Maria Y. Horn

Maria Horn serves as a Contract Specialist within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that support the agency’s mission of environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and maritime safety. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning technical services, infrastructure support, and specialized equipment procurement, ensuring compliance with federal contracting regulations and alignment with NOAA’s scientific and operational priorities. Her work directly enables the deployment of critical systems for oceanographic research, atmospheric data collection, and coastal infrastructure maintenance. Maria maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors, including WISCONSIN EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD, TRONCONI SEGARRA & ASSOCIATES LLP, JNB SERVICES LLC, PURE ENVIRO-MANAGEMENT, LLC, and THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. These partnerships reflect a blend of academic, environmental, and technical service providers, indicating a preference for vendors with proven expertise in environmental compliance, engineering services, and specialized operational support. Her contracting patterns suggest a focus on collaborative, mission-aligned vendor relationships rather than transactional engagements. A strong advocate for small business participation, Maria consistently prioritizes Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with approximately two-thirds of her awards designated for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals, fostering opportunities for small and emerging firms to contribute to NOAA’s scientific and operational objectives. Her procurement strategy aligns with federal mandates to enhance diversity and innovation through targeted small business engagement. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors), 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing), and 483114 (Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation), indicating specialized procurement needs in facility infrastructure, gas systems for research vessels and labs, and logistical support for coastal field operations. This technical specialization underscores her expertise in procuring mission-critical goods and services that sustain NOAA’s field-based science and operational readiness.