Deborah Simmons

Deborah Simmons serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8534 Aflcmc Wnkac, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing expeditionary airfield capabilities and mission-critical aviation infrastructure. She manages the acquisition of specialized aircraft support systems, field-deployable logistics equipment, and industrial material handling systems essential to rapid global airpower deployment. Her portfolio centers on complex, technically demanding contracts requiring rigorous compliance with military specifications and rapid delivery timelines, often involving custom-engineered components for austere operational environments. She maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of industry partners including HYDRAULICS INTERNATIONAL, INC., AAR MANUFACTURING, INC., TAC INDUSTRIES INC, and SELECTTECH SERVICES CORPORATION. These vendors are selected for their proven capability in manufacturing ruggedized, air-transportable systems and aviation-grade hydraulic and mechanical components. Simmons fosters long-term, performance-based partnerships with contractors who demonstrate reliability in meeting stringent military standards for durability, interoperability, and rapid field deployment. Her contracting approach prioritizes open competition, with 80% of acquisitions conducted without set-aside restrictions, reflecting the technical complexity and limited vendor base for specialized aviation infrastructure. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 20% of awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, ensuring opportunities for qualified firms to contribute to national defense readiness. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 333924, encompassing industrial trucks, tractors, and stacker machinery critical to airfield logistics, and NAICS 336413, for auxiliary aircraft parts and components. She specializes in acquiring ruggedized, modular systems designed for rapid assembly and operation in expeditionary environments, demonstrating deep expertise in aviation logistics engineering and defense supply chain resilience.