Collin Applewhite

Collin Applewhite serves as a key procurement lead within the U.S. Coast Guard’s Headquarters Contract Operations (CG-912), where he oversees strategic acquisitions critical to national maritime security and operational readiness. His responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts for specialized vessel construction, maritime surveillance systems, and technical support services that sustain the Coast Guard’s fleet modernization and patrol capabilities. He specializes in complex, mission-critical procurements under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, often coordinating with engineering and operational stakeholders to align acquisition strategy with force structure priorities. Applewhite maintains enduring relationships with a core group of shipbuilders and maritime specialists, including Bollinger Shipyards, Davie Defense Inc., Rauma Marine Constructions Oy, and Rozema’s Boat Works, Inc. These partnerships reflect a focus on mid-to-large-tier vendors with proven expertise in naval architecture, aluminum and steel vessel fabrication, and integrated system installation. His contracting patterns emphasize long-term vendor collaboration, with repeat engagements tied to fleet sustainment and incremental modernization programs requiring technical continuity and regulatory compliance. A strong advocate for small business participation, Applewhite consistently structures procurements as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a 66.7% preference for small business contracting. This pattern underscores a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for qualified small manufacturers and shipyards, fostering a resilient, diversified industrial base capable of supporting Coast Guard missions across coastal and riverine environments. His procurement focus centers on NAICS 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing) and 336612 (Boat Building), indicating deep specialization in custom-built maritime platforms and associated subsystems such as navigation, detection, and command-and-control integrations. He routinely procures vessels engineered for patrol, search and rescue, and environmental response, demonstrating technical fluency in naval engineering standards and Coast Guard-specific operational requirements.