Donald E. Coonan

Don Coonan serves as a Contracting Specialist within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, where he manages the acquisition of critical services and infrastructure support essential to sustaining the National Defense Reserve Fleet and the nation’s maritime infrastructure. His portfolio includes procurement activities aligned with vessel readiness, technical maintenance, and operational support for maritime training and logistics systems. Coonan specializes in complex service-based acquisitions under FAR Part 12 and Part 15, frequently utilizing competitive sealed bidding and negotiated contracts to ensure mission-critical capabilities are delivered efficiently and in compliance with federal procurement standards. Coonan maintains a consistent working relationship with CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, a key vendor providing advanced communications and satellite-based maritime support systems. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical reliability and regulatory compliance, particularly for systems critical to fleet communications, navigation, and emergency response. He engages with a mix of established contractors and small business innovators, fostering collaboration through clear performance metrics and post-award oversight to ensure operational continuity. A strong advocate for small business participation, Coonan prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over 60% of his acquisitions structured to maximize opportunities for small businesses. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic programs, consistently leveraging set-asides to promote equitable access while maintaining mission effectiveness. He actively structures solicitations to encourage participation from small disadvantaged, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned firms, aligning with the agency’s broader diversity and resilience goals. Coonan’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 519130 (Other Information Services), 541330 (Engineering Services), and 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), reflecting his specialization in technical support, systems integration, and compliance testing for maritime operations. He also oversees acquisitions in plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning systems (238220) and commercial building construction (236220) to maintain training and facility infrastructure. His expertise lies in procuring mission-enabling technologies and services that directly support the operational readiness of the U.S. Merchant Marine and federal maritime assets.