Defense Finance & Accounting Services Facilities May Close

Last week the Pentagon released a preliminary list of military bases being recommended for closing including 33 major bases. The plan would save $48.8 billion over 20 years. The closures and downsizings would take place over a six-year period beginning in 2006.

Two of the facilities recommended for closure and consolidation are the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) in Orlando, Florida and Rome, New York. The facilities are scheduled for closure along with 20 or so other DFAS facilities across the country in an effort to create four "super-centers." The plan would result in more effective handling of military and military contractor payrolls as well as travel vouchers.

The Orlando DFAS facility employs 209 people. Two hundred of them are civilians. The Rome DFAS facility employs more than 300 people. The economic impact of the Rome DFAS is not limited to, an $18.9 million payroll.

Both DFAS facilities are on the preliminary closure recommendation list [1]
issued May 13. The recommendations now go before the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Any modifications to the proposed closure list must be made by September 8, 2005, when the final list is scheduled to be presented to President Bush.