James E. Price

James E. Price serves as Contracting Officer and Team Lead for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he oversees the acquisition of critical scientific, technical, and operational support services essential to NOAA’s mission of environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and maritime safety. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning advanced instrumentation, data systems, and environmental services, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning acquisitions with NOAA’s strategic priorities in oceanographic research and atmospheric science. His role involves end-to-end contract lifecycle management, from requirements development to award and performance oversight, with a focus on mission-critical capabilities that enhance Earth system observation and forecasting. Price maintains established relationships with a range of contractors, including the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP, JNB Services LLC, Pure Enviro-Management, LLC, and The Regents of the University of Colorado. These partnerships reflect a blend of academic, small business, and specialized technical vendors delivering research support, environmental management, and instrumentation services. His contracting approach emphasizes collaboration with entities possessing domain-specific expertise in marine and atmospheric sciences, fostering long-term vendor engagement grounded in technical proficiency and regulatory compliance. A strong advocate for small business participation, Price consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over half of his acquisitions structured to maximize opportunities for small businesses. His socioeconomic contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to broaden vendor diversity, particularly among firms certified under small business programs, ensuring equitable access to federal opportunities while maintaining high performance standards. His procurement focus centers on NAICS codes related to aerospace and navigation systems manufacturing, electronic component production, and environmental services, with significant emphasis on search, detection, and aeronautical instrumentation. He regularly acquires specialized equipment and technical support services for oceanographic sensors, weather monitoring platforms, and coastal infrastructure systems, demonstrating deep expertise in high-precision environmental technology procurement.