AETC BOS: Create a Strong Proposal for Base Operations

The Air Education Training Command’s (AETC) Base Operations Support (BOS) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) bid represents a significant opportunity to deliver base operations support across multiple Air Force bases. With a projected value of $4B, this IDIQ contract covers essential services such as transient aircraft maintenance, installation management, and emergency services. The draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines specific requirements that necessitate a strategic approach, especially given the challenges of coordinating operations across diverse geographic locations like Keesler AFB and Laughlin AFB.

Contractors must also prepare for potential task order integration requirements to satisfy AbilityOne subcontracting goals. As the Air Force finalizes its acquisition strategy and evaluation criteria, offerors must focus on demonstrating their ability to deliver innovative solutions and cost efficiencies.

This blog explores the detailed requirements and strategic considerations necessary to develop a strong proposal for this critical contract. Table 1 presents a summary of AETC BOS MAC procurement requirements.

Table 1: AETC BOS MAC At-a-Glance

REQUIREMENT	DESCRIPTION
Solicitation Date	03/2026
Value	$4B
Competition Type	Undetermined
Award Type	IDIQ
Period of Performance	5 years base and 5 1-year options
Number of Awards	Multiple
NAICS	561210 (Facilities Support Services)
GovWin ID	241870

Description of Major Draft PWS Requirements

The draft PWS requirements are divided into three parts: base operations, maintenance documentation, and quality management, as summarized below. The Air Force does not anticipate awarding task orders across all PWS task areas simultaneously; each base will contract for only those services it needs.

Base Operations Tasks

Transient Aircraft Maintenance

Transient Aircraft Maintenance provides expert aircraft ground handling services and maintenance support for a diverse range of aircraft. This ensures that every in-flight emergency is managed with the highest level of care and expertise.

Resource Management

Resource Management services provide fiscal management services for BOS activities. This includes developing/validating annual execution plans, understanding the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Executive (PPBE) process, preparing and validating accounts receivable, managing refunds and reimbursements, base liaison duties, and supporting end-of-year close-out accounting under the contract.

Communications and Information Technology  

Communications and Information Technology includes telecommunication support, establishing and providing IT networks, enterprise solutions, and public address and video support.

Visual Information Services

These services include graphics, photography, video imaging, and Pilot Training curriculums.

Publishing Management

Publishing Management includes the administration of publications and forms management functions.

Installation Management and Engineering

Installation Management and Engineering includes the management of civil engineering functions, real estate and real property management, environmental management, housing referral, relocation, and furnishing management.

Operations and Maintenance

The Operations and Maintenance service encompasses all aspects of management, labor, vehicles, tools, equipment, and training necessary to sustain the life-cycle operations and maintenance of facilities, non-privatized infrastructure, Real Property, and Real Property Installed Equipment. This comprehensive service includes the execution, management, and oversight of facility and infrastructure operations, maintenance and repair, material control, work planning, service contract management, customer service, and operations engineering services.

Installation Engineering

Installation Engineering provides installation and environmental engineering, project management functions, and management plans that meet local, state, and federal policies and regulations.

Grounds Maintenance

Grounds Maintenance involves activities designed to foster the growth of healthy vegetation, such as grass, trees, and shrubs, while maintaining a tidy and professional landscape.

Emergency Management (EM)

EM encompasses the installation’s emergency preparedness and response program. This includes planning for peacetime disaster responses and managing contingency operations to address a wide range of potential hazards.

Vertical Transportation Equipment (VTE)

VTE maintenance includes regular inspections, repairs, and replacements to ensure the safe and continuous operation of elevators and similar equipment. This service also covers routine and emergency service calls to address issues promptly.

Emergency Management and Fire Services

Emergency Management and Fire Services include fire protection and fire prevention, training, emergency communications, aircraft rescue & firefighting, structural & miscellaneous firefighting, technical rescue, HAZMAT response, and emergency medical response.

Airfield Management Services

Airfield Management ensures that the airfield remains safe, efficient, and effective for aircraft operations. This includes maintaining operational standards and managing airfield facilities to support aviation activities.

Supply and Logistics Material Management Services

Supply and Logistics Material Management Services focuses on managing and accounting for DOD supplies and equipment. This includes tasks such as stocking, storing, issuing, and inspecting materials to maintain operational readiness and efficiency. Efficient logistics systems manage materiel, property control, and transportation functions.

Transportation

Transportation includes managing traffic, ground transportation, and vehicle maintenance. These services ensure the efficient movement of personnel and cargo, supporting overall operational effectiveness.

Purchasing

Purchasing activities include subcontract and construction subcontract management and administration support.

Community Services

Community Services such as family, youth, and single Airman recreational activities support official and non-official functions. These customer-driven services include fitness and sports, library services, mail services, training, and funds management.

Human Resources

Human Resources provides Military and DOD Civilian Awards and Decorations, military personnel system services, education and training, and a broad range of human resources to support active duty, guard, reserve, DOD civilian employees, Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) Employees, contractors, retirees, and eligible family members.

Weather

Weather service activities play a crucial role in providing air support weather operations, mission weather operations, and staff weather operations.

Custodial Services

Custodial cleaning services operate to maintain a satisfactory facility condition and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance.

Range Maintenance Services

These services focus on maintaining and improving range facilities to ensure operational readiness and safety. This involves building, rebuilding, and replacing targets, bunkers, roads, and runways, as well as removing range residuals.

Deployment Liaison

The Deployment Liaison coordinates logistics and communication for incoming Temporary Duty (TDY) units. This includes providing workspaces, operating workstations, and holding orientations to ensure seamless integration with base operations.

Risks and Challenges

• Geographic Scope and Complexity: The contract covers multiple bases, including Keesler AFB, Laughlin AFB, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Sheppard AFB, and Vance AFB, which requires contractors to potentially demonstrate the capability to manage operations across diverse geographic locations, posing logistical and coordination challenges.
• Task Order Fragmentation: There is an anticipation of breaking up existing efforts into smaller task orders, which necessitates flexibility in resource allocation and management strategies.
• Inclusion of AbilityOne Goals: The government has not finalized the strategy for AbilityOne subcontracting goals, which will require contractors to plan for potential partnership and compliance requirements.
• Evaluation Criteria Uncertainty: The government is still finalizing its acquisition strategy and evaluation criteria, which creates uncertainty about how proposals will be assessed and what factors will carry the most weight in the decision-making.
• Technology and Best Practices Integration: Contractors are expected to propose innovative solutions and best practices that could create efficiencies and reduce costs. This requires staying abreast of technological advancements at the bases and being able to integrate these into the proposed solutions effectively.

Keys to Developing a Strong Proposal

To win one of the multiple awards, offerors should consider:

• Demonstrating their robust capability and experience supporting similar base operations at multiple geographic locations simultaneously.
• Providing innovative solutions and implementing best practices to create efficiencies and reduce costs.
• Building strong partnerships and alliances to meet RFP requirements, as in the case of using Ability One organizations to meet subcontracting goals.

Finally, offerors must stay abreast of the evolving acquisition strategy and be prepared to adapt it throughout the bidding process.

Conclusion

The AETC Base Operations Support opportunity is a great chance for bidders to support essential military operations. By maintaining and managing critical services, you help strengthen our nation’s defense. Focus on understanding the requirements and preparing strong proposals. Keep checking www.lohfeldconsulting.com for updates to stay informed and ready.

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By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at LohfeldConsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).