Patricia L. Etridge

Patricia R. Etridge serves as a Contracting Officer for the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency’s mission to preserve and maintain the operational readiness of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions centered on shipbuilding, vessel repair, and maritime infrastructure support, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and national security requirements. Her work directly enables the long-term viability of aging maritime assets critical to defense and emergency response capabilities, with a strong emphasis on technical specifications for marine systems and regulatory adherence under Title 46 of the U.S. Code. Etridge maintains consistent working relationships with key industry partners including Bay Marine Boatworks, Inc., Bay Ship & Yacht Co., and Revel Environmental Manufacturing, Inc.—established vendors with deep expertise in dry-dock repairs, structural refurbishment, and environmental compliance for government-owned vessels. Her procurement approach reflects a preference for long-term, performance-based contracting with contractors possessing proven experience in naval architecture and marine engineering services, fostering reliable, mission-critical partnerships grounded in technical proficiency and regulatory compliance. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a robust commitment to small business participation, with approximately half of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. She also regularly utilizes 8(a) competed contracts, reflecting a deliberate strategy to cultivate capacity among socioeconomically disadvantaged firms while maintaining competitive rigor. Her approach balances socioeconomic goals with mission necessity, ensuring small business inclusion without compromising operational readiness. Etridge’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), where she oversees complex acquisitions for hull modifications, propulsion system overhauls, and corrosion control. She also procures complementary engineering services and industrial maintenance solutions, demonstrating specialized expertise in marine systems procurement and lifecycle management for reserve fleet assets.