Jacqueline Byrd

Jacqueline Byrd serves as a Contracting Officer for the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she manages the acquisition of critical maritime infrastructure and vessel support services essential to national defense and commercial shipping readiness. Her portfolio encompasses the procurement of shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance contracts, as well as specialized engineering and environmental remediation services tied to the National Defense Reserve Fleet and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy operations. Byrd ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing the agency’s mission to sustain a robust, modernized maritime industrial base and maintain strategic vessel readiness. She maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key vendor providing advanced maritime communications and satellite-based logistics support. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established contractors with proven technical capabilities in marine systems, while also fostering partnerships with firms experienced in defense-grade maritime technology and vessel modernization. Byrd prioritizes performance-based contracting and lifecycle support agreements to ensure long-term operational reliability. Byrd exhibits a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of her acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While no single socioeconomic category dominates, her portfolio reflects deliberate inclusion of small businesses capable of delivering specialized maritime services, aligning with DOT’s broader goals of equitable contracting. She avoids blanket set-asides in favor of targeted opportunities that match vendor capacity with mission-critical needs. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), reflecting deep expertise in naval architecture, dry-dock operations, and vessel refit programs. She also frequently procures services under NAICS 238990 and 237990 for specialized marine construction and civil engineering tasks. Her technical domain spans maritime infrastructure sustainment, including environmental compliance and vessel system integration, making her a key steward of the nation’s strategic maritime assets.