Fairchild Air Force Base has resolved to convert completely to electronic contracting this year and figures to save thousands of dollars annually by doing so.


By the end of fiscal year 1999, which ends Sept. 30 for the U.S. Air Force, Fairchild hopes to be soliciting bids for all contracted work and supply arrangementsfrom construction projects to dry-cleaningwithout using any paper.


David Olson, Fairchilds director of contract operations, says electronic contracting will save the base about $1,330 per contract, because solicitations will not be printed or mailed. Olson says the base will save about $47,000 annually on printing and mailing.


Through electronic contracting, potential contractors will be required to download bid invitations, project specifications, and drawings off the Fairchild 92nd Contracting Squadrons Internet site, at www.fairchild.af.mil/lgcons/.


Olson says the bases first attempt at electronic contracting is under way as bids are being accepted for the fifth phase of a family housing replacement project. The project, which the squadrons web site indicates will cost between $1 million and $5 million, involves constructing 15 houses and infrastructure improvements and is expected to be awarded later this month.


From now on, all construction contracts will be solicited electronically, Olson says. The solicitation process for service contracts, such as dry-cleaning services and moving services, and hard goods that must be supplied, such as furniture, will be converted next, he says.


While the bid-solicitation part of the process is paperless, contractors still must submit a hard copy of their proposals.