ESG looks to energy savings and standardization in the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Chandra Lloyd
  • 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Enterprise Sourcing Group's Civil Engineering Commodity Council awarded their first LED taxiway lighting multiple-award on Aug. 3.

This is the first contract awarded by the organization since their activation here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Oct 28, 2010.

The two contract awards were made to ADB Airfield Solutions, Columbus, Ohio, and DME Corporation, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for light-emitting diode taxiway lighting fixtures which will replace the current incandescent fixtures on all continental United States Air Force Airfields.

"This initiative will definitely help reduce the cost to the Air Force to procure these items, as well as generate a significant reduction in energy and maintenance costs," said Mr. J. D. Clark, chief, CECC Flight, Enterprise Sourcing Group.

The council worked closely with Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Air Force Materiel Command, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during the process.

From an energy consumption perspective, the current incandescent lamps used in most Air Force taxiway lighting systems are typically rated at 30-45 watts. Replacing the old fixtures with 5-watt LEDs will substantially reduce energy consumption for the Air Force, said Ms. Joanie Campbell, AF subject matter expert for airfield lighting, AFCESA.

"The LED lights have an average life expectancy of more than 100,000 hours, compared to the 1,000 hours provided by the current incandescent fixtures," said Ms. Campbell.

The initiative will not only help save the Air Force money, but will provide standardization across the board, making future orders easier to process.

"This is definitely a step in the right direction for strategic sourcing within the Air Force," said Lt. Col. Michael E. Knipper, 771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, commander.

ESG executes existing and future contracting workload managed by the Defense Technical Information Center, Air Force Medical Service, Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment, and Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. The ESG also supports the Air Force mission by managing six Commodity Councils, covering $4.7 billion in strategic sourcing spend.

Participating commodity councils include those responsible for sourcing products and services related to civil engineering, force protection, information technology, medical, office and dormitory furniture, office supplies, and advisory and assistance services.

Additional information on how to do business with ESG can be found at: http://www.wpafb.af.mil/units/enterprisesourcinggroup.asp. 

Information and registration for ESG's Dialogue with Industry Event on Oct. 25-26 can be found at www.esgdialogue.org.