John Fiddelke

John S. Fiddelke serves as a Contract Specialist at the Military Sealift Command (MSC), where he plays a critical role in executing complex maritime logistics acquisitions aligned with the Department of Defense’s strategic sealift mission. He manages the full lifecycle of contracts for ocean transportation, vessel support services, and marine engineering solutions, ensuring the operational readiness of government-owned and chartered vessels that sustain global naval operations. His expertise lies in negotiating and administering performance-based contracts under FAR Part 16, with a focus on time-charter, voyage-charter, and service-type agreements for deep-sea freight and specialized maritime operations. Fiddelke maintains consistent working relationships with a diverse base of commercial maritime contractors, including vessel operators, marine engineering firms, and navigational service providers. He engages primarily with experienced maritime industry participants capable of meeting stringent DoD standards for vessel safety, crew certification, and operational reliability. His procurement approach emphasizes performance metrics, lifecycle cost efficiency, and compliance with MSC’s technical and environmental requirements, fostering long-term vendor partnerships built on accountability and mission alignment. His contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for unrestricted competitions, with 97% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. While small business participation is limited to approximately 3% of awards, these are typically structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, indicating a measured but deliberate commitment to small business engagement within a highly specialized, capital-intensive sector. Fiddelke’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), which accounts for over 70% of his portfolio, followed by shipbuilding and repair (336611) and navigational services (488330). He routinely procures ocean-going vessel charter services, hull maintenance, propulsion system support, and marine logistics coordination, demonstrating deep technical familiarity with commercial maritime operations and DoD’s expeditionary supply chain requirements.