James J. Dawson

James J. Dawson serves as a Contract Specialist within the U.S. Coast Guard’s Headquarters Contract Operations (CG-912), where he plays a pivotal role in executing strategic acquisitions critical to national maritime security and operational readiness. He manages the full lifecycle of complex contracts for aerospace, maritime, and technical services, with a primary focus on vessel construction, modernization, and specialized equipment procurement. His work directly supports the Coast Guard’s mission to enhance coastal patrol capabilities, sustain specialized fleets, and advance maritime domain awareness systems through compliant, efficient, and mission-driven contracting practices. Dawson maintains longstanding relationships with key shipbuilders and maritime contractors, including Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C., Davie Defense Inc., Rauma Marine Constructions Oy, and Rozema’s Boat Works, Inc. These partnerships reflect a preference for experienced, Tier-1 industrial vendors with proven expertise in naval architecture, vessel fabrication, and defense-grade engineering. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based requirements, rigorous source selection, and contract administration grounded in FAR and DFARS compliance, ensuring deliverables meet the Coast Guard’s stringent operational standards. While the majority of his acquisitions are conducted under full and open competition, Dawson consistently allocates approximately 20% of his portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to small business participation. He prioritizes socioeconomic programs that support qualified small entities in the maritime and defense sectors, fostering competition and innovation while maintaining mission-critical standards. His procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 336612 (Boat Building), reflecting his expertise in constructing and upgrading patrol vessels and specialized watercraft. He also manages acquisitions in NAICS 621999 and 332999, supporting ancillary maintenance, repair, and fabricated metal component services essential to fleet sustainment. This technical breadth underscores his deep understanding of maritime logistics, naval engineering systems, and the integrated supply chains underpinning Coast Guard operations.