Kathryn Rato

Kathryn Rato serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, supporting the agency’s mission to sustain national maritime infrastructure and ensure the readiness of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She manages a portfolio of acquisitions focused on vessel maintenance, modernization, and operational support services, with a strong emphasis on shipbuilding and repair contracts. Her work directly enables the agency’s strategic objectives by securing critical capabilities for the U.S. Merchant Marine and federal maritime assets, including training vessels and fleet support systems. Rato handles complex, long-term contract actions under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, often involving technical specifications for marine engineering and navigational systems. Her primary contractor relationships center on CONNECTA SATELLITE SOLUTIONS LLC, reflecting a recurring reliance on specialized maritime communications and satellite-based navigation services. She engages with a mix of large prime contractors and small businesses, fostering partnerships that deliver integrated technical solutions for fleet operations, including repair, maintenance, and digital infrastructure for maritime domains. Her contracting patterns suggest a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in marine systems, while maintaining open competition to ensure value and performance. Rato’s procurement approach reflects a strong emphasis on small business participation, with over one-third of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of contracts remain open to all competitors, she consistently facilitates opportunities for small businesses, including 8(a) participants, aligning with federal socioeconomic goals. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a balanced commitment to both efficiency and inclusive economic development within the maritime sector. Her technical focus is dominated by NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), indicating deep expertise in vessel construction, dry-dock operations, and structural refurbishment. She also procures engineering services, commercial machinery repair, and navigational support, underscoring a multidisciplinary approach to sustaining maritime readiness and operational resilience.