Kalli Bates

Kalli Bates serves as a key procurement professional within the W4GG Hq US Army Tacom, supporting the lifecycle management and modernization of ground combat and support vehicle systems under the Department of Defense. Responsible for managing complex acquisition programs, Bates oversees contracts for advanced aerospace and avionics systems critical to armored vehicle survivability, mobility, and power efficiency. Their work directly enables the Army’s strategic priorities in sustaining and upgrading tactical wheeled platforms and associated ordnance systems through integrated engineering and logistics support, ensuring operational readiness across the force. Bates maintains consistent contracting relationships with specialized defense contractors including Schutt Industries, VAREC NV, ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC, A&M AEROSTRUCTURES, INC., and BOWHEAD AVIONICS MANUFACTURING, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-precision manufacturing, avionics integration, and structural components for military vehicle platforms. The working relationships are characterized by long-term collaboration on technical solutions requiring stringent MIL-STD compliance, rapid prototyping, and systems-level integration for next-generation ground mobility platforms. Bates demonstrates a strong and consistent commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with 100% of their acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize opportunities for small businesses in advanced manufacturing and defense technology sectors, fostering innovation and resilience within the defense industrial base through inclusive contracting practices. The primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), encompassing avionics systems, embedded computing, electronic warfare components, and mission-critical aerospace subsystems adapted for ground vehicle applications. This specialization underscores deep technical expertise in integrating flight-proven technologies into armored platforms, requiring rigorous qualification processes and systems engineering oversight to meet Army modernization objectives.