The Omaha District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) purchases a wide variety of supplies and services. Below is just an example of the types of things that USACE purchases on a quasi-routine basis.
Services- “Service contract” means a contract that directly engages the time and effort of a contractor whose primary purpose is to perform an identifiable task rather than to furnish an end item of supply. Some of the areas in which service contracts are found include the following:
(1) Maintenance, overhaul, repair, servicing, rehabilitation, salvage, modernization, or modification of supplies, systems, or equipment.
(2) Routine recurring maintenance of real property.
(3) Housekeeping and base services.
(4) Advisory and assistance services.
(5) Operation of Government-owned equipment, real property, and systems.
Supplies- “Supplies” means all property except land or interest in land. USACE buys a wide variety of supplies. Some examples of prior USACE purchases include- Trailer, UTVs, ATV, Boats, Fire Suppression Systems, Furniture, Construction Equipment, survey equipment…
Construction- The Omaha District has and will continue to require a wide variety of construction services. These requirements can range from $25,000 / 1 week project, to several hundreds of millions of dollars that stretch over YEARS!
Architecture and Engineering Services (AE)- “Architect-engineer services,” as defined in 40 U.S.C. 1102, means--
(1) Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, as defined by State law, if applicable, that are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered, or certified to provide those services;
(2) Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real property; and
(3) Those other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, or incidental services, that members of the architectural and engineering professions (and individuals in their employ) may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, value engineering, construction phase services, soils engineering, drawing reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, and other related services.
The Omaha District is heavily involved with but not limited to Environmental Consulting Services (ECS), Bulk Fuel delivery & storage, and Hydrological Planning to include survey, mapping and modeling.
Things we DON’T (typically) buy-
IT- In accordance with AFARS 5139.101-90(a), Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solution (CHESS) is the Army’s mandatory source for commercial Information Technology (IT) hardware and software purchases. Only if the product the Government is procuring is not available on CHESS can the Contracting Officer (KO) obtain supplies via commercial practices. More information regarding CHESS can be located at https://chess.army.mil
Additionally, USACE has their own internal IT department (ACE-IT), which handles all of our internal IT needs.
Office supplies- Most of our office supplies (pens, pencils, note books, etc.) are purchased in accordance with FAR 8.002 “Mandatory Sources”. Rarely do we have the need to go outside the mandatory sources. It can happen but it is not typical.