My role as lead contract specialist involved leading and supporting the top priority multimillion-dollar source selection process, which was crucial for maintaining the continuity of services across 18 service areas.
This was particularly challenging due to the transition of two contracting officers during the process. Despite these challenges, our team's dedication and hard work paid off. We have been able to keep the project milestones on track and are working toward an on-time award. This achievement was not only a testament to our team's capabilities but also a great source of pride and accomplishment for all of us involved.
How does what you do support AFIMSC’s strategic priorities?
By delivering acquisition solutions, we contribute to AFIMSC's goal of providing efficient and effective support to Air Force installations worldwide. Our work helps enable AFIMSC to focus on its core mission areas, including delivering installation and mission support capabilities to enhance the readiness and lethality of the Air Force. Additionally, our efforts contribute to the overall success of AFIMSC's strategic initiatives, ensuring that Air Force installations are well-equipped to support the needs of our warfighters and their families.
Is there anything else you’d like to add which might help people understand the importance of what you do for the Department of the Air Force?
I would like to emphasize the critical role that contracting personnel play in supporting the Air Force’s mission. As a contracting specialist, I’m responsible for ensuring the Air Force has access to the goods and services it needs to carry out its operations effectively. Our mission involves supporting the execution unit by streamlining processes, slashing unnecessary bureaucracy and lowering barriers to innovation throughout contract execution and administration for a $16 billion portfolio.
Our ongoing engagement is aimed at avoiding waste and maximizing yields, providing critical contracting support to sustain BOS services and aircraft maintenance support for AETC. This ensures that the Air Force can operate efficiently and effectively, while also ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely.