Tia Palmer

Tia Palmer supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s procurement mission by managing acquisitions critical to NOAA’s scientific and operational infrastructure. Though her official title is not listed, her contracting activities center on securing specialized goods and services that enable oceanic, atmospheric, and coastal research—ranging from advanced sensor systems to marine facility maintenance. She routinely handles complex procurements under FAR Part 15, often involving technical evaluations for engineering, environmental, and maritime technology solutions aligned with NOAA’s mission of environmental stewardship and climate resilience. Palmer maintains consistent relationships with a select group of contractors, including Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP for environmental consulting, JNB Services LLC for logistical and technical support, and Pure Enviro-Management, LLC for specialized environmental remediation services. She also collaborates with the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and The Regents of the University of Colorado on research and data infrastructure initiatives. Her procurement pattern reflects a preference for established, technically proficient vendors capable of delivering mission-critical capabilities under stringent federal compliance standards. Her contracting portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While no other socioeconomic set-asides (such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB) dominate her portfolio, her consistent use of small business set-asides signals a deliberate strategy to foster innovation and capacity-building among qualified small firms in the environmental and maritime sectors. Palmer’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (shipbuilding and repair), 713930 (marinas), and 334511 (nautical instrument manufacturing), reflecting her expertise in maritime infrastructure, coastal ecosystem support, and precision sensing systems. She also regularly procures engineering services under 541330 and commercial machinery repair under 811310, underscoring her technical proficiency in sustaining NOAA’s operational fleet and field equipment through integrated lifecycle support.