Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory RFP signals start of AEDC transition

  • Published
  • By Jason Austin, AEDC Public Affairs
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  The Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center will soon issue a request for proposals for Arnold Engineering Development Complex's (AEDC) Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) Task Order requirements.

The ACC AMIC centrally-managed contract will affect 33 installation PMELs, and is one of several Air Force efforts to become a more efficient enterprise by combining contracts with similar functions throughout the federal government.

Additionally, the PMEL Task Order requirements at AEDC are part of a larger AEDC-led acquisition strategy which will divide mission requirements - currently performed by Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) - into seven separate contracts. Four of those contracts must be strategically sourced, while the remaining three contracts will be locally competed and managed.

"In order for us to meet our customers' needs, both now and in the future, we must create a culture of change to become more agile and competitive," said AEDC Commander Col. Raymond Toth, in a video message to the Arnold workforce.

In an era of declining budgets and unsure economic times, we will use innovative approaches to maintain this vital national capability for the future, Toth said.

The AEDC PMEL Task Order is one of the first contract transitions set to take place at AEDC through Sept. 30, 2015. The current services contract with ATA for the operation, maintenance, information management and support of AEDC will expire Sept. 30, 2015.

Toth noted that it is his intent to be as transparent as possible throughout the transition process to allow employees to keep their focus on the mission. "It's critical to our nation," Toth said.

I know you all are driven to succeed because I see it in your dedication to our mission, day in and day out, and I have no doubt about your continued success, both individually and as a team."

As part of the ACC-led PMEL contract competition, AEDC will host a Pre-solicitation Conference at Arnold Air Force Base on April 15. The companies already on contract with the ACC for PMEL services interested in bidding on the PMEL Task Order will have an opportunity to learn more about AEDC and the work requirements needed at the Complex.

"Participants will be able to better understand our uniqueness by seeing firsthand the laboratory standards we maintain, as well as see the facilities the PMEL supports," said Vince Chapman, project manager, Test Integration and Support, Test Systems Sustainment.

The PMEL at AEDC uses base measurement standards traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology to maintain, evaluate, test, inspect, and certify for use Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment used in various applications across the Complex and provide quality, validated test data to our ground test customers.