M. E. Simmons

Gene L. Simmons serves as a Contracting Officer for the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he manages the acquisition of critical technical and engineering services to support national maritime infrastructure and defense readiness. His portfolio centers on procuring specialized services to maintain, modernize, and operate the National Defense Reserve Fleet and related maritime assets, including vessels and training facilities. Simmons routinely handles complex, mission-critical contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with a focus on environmental consulting, engineering design, and specialized electrical equipment procurement. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring the agency’s strategic objectives are met through timely, compliant, and efficient contracting actions that align with federal maritime policy and national security priorities. Simmons maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key vendor providing advanced communication and data transmission systems essential for maritime operations. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for established technical partners with proven capability in delivering mission-enabling solutions, particularly in satellite-enabled monitoring and environmental compliance systems. While he engages with a limited number of core contractors, his approach emphasizes performance reliability, technical specificity, and long-term operational support over broad vendor competition. His set-aside preferences are heavily skewed toward open competition, with 87.5% of awards issued without socioeconomic set-asides, reflecting the specialized nature of the services required. However, he consistently reserves 12.5% of opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, demonstrating a targeted commitment to veteran-owned enterprise participation where qualifications align with technical demands. Simmons’ primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting the agency’s need for environmental compliance assessments, vessel maintenance planning, and marine infrastructure design. He also procures specialized electrical components under 335999, supporting the modernization of onboard systems and shore-based facilities. His expertise spans technical domains including maritime environmental remediation, naval engineering, and mission-critical equipment integration, ensuring acquisitions meet both regulatory and operational standards.