Erica L Williams

Erica L. Williams serves as a Contracting Officer within the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she manages the acquisition of critical maritime infrastructure, vessel support services, and strategic logistics capabilities essential to national defense and commercial shipping readiness. Her portfolio centers on procurements that sustain the National Defense Reserve Fleet, modernize merchant marine assets, and support the operational needs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. She handles a broad range of contract types, including cost-reimbursement, fixed-price, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity instruments, with a focus on complex, mission-critical acquisitions requiring technical oversight and regulatory compliance under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Williams maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key provider of maritime communications and satellite-based logistics support. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in maritime technology and defense-related systems, while also engaging a diverse base of contractors delivering engineering, ship repair, and water transportation support services. Her approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and vendor accountability to ensure mission continuity and operational resilience. Her set-aside preferences reveal a balanced commitment to small business participation, with nearly 30% of her awards designated for total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and smaller but consistent allocations to 8(a), Women-Owned Small Business, and HUBZone contractors. While the majority of her acquisitions remain open to full and open competition, she actively leverages socioeconomic programs to expand market access for qualified small businesses aligned with maritime industry needs. Williams specializes in NAICS categories including Other Support Activities for Water Transportation, Deep Sea Freight Transportation, and Ship Building and Repairing, reflecting her technical expertise in vessel maintenance, maritime logistics, and marine engineering services. She routinely procures specialized equipment, technical consulting, and insurance services critical to fleet readiness, demonstrating deep domain knowledge in maritime operational requirements and regulatory frameworks governing federal maritime acquisitions.