Frances M. Wilhelm

Frances Wilhelm serves as a primary contracting professional within the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, playing a critical role in sustaining U.S. military aviation readiness through the acquisition of mission-critical aircraft components and subsystems. She manages a diverse portfolio of procurement actions focused on ensuring the availability of high-reliability parts for military aircraft, engines, and auxiliary systems, with an emphasis on supply chain resilience and technical obsolescence mitigation. Her acquisitions span direct procurement, long-term supply agreements, and urgent logistics response actions, all aligned with DLA Aviation’s mandate to maintain operational readiness across the joint force. Wilhelm cultivates strategic relationships with a broad base of industrial suppliers, primarily in aerospace manufacturing and precision component production. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she regularly engages with both large-tier defense suppliers and specialized small businesses capable of producing certified aviation parts under strict military specifications. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for competitive, performance-based solicitations that prioritize quality, traceability, and just-in-time delivery to forward-deployed units. Her procurement approach strongly favors open competition, with 78.2% of actions conducted without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and urgency of aviation sustainment needs. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation, awarding approximately 18.7% of contracts as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, with modest but consistent allocations to HUBZone and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, demonstrating a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission readiness. Wilhelm’s primary industry focus lies in NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—where she procures specialized components such as flight control actuators, hydraulic fittings, and avionics housings. She also frequently sources fasteners and hardware under NAICS 332722 and electronic subsystems under NAICS 334419, showcasing deep technical familiarity with military aviation logistics and the stringent certification requirements of aerospace supply chains.