Kathleen Lobasso

Kathleen Lobasso serves as a Purchasing Agent for the SFLC Procurement Branch 3 (00040) within the U.S. Coast Guard, where she plays a critical role in executing acquisitions that sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s maritime fleet and operational infrastructure. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions for shipbuilding, vessel repair, marine systems, and related technical services essential to fleet readiness. She handles complex contracts under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, often coordinating with engineering and logistics teams to align procurement outcomes with operational requirements for cutters, auxiliary vessels, and mission-critical equipment. Lobasso maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized marine contractors, including Philadelphia Electrical Equipment Co., JDCI Enterprises, Inc., ALS Services USA, Corp., Cabras Marine Corporation, and Bay Marine Boatworks, Inc. These partnerships reflect a focus on vendors with proven expertise in naval maintenance, marine electrical systems, and vessel fabrication. Her procurement approach emphasizes reliability, technical compliance, and long-term vendor performance, fostering collaborative relationships with firms capable of delivering mission-essential services under demanding maritime conditions. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While no set-aside remains the most common approach, she consistently prioritizes small business eligibility and actively encourages participation from firms certified under socioeconomic programs, reinforcing the Coast Guard’s mandate to promote equitable access to federal contracting opportunities. Lobasso’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing) and 336612 (Boat Building), with additional emphasis on communications equipment (334290) and marine engine systems (333618). She procures a range of specialized goods and services including hull modifications, propulsion system upgrades, navigation instrumentation, and marine-grade electrical integration, reflecting deep domain expertise in naval architecture and maritime systems lifecycle management.