KEESLER A-76 PUBLIC REVIEW BEGINS MARCH 1 Published Feb. 26, 2007 By News Staff 81st Training Wing Public Affairs Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. -- After an extensive study by the Air Force, Keesler's A-76 process will resume where it left off prior to Hurricane Katrina. A-76 refers to the federal government's procedures for determining if the performance of certain government activities is more efficient and cost-effective if conducted by the government or private sector contractors. The decision is reached through the performance of cost comparison studies. "We are now at the point where we were in August 2005, when a tentative decision to proceed was given" said Brig Gen Paul Capasso, 81st Training Wing commander. "The final decision could be made two to three months down the road, pending the outcome of the public review period and appeal process. It is important to let the A-76 process work because failure to move forward in obtaining a decision will only continue to negatively impact our manning levels." The public review period starts March 1 and will last for 30 days. If the final decision is made to proceed with A-76, the process of reorganizing the wing and implementing the new service provider's way of doing business could begin as early as March 2008. Keesler announced its tentative decision on Aug. 18, 2005, starting the original 30-day public review period. A tentative cost comparison decision was determined in the Base Operating Support Services "Big BOS" and "Little BOS" cost comparison, which affects about 330 civilian and 400 military jobs. "Big BOS" covers such functions as civil engineering, supply, services, weather station, and certain mission support functions. "Little BOS" covers most communications functions. The tentative cost comparison decision for "Big BOS is to award a contract to DynCorp. The tentative cost comparison decision for "Little BOS" is to retain the function in-house under the most efficient organization. Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005, which placed the A-76 process in a hold status. During the past year, the Air Force conducted a full damage analysis and review of the storm's impact on Keesler in regards to the tentative A-76 decision. The outcome of the study resulted in a decision to continue forward. Another town hall meeting will be held for affected Keesler personnel at a later date following the end of the 30-day public review period. Keesler Public Affairs will make announcements as more information becomes available. Public review documents can be viewed at Keesler's public web site: Keesler A-76 Information