Monique R. Leake

Monique R. Leake serves as a key procurement professional within the Maritime Administration, supporting the agency’s mission to sustain and modernize the U.S. merchant marine fleet through strategic acquisitions of shipbuilding, repair, and maritime support services. She manages a diverse portfolio of contract actions aligned with federal acquisition regulations, focusing on complex, mission-critical procurements that enhance domestic shipyard capacity and fleet readiness. Her work directly enables the Department of Transportation’s national security and economic resilience goals by ensuring reliable access to U.S.-built and maintained vessels and associated maritime infrastructure. Leake maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors, including SPEARS MILTON G, BAY SHIP & YACHT CO, and HF FABRICATION LLC, all of which possess deep expertise in vessel construction, maintenance, and marine fabrication. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based partnerships with firms possessing proven technical capabilities in shipyard operations and maritime systems integration. These relationships are characterized by repeat engagements and collaborative contract administration, ensuring high standards of quality and compliance in federally funded maritime projects. A strong advocate for small business participation, Leake prioritizes Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over two-thirds of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses. While service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-asides are less frequent, her overall contracting strategy reflects a deliberate and sustained commitment to socioeconomic diversity, ensuring equitable access to federal maritime opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and community-based vendors. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), reflecting deep expertise in naval architecture, dry-dock operations, and marine structural fabrication. She also manages ancillary services including electrical installation and maritime logistics support, demonstrating a holistic understanding of the integrated supply chain required to maintain a ready and resilient U.S. merchant marine.