Cecelia J. Whitehead

Cecelia E. Whitehead serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Coast Guard’s SFLC Procurement Branch 3 (70Z040), supporting the sustainment and modernization of the Coast Guard’s maritime fleet and operational infrastructure. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on vessel maintenance, repair, and critical system upgrades, ensuring the operational readiness and lifecycle integrity of Coast Guard cutters and support assets. Her acquisitions span industrial equipment, marine services, and specialized maritime infrastructure, aligning with the agency’s mission to maintain a resilient, mission-ready fleet through strategic sourcing and lifecycle management. Whitehead maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of experienced marine and industrial 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 preference for vendors with proven expertise in shipyard services, electrical systems integration, and commercial marine repair. Her procurement approach emphasizes reliability, technical proficiency, and long-term vendor performance, fostering collaborative relationships with firms capable of delivering complex, mission-critical support under demanding operational conditions. Her contracting activity is predominantly open competition, with 71.2% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, reflecting a focus on broad market competition for high-complexity requirements. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 28.8% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both market efficiency and socioeconomic goals. Her primary procurement focus lies in the hospitality and industrial maintenance sectors—specifically NAICS 721110 (hotels and motels) and 811310 (commercial and industrial machinery repair)—which support Coast Guard personnel housing and shore-based facility operations. While shipbuilding and repair (NAICS 336611) and fluid power manufacturing (NAICS 333995) represent smaller portions of her portfolio, they underscore her technical engagement with maritime-specific systems and critical mechanical components essential to vessel sustainment.