Melaine Sodel

Melaine Sodel serves as a key procurement lead within the Department of the Air Force’s FA2517 21 Cons Bldg 350 office, overseeing mission-critical acquisitions that sustain and modernize defense infrastructure. Responsible for managing contracts aligned with facility resilience and operational readiness, Sodel specializes in procuring specialized engineering systems and integrated electrical installations critical to Air Force installations. Her acquisitions focus on upgrading fire safety, communication, and material handling infrastructure, ensuring compliance with DoD standards for security, durability, and interoperability. She plays a central role in translating operational requirements into technically sound procurement strategies that support long-term force readiness. Sodel maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors, including ASTERI CONSULTING SERVICES LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC, ARHAB LLC, and PRIMEPRO BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in facility modernization, crane and hoist system integration, and electrical infrastructure installation. Her contracting approach emphasizes reliability, technical precision, and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in compliance and mission alignment. Sodel demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 60% of her acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate capacity among qualified small firms, particularly those with niche capabilities in defense infrastructure support. While no set-aside categories are specified, the consistent use of small business set-asides signals a sustained focus on socioeconomic contracting goals and workforce development within the defense industrial base. Her procurement portfolio is overwhelmingly focused on NAICS 333923—Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing—indicating deep technical expertise in material handling systems for aerospace and munitions facilities. The remaining 20% of activity centers on NAICS 238210, Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors, underscoring her specialization in integrating secure, high-reliability electrical systems into mission-critical environments.