Power of the Purse

Air Education and Training Command is the first major command authorized to pursue and manage services contracts valued at up to $500 million following the signing last month of an agreement with USAF’s program executive office for combat and mission support. Under the terms of the agreement, AETC is granted “silver delegation authority,” allowing the command’s director of logistics, installations, and mission support to oversee a wide variety of services and support activities, many of which have a direct impact on the warfighter, such as aircraft maintenance, base operations support, and trainer maintenance, as well as smaller contracts for items like food service and grounds maintenance. The new arrangement is expected to help streamline the acquisition process and speed the rate at which services are provided. (Randolph report by Capt. John Severns)