James Van Natta

Jim Van Natta serves as a key procurement lead within Mschq Norfolk, supporting the Department of the Navy’s mission to sustain operational readiness of surface and auxiliary naval vessels. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on ship repair, maritime logistics, and mission-critical marine equipment, ensuring timely delivery of services essential to fleet deployment. His role encompasses the full lifecycle of contract execution—from requirements definition and solicitation to award and performance oversight—primarily within industrial maintenance and specialized logistics domains. Van Natta’s work directly enables the Navy’s ability to maintain continuous operational capability through reliable, mission-focused contracting. He maintains strategic relationships with a select group of high-capacity contractors, including EXXONMOBIL MARINE LIMITED for marine fuel and logistics support, VIGOR MARINE LLC for shipyard repair and maintenance services, and BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for process and logistics consulting. ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC provides specialized marine components, while FOREIGN POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC delivers analytical support for operational planning. Van Natta’s contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical proficiency, performance reliability, and compliance with naval standards, favoring established industry players with proven track records in defense maritime environments. His procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 88.2% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on capability over socioeconomic classification. However, he consistently allocates 11.8% of contracts to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured but active commitment to small business participation without compromising mission-critical requirements. The majority of his acquisitions fall under NAICS 811310 for commercial and industrial machinery repair and maintenance, reflecting deep expertise in vessel sustainment and mechanical systems upkeep. Additional focus areas include logistics consulting (NAICS 541614) and specialized chemical product manufacturing (NAICS 325998), underscoring his technical command over complex maritime supply chains and industrial support services critical to naval operations.