Shirley Karver

Shirley Karver serves as a Contracting Officer for Federal Prison Industries (FPI), a mission-driven component of the U.S. Department of Justice. In this role, she manages the acquisition of goods and services produced by incarcerated individuals to support federal agency needs, aligning procurement with FPI’s core objective of rehabilitation through vocational training. Her portfolio primarily encompasses textile manufacturing, printing ink, and plastic film products, all sourced from FPI’s unique inmate labor model. Karver ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while upholding FPI’s statutory authority to operate as a government corporation under 18 U.S.C. § 4124, balancing cost-efficiency with social impact. Karver maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of established vendors, including Veterans Range Solutions, LLC, Krueger International, Inc., Veterans Environmental Group, LLC, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, and Nightingale Corp. These partnerships reflect a preference for organizations with proven capabilities in industrial manufacturing, environmental services, and specialized textile production. Her contracting approach emphasizes reliability, quality assurance, and alignment with FPI’s operational standards, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in performance and compliance. While 63.6% of her acquisitions are conducted without set-asides, Karver demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 36.4% of contracts awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides per FAR 19.5. She prioritizes socioeconomic programs that align with FPI’s rehabilitative mission, often partnering with small businesses that support workforce development or serve veteran and disability-focused communities, reinforcing broader federal goals for inclusive procurement. Her technical expertise centers on NAICS 313230 (Nonwoven Fabric Mills) and 313210 (Broadwoven Fabric Mills), each accounting for 27.3% of her portfolio, alongside significant activity in 325910 (Printing Ink Manufacturing) and 326112 (Plastics Packaging Film Manufacturing). Karver specializes in procuring high-volume, standardized industrial products—including uniforms, bedding, signage materials, and packaging films—requiring deep familiarity with textile engineering, material specifications, and federal supply chain logistics.