Dannetta Ford

Dannetta N. Ford serves as a Contract Specialist within the U.S. Coast Guard’s SFLC Procurement Branch 1 (70Z080), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s fleet of cutters and maritime assets. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—primarily for shipbuilding, repair, and vessel maintenance projects. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contracting strategies with the Coast Guard’s operational readiness goals, particularly for dry dock overhauls, propulsion system upgrades, and structural modernizations of naval vessels. Ford maintains consistent working relationships with key industry partners including Fairbanks Morse, LLC, Bay Ship & Yacht Co, Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C., Automatic Coating Limited USA, and Technico Corporation. These contractors specialize in naval architecture, marine engineering, corrosion protection, and heavy industrial fabrication, reflecting a pattern of engagement with experienced, technically capable vendors capable of meeting stringent Coast Guard maritime standards. Her approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, performance-based contracting, and technical oversight to ensure mission-critical outcomes. A strong advocate for socioeconomic contracting, Ford consistently prioritizes small business participation, with approximately 50% of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and an additional 21.4% designated as HUBZone set-asides. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster competition among qualified small businesses and enhance regional economic development in maritime industrial communities. Her procurement focus is overwhelmingly centered on NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), accounting for 83.3% of her portfolio, with minor allocations to industrial building construction and lodging services. This demonstrates deep technical expertise in naval vessel lifecycle management and a specialized understanding of marine industrial requirements, from hull fabrication to systems integration.