Joint Base Procurement Fair set for May 3 Published April 23, 2007 By Courtesy Story 305th Contracting Squadron MOUNT HOLLY, N.J -- A forum for contractors looking to do business on the region's largest military installation is planned for next month, according to Congressman Jim Saxton. Aware of the increased desire for local vendors and contractors to compete for federal contracts, Saxton worked with the base leadership to help shape this event so that it will meet everyone's needs. Saxton said the fair will address how businesses can compete for work on the growing base. "McGuire Air Force Base today employees some 11,000 people and provides hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact every year to the South Jersey economy," Saxton said. "Those numbers will grow in the years ahead as we work to build the new joint Army-Navy-Air Force base." The "2007 Small Business Procurement Fair," will be held May 3, and will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Club. Preregistration is required. The forum is sponsored by McGuire's 305th Contracting Squadron, which will provide best-value and performance-based acquisition efforts to the 305 AMW, 514th Reserve Air Mobility Wing, 621st Combat Readiness Wing, Air Force Expeditionary Center and several other units through electronic and paperless contracting methods. Due to the implementation of the Joint Base initiatives, Fort Dix personnel are expected to attend, and the 305 CONS is already beginning to provide full contracting support to Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station when possible. The 305th CONS handles major and minor construction, renovation, alteration and repair projects, including architect-engineering design services. Large and small performance-based service contracts are managed, including transient aircraft services, aircraft wash services, building custodial services, refuse pick-up, operation and maintenance of heat and chiller plant, grounds maintenance and many other services required to support McGuire's daily mission. The squadron also executes tens of millions of dollars in purchases of a large variety of off-the-shelf commercial products and delivery of supplies and services. Tens of millions of dollars of annual contract awards and administration is accomplished through the support of a responsive and competitive small and large business commercial opportunity base. While the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure closed bases around the country, the Department of Defense has decided to expand and invest in McGuire. The Pentagon is in the process of combining McGuire with the adjacent Army and Navy bases of Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering. "McGuire Air Force Base has seen over $1 billion in investment on the past dozen years, and there's more on the way," Saxton said. "There are thousands of more jobs en route and millions in new construction projects planned. This forum is a perfect way for interested parties to learn what opportunities exist and how to identify them." In terms of jobs, McGuire is is the single largest component of the Pentagon's planned "Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst." In size, Fort Dix is the largest military base in New Jersey at over 50 square miles, and employs more than 1,100 civilians, with an average of about an additional 9,000 soldiers and military personnel assigned to the post at any give time. Lakehurst, the largest U.S. Navy base east of the Mississippi at about 7,500 acres, has about 3,000 workers, mostly civilians who work on aircraft carrier research. The bases combine to total 60-square miles of contiguous military operations. They are the largest employers in Burlington and Ocean Counties. Businesses interested in participating should contact Lidija Erazo, Director of Business Operations at the 305th Contracting Squadron, via e-mail at 305CONS.SmallBusiness@mcguire.af.mil prior to Monday to reserve a spot.