Carlton Colson

Carlton Colson serves as a key procurement professional within the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) of the U.S. Coast Guard, responsible for managing the acquisition of mission-critical aviation parts and auxiliary equipment to sustain the service’s rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft fleet. His role centers on ensuring the operational readiness of legacy platforms such as the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry through timely, compliant, and technically sound contracting actions. He oversees the full lifecycle of procurements for avionics, structural components, and maintenance support systems, aligning acquisitions with the ALC’s strategic goal of extending service life and enhancing fleet reliability. His work directly supports the Coast Guard’s aviation sustainment mission by bridging technical requirements with industrial supply chain capabilities. Colson maintains established relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors, including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and GOLDBELT INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC, among others. These partnerships are primarily centered on the procurement of certified aviation components, avionics upgrades, and integrated logistics support services. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, technical validation, and performance-based outcomes, fostering reliable supply chains for high-integrity aerospace systems. He frequently engages with prime contractors possessing AS9100 certification and FAA Part 145 repair station authority to ensure compliance with military and civil aviation standards. Colson’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued without set-aside designations such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in his acquisition strategy, he ensures all vendors meet stringent quality and certification benchmarks regardless of size. His contracting patterns reflect a mission-driven focus on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences, consistent with the ALC’s emphasis on aircraft readiness and safety. His primary technical domain is NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—where he specializes in procuring flight-critical components, maintenance kits, and sustainment support for Coast Guard aviation systems. His expertise lies in acquiring complex, certified aerospace hardware requiring rigorous documentation, traceability, and airworthiness compliance.