Henry H. Puppe

Henry H. Puppe serves as the primary contracting officer for the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, overseeing the acquisition of critical maritime infrastructure and support services essential to national defense and commercial shipping readiness. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts aligned with the agency’s mission to sustain the National Defense Reserve Fleet, modernize merchant marine assets, and support the United States Merchant Marine Academy. His acquisitions primarily involve technical services, vessel maintenance, and operational support, ensuring compliance with federal maritime standards and defense preparedness requirements. Puppe maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key vendor providing advanced satellite communications and maritime data transmission systems. His contracting approach favors established contractors with proven expertise in maritime technology and logistics support, while also engaging specialized firms in ship repair and engineering services. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based partnerships that ensure operational continuity and technical reliability across the fleet. His set-aside preferences are heavily skewed toward open competition, with 85.1% of awards issued without socioeconomic set-asides. However, he maintains a measurable commitment to small business participation, with 12.8% of contracts awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides and 2.1% under 8(a) competed programs. This reflects a balanced approach that prioritizes mission-critical capability while still fostering opportunities for qualified small businesses in the maritime sector. Puppe’s procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 488390 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation), encompassing vessel maintenance, port logistics, and maritime communications support. He also regularly procures shipbuilding and repair services under NAICS 336611 and engineering services under NAICS 541330. His domain expertise lies in maritime systems integration, fleet sustainment, and defense-ready logistics, making him a pivotal figure in maintaining the operational readiness of the nation’s strategic maritime assets.