Michael Trace

Michael Trace serves as Branch Chief of the TCERC-BI unit within U.S. Transportation Command (USTransCom), where he leads the planning, execution, and oversight of critical procurement activities supporting global military mobility operations. In this role, he directs the acquisition of specialized logistics and aviation support services essential to expeditionary port operations, aerial movement, and theater sustainment. His portfolio centers on high-priority, time-sensitive contracts that enable rapid deployment and operational readiness across air, sea, and land domains, ensuring the Department of Defense maintains uninterrupted global transport capabilities. Trace’s acquisitions are mission-critical, often involving complex contractual frameworks to meet dynamic operational demands. Trace maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized aviation and logistics contractors, including UNCOMN LLC, PHOENIX AIR GROUP, INC., RAMPART AVIATION, LLC, FANCIULLI EGISTO S.R.L., and MOUNTAIN AVIATION, LLC. These vendors provide niche capabilities in aerial cargo transport, aircraft maintenance, and expeditionary support services tailored to military requirements. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, long-term reliability, and technical proficiency, fostering stable, high-trust partnerships with contractors who demonstrate proven expertise in austere and contested environments. Trace’s procurement activity reflects a strict preference for full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This underscores a strategic focus on capability over socioeconomic designation, prioritizing mission-critical performance and operational readiness above socioeconomic program participation. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, his office evaluates all offerors based on technical merit, past performance, and ability to meet urgent operational timelines. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 524126—Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers—reflecting a specialized need for risk mitigation and liability coverage for high-value, high-risk military transport operations. This includes insurance for aircraft, cargo, and personnel during global deployments, indicating deep domain expertise in aviation risk management and operational insurance frameworks essential to USTransCom’s mission.