Air Force Materiel Command last month received the authorization to oversee the acquisition of services for the command valued at up to $500 million. Under an agreement signed with the Air Force program executive office for combat and mission support, the command received probationary silver delegation authority, enabling it to manage acquisition contracts in coordination with the PEO. Such contracts include contractor support for the sustainment of major weapon systems like the KC-10 and KC-135 tankers, flight test support, and base operations, the Air Force said in a release Aug. 28. “This collaborative effort recognizes and codifies our commitment to excellence in providing superior Air Force operational and mission support services,” said Michael Gill, AFMC’s director of contracting. AFMC follows Air Education and Training Command that in June became the first major command to receive this authority, which is meant to streamline the acquisition process and speed the rate at which services are provided.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.