Katina Barham

Katina C. Barham serves as a Purchasing Agent for the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she plays a pivotal role in executing acquisitions that sustain the nation’s strategic maritime infrastructure. She manages a diverse portfolio of procurements supporting vessel readiness, navigational services, and maintenance of the National Defense Reserve Fleet, with a focus on operational continuity and regulatory compliance. Her acquisitions span technical support services, specialized equipment, and logistics solutions critical to the operational readiness of the U.S. Merchant Marine and related maritime assets. Barham maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key provider of maritime communications and satellite-based support systems. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in maritime technology and defense-related logistics, while also fostering partnerships with small businesses that deliver niche capabilities in navigation, electrical components, and marine support services. She prioritizes reliable, mission-critical suppliers with demonstrated performance in high-stakes maritime environments. Her contracting approach reflects a strong commitment to socioeconomic diversity, with over 32% of her awards designated for total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and additional allocations for service-disabled veteran-owned and 8(a) small businesses. While the majority of her acquisitions remain open to full and open competition, she strategically leverages set-asides to expand the pool of qualified small business vendors capable of supporting the Agency’s specialized maritime needs. Barham’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 488390 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation), reflecting her primary emphasis on marine logistics, vessel support, and navigational services. She also regularly procures specialized electrical components under NAICS 335311 and 335999, indicating technical expertise in power systems and maritime-grade equipment. Her domain knowledge spans the integration of mission-critical infrastructure supporting both commercial and defense maritime operations.