Kelly S. Raper

Kelly S. Raper serves as a key procurement lead within the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) of the U.S. Coast Guard, under the Department of Homeland Security, where they oversee the acquisition of mission-critical aviation sustainment systems. Responsible for ensuring the operational readiness of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft—including legacy platforms like the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry—Raper manages complex contracts for avionics, spare parts, and maintenance support services. Their work directly supports the ALC’s mandate to extend service life and modernize Coast Guard aviation assets through strategic sourcing and lifecycle logistics planning. Raper maintains consistent relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors, including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and GOLDBELT INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC, partnering with firms experienced in military aviation component repair, avionics integration, and technical logistics support. These vendor relationships are characterized by long-term sustainment contracts and performance-based service agreements, reflecting a focus on reliability, technical compliance, and supply chain resilience for high-safety-demand environments. Set-aside preferences are overwhelmingly dominated by unrestricted procurements, with 95.8% of awards issued under full and open competition, indicating a prioritization of technical capability and mission urgency over socioeconomic set-asides. While small business participation remains limited at 4.2%, it is primarily channeled through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, suggesting targeted but modest engagement with qualified small vendors in niche support roles. The procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting deep specialization in sourcing airframe components, avionics subsystems, and support equipment for military aircraft. Secondary activity in NAICS 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) underscores involvement in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Raper’s expertise lies in technical procurement for aviation sustainment, with a focus on compliance, supply chain continuity, and operational readiness for Coast Guard flight operations.