by Ronald E Richards, SWD Regional Logistics Manager and
David Cameron Miller, SWD Logistics Specialist
DALLAS -- Southwestern Division logistics offices save the government big money by palletizing and recycling unused or excess equipment and donating surplus computers to local schools (SWD photos)
In May 2011, the Southwestern Division Commander, Brig. Gen.Thomas Kula, tasked the Division Logistics Office with improving property accountability and reducing the environmental impact of Corps-related activities throughout SWD. To accomplish this task, Kula highlighted the need to achieve property accountability throughout the Division; reduce operating costs and environmental impacts associated with the current vehicle fleet; and improve the efficiency of Corps-owned facilities.
After receiving this mission, the SWD logistics manager formed a team to explore the challenges and courses of action that would be necessary to accomplish the commander’s requirements concerning property accountability. The team initially conducted a mission analysis and received input from SWD deputy commanders before the commencement of operations. This analysis identified the need to conduct a 100 percent property inventory within the Division, establish a baseline for accountability purposes, and conduct retrograde operations for the removal of excess and scrap material. To facilitate direction and standardization in property accountability operations, the Division logistics office also drafted an operations order to guide upcoming actions within the Division.
In January 2012, after the operations order had been staffed and released, the logistics office commenced property accountability operations. Division and District logistics personnel began inventorying hand receipt accounts at project sites and coordinating excess turn-in operations for hand receipt holders. These operations required extensive travel, many hours of overtime and compensatory time, and facilitated close interaction between customers and logistics personnel.
The property accountability operation, dubbed "Operation Spearhead," has resulted in the addition of nearly 13,000 items to the property book valued at over $35 million and an inventory completion rate of 90 percent for fiscal year 2012.
The Division logistics offices have recycled 95,630 pounds of metal frames, 105,000 pounds. of motor generators, 726,725 pounds of assorted scrap, 18,000 pounds of copper and tubing, and a 400,000 pound boat ramp. This recycled material has a combined value of over $134,500.
Additionally, SWD logistics in conjunction with the El Paso Project Site saved an Army Reserve unit and other military organizations an estimated $35,000 in furniture, petitions, office desks, chairs and file cabinets. SWD logistics also recycled over 25,000 pounds of shredded paper, equal to over 15.5 tons that would have gone to a landfill. Statistically, for every ton of high quality paper recycled, seven trees are saved. This project alone saved the equivalent of 108.5 trees that would have been used to produce the same amount of finished paper.
Furthermore, throughout Operation Spearhead, SWD logistics has streamlined the transfer of excess and surplus federal computer equipment to our nation’s classrooms. Throughout the last two years, SWD logistics has coordinated the donation of an estimated 1,945 computers and printers to schools, civil groups, and Native American Tribes throughout the SWD area of operation.
Though Operation Spearhead is still ongoing, it has successfully achieved a level of property accountability that was unprecedented in the SWD before FY12. Logistics office personnel have also become familiar with customer requirements, and have developed interest and concern in property accountability across the Division.
With property accountability operations ongoing, SWD logistics turned its focus towards its second objective: improving the rental vehicle fleet. To achieve this objective, fleet managers in Fort Worth and Little Rock District offices went about identifying under utilized vehicles. After identification, fleet managers reassigned or turned-in these vehicles to save the customer money in rental fees. Fort Worth alone has transferred more than170 rented vehicles to other customers, which otherwise would have cost the District $2.3 million.
Fleet managers continue to identify under utilized vehicles, and have reduced operating costs to the customer by eliminating vehicles that are not required to sustain operations. Furthermore, SWD logistics has reduced the environmental footprint left by Corps of Engineers operations within SWD by reducing the size of the vehicle fleet.
In addition to vehicle efficiency, the Logistics Office also went about improving the efficiency of the Jadwin Building in Galveston- the only Corps owned building within the Division’s area of operation. The facility manager from the Galveston District has implemented numerous programs to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts associated with building operations and maintenance.
SWD logistics identified savings in building electricity costs for the Jadwin Building, which will save $69,000 annually. The facility manager also initiated the replacement of boilers within the building with energy efficient units; replaced elevator lobby lighting with compact fluorescent lighting; and installed motion sensor upgrades to light switches to reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, the facility manager upgraded each restroom to Architectural Barrier Act/ American Disability Act standard by installing automatic flow/ flush toilets, urinals, and sinks which will reduce water consumption.
Throughout FY12, SWD logistics office has taken steps to improve property accountability and reduce the environmental impact of Corps-related activities throughout the Division. Efforts of Logistics personnel in property accountability, fleet management and facility efficiency have directly supported the Division and have accomplished the requirements of the SWD Commander.