David Blissett

David Blissett serves as a Contract Specialist within the Military Sealift Fleet Support Command Norfolk (N40442), where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurement actions that sustain the U.S. Navy’s non-combatant fleet. Responsible for managing full lifecycle acquisitions, he specializes in engineering and industrial support contracts critical to vessel maintenance, propulsion system overhauls, marine HVAC upgrades, and navigation instrumentation modernization. His work directly enables operational readiness by ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical shipboard systems through compliant, transparent contracting practices aligned with Department of Defense regulations and maritime logistics requirements. Blissett maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse base of industrial contractors, including specialized manufacturers of marine control systems, structural metal fabricators, and engine equipment suppliers. He frequently engages with small and mid-tier vendors possessing niche technical capabilities in naval repair infrastructure and precision instrumentation, fostering long-term partnerships built on performance reliability and regulatory adherence. His contracting approach emphasizes vendor qualification, technical evaluation, and post-award oversight to ensure compliance with naval engineering standards and maintenance schedules. A strong advocate for socioeconomic inclusion, Blissett consistently prioritizes small business participation, with approximately 71.4% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. He actively leverages program authorities to support service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, and other certified small businesses, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to equitable access and workforce development within the defense industrial base. His procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 334513 for industrial process instrumentation, 333618 for auxiliary engine equipment, and 333923 for overhead crane and hoist systems, reflecting deep expertise in marine mechanical and control technologies. He routinely sources fabricated structural metal components and air/gas compression systems essential to vessel sustainment, demonstrating specialized knowledge in naval engineering domains and the technical specifications governing maritime repair and modernization.