Air Force exec puts focus on subcontractors, acquisition costs

Subcontractors are top of mind for the Air Force as it looks to lower the costs of acquisition.

Because subcontractors account for 60 percent to 70 percent of costs in larger contracts, FCW reported that the Air Force’s deputy assistant secretary for contracting, Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, is looking to economize further down the supply chain.

Masiello’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition is working with the Defense Contract Audit Agency and suppliers to be more forthcoming with project costs while at the same time reassuring clients that their information is kept confidential from competitors, Masiello was quoted as saying.

So far, suppliers have been cooperating.

Going forward, the Air Force will continue to decide on contracts based on need, and will not be influenced by acquisition trends like the prevalence of three- or five- year projects or lowest-price contracting, FCW reported.