I know this is not the sort of this to make the evening news, so here's my small attempt to report and record it. Since the war began in Afghanistan, the US military has been in a budget crunch. Accordingly, we've been "saving" money by cutting training, personnel, etc. Now that the country has self imposed a budget crunch on the whole federal govt, it's getting worse.
Thus, in addition to doing our own personnel and finance support, my 60% manned unit is now also doing its own janitorial work; please see below.
-----Original Message-----
From: X
From: X
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 4:11 PM
To: X ALL Personnel
Subject: Reductions in Base Support Service Contracts
All,
As we look forward to FY13, we can anticipate fiscal constraints that will severely impact base service contracts, specifically custodial, grounds maintenance, and refuse disposal. HQ ACC has mandated greatly reduced service levels across the command. The cuts are a result of a HAF programmatic decision to accept additional responsibility for base maintenance in order to preserve funds. I can assure you that I, as well as every other commander, is raising the concern of the additional workload on our already stressed workforce. However, I believe the current fiscal realities will continue to force these reduced service levels, despite our valid concerns.
Here are some of the proposed changes that we need to prepare for:
Custodial: All facilities that receive custodial services will be reduced to restroom only cleaning, with exception of the CDCs, Fitness Center, and Youth Center (which will maintain current levels of service). Expect all basic and periodic services to be terminated effective 1 October: vacuuming, sweeping/mopping, dusting, trash collection, carpet cleaning and hard floor striping/waxing. With the loss of these services, general housekeeping will become the responsibility of facility occupants. You will be responsible for your office/desk area.
Grounds Maintenance: All grounds maintenance services with exception of mowing will be terminated effective 31 October: tree trimming, pruning shrubs, litter pick-up, weeding, lawn irrigation, leaf/pine cone removal, etc. The Chiefs' Group is working with CE to establish a Base Appearance Team (BAT) program to police the common-use areas across base, but the general housekeeping of the immediate areas around bldg X will become the squadron's responsibility. Expectations for base appearance will be codified in re-write of [base] AFBI 32-1002, Facility Manager Responsibilities, which extends the maximum area of coverage to a 150' radius around buildings.
Refuse Disposal: Everyone will need to take their own trash to the dumpster. Common area trashcans will needs to be emptied by squadron personnel or students.
We are not allowed to "pay our own way" to receive services above and beyond the reduced service levels described above. We will need to plan accordingly as we approach the end of the fiscal year to purchase tools and materials we will need to perform general housekeeping. The CE Self Help Store will continue to stock/issue tools and materials for general housekeeping on a first-come, first-serve basis. CE will work with our Facility Managers who will act as the focal point for handling the increased responsibilities.
I expect everyone to take ownership and show pride in our facility. As the ... schoolhouse, this is the first thing students see when coming to [this base] to start their RPA career. We all need to do our part to ensure that we leave a good impression. Plus, I don't want to work in a dump.
Cheers,
Lt Col X
To: X ALL Personnel
Subject: Reductions in Base Support Service Contracts
All,
As we look forward to FY13, we can anticipate fiscal constraints that will severely impact base service contracts, specifically custodial, grounds maintenance, and refuse disposal. HQ ACC has mandated greatly reduced service levels across the command. The cuts are a result of a HAF programmatic decision to accept additional responsibility for base maintenance in order to preserve funds. I can assure you that I, as well as every other commander, is raising the concern of the additional workload on our already stressed workforce. However, I believe the current fiscal realities will continue to force these reduced service levels, despite our valid concerns.
Here are some of the proposed changes that we need to prepare for:
Custodial: All facilities that receive custodial services will be reduced to restroom only cleaning, with exception of the CDCs, Fitness Center, and Youth Center (which will maintain current levels of service). Expect all basic and periodic services to be terminated effective 1 October: vacuuming, sweeping/mopping, dusting, trash collection, carpet cleaning and hard floor striping/waxing. With the loss of these services, general housekeeping will become the responsibility of facility occupants. You will be responsible for your office/desk area.
Grounds Maintenance: All grounds maintenance services with exception of mowing will be terminated effective 31 October: tree trimming, pruning shrubs, litter pick-up, weeding, lawn irrigation, leaf/pine cone removal, etc. The Chiefs' Group is working with CE to establish a Base Appearance Team (BAT) program to police the common-use areas across base, but the general housekeeping of the immediate areas around bldg X will become the squadron's responsibility. Expectations for base appearance will be codified in re-write of [base] AFBI 32-1002, Facility Manager Responsibilities, which extends the maximum area of coverage to a 150' radius around buildings.
Refuse Disposal: Everyone will need to take their own trash to the dumpster. Common area trashcans will needs to be emptied by squadron personnel or students.
We are not allowed to "pay our own way" to receive services above and beyond the reduced service levels described above. We will need to plan accordingly as we approach the end of the fiscal year to purchase tools and materials we will need to perform general housekeeping. The CE Self Help Store will continue to stock/issue tools and materials for general housekeeping on a first-come, first-serve basis. CE will work with our Facility Managers who will act as the focal point for handling the increased responsibilities.
I expect everyone to take ownership and show pride in our facility. As the ... schoolhouse, this is the first thing students see when coming to [this base] to start their RPA career. We all need to do our part to ensure that we leave a good impression. Plus, I don't want to work in a dump.
Cheers,
Lt Col X
[unit] CC
