Kathryn Rato

Kathryn Rato serves as a Contract Specialist within the SFLC Procurement Branch 3 (00040) of the U.S. Coast Guard, where she plays a critical role in executing acquisitions that sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s maritime fleet. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from solicitation and source selection to contract award and administration—focused primarily on shipbuilding, vessel repair, and maintenance services. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with the Coast Guard’s strategic priorities of operational readiness and fleet endurance. Her portfolio centers on complex, mission-critical contracts requiring technical oversight of marine systems, structural refurbishments, and industrial maintenance services. Rato maintains established working relationships with key 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 preference for vendors with proven expertise in naval architecture, marine electrical systems, and dry-dock repair capabilities. Her contracting patterns indicate a reliance on experienced, technically capable firms with demonstrated performance in Coast Guard-specific environments, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in reliability and regulatory compliance. Her procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 71.4% of awards issued under no set-aside conditions, reflecting the specialized nature of the required services. However, she consistently supports small business participation, allocating 28.6% of awards to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both mission necessity and socioeconomic objectives. Rato’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), which accounts for 76.2% of her acquisitions, encompassing hull repairs, propulsion system overhauls, and structural modernization. The remaining 23.8% falls under NAICS 811310, covering commercial and industrial machinery maintenance. Her expertise spans marine engineering systems, corrosion control, and regulatory compliance for Coast Guard-certified vessel operations.