Arlene Dee Carlson

Arlene Dee Carlson serves as a Contracting Officer for the Justice Prisoner Air Transportation System (JPATS), under the U.S. Marshals Service, where she manages the acquisition of critical air transportation support services essential to the secure movement of federal detainees. Her role encompasses the full lifecycle of contract actions—from market research and solicitation to award and closeout—ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while upholding JPATS’s mission of safe, timely, and mission-critical prisoner transport. She primarily handles service-based acquisitions related to air operations, maintenance, and logistics support, often coordinating with aviation and security contractors to meet stringent federal detention standards. Carlson maintains strategic relationships with a diverse pool of contractors specializing in air transportation support, aircraft maintenance, and specialized logistics services. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing FAA-certified operational capabilities and Department of Defense security clearances. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for performance-based service contracts that emphasize reliability, safety compliance, and operational readiness, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering under high-stakes, time-sensitive conditions. Her procurement approach prioritizes broad market access, with 81.4% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting the complex, mission-critical nature of JPATS operations. Nevertheless, she actively promotes small business participation, allocating 15% of opportunities to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, with targeted allocations to service-disabled veteran-owned and women-owned small businesses, demonstrating a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising operational integrity. Carlson’s primary NAICS focus areas include Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), and Commercial Air Transportation Equipment Leasing (532411), indicating deep engagement with aviation maintenance, spare parts procurement, and fleet support services. Her technical expertise lies in procuring specialized aviation infrastructure and mission-critical logistics solutions that ensure the continuous, secure operation of JPATS’s national air transport network.