April Blakeley

April Blakeley serves as the primary contracting professional for the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Ogden (SPRHA4), where she plays a pivotal role in sustaining the operational readiness of critical U.S. military aircraft systems. She manages complex acquisitions for high-reliability aviation components essential to legacy and modern platforms, particularly the F-16 and KC-46 aircraft. Her portfolio spans propulsion subsystems, avionics, power distribution units, and airframe-specific parts, ensuring mission-critical systems remain fully functional under demanding operational conditions. Blakeley employs full and open competition as the primary acquisition method, aligning with the agency’s mandate to maintain aircraft availability through timely, technically rigorous procurement. She maintains longstanding relationships with industry leaders including Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. Aviation Group, Raytheon Company, Honeywell International, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and Meggitt Safety Systems Inc. These partnerships reflect a focus on Tier 1 defense contractors with proven expertise in aerospace-grade components, embedded electronics, and safety-critical systems. Blakeley’s contracting approach emphasizes technical compliance, supply chain resilience, and performance-based specifications, fostering collaboration with vendors capable of meeting stringent military standards such as MIL-STD and AS9100. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for full and open competition, with only 10.3% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, indicating minimal use of socioeconomic set-asides like 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs. While small business participation is not a primary driver, she ensures fair access where technically feasible, prioritizing capability and mission need over socioeconomic criteria. Blakeley’s technical focus centers on NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), 334412 (Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing), and 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing), reflecting deep engagement with avionics, circuitry, and mission-critical subsystems. Her expertise lies in procuring precision-engineered components for flight control, power conditioning, and sensor integration—domains requiring strict adherence to aerospace quality and traceability requirements.