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They are master negotiators, stewards of taxpayer dollars and professional shoppers.
This elite group of experienced traders in the 700th Contracting Squadron possesses a unique proficiency in shopping for the resources used by the Air Force in the KMC.
“We are trained on market research,” said Staff Sgt. Katie McMahon, 700th CONS contracting officer. “We learn how to compare multiple price quotes for the items we use every day and grab the best deal.”
McMahon and 1st Lt. Matthew Bogan, 700th CONS contracting officer, work with three sections that deal with different specialty items ranging from software, construction equipment to recurring contracts like trash pick-up and much more.
“We help (Airmen) fulfill their requirements,” Bogan said. “If it’s a maintainer needing tools or equipment, food services equipment or services as a whole, they consult us in regards to filling any requirement they need. We are their go-to in order to seek third-party help.”
Dealing with forms day-in and day-out can lessen the sense of impact to the mission, but when McMahon needs a reminder she recalls one of her favorite contracts, acquiring puppies for security forces.
“To anyone looking at that, they would just think that I am just buying a dog,” she said. “To actually realize that dog (I purchased) is being sent to Lackland (Air Force Base, Texas) for training and then sent to other units throughout the Air Force to be used on deployments or stateside to protect the bases — that has a huge impact, but at times to us it doesn’t seem like it’s that big of a deal, because we are so used to buying items.”
Whether it’s pricing pens or multimillion dollar parts for the flightline, the 700th CONS is ensuring their shopping carts are filled with the best value for the taxpayer and Airmen.
