Charles B. Colson

Charles B. Colson serves as a key procurement lead at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center, where he manages the acquisition of mission-critical aviation sustainment systems and spare parts to ensure operational readiness of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. His responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle procurement of avionics, maintenance components, and auxiliary equipment for legacy platforms such as the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry. Colson oversees complex contract actions under FAR Part 12 and Part 13, prioritizing technical compliance, supply chain resilience, and logistics integration to support the Coast Guard’s aviation modernization and service-life extension initiatives. He maintains enduring relationships with prime contractors including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and GOLDBELT INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC, typically engaging them through indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and performance-based service agreements. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships with established aerospace and defense suppliers capable of delivering certified aviation parts, technical support, and depot-level maintenance services under strict military and FAA regulatory frameworks. Colson’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 80.5% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. The remaining 19.5% are structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured but consistent commitment to small business participation without compromising mission-critical requirements. He does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, favoring broad-based competition while still enabling qualified small businesses to compete for non-set-aside opportunities. His primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336413, encompassing the procurement of other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment, with secondary emphasis on NAICS 488190 for air transportation support services. His expertise centers on avionics sustainment, flight control components, and maintenance support systems critical to Coast Guard aviation operations, reflecting deep domain knowledge in military aircraft logistics and parts certification.