Karen Spence

Karen Spence serves as a key procurement lead at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center, where she manages the acquisition of mission-critical aviation sustainment components and specialized industrial materials essential to maintaining the Coast Guard’s rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft fleet. Her role centers on ensuring the continuous operational readiness of legacy platforms such as the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry through timely procurement of avionics, maintenance parts, and chemical support systems. She handles complex contract actions under FAR and DFARS frameworks, with a focus on long-term sustainment contracts, technical service agreements, and direct procurement of niche manufacturing inputs critical to aircraft airworthiness. Spence maintains established relationships with industry leaders including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and GOLDBELT INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC, partnering primarily with large, experienced defense contractors capable of delivering certified aviation-grade components and integrated logistics support. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for proven suppliers with deep technical expertise in aerospace systems, avionics sustainment, and mission-critical supply chain assurance, often leveraging indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) and performance-based service contracts. Her procurement portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on technical capability and mission-critical reliability over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing performance, quality assurance, and supply chain resilience above small business participation targets. Spence’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 325510 (Paint and Coating Manufacturing), with significant activity in industrial adhesives (325520), specialty gases (325120), and chemical wholesale distribution (424690). She procures aviation-specific coatings, corrosion inhibitors, sealants, and high-purity gases used in aircraft maintenance, overhaul, and avionics enclosure environmental control—demonstrating deep domain expertise in aerospace chemical systems and materials science applications.