LaChelle Johnson

LaChelle Johnson serves as a Contract Specialist within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, where she plays a pivotal role in executing procurement strategies that support national maritime infrastructure and defense readiness. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions related to vessel maintenance, facility upgrades, and technical services critical to the National Defense Reserve Fleet and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Her work ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing the agency’s mission to sustain and modernize strategic maritime assets through timely, transparent, and mission-aligned contracting. Johnson maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key vendor providing specialized communications and technology services essential to maritime operations. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based partnerships with vendors capable of delivering integrated technical solutions across complex maritime environments. She actively engages with contractors who demonstrate technical proficiency in marine systems, infrastructure support, and compliance with federal maritime standards. A strong advocate for small business participation, Johnson consistently prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with over 70% of her acquisitions designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She also routinely utilizes Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and 8(a) programs, reflecting a deliberate commitment to expanding economic opportunity within the maritime supply chain while ensuring competitive, high-quality outcomes. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors), 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), and 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), indicating deep expertise in facility modernization, shipyard support, and specialized trade contracting. Johnson’s technical domain knowledge spans marine infrastructure, vessel maintenance systems, and institutional facility upgrades, enabling her to effectively structure solicitations that attract qualified contractors capable of meeting the Maritime Administration’s rigorous operational standards.