Stephanie Eckert

Stephanie Eckert serves as a key procurement lead within the U.S. Transportation Command (USTransCom), supporting the agency’s global mobility mission through the acquisition of critical inland water freight transportation services. She manages a specialized portfolio of contracts designed to enable expeditionary logistics, port and terminal operations, and rapid deployment of military personnel and equipment across maritime domains. Her work directly supports USTransCom’s strategic imperative to sustain theater access and ensure seamless, multi-modal movement of defense cargo, with a primary focus on commercial inland waterway carriers capable of operating in austere and high-demand environments. Eckert maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized maritime and aviation logistics providers, including UNCOMN LLC, PHOENIX AIR GROUP, INC., RAMPART AVIATION, LLC, FANCIULLI EGISTO S.R.L., and MOUNTAIN AVIATION, LLC. These contractors are selected for their proven capacity in niche operational environments, including roll-on/roll-off vessel operations, heavy-lift barge services, and integrated port support. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, with a strong focus on reliability, regulatory compliance, and readiness to operate under dynamic theater conditions. Eckert’s contracting activity reflects a strict preference for full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued without set-aside designations. This underscores a mission-driven prioritization of capability and capacity over socioeconomic classifications, ensuring the most qualified vendors—regardless of size or certification—are selected to meet urgent operational timelines and technical requirements. Her primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 483211 (Inland Water Freight Transportation), reflecting deep expertise in securing commercial waterborne logistics services that support military sealift operations. She routinely acquires specialized vessel chartering, cargo handling, and terminal support services essential to sustaining global force projection, with an acute understanding of maritime regulatory frameworks, vessel certification standards, and port interoperability requirements.