Deborah J Wagener

Deborah J. Wagener serves as a Contract Specialist within U.S. Transportation Command (USTransCom), where she plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s global mobility mission through the acquisition of critical air transportation services. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contract actions—from requirements development and market research to solicitation, award, and performance monitoring—Wagener ensures timely and compliant procurement of nonscheduled chartered air services essential to military expeditionary logistics. Her work directly supports the rapid deployment and sustainment of personnel and equipment across air, sea, and land domains, with a primary focus on mission-critical mobility operations in austere and contested environments. Wagener maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized aviation contractors, including UNCOMN LLC, PHOENIX AIR GROUP, INC., RAMPART AVIATION, LLC, FANCIULLI EGISTO S.R.L., and MOUNTAIN AVIATION, LLC. These vendors provide niche, on-demand air transportation capabilities, often involving non-scheduled, military-unique routing and aircraft configurations. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, strict compliance with DoD aviation standards, and long-term vendor reliability over transactional engagements, fostering trusted partnerships built on operational readiness and mission alignment. Wagener’s procurement portfolio reflects a strict preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside designation. This reflects USTransCom’s operational imperative to prioritize mission capability and vendor capacity over socioeconomic classifications, ensuring access to the most capable and available air transport providers globally, regardless of business size or certification status. Her primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 481211—Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation—where she specializes in acquiring tailored air mobility solutions, including military-specific aircraft charters, aerial port support, and contingency airlift services. Her technical expertise lies in evaluating aircraft suitability, crew qualifications, international overflight clearances, and compliance with Joint Publication 4-01.3 on mobility operations, ensuring acquisitions meet the unique demands of global theater access and sustainment.