Michael Souza

Michael Souza serves as a key procurement professional within Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA HQ), supporting the acquisition and lifecycle management of naval vessels and mission-critical maritime systems. He plays a central role in executing the agency’s shipbuilding and modernization initiatives, overseeing contracts for the design, construction, and integration of surface and undersea platforms. His work directly enables fleet readiness and technological advancement across the U.S. Navy’s maritime combat architecture, with a focus on full-spectrum vessel procurement under the Department of Defense’s naval modernization strategy. Souza maintains strategic relationships with leading defense contractors including Damen Shipbuilding & Cooperation B.V., Huntington Ingalls Incorporated, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, G.S.E. Dynamics, Inc., and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships span shipyard construction, naval electronics integration, and specialized subsystem supply, reflecting a preference for established industrial base partners with proven naval experience. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based requirements, technical compliance, and long-term sustainment support, ensuring alignment with Navy operational needs. His procurement portfolio is entirely dedicated to small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. All awards are structured to maximize participation from small businesses, ensuring equitable access to high-value naval acquisition opportunities. This consistent application of full small business set-asides underscores a deliberate strategy to cultivate a resilient, diverse supplier base capable of supporting complex shipbuilding requirements. Souza’s work is exclusively focused on NAICS 336612 (Boat Building), encompassing the full lifecycle of naval vessel acquisition—from hull fabrication and propulsion system integration to combat system installation and sea trials support. His technical expertise lies in the procurement of steel-hulled warships, auxiliary vessels, and mission-specific maritime platforms, requiring deep familiarity with naval engineering standards, MIL-SPEC compliance, and naval architecture best practices.