Air Force Consolidates Base Contracting The Air Force Materiel Command has launched a strategic sourcing program that will consolidate purchases for all domestic bases. The new Enterprise Sourcing Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, will manage procurements of commodities and services totaling $5 billion annually. The Air Force estimates it can save 15% on procurements by leveraging its buying power, standardizing requirements and reducing redundant contracting. While the program will consolidate contracts for 70 domestic installations, the Materiel Command’s commanding officer, Gen. Donald Hoffman, said, “However, we will not lose sight of small business: that’s been my pledge and my challenge to the new group, to motivate, stimulate and encourage small business.” The group will include a Small Business Office, a Business Support Squadron and three Enterprise Sourcing Squadrons. Personnel will be transferred from a number of bases to the new units, which will be located at Wright-Patterson and satellite offices in San Antonio, TX; Gunter Air Force Station, AL; Tyndall Air Force Base, FL; and Offutt Air Force Base, NE. In addition to executing enterprise-wide, installation strategic contracts for bases in the continental United States, the group also will award contracts for the Air Force Center for Engineering and Environment, Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency and Defense Technical Information Center, as well as providing support for Air Force medical contracting. The Air Force had originally planned to create five regional contracting centers, but that plan, announced in 2007, was never implemented. Instead the emphasis switched to the single national clearinghouse.