James R. Callison

James R. Callison serves as the primary contracting lead for the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) under the U.S. Coast Guard, overseeing the acquisition of mission-critical aviation sustainment systems and support services. His role is central to ensuring the operational readiness of the Coast Guard’s rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft fleet, including legacy platforms such as the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry. Callison manages a portfolio of complex, technical procurements focused on avionics, maintenance parts, and auxiliary equipment, utilizing full and open competition with minimal set-asides to meet urgent operational timelines and technical specifications. He maintains sustained working relationships with key industry partners including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and AVIATRIX INC, among others, to secure advanced avionics, maintenance kits, and logistics support solutions. These partnerships are characterized by long-term sustainment contracts, performance-based logistics arrangements, and technical collaboration to extend the service life of aging aircraft systems. Callison’s contracting approach emphasizes reliability, technical compliance, and supply chain resilience, often requiring specialized certification and defense-grade quality controls from vendors. Callison’s procurement activity is overwhelmingly conducted under full and open competition, with only 2.5% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a mission-driven priority for technical capability over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is limited, it is strategically aligned with niche capabilities in aircraft maintenance and parts manufacturing. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), with significant activity in NAICS 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation). He specializes in procuring custom avionics components, maintenance support equipment, and specialized logistics services critical to aircraft sustainment, demonstrating deep expertise in defense aviation supply chain management and technical acquisition lifecycle oversight.