21st Space Wing receives approval in first community partnership initiative

Published March 15, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Jared Marquis
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Space Wing has taken the next step in the ongoing Pikes Peak Community Partnership Program (PPCPP) by gaining Air Staff approval to bulk purchase de-icing chemicals in partnership with El Paso County.

Under a newly approved Intergovernmental Support Agreement, all Front Range Air Force installations can now utilize the El Paso County contract to purchase chemicals for use on base roadways to control or remove snow and ice at an estimated savings of more than $60,000 over a five-year period, said Dan Rodriguez, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Installation Management Flight chief.

PPCPP is an on-going program to develop a collaborative environment between local government, civic leaders and local military installations to identify opportunities for supporting common mission requirements, addressing similar base-community needs, and exploring partnerships that are mutually economically beneficial.

Currently all Front Range DoD bases purchase similar treatment chemicals under several different contracts, Rodriguez said. After evaluating the various contracts, it was determined El Paso County received the lowest overall unit cost due to larger purchase quantities. The county has offered to act as the purchasing agent to obtain greater unit cost savings due to the larger combined purchase requirements.

"This initiative has the potential to benefit all Front Range DoD bases as well as the county because we all have the mutual requirement to purchase the chemicals," Rodriguez said. "By combining our purchases through the county contract, we will get a lower bulk price. The Air Force is now introducing bulk commodities purchasing to other installations through the Air Force Community Partnership Program"

In addition to benchmarking Peterson successes, AFCPP approved initiatives across the more than 50 installation/community partnerships currently involved in the program can trigger similar partnerships. Approximately 130 implemented agreements and 300 priority initiatives currently being worked offer the opportunity to enhance community and installation partnerships while conserving resources.

Additional ongoing PPCPP partnership initiatives include Centralized Transition Support Services, Expanded Medical Currency/Training Programs, Joint Recreational Services and Experiential Learning.

"The goal of the Community Partnership Program is to share resources," said Rodriguez. "In addition to the ongoing initiatives, the PPCPP is looking for other ways to combine and share resources to the benefit of the area installations and the community."

For example, the Peterson Fire Department provides primary fire and emergency response for the Colorado Springs Airport, said Rodriguez. The purchase of another response vehicle would boost their response capabilities. While it would most likely remain at Peterson, it would be available to other local fire departments should they need the capability.

Ultimately, the PPCPP is collaborative in nature and not a decision-making body. The three planned annual meetings will be used to explore additional partnership opportunities and brainstorm collaborations.

Should a particular issue require it, the PPCPP can establish a working group comprised of individuals from within and if necessary outside participation.

Peterson CPI