A-76 process making progress

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A milestone was hit in the A-76 cost comparison study when a draft Performance Work Statement was posted March 30 to the Federal Business Opportunities Website.

Col. Marti Rossi, the lead for Sheppard's A-76 process, said the posted information is important in the process because it allows contractors and the civil service team called the Most Efficient Organization to look at the work identified under the study. Positions in the study are located in civil engineering, the fitness center, communications, trainer development and instructional technology.

More than 500 jobs were identified during the announcement of the A-76 process Sept. 29. Included in that number are 328 from CE, 77 from communications, 38 in trainer development, 33 ITU jobs, 19 at the fitness centers, five in supply and three in transportation.

"All the military jobs will go to civilians," Colonel Rossi said. "Either (to) civil service or contractor (employees)."

Now that the PWS is posted online, Natalie Dilli, a cost comparison analyst with the 82nd Training Wing, said contractors and the MEO can begin to work on bids for the positions. When an official Request for Proposal is issued, both sides have 90 days from that date to make their bids.

Once the bids are made, another process begins to determine which one is more cost effective for the government.

From the beginning of the process, there were two groups formed at Sheppard: one to write the PWS and the second, the MEO, to look at what it would take for government employees to continue to do the jobs, only more efficiently.

"The MEO is out there pitching for them to keep their job," Colonel Rossi said in regards to civil service employee positions. "They'll have to do it more efficiently."

The training wing will host a pre-proposal conference site visit in May to allow contractors an opportunity to tour facilities and equipment currently in use. The tours will be conducted in a controlled manner to adhere to the guidelines of the process.

If vendors have questions, they will have an opportunity to submit them and have them answered accordingly. Answers will be posted for www.fbo.gov. Ms. Dilli said potential contractors cannot gather information from current military and civilian personnel.

"The main issue is the PWS draft is done," Colonel Rossi said. "The MEO is doing what they can to prepare for their bids."

For more information regarding A-76, click on their link located at www.sheppard.af.mil, or visit their site on the Air Force Portal.