Incirlik opens gates to local vendors

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  More than 100 current and potential Incirlik vendors were educated on the government contracting program at the annual Vendor Day event hosted by the 39th Contracting Squadron Feb. 14.

"The main purpose for this seminar is for vendors to become familiar with the contracting process so we can expand and increase competition among the contractor base," said Maj. LaVonne Shingler, 39th CONS commander.

The seminar was publicized across Turkey inviting new vendors to do business with Incirlik. Respondents came from as close as Adana, but others traveled a long distance to learn more about becoming a successful bidder.

"We received RSVPs from Ankara, Istanbul, Mersin, Antakya and other locations around Turkey," said Capt. Jill Boese, 39th CONS services and commodities flight commander. "Those individuals who could not travel to Adana will receive information packets from us in the mail to help them understand posting requirements for contracts and to create a larger amount of competition."

Agenda items throughout the nine-hour seminar focused on how to become a U.S. government source, preparing competitive proposals, opportunities available at Incirlik through 39th CONS or Non-Appropriated Funds, and Government Purchase Card special issues. The day concluded with a panel discussion with 39th CONS personnel who addressed unauthorized commitments, the National Contract Management Association, ethics and other topics of interest.

With information just a click away, Tuncay Esitmez, 39th CONS plans and programs chief, was very excited to explain the Internet site that is set up specifically to help new vendors prepare contract applications and learn about the different types of contracts available.

"The vendors will gain a lot from this seminar because each functional representative from Incirlik is here to introduce and explain their areas of expertise," said Mr. Esitmez. "We are excited to do business with more vendors from the local community."

For some vendors the seminar was a refresher, however, for most it was their first time attending such an event. Although he has been a contractor at Incirlik for close to eight years, Umit Deniz, Buro As furniture and design civil engineer, was a first-timer at Vendor Day. Mr. Deniz won his first contract with Incirlik's air mobility squadron and has since become involved with providing office furniture delivery, maintenance and repairs to multiple organizations on base.

"The quality at Incirlik is quite high," he said. "Incirlik offers great business for us by widening our horizons and has opened new doors to many opportunities that were difficult to find outside the base gates."