Shenita Tirado

Shenita Tirado serves as a primary contracting professional within the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, where she plays a critical role in securing high-reliability aviation components essential to the operational readiness of U.S. military aircraft. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement activities—from requirements validation and market research to contract award and administration—for mission-critical parts including avionics, engine subsystems, and auxiliary equipment. She operates within a fast-paced logistics environment that demands rapid response to supply chain disruptions and technical obsolescence, ensuring that warfighters have access to certified, compliant, and sustainment-ready components. Her acquisitions are strategically aligned with DLA Aviation’s mission to maintain airpower readiness through resilient and agile supply chains. While specific contractor names are not available, Tirado engages with a diverse ecosystem of manufacturers and suppliers specializing in aerospace-grade parts and precision-machined components. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established defense industrial base vendors with proven quality systems and AS9100 certification, alongside emerging suppliers capable of addressing niche or legacy part requirements. She fosters collaborative relationships with vendors who demonstrate technical expertise in reverse engineering, life-cycle extension, and obsolete part mitigation, ensuring continuity of supply for aging aircraft fleets. Tirado’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong emphasis on open competition, with 87.5% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, while maintaining a consistent 12.5% allocation to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This balanced approach prioritizes capability and readiness while actively supporting small business participation across the aerospace supply chain, particularly among firms with specialized manufacturing capabilities in aviation systems. Her primary focus lies in NAICS 336413, encompassing the procurement of other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment, including actuators, hydraulic components, and flight control subsystems. She also regularly sources textile-based containment systems and hardware assemblies under NAICS 314910 and 332510, demonstrating technical fluency in both mechanical and material-specific aviation requirements. Her expertise spans the integration of certified aviation components into complex aircraft systems, with deep familiarity in military specification standards and airworthiness compliance.