Rachel R. Heaney

Rachel R. Heaney serves as a Contract Specialist at Headquarters, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisition strategies for ground combat and support vehicle systems. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle procurement of armored vehicles, tactical wheeled platforms, and critical ordnance components, ensuring alignment with Army modernization priorities and operational readiness goals. She manages competitive and non-competitive contracts under FAR and DFARS frameworks, focusing on engineering integration, manufacturing, and sustainment services essential to maintaining technological superiority in armored warfare systems. Heaney maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Schutt Industries of Clintonville, ONTIC Engineering & Manufacturing, A&M Aerostuctures, and Bowhead Avionics Manufacturing, LLC. These partnerships are centered on the design, fabrication, and integration of specialized military vehicle components, survivability systems, and mission-critical avionics. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term vendor collaboration to support sustainment and modernization objectives across the Army’s fleet. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 85% of awards issued without set-asides, while maintaining a deliberate 15% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. Though not heavily reliant on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, she actively facilitates small business participation through targeted solicitations that align with technical capabilities and production capacity, ensuring a diverse supplier base without compromising mission requirements. Heaney’s procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 336992 (Military Armored Vehicle and Tank Component Manufacturing) and 336212 (Truck Trailer Manufacturing), supplemented by significant activity in engineering services (541330) and heavy truck manufacturing (336120). She specializes in acquiring advanced armor systems, mobility platforms, powertrain components, and integrated logistics support solutions, demonstrating deep expertise in defense ground vehicle acquisition and systems integration.