Mary R. Skaggs

Mary R. Skaggs serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), responsible for managing the acquisition and sustainment of critical nuclear deterrent systems. Her portfolio encompasses the procurement of specialized engineering services and mission-critical coatings for nuclear gravity bombs, tail kits, telemetry units, and associated command and control infrastructure. As a key player in the Department of the Air Force’s nuclear modernization mission, she ensures compliance with stringent safety, reliability, and security standards while executing contracts under the National Security Directives and FAR Part 13 and Part 15 procedures. Her work directly supports the lifecycle management of legacy and next-generation nuclear platforms, including the B61-13 program. Skaggs collaborates with a diverse base of defense contractors and technical service providers, primarily in engineering and advanced materials sectors. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she routinely engages with firms possessing DOE and DOD nuclear security clearances, as well as those with experience in classified systems integration and hazardous material handling. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical proficiency, supply chain resilience, and adherence to nuclear surety protocols, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of meeting mission-critical performance requirements. Skaggs maintains a balanced approach to socioeconomic set-asides, allocating approximately half of her contracting actions to small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, with the remaining half awarded as full and open competitions. She actively promotes participation from small businesses, including those certified as 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB, aligning with Air Force goals to broaden the industrial base while maintaining mission readiness. Her primary NAICS focus areas are 325510 (Paint and Coating Manufacturing) and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting her specialization in high-performance protective coatings for nuclear components and precision engineering support for weapon system integration. She procures advanced materials for environmental resistance and radiation shielding, as well as systems engineering, test and evaluation, and life-cycle sustainment services critical to maintaining the nuclear triad’s operational readiness.