Tom Martino

Tom Martino serves as a Contracting Officer for the Maritime Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he manages the acquisition of critical maritime infrastructure, vessel maintenance, and operational support services essential to national defense and commercial shipping readiness. His portfolio centers on procuring shipbuilding, repair, and deep-sea freight transportation capabilities to sustain the National Defense Reserve Fleet and support the U.S. Merchant Marine. Martino executes full lifecycle contracting actions under FAR and DFARS guidelines, ensuring compliance with federal maritime policy and strategic readiness objectives. He routinely handles complex, multi-year contracts requiring technical oversight of naval architecture, vessel systems integration, and maritime logistics. Martino maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key provider of secure maritime communications and satellite-based tracking systems. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships with firms capable of delivering specialized maritime technology and operational support. He engages primarily with contractors possessing proven expertise in marine systems, defense-grade communications, and fleet maintenance, fostering collaboration through performance-based contracting and incentive structures aligned with operational reliability goals. While the majority of his acquisitions are unrestricted, Martino consistently reserves 25% of his portfolio for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to small business participation. He does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, instead prioritizing broad small business eligibility to encourage competition among firms with maritime technical capabilities. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), reflecting his leadership in acquiring vessel modernization and dry-dock services. He also actively procures deep-sea freight transportation (NAICS 483111) and fire protection systems (NAICS 922160) for maritime facilities, showcasing expertise in both commercial and defense-related maritime domains. Martino’s technical acumen spans naval engineering standards, maritime safety regulations, and fleet sustainment planning.