Maricela Lerma

Maricela Lerma serves as a Supply Officer within the Department of the Navy, responsible for managing the acquisition of critical information technology systems, communications infrastructure, and specialized electronic equipment to support naval operational readiness. Her work directly enables the modernization of command and control networks, the enhancement of cybersecurity for maritime data systems, and the sustainment of next-generation communications hardware for expeditionary and fleet operations. She handles a diverse portfolio of procurement actions under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, ranging from commercial item purchases to complex service contracts requiring technical evaluation and source selection. Lerma maintains a primary working relationship with Lumbee IT Solutions LLC, a trusted vendor delivering integrated IT and communications solutions tailored to naval requirements. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established small business partners with proven technical capabilities in defense electronics and secure communications, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in performance reliability and compliance with defense acquisition standards. Her procurement strategy prioritizes small business participation, with nearly half of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and an equal portion issued without set-aside to ensure competitive flexibility. She also actively utilizes 8(a) competed contracts, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals and expanding opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses in the defense supply chain. Lerma’s technical focus centers on NAICS codes related to electronic computer manufacturing, radio and wireless communications equipment, and specialized communications hardware. She regularly procures secure networking gear, tactical radio systems, embedded computing platforms, and cybersecurity-enabled endpoints, reflecting deep expertise in defense-grade electronics and mission-critical communications technologies essential for naval forces operating in austere and contested environments.