Kathleen M. Lechert

Lechert serves as a Purchasing Agent for the SFLC Procurement Branch 3 (00040) within the U.S. Coast Guard, responsible for executing acquisition strategies that sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s maritime fleet. Focused on shipbuilding, repair, and critical vessel systems, Lechert manages competitive procurements under the Federal Acquisition Regulation to ensure operational readiness and lifecycle support for cutters and auxiliary infrastructure. Their work directly supports the agency’s mission of maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship through timely, compliant, and technically sound contracting actions. Lechert maintains longstanding relationships with key contractors including Philadelphia Electrical Equipment Co., JDCI Enterprises, Inc., ALS Services USA, Corp., Cabras Marine Corporation, and Bay Marine Boatworks, Inc.—all recognized for their expertise in marine systems, electrical integration, and vessel maintenance. These partnerships reflect a preference for specialized, niche vendors with proven capability in Coast Guard-specific operational environments, fostering reliable, mission-critical supply chains grounded in technical precision and regulatory compliance. A consistent advocate for small business participation, Lechert prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over half of their procurements reserved for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to expand economic opportunity within the maritime industrial base while ensuring access to agile, innovative suppliers capable of meeting the Coast Guard’s unique operational demands. Their contracting patterns demonstrate a balanced approach to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission performance. Lechert’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), with significant activity in related categories such as industrial valve manufacturing and mechanical power transmission equipment. Their expertise spans the procurement of propulsion components, marine electrical systems, corrosion-resistant hardware, and custom-fabricated metal assemblies essential to vessel integrity. This technical domain requires deep familiarity with naval architecture standards, Coast Guard certification requirements, and maritime engineering specifications.