Deborah Porter

Deborah Porter supports the U.S. Maritime Administration’s mission by managing a diverse portfolio of procurement actions focused on facility sustainment, operational readiness, and workforce training infrastructure. Though her official title is not listed, her procurement activities center on acquiring specialized maintenance, rental equipment, and technical services critical to the upkeep of federal maritime facilities and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. She handles complex acquisitions under FAR Part 19, prioritizing small business participation to ensure equitable access to federal contracting opportunities and aligning purchases with the agency’s strategic goals of asset preservation and environmental compliance. Her contracting patterns reflect strong collaboration with small business vendors, particularly those certified under socioeconomic programs. She consistently directs a majority of awards to small business set-asides, with nearly 85% of contracts reserved for small businesses overall, including targeted support for 8(a) firms and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Her working relationships are built on structured competition within these set-aside categories, fostering a procurement environment that emphasizes compliance, transparency, and economic inclusion. Deborah’s procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 532490 (other commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing), indicating a reliance on specialized equipment leasing for facility operations, and NAICS 315210 (cut and sew apparel contractors), reflecting the need for uniform and safety gear for maritime personnel. She also procures specialty trade contracting services under NAICS 238990 for facility upgrades and maintenance, alongside niche services in transportation and independent technical support. Her expertise lies in bridging operational needs with compliant, small-business-driven solutions in maritime infrastructure domains.