Brian Cole

Brian S. Cole serves as a SK2 Contracting Officer within the U.S. Coast Guard’s SFLC Procurement Branch 1 (70Z080), responsible for managing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s fleet of cutters and maritime assets. His portfolio encompasses shipbuilding, vessel repair, propulsion system upgrades, and related infrastructure support critical to operational readiness across coastal and open-ocean missions. Cole specializes in negotiating and administering multi-year contracts under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, with a focus on technical specifications for naval engineering, marine systems, and heavy civil construction. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with Department of Homeland Security acquisition policies while aligning procurements with the Coast Guard’s long-term asset lifecycle strategy. Cole maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized marine contractors, including Fairbanks Morse, LLC for propulsion and auxiliary systems, Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors for vessel construction and dry dock overhauls, Bay Ship & Yacht Co for shipyard services, Automatic Coating Limited USA for corrosion protection, and Technico Corporation for electrical and instrumentation integration. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in naval architecture, marine fabrication, and defense-grade compliance, often requiring ISO 9001 and ASME certification. His contracting patterns show a strong preference for unrestricted competitions, with 83.3% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and limited vendor base in specialized maritime domains. Nevertheless, he consistently supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced approach to competition and capability. Cole’s primary NAICS focus areas include 237990 for heavy civil marine construction, 332311 for prefabricated metal components, 332510 for hardware and structural fittings, 335311 for power transformers used in vessel electrical systems, and 561730 for shipyard landscaping and environmental compliance. His technical expertise spans naval engineering, corrosion control, and marine infrastructure, ensuring procurements align with Coast Guard safety and durability standards.