Jay Cohen

Jay D. Cohen serves as a Contracting Officer within the National Continuity SECTION (CON50) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he is responsible for managing the acquisition of critical infrastructure and communications systems essential to national emergency resilience. His portfolio centers on ensuring the continuity of secure, redundant, and hardened communication networks and emergency response facilities under the Department of Homeland Security. Cohen executes full lifecycle contracting actions—from market research and solicitation development to award and administration—primarily for construction and infrastructure modernization projects aligned with federal continuity directives. He plays a pivotal role in translating mission-critical operational requirements into compliant, performance-based solicitations that uphold national security standards. Cohen maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse pool of contractors specializing in commercial and institutional construction, as well as water and sewer infrastructure systems. While no single vendor dominates his award portfolio, he consistently engages with firms possessing expertise in secure facility construction, emergency power integration, and resilient utility systems. His contracting approach emphasizes technical competency, compliance with federal construction codes, and adherence to security protocols for critical infrastructure. He fosters long-term vendor partnerships grounded in reliability, performance history, and adherence to FAR standards. Cohen exhibits a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately one-third of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of his contracts remain open to all competitors, he actively promotes equitable access for small businesses, particularly those with construction and infrastructure capabilities. His socioeconomic contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach—prioritizing competition while ensuring meaningful opportunities for small businesses without compromising mission readiness. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) and NAICS 237110 (Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction), reflecting his specialization in building and upgrading secure, mission-critical facilities and associated utility systems. He procures services related to structural hardening, emergency power backup, water distribution resilience, and infrastructure redundancy—all essential to sustaining federal operations during national emergencies.