F. Paul Lirio

F. Paul Lirio serves as a Contract Specialist within the Military Sealift Command (MSC), where he plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions that sustain the Department of Defense’s global maritime logistics infrastructure. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracts—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—he supports critical procurement needs for strategic sealift, vessel support services, and specialized maritime engineering solutions. His acquisitions directly enable MSC’s mission of maintaining a ready, responsive fleet of government-owned and chartered vessels, ensuring the uninterrupted movement of naval forces and supplies worldwide. Lirio collaborates with a diverse range of contractors, including deep-sea freight operators, maritime engineering firms, and industrial control system manufacturers. He cultivates long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance accountability and regulatory compliance, frequently engaging with firms possessing specialized expertise in ocean transportation and naval support systems. His working relationships emphasize reliability, technical proficiency, and adherence to Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements, particularly in areas involving vessel maintenance, crewing, and operational readiness. With a strong preference for open competition, Lirio awards approximately 80% of contracts as unrestricted, while actively promoting small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He demonstrates consistent support for small business contractors, ensuring equitable access to MSC’s procurement opportunities without reliance on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, aligning with MSC’s broader socioeconomic strategy. His primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), followed by engineering services (541330) and relay/industrial control manufacturing (335314). He specializes in acquiring vessel-based logistics systems, marine navigation support, and integrated maintenance solutions, reflecting deep technical familiarity with maritime operational requirements and DoD supply chain resilience standards.