Karl Harris

Karl Harris serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Coast Guard’s Headquarters Contract Operations (CG-912), overseeing strategic acquisitions critical to maritime operational readiness and force modernization. He manages a portfolio of contracts focused on the design, construction, and sustainment of specialized vessels, maritime surveillance systems, and related technical services. His work directly supports the Coast Guard’s mission to enhance coastal and riverine patrol capabilities, modernize fleet assets, and advance maritime domain awareness through targeted procurement of aerospace, marine, and defense-related technologies. Harris operates within a high-stakes acquisition environment where timing, technical compliance, and lifecycle sustainment are paramount to mission success. His primary contractor relationships are anchored with established shipbuilders and maritime specialists, 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 proven vendors with deep expertise in aluminum and steel vessel construction, naval architecture, and Coast Guard-specific platform integration. Harris maintains long-term, performance-driven relationships with these firms, often engaging them across multiple contract phases—from design and prototyping to full-rate production and in-service support—ensuring continuity and technical alignment with operational requirements. Harris’s contracting activity shows no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven approach prioritizing technical capability and schedule reliability over socioeconomic preferences, though small business participation is not excluded—it simply does not drive the procurement strategy. His approach aligns with the Coast Guard’s need for specialized, high-integrity platforms that demand proven industrial base capacity and rigorous quality assurance. His procurement focus is overwhelmingly centered on NAICS 336612 (Boat Building), reflecting deep expertise in custom vessel acquisition, including patrol boats, response cutters, and auxiliary craft. Secondary focus areas include sporting and athletic goods manufacturing and motor vehicle wholesaling, which support ancillary equipment and logistics needs. Harris is a subject matter expert in maritime acquisition lifecycle management, with a technical command over hull design standards, propulsion systems, and Coast Guard-specific certification requirements.