Contracting helps save money Published Sept. 8, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Have you ever wondered how your shop received computers or the chair you sit in? There are individuals who ensure the base's needs for supplies are fulfilled, buildings are maintained and that every service needed to help make the base function is provided. The 92nd Contracting Squadron contract specialists make contracts for supplies, services and construction on a daily basis. They are responsible for making sure the individuals they are purchasing from complete the requirements requested by the customer. "We use negotiations and familiarity with the commercial marketplace in order to efficiently utilize the wing's budget," said Staff Sgt. Cameron Anderson, 92nd CONS contracting officer. "We get the best overall value for all purchases." The contracts can range from $3,000 to multi-million dollar contracts, and the 92nd CONS is able to save money for the Air Force by researching competition. The contracts are made for construction to services to commodities for all wing groups and the Survival Evasion Resistance Escape School. "Once a contract comes to us, we do a lot of market research to ensure that it's available and how much competition we have," said Airman 1st Class Naomi Haney, a 92nd CONS contract specialist. "Once we award the contract, the dollar amount is usually less than the certified funds document." The certified funds document allows the buyer to determine what to buy and where, as well as allow the vendor to quote properly and deliver the correct item. The 92nd CONS helps alleviate additional workloads to allow Airmen to concentrate more on the mission. A few services that help Fairchild are janitorial and grounds services which guarantee clean and healthy work environments for Airmen. According to 1st Lt. Zach Payne, 92nd CONS flight commander base infrastructure, they also ensure Airmen receive the essential elements needed in order for the mission to succeed. "Contracting allows all of the organizations on Fairchild to purchase the goods and services required to make their mission 'go,'" said Anderson. Personnel in contracting who hold a congressional authorized warrant are the only individuals authorized to financially obligate the federal government. Some also hold unlimited warrants. Therefore, without contracting there would be no front gate or weapons to provide security, no uniforms, no doctors or medical supplies to care for the sick, no office equipment or room furnishings and no tools or airplanes to fly. "We work with our customer throughout the entire acquisition process," said Payne. "We ensure that requirements are adequately fulfilled in a manner that is compliant with federal, Department of Defense and Air Force acquisition regulations. We make sure they have what they need to succeed." For more information contact the 92nd CONS at (509) 247-4432.