Samuel S. Bouchelle

Samuel S. Bouchelle serves as a Contract Specialist at the Military Sealift Command (MSC), where he plays a critical role in executing complex acquisition strategies to sustain the U.S. Navy’s global sealift capabilities. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions, he specializes in negotiating and administering contracts for strategic ocean transportation, vessel maintenance, and specialized maritime support services. His work directly supports MSC’s mission to ensure the readiness and operational mobility of naval forces through a blend of government-owned and chartered vessels, requiring deep expertise in maritime logistics, defense contracting regulations, and performance-based acquisition methods. Bouchelle collaborates with a diverse range of contractors, including shipbuilders, marine engineering firms, and navigational service providers, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in compliance, technical rigor, and mission alignment. While no specific vendor relationships are publicly identifiable, his procurement patterns indicate consistent engagement with firms capable of delivering high-integrity maritime systems and operational support services under stringent DoD standards. He prioritizes contract clarity, risk mitigation, and performance accountability to ensure seamless integration of commercial capabilities into naval logistics networks. His contracting approach reflects a strong emphasis on open competition, with 82.8% of awards issued without set-asides, yet he actively supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides (10.3%) and 8(a) competed contracts (6.9%). This balanced strategy ensures market competition while fulfilling statutory obligations to promote socioeconomic diversity in defense contracting. Bouchelle’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), and 332410 (Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing), reflecting his technical expertise in vessel construction, propulsion systems, and maritime infrastructure. He routinely oversees acquisitions for specialized marine equipment, navigational support services, and maintenance contracts essential to sustaining MSC’s fleet readiness and operational endurance.