Cletus Schafrath

Cletus M. Schafrath serves as a procurement professional responsible for managing complex acquisitions within the motor vehicle and fabricated metal components sectors. His work supports critical transportation and defense-related supply chain needs, focusing on technical specifications for brake systems, vehicle bodies, transmission components, and fastening hardware. He oversees the full acquisition lifecycle—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and technical performance standards. His role is central to aligning procurement strategy with operational requirements for high-integrity automotive and industrial systems. Schafrath cultivates relationships with a diverse base of manufacturers and fabricators, primarily medium- and small-scale suppliers specializing in precision metalworking and vehicle subsystems. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, his contracting patterns reflect consistent engagement with firms possessing ISO 9001 certification, AS9100 compliance, and experience in military or automotive-grade production. He prioritizes vendors with proven quality control systems and supply chain resilience, fostering long-term partnerships that support just-in-time delivery and technical innovation. His procurement approach demonstrates a strong emphasis on small business participation, with 15.9% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. Though he rarely utilizes specialized socioeconomic programs like 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB, his consistent use of general small business set-asides reflects a deliberate strategy to broaden vendor diversity and stimulate competition among qualified manufacturers. This pattern supports broader agency goals of equitable access to federal contracting opportunities. Schafrath’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336340 (brake systems), 336211 (vehicle bodies), 336350 (transmission and powertrain parts), and 332722 (fasteners), with additional activity in miscellaneous fabricated metal products. He procures mission-critical components requiring stringent dimensional tolerances, material certification, and durability testing, demonstrating deep familiarity with SAE and DOT standards. His expertise centers on industrial manufacturing supply chains, particularly those serving automotive, commercial vehicle, and defense applications.