Buckley UPSS saves money, eases unit purchasing constraints

by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

2/26/2013 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Buckley is cleaning out their closets in an effort to save money, clean up and help out unit purchasing constraints.

The Unit Purchased Supplies Surplus system was created for units to take a good, hard look at what they really need and what they have in excess. Then, units can list these items on the Buckley SharePoint, the internal website, for other units to search through and gain, saving the base and the Air Force money.

"This program is about sharing resources," said Pamela Worrell, 460th Logistics Readiness Squadron deputy. "Especially in our current environment with tight budgets and restricted spending, it's really beneficial to fill your needs without making a purchase."

UPSS was initiated last May when the vice chief of staff of the Air Force sent out a memo directing units to find extra materials and put them on a website for everyone else to be able to see and get a hold of, according to Worrell.

Team Buckley is a joint base with multiple services; and this system, while it's primarily an Air Force tool, is available to all units.

"The primary target audience is Air Force Space Command units, but we have distributed items to the Marines and the Army," stated Worrell. "We're saving the Department of Defense money wherever we can, and that helps everybody."

When it comes to the fiscal situation, saving money is the hot-button issue. This program offers Buckley AFB a chance to cut spending.

"So far, we have saved about $50,000 in three months, and we haven't even fully launched the site yet," explained Worrell. "I think we could easily get over $100,000 (in savings) this year."

Furniture, including desks, table and chairs, has been the biggest moneymaker so far, Worrell said. But she believes once people start really digging into their cabinets and closets, more items will be put up on UPSS.

However, the system is not only about saving dollars. Sometimes it's about making life better for your brother and sisters in arms, according to Jim Byrne, 460th Force Support Squadron management analyst and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century representative.

"It's not only that you're going to have a clean area or increase your square footage, but the real payoff is the people" receiving items from UPSS, said Byrne. "You get a little benefit, but I think the guys on the back end are getting the biggest benefit."

For more information on UPSS, contact your unit representative or call 720-847-9106.