Melinda J. Lewis

Melinda J. Lewis serves as a Contract Specialist at U.S. Transportation Command (USTransCom), where she plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s global mobility mission through the acquisition of critical transportation and logistics services. She manages complex contract actions spanning air, sea, and rail domains to ensure the rapid deployment and sustainment of military forces worldwide. Her portfolio primarily includes nonscheduled chartered air transportation, deep sea freight, and scheduled freight services, all essential to expeditionary logistics and theater access. Lewis ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with USTransCom’s strategic priorities in port throughput efficiency and operational readiness. She maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including UNCOMN LLC, PHOENIX AIR GROUP, INC., RAMPART AVIATION, LLC, FANCIULLI EGISTO S.R.L., and MOUNTAIN AVIATION, LLC—organizations with proven expertise in military-chartered air operations and international freight movement. These partnerships reflect a preference for experienced, mission-capable vendors capable of operating in austere and high-tempo environments. Lewis fosters collaborative, performance-based contracting relationships that emphasize reliability, security, and responsiveness across global supply chains. Her procurement patterns show a strong emphasis on open competition, with 83.3% of awards issued without set-aside designations, reflecting the specialized nature and operational urgency of the requirements. The remaining 16.7% are awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides, demonstrating a measured but intentional commitment to small business participation where market conditions permit. She does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, prioritizing capability and capacity over socioeconomic categories in most cases. Lewis specializes in NAICS codes 481211 (Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation) and 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), each accounting for one-third of her portfolio, with additional focus on scheduled air freight (481112) and coastal freight (483113). Her technical expertise lies in securing commercial and military-qualified transport solutions that meet DoD mobility standards, including cargo compatibility, security protocols, and global port interoperability.