Michael Higbie

Michael Higbie serves as a key procurement lead within the U.S. Coast Guard’s Cg ACADEMY (70Z039), overseeing the acquisition of critical infrastructure, maintenance services, and logistical support essential to sustaining the agency’s maritime training environment. His responsibilities center on ensuring the operational readiness of training facilities and equipment through strategic contracting for vessel maintenance, technical repair services, and facility upgrades. Higbie manages a portfolio of acquisitions aligned with the lifecycle management of maritime assets, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while prioritizing mission-critical delivery timelines for cadet and staff training operations. He maintains consistent working relationships with specialized contractors including TOP 3D SHOP INC, VANTAGE POINT, INC, CHASE, LEAVITT & CO. INC, and CROCKER’S BOATYARD, INC.—each recognized for their niche expertise in marine mechanical systems, custom fabrication, and vessel repair. These partnerships reflect a preference for established, technically proficient vendors with proven experience in Coast Guard-specific maritime environments, indicating a focus on reliability, regulatory adherence, and hands-on operational knowledge rather than broad-scale commercial providers. Higbie’s contracting activity shows a 100% preference for non-set-aside awards, indicating a procurement strategy driven by technical specificity and mission urgency rather than socioeconomic targeting. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, his selections suggest a focus on vendor capability and domain expertise as primary selection criteria. His procurement focus aligns with maritime asset sustainment, including boat and ship maintenance, propulsion system repairs, marine electrical systems, and facility infrastructure upgrades. Though NAICS data is unavailable, the nature of his contracts points to deep technical expertise in naval architecture, marine engineering, and defense-related logistics—domains requiring specialized certification and hands-on operational experience to meet the Coast Guard’s rigorous training standards.