Buying for the best

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The men and women of the 5th Contracting Squadron support a dual-wing mission with competitive business practices that provide the Airmen at Minot Air Force Base the tools required to get the job done.

"In addition, we are able to nurture small, commercial businesses and stimulate the local economy," said Master Sgt. Eric Bishop, 5th CONS contracting officer. "I take pride in ensuring that each contractor has a fair and equal chance at winning a government contract."

The 5th CONS is spilt into four different sections: Plans and programs, construction, services, and the mission support flight.

"I am the flight chief for the plans and programs team," said Bishop. "We are responsible for tracking, administering and awarding Blank Purchase Agreements with a cumulative total of $52 million."

In addition, the plans and programs flight is responsible for all of the Minot AFB Government Purchase Card acquisitions, worth $1 million monthly. They also oversee the programs and systems needed to execute the squadron's mission.

The construction flight is responsible for the infrastructure on base renovations, demolition, new construction, paving, fencing and roads.

"They repaired the front gate, built The B-fifty Brew and saved the Missile Alert Facilities from flooding." said Bishop.

The services flight procures all the services on base as well as utilities, ground maintenance, employees at the dining facility and all things involving civil engineering.

The mission support makes the rest of the commodities purchases for the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing, as well as all services under $150,000.

"I run the contracting side of the Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements program," said Senior Airman Megan Dohm, 5th CONS contracting officer. "This is responsible for projects including the renovation of facilities."

Some examples of base renovations are the new cart barn at the golf course, renovation of the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention office, renovation of building 1085 and the new washing system at Dock 5.

"Visiting the construction sites and seeing what goes on and how it actually impacts people and facilities around the base is my favorite part of my job," said Dohm. "It's rewarding to see the things we purchase for other units being put to use."

Dohm also stated that it is important to supply other agencies around base with the tools they need to be successful, whether it is new equipment or a renovated facility.