Sara Rice

Sara Rice serves as a key procurement professional within the W4GG Hq US Army Tacom, supporting the lifecycle management and modernization of ground combat and support vehicle systems under the Department of Defense. She manages acquisition programs focused on specialized vehicle components, including interior trim, seating systems, and mission-critical textile and metal stamping products essential to armored vehicle survivability and crew ergonomics. Her work directly enables the Army’s strategic priorities in mobility, power efficiency, and battlefield readiness by ensuring timely delivery of technically complex, high-reliability parts through full and open competition and targeted set-asides. Rice maintains consistent contracting relationships with a core group of specialized manufacturers, including Schutt Industries, ONTIC Engineering & Manufacturing, A&M Aerostuctures, and Bowhead Avionics Manufacturing. These partnerships reflect a preference for niche suppliers with proven expertise in military-grade interior systems, avionics integration, and precision metal fabrication. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, technical validation, and supply chain resilience, often engaging contractors with prior DoD experience and certified manufacturing capabilities for ruggedized environments. A strong advocate for small business participation, Rice prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with approximately two-thirds of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses. This pattern underscores a deliberate commitment to expanding the defense industrial base by empowering capable small manufacturers in textile, automotive interior, and metal stamping sectors. Her contracting strategy aligns with DoD mandates to foster innovation and competition among non-traditional defense suppliers. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 314999 (miscellaneous textile products), 336360 (motor vehicle seating and interior trim), 332119 (metal stamping), and 336390 (other motor vehicle parts), reflecting deep technical expertise in vehicle-specific components critical to tactical platform sustainment. She specializes in sourcing ruggedized, high-stress materials and assemblies that meet stringent military specifications for durability, fire resistance, and electromagnetic compatibility.