Shirley Karver

Shirley Karver serves as a Contracting Officer within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she manages complex acquisitions critical to advancing Earth system science and environmental monitoring. Her portfolio centers on technical services that support NOAA’s mission in oceanographic research, climate modeling, and coastal resilience, with a strong emphasis on information technology and data systems. She is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while delivering mission-critical solutions that enhance predictive capabilities and operational efficiency across NOAA’s scientific programs. Karver maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors, including the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP, JNB Services LLC, Pure Enviro-Management, LLC, and The Regents of the University of Colorado. These partnerships reflect a blend of academic, nonprofit, and small business entities that provide specialized expertise in software development, environmental data analytics, and scientific communications. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term collaboration with vendors capable of delivering high-integrity, scalable technical services aligned with NOAA’s research and operational needs. A significant portion of Karver’s acquisitions—40%—are set aside for total small business participation under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a clear commitment to fostering small business engagement. While no other socioeconomic set-asides dominate her portfolio, her consistent use of small business set-asides reflects a strategic effort to expand the pool of qualified vendors in technical service sectors and promote equitable access to federal contracting opportunities. Her procurement focus is overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), indicating deep specialization in custom software development, data management systems, and analytical tools for environmental modeling. She also routinely procures services under NAICS 561920 (Convention and Trade Show Organizers) to support scientific outreach and interagency collaboration events. Karver’s expertise lies in acquiring mission-enabling IT and scientific support services that underpin NOAA’s core functions in climate science and oceanic observation.