Karen Marshall (Contract Specialist)

Karen M. Marshall serves as a Contract Specialist within the SFLC Procurement Branch 2 (70Z085) of the U.S. Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security. She plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s fleet of cutters and maritime vessels, ensuring operational readiness for coastal, offshore, and open-ocean missions. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—primarily focusing on shipbuilding, vessel repair, and marine engineering services. Marshall’s work directly supports the agency’s strategic priorities in fleet modernization, lifecycle management, and infrastructure resilience. Marshall maintains consistent working relationships with key industry partners including Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc., Vigor Marine LLC, JAG Industrial Services, Inc., G I Industrial-Marine, LLC, and L1 Enterprises Incorporated. These contractors provide specialized marine propulsion systems, dry-dock repair services, naval maintenance, and industrial fabrication capabilities critical to vessel sustainment. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical expertise, quality assurance, and compliance with naval engineering standards, fostering reliable delivery of mission-critical maritime assets. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 78.1% of awards issued without set-asides, while maintaining a deliberate 21.9% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. Though not focused on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs specifically, she actively facilitates opportunities for small businesses capable of delivering complex marine industrial services, aligning socioeconomic goals with operational needs. Marshall’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), complemented by significant activity in 333618 (Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing) and 541330 (Engineering Services). She routinely procures propulsion systems, hull modifications, marine electrical integrations, and technical support for naval architecture, demonstrating deep expertise in maritime engineering domains and lifecycle support contracting.