HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah, May 5, 2006 – The Department of Defense, like many of its civilian counterparts, is looking for creative ways to increase productivity by sharing the cost of program development, labor costs and technology.

A major step toward that end is the emergence of partnership agreements between local and national contractors, and Ogden Air Logistics Center production lines.

These partnership agreements focus on everything from repair and maintenance, to manufacturing and technical services needs.

Case in point is the Design Engineering Support Program II partnering agreements signed April 24 here.

Better known as DESP II, the Air Logistics Center benefits by gaining access to the latest commercial technologies via top engineering firms and being able to focus resources – money and manpower – more efficiently; while contractors gain the advantage of a technically experienced, well-trained work force and, in some cases, engineering resources.

"By entering into these partnerships, we're trying to reduce operating and ownership costs, enhance commercialization of dual-use technologies, and increase private sector access to defense-unique capabilities," said Russell Lee, a DESP II technical program manager at Hill.

"Essentially, it's a win-win situation for the Department of Defense and contractors we form partnerships with," Lee noted. "We learn from one another – relying on each other's unique capabilities, strengths, and facilities."

At Hill Air Force Base, two major bi-products of the partnership agreements are competitive pricing of products and increased workloads. A third, which falls in line as a direct result, is work force stability.

"As long as businesses see the benefits of working with the Ogden Air Logistics Center, employment here is bolstered," Lee said. "In some cases increased workloads means improved employment opportunities for the local community."

He explained much of the increased awareness of partnerships and their implementation have to do with changes in U.S. law, making it easier for the government to team up with contractors on projects.

In the case of DESP II, the partner list reads like a who's who of technology-based firms: Aerospace Engineering Spectrum; Jacobs Sverdrup; Karta Technologies; Battelle; and Manufacturing Technology Inc. – among others – bring their particular specialties to bear on projects.

DESP II provides for design, engineering and technical support services for Department of Defense weapon systems, components and support equipment.

This includes technical documentation and courseware development, systems design, software, maintenance and repair, and even environmental, health and safety concerns.

The contract itself includes a five-year ordering period and a seven-year period of performance, with a total ceiling of $1.9 billion.

"We're very excited about joining Ogden Air Logistics Center in this partnership," said Karta Technology's Paul Bielowicz, senior vice president for acquisition, sustainment group.

"Through DESP II, we're establishing a long-term, flexible, and seamless partnership targeted at increasing support for America's warfighting team," he said.

Bielowicz emphasized that "by combining the best commercial processes and practices of Karta with the superb capabilities and resources of the Air Logistics Center, this team can devise creative new ways to benefit the warfighter, while enhancing the capabilities of both organizations."