Debra James

Debra James serves as a key procurement lead within the 256-NETWORK Contract Office 16 (36C256) of the Department of Veterans Affairs, overseeing the acquisition of critical infrastructure and medical support services essential to VA healthcare delivery. Her responsibilities include managing complex contracts for facility modernization, electromedical equipment, and building maintenance, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning acquisitions with VA’s mission to sustain high-quality care environments for veterans. She specializes in non-construction service contracts and facility-related procurements, often coordinating with engineering and clinical stakeholders to define technical requirements and ensure operational readiness. James maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including VETMEDPROPERTY LLC, MILLBROOK SUPPORT SERVICES INC, and SI PROPERTY INVESTMENTS LLC, among others. These partnerships primarily involve long-term service agreements for facility operations, medical equipment leasing, and infrastructure support, reflecting a preference for established vendors with proven capabilities in VA-compliant environments. Her contracting patterns emphasize reliability, regulatory adherence, and performance-based outcomes, fostering stable vendor relationships that support continuity in mission-critical services. Her procurement strategy reflects a strong commitment to socioeconomic goals, with over one-third of awards designated for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), and a significant portion allocated to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While nearly half of her portfolio remains open to all competitors, her consistent use of SDVOSB set-asides demonstrates a deliberate effort to advance veteran-owned enterprise participation in VA supply chains. James’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 531120 (Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings), indicating extensive involvement in facility leasing and real property management for VA medical centers. She also regularly procures medical equipment through NAICS 423450 and prefabricated building components under NAICS 332311, showcasing expertise in integrated facility solutions that combine physical infrastructure with clinical operational needs. Her domain knowledge spans healthcare facility lifecycle management, from structural support to equipment provisioning.