Debra Heath

Debra Heath serves as the primary contracting lead for the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) within the U.S. Coast Guard, where she oversees the acquisition of mission-critical aviation sustainment services and specialized aircraft components. Her role is central to ensuring the operational readiness of the Coast Guard’s rotary- and fixed-wing fleets, including legacy platforms such as the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on avionics modernization, maintenance support, and parts procurement under FAR Part 13 and Part 15 procedures, often coordinating with engineering and logistics teams to align acquisition strategy with technical requirements and lifecycle extension goals. Heath maintains long-standing relationships with key industry partners including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and AVIATRIX INC, who provide advanced avionics, maintenance kits, and integrated logistics solutions. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based service agreements and technical specifications tailored to military aviation standards, fostering collaborative vendor partnerships that prioritize reliability, traceability, and compliance with MIL-SPEC and FAA regulatory frameworks. She also works closely with GOLDBELT INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC, to deliver just-in-time parts distribution and depot-level repair services. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 98.8% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences. Only 1.2% of contracts are designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, suggesting that while small business participation is permitted, mission-critical requirements often necessitate large, experienced vendors with specialized aerospace certifications. Heath’s acquisitions are heavily concentrated in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting her specialization in procuring custom avionics, flight control components, and mission system upgrades. She also frequently sources NAICS 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) services, including maintenance, technical manuals, and supply chain logistics, demonstrating deep expertise in sustaining complex military aviation systems through integrated industrial base partnerships.