Marilena J May

Marilena J. May serves as a Contract Specialist with the Military Sealift Command (MSC), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex maritime logistics contracts critical to national defense readiness. Responsible for the full lifecycle procurement of ocean transportation services, she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while supporting MSC’s mission to sustain global naval operations through strategic sealift and afloat support. Her acquisitions primarily involve long-term charter agreements, vessel maintenance contracts, and operational support services for government-owned and commercial vessels operating in deep-sea environments, requiring deep familiarity with maritime regulatory frameworks and performance-based contracting methodologies. Marilena collaborates with a diverse range of maritime service providers, including international shipping conglomerates, specialized ocean transport operators, and engineering firms offering vessel maintenance and crewing solutions. Her working relationships are characterized by a focus on performance accountability, risk mitigation, and operational continuity, often involving multi-year, performance-based indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts. She engages with vendors through competitive solicitation processes, ensuring transparency and adherence to DoD procurement standards while fostering reliable partnerships essential for mission-critical logistics. Marilena’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under the “No Set-Aside” category. This indicates a focus on selecting the most capable and cost-effective providers regardless of socioeconomic status, consistent with MSC’s operational urgency and the specialized nature of deep-sea transport requirements. While small business participation is not prioritized through set-asides, she remains compliant with all applicable small business goals and may include small business subcontracting opportunities within larger awards. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), which constitutes 83.3% of her activity, alongside NAICS 483112 (Deep Sea Passenger Transportation). She specializes in procuring heavy-lift cargo transport, roll-on/roll-off vessel services, and specialized maritime support, requiring expertise in vessel classification, international maritime law, and fleet sustainment logistics. Her technical domain expertise centers on the operational demands of global naval logistics and the integration of commercial maritime assets into DoD expeditionary frameworks.