48th Contracting Squadron

At the 48th Contracting Squadron (48 CONS), we are always seeking out new business partnerships to enhance our ability to procure supplies, services and opportunities for construction work from local sources. Conducting business with the United States (US) Government can seem daunting, especially if you are not a familiar with the process, but we want to make this process easier for you! This portal is your central point for finding the necessary information, resources and guides to help you conduct business with the US Government.

Business HUB

Business Hub graphic

Contracting Opportunities

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 Conducting Business with RAF Lakenheath

Brief Overview of the US Government Contracting Procurement Process:

  1. 48 CONS receives a requirements package from its mission partners. This package consists of a funding document, an independent government estimate (IGE), a salient characteristics or requirements document, a market research document, other required approvals documents, and in certain circumstances, a Justification & Approval document.
  2. After approving the requirements package, 48 CONS may post a synopsis of the requirement or request for information (RFI) online before submitting a request for quote (RFQ), invitation for bid (IFB), or request for proposal (RFP), typically on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps). When 48 CONS solicits to only local UK sources, then the information can be found on the 48 CONS Facebook page.
  3. Interested vendors will prepare their quotes, bids, or proposals in response to parameters given in the government solicitation and in accordance with the applicable provisions in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
  4. Once the response deadline passes, 48 CONS will evaluate the quotes, bids, or proposals and make and award decision in accordance with the evaluation criteria outlined in the RFQ, IFB, or RFP.
  5. Finally, the contract is awarded and administered.

 

Moreover, many supplies and one-time services are purchased using the Government Purchase Card (GPC).

 Current and Upcoming Business Opportunities

To promote competition to the maximum extent allowable, all requirements worth $25,000 or more will be publicized on FBO.

 

Exceptions to Posting on FBO: When three local firms can provide an offer, 48 CONS will not be required to post on FBO. If you want your business to be registered with 48 CONS, then please send complete the Vendor Registration Form, located towards the bottom of the Business Hub page, so our Contract Specialists can solicit you the next time we have a requirement for an item or service that you provide.

 

Link to FBO: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=list&tab=list&tabmode=list.

Link to 48 CONS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/48CONSBizOppsUK/?ref=br_rs.

 

NAF Business Opportunities

What is NAF?

The Air Force Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Purchasing program is dedicated to supporting Air Force readiness and mission accomplishment by providing corporate purchasing programs in support of activities that stimulate physical fitness, community cohesion, family well-being, and quality of life.

As part of the 48th Fighter Wing, the 48th Force Support Squadron provides the very best in quality of life initiatives, programs, events, and activities to the Lakenheath community. Providing the best in customer service to the Lakenheath community is not just a saying, but a way of life. Our goal is to deliver the best in morale, welfare, and recreation to support our mission, Airmen and families.  To meet this goal the 48th FSS must partner and cooperate the fullest extent possible with suppliers, manufacturers, vednors and employee.

NAF Contracting and Purchasing Opportunities

When using NAF, 48thFSS relies on both stateside and overseas vendors and employess to me the mission. This program represents multiple contracted vendor’s opportunities which may provide services, commodities and construction need to specific Squadrons in the installation.

 Government Purchase Card

The GPC is the preferred method for purchasing supplies and one-time services under the micro-purchase threshold, because it streamlines payment procedures and reduces the administrative burden placed upon the U.S. government.

 

Micro-Purchase Threshold

Supplies (without GPC office coordination)

Not to exceed $10,000

Supplies (with GPC office coordination)

Not to exceed $25,000

Services

Not to exceed $2,500

Construction

Not to exceed $2,000
 

 

For vendors within the United Kingdom & Europe, please check with your bank to ensure that it will accept GPC payments (via US Mastercard).

 

VAT Tax Relief for Government Puchase Card

 

The GPC is a MasterCard with a special prefix: 5568. If payment is made with this card, you may zero rate the supply to the US NATO visiting force, for VAT purposes, on condition that:

 

  • The authorized buyer provides you with a letter from the contracting office that issued the GPC, stating that the goods or services are being supplied for the official use of the US NATO visiting force based in the UK.
  • You retain the credit card receipt and letter as evidence that you have treated the supply as zero-rated.

 

For more information, please visit Guidance: VAT Relief for Suppliers to Visiting Forces (VAT Notice 431). (Link to hyperlink: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-relief-for-suppliers-to-visiting-forces-notice-431)

 Vendor Self-Service

If you want to be considered for any federal government award worth $25,000 or more, then you must do the following:

 

  1. Register in the US Government’s System for Award Management (SAM) database.
    1. As a prerequisite to register on SAM, vendors must have access to their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code.
      1. To locate your business’s DUNS number, go to https://www.dnb.co.uk/duns-number/lookup.html (for UK or Ireland) or https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html (for US).
      2. To receive your NCAGE code, free of charge, UK vendors should go to http://www.ncb.mod.uk/csisapp/navigate.do. Vendors from other countries should go to https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx or https://cage.dla.mil/.
    2. For step-by-step guidance, please refer to the SAM Registration Guide.

 

If your business is awarded a contract, then you must register an account on the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) website in order to receive payment.

  1. For a step-by-step PIEE guide, please refer to the PIEE User Guide.
  2. For a step-by-step Invoicing guide, please refer to the Invoice Guide.
 Contracting Terminology

Acquisition

The process of purchasing or leasing goods, services, or construction for the use of governmental activity.

Agency

An administrative branch of Government.

Amendment

A change to the solicitation before the contract is awarded.

BPA

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), also referred to as a Blanket Purchase Order (BPO), is an arrangement under which the Government contracts with a vendor to provide goods or services on an as-required and over-the-counter basis.

Brand Name Specification

A purchase description that identifies a product by its brand name, model, part number, or other appropriate terminology.

CAGE

Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is a unique five-character alphanumeric identifier that is required for a company to do business with the Government.

Closeout

The process in which the awarding agency determines that all applicable administrative actions and all required work for a given award has been completed by the recipient and the awarding agency.

CO

Contracting Officer (CO) is the Government representative with the authority to enter into, make changes to, or terminate a Government contract.

Commodity

A transportable article of trade or commerce that can be bartered or sold.

COR

A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is a subject-matter expert who often performs the inspection of contractor services on behalf of a Government agency and the Contracting Officer.

CPARS

The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) is a web-enabled application that asses a contractor’s performance and provides a record, both positive and negative, on each contractor during a specific period of time.

DoD

The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for providing the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the United States of America.

DUNS

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers are globally recognized as the standard for identifying businesses.

FAR

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the governing set of rules regarding procurement by the United States Government. It regulates the activities of government personnel in carrying out the acquisition process

FedBizOpps

The full name for the www.fbo.gov website, which lists federal Government contracting opportunities.

Firm-Fixed Price

A firm-fixed price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor's cost experience in performing the contract.

Flight

An operational unit in the United States Air Force, formed by two or more Airmen. Two or more sections can also form a flight, depending on the squadron structure.

Full & Open Competition

The standard form of competition where all qualified or responsible parties are eligible to compete for a contract.

Group

An operational collection of units in the United States Air Force, formed by two or more squadrons. Groups are normally based upon the assignment of squadrons with similar functions.

IFB

An Invitation for Bids (IFB) is a call sent to contractors to submit a proposal on a project for a specific type of construction. Another term for tender.

IGE

An Independent Government Estimate (IGE) is an unbiased cost estimate, based upon the specifications and without the influence of potential contractor's marketing effort or input.

J&A

A Justification and Approval (J&A) document is usually required when only one source is permitted to compete for a contract award. This includes the rationale in opting for a non-competitive contract award.

Mission Partners

Mission Partners are any of the squadron or group members that fall under the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath or 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall.

Modification

Any written change in the terms of a contract after it has been awarded.

NAF

Not Appropriated Funds (NAF) refer to revenue earned by Government departments, organizations or agencies by means other than taxation.

PR

A Purchase Request (PR) is a request sent internally to obtain purchased goods or services.

Purchase Order

The document an agency uses to execute a purchase transaction with a vendor. It serves as notice to a vendor that an award was made and that performance can be initiated under the terms and conditions of the contract.

PWS

Performance Work Statement (PWS) is used to summarize the works that needs to be completed for a contract. A PWS usually requires a scope, applicable documents, performance requirements/tasks, and contractor quality assurance for the acquisition.

Requirements Package

A collection of documents that forms the heart of the contract for the program or project. It provides all the customer’s unique requirements that must be included in the contract.

RFI

A Request for Information (RFI) is a business process that collects written information about the capabilities of various supplies, normally formatted to be used for comparative purposes.

RFP

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a document that solicits proposal by an agency interested in procurement of a service to potential suppliers to submit business proposals. Another term for tender.

RFQ

A Request for Quotations (RFQ) is a document that solicits proposal by an agency interested in procurement of a commodities to potential suppliers. Another term for tender.

SAM

System for Award Management (SAM) is the primary supplier database for the United States Federal Government that contractors must complete in order to do business with the United States Federal Government.

Solicitation

A solicitation is any request to submit offers or quotations to the Government.

SOO

A Statement of Objectives (SOO) is used to provide the Government’s overall objectives and the offeror’s required support to achieve the contractual objectives.

SOW

A Statement of Work (SOW) is used to define project-specific activities, deliverables and timelines for a vendor to provide goods or services.

Squadron

A squadron is an operational unit in the United States Air Force, subordinate to a group and consisting of two or more flights.

USAFE

United States Air Force in Europe.

WAWF

Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) is a web-based application that allows DoD vendors to submit and track their invoices, receipts and acceptance documents electronically.

Wing

The wing is the collection of two or more groups on an Air Force base.

Career Opportunities

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Civilian Personnel Office

 

NAF Employment Opportunities

What is NAF Employment?

NAF employment is considered federal employment. It is, however, different from federal civil service employment because the monies used to pay the salaries of NAF employees come from a different source. Civil service positions are paid for by money appropriated by Congress. NAF money, on the other hand, is self-generated by Air Force clubs, bowling centers, golf courses, and other activities that Use NAF employees.

We have two types of NAF positions: "flexible" and "regular." Flexible employees have work schedules that depend on the needs of the activity. These employees may work a minimum of zero hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week, and do not receive benefits. Regular employees work between 20 and 40 hours a week depending on position requirements, and are entitled to receive benefits.  For additional NAF Employment opportunities please visit: https://www.lakenheathfss.com/   

 

Professional Development Courses

Air University (AU)

 

The Force Support Professional Development School.

 

Program Description: 

The Force Support Professional Development School (FSPDS) has a dual mission to provide functional Professional Continuing Education (PCE) for Force Support officer, civilian and enlisted community along with leadership, supervisory and managerial development for all Air Force appropriated fund civilian employees.  FSPDS’s portfolio of courses is designed comprehensively to provide developmental opportunities across the breadth of an individual’s entire career using an integrated Continuum of Learning consisting of in-resident and distance learning courses. FSPDS vision is to be the premier Air Force school in the education and continuing development of Air Force leaders.

 

School Division Overview:  

The Force Support Development Division is responsible for providing functional PCE opportunities for Force Support Officers, civilians and enlisted personnel.  The division concentrates on leadership and foundational education that supports officers and civilians across the range of their career from the time they enter the career field until they separate or retire.

 

The Air Force Civilian Development Division focuses on the delivery of in-resident, self-paced and instructor-led distance learning courses. This division provides leadership, supervisory and managerial development to USAF civilian employees as well as providing the Air Force's only degree program designed specifically for the civilian workforce.  The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Air Force Leadership and Management Studies accepts 90 appropriated fund civilian employees annually for enrollment as part of the annual Civilian Development Education call.   

 

The goal of the Force Support Professional Development School is to provide professional continuing education that meets the needs of our leaders as well as our diverse student population.

 

For Additional Information Please Visit: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Eaker-Center/FSPDS/  

Social Media

Join the conversation, Visit the 48 CONS Facebook Page for more information, resources and guides to help you conduct business with the US Government.

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Government Regulations

Contact Us

 

48 CONS Email Address

 ðŸ“§ 48cons.pkp.vendors@us.af.mil

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External Link Disclaimer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Royal Air Force Lakenheath, the 48th Fighter Wing, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external Web site, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations or the privacy and user policies of these locations.  Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the Web site. References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of Defense or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.