Carolyn Ward

Carolyn Ward serves as a Purchasing Agent for the SFLC Procurement Branch 3 (00040) within the U.S. Coast Guard, where she plays a critical role in executing acquisitions that sustain and modernize the nation’s maritime fleet. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions for shipbuilding, vessel repair, marine equipment, and related engineering services, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and operational readiness standards. She works closely with technical stakeholders to translate mission-critical requirements into enforceable contract actions, prioritizing reliability, safety, and long-term lifecycle support for Coast Guard cutters and auxiliary vessels. Ward maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized marine contractors, including Philadelphia Electrical Equipment Co., JDCI Enterprises, Inc., ALS Services USA, Corp., Cabras Marine Corporation, and Bay Marine Boatworks, Inc. These partnerships reflect a focus on vendors with proven expertise in marine electrical systems, vessel maintenance, repair, and custom boat fabrication. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor reliability, technical capability, and performance history, fostering collaborative relationships with contractors who understand the unique demands of Coast Guard operational environments. A strong advocate for small business participation, Ward consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides, with nearly 59% of her awards directed to small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate a diverse supplier base capable of delivering specialized maritime services while promoting economic opportunity within the marine contracting sector. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a sustained commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission-critical performance standards. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS categories including 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), 336612 (Boat Building), and 332999 (Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing), underscoring deep expertise in marine infrastructure and vessel systems. She routinely procures custom marine components, propulsion subsystems, and integrated electrical systems essential to fleet sustainment, demonstrating technical fluency in maritime engineering and fabrication domains.