Innovative bidding process speeds up construction contracts

Published Dec. 17, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Isa Graham
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Contracting Squadron hosted a Multiple Award Contract Contracts Bid Opening, Dec. 6.

Contractors used an acquisition strategy for a MACC for the first time called Invitation for Bids which requires the government to conduct a public bid opening. The bid opening increased the lead time for awarding construction contracts and lower competitive pricing making tomorrow’s Air Force faster and smarter.

“This contracting strategy is the first in Air Combat Command,” said Maj. Joshua Nabors, 20th CONS commander. “The team pitched a new idea with the desire for speed and simplifying the process to use IFB.”

A total of 23 companies participated, with the six lowest bids awarded 5-year MACC contracts and the opportunity to compete for future construction projects developed by the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron. The lowest bidder received the very first contract project.

The largest contract, worth $250 million, will be negotiated and written in approximately six months compared to the usual 18 to 24 months.

“The modernization of Shaw’s infrastructure can begin to be executed that much more quickly,” said Randall May, 20th CONS business operations director.

The bid prices are announced and recorded publicly during the bid opening. This allowed for construction company representatives to attend and hear the other submitted bid offers.

“The purpose of this bidding is to cut down acquisition time and provide for competition, which drives down the price,” said Laurie Harvey, 20th CONS contracting specialist.

May was adamant about the success of the IFB and plans to utilize this acquisition strategy in the future.