751 ELSG streamlines Technical Proposal Process

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tricia Hill
  • 751st Electronic Systems Group
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  As part of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century LEAN Initiatives, the 751st Electronic Systems Group will conduct a Rapid Improvement Event Oct. 9 to 12, to streamline the Contractor Technical Proposal Evaluation Process. 

The RIE's 10-member team, composed of program managers, engineers and contractors, plan to create a standardized template for contractors to submit Basis of Estimates and a standardized government process to review contractor technical proposals, from writing an evaluation through approval of the technical evaluations. 

The RIE is necessary because of contractors submitting inconsistent BOE formats for government technical evaluation. As a result, contractors must then submit numerous reiterations of the amended proposals -- increasing costs and the time it takes to get the contracts awarded. Awarding a late contract can lead to an increase in contractor's costs and loss of unexpended funding. 

The team plans on measuring their success by using a questionnaire to capture feedback on usefulness. Cost savings will be calculated based on hours spent on proposal evaluation through the completion of contract award activities. Schedule and performance will be measured on the total turnaround time from contractor proposal to contract award and definitization.

 "Our initiatives within the 751 ELSG are in direct support of the Air Force's mandate to implement LEAN acquisition processes which increase productivity, reduce workflow/cycle times; eliminate waste, rework and redundant work, and yields acceptable costs to our customers," said Tim Riley, 633rd Electronic Systems Squadron, Operations director and RIE team facilitator. 

Laura Ervin-Cook, 632 ELSS Program Manager and RIE team lead said, "With decreased funding and the increased rate of personnel attritions, we identified the need to improve our daily activities and develop standard processes to eliminate rework, reduce our current contract activity cycle times and enable sustained continuity of activities. Using the AFSO21 RIE LEAN process is our way to adapt to our changing environment, while we continue to fulfill our mission."