James M. Van Natta

James M. Van Natta serves as a Contract Specialist with the Military Sealift Fleet Support Command Norfolk (N40442), where he plays a pivotal role in securing critical maintenance, repair, and modernization services for the U.S. Navy’s non-combatant fleet. His responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from solicitation and evaluation to award and contract administration—for complex maritime systems, including propulsion components, marine HVAC, navigation instrumentation, and vessel repair infrastructure. Van Natta ensures acquisitions align with Department of Defense standards and operational readiness requirements, enabling sustained mission capability for government-owned ships across the maritime logistics enterprise. Van Natta cultivates partnerships with a diverse pool of industrial contractors specializing in marine engineering and heavy equipment maintenance. While no single vendor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with proven expertise in shipyard-level repairs, mechanical system overhauls, and precision instrumentation calibration. His contracting approach emphasizes technical competency, past performance, and compliance with naval specifications, fostering long-term relationships with vendors capable of supporting the unique demands of military vessel sustainment. A strong advocate for small business participation, Van Natta consistently structures procurements to maximize opportunities under the Total Small Business Set-Aside program (FAR 19.5), with over 40% of his actions reserved for small businesses. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand access for qualified small firms, though he prioritizes performance and capability over socioeconomic status alone, ensuring mission-critical requirements are met without compromise. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 333618 (Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing) and 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery Repair and Maintenance), reflecting deep expertise in marine propulsion systems and industrial repair services. He also frequently procures specialized components under NAICS 334511 (nautical instruments) and 336611 (shipbuilding and repair), demonstrating technical fluency in maritime engineering domains and a commitment to sustaining the Navy’s auxiliary fleet through targeted, mission-aligned acquisitions.