Kevin Nelson

Kevin Nelson serves as a procurement lead within the SFLC Procurement Branch 2 (70Z085) of the U.S. Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, where he manages complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s fleet of cutters and maritime vessels. His responsibilities include overseeing the full lifecycle of shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance contracts, ensuring operational readiness for coastal, offshore, and open-ocean missions. He handles a diverse portfolio of procurement actions under FAR Part 13 and Part 14, with a focus on technical specifications for naval infrastructure, propulsion systems, and vessel integration. His work directly supports the Coast Guard’s strategic imperatives in fleet resilience and mission continuity. Nelson maintains consistent working relationships with key industrial partners including ROLLS-ROYCE SOLUTIONS AMERICA INC, VIGOR MARINE LLC, JAG INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, INC, G I INDUSTRIAL-MARINE, LLC, and L1 ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED. These vendors are primary contractors for vessel refits, marine mechanical systems, and specialized shipyard services. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, performance-based contracting, and technical compliance with naval engineering standards, fostering reliable partnerships that ensure mission-critical vessel availability. A strong advocate for small business participation, Nelson consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with approximately 88.9% of his acquisitions reserved for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate a robust supplier base of qualified small entities capable of delivering specialized marine and industrial services. His contracting patterns demonstrate a commitment to socioeconomic goals, regularly leveraging small business set-asides to enhance competition and innovation within the maritime industrial base. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), with significant activity in 314994 (marine cordage and fabric mills), 332312 (fabricated structural metal), and 238330 (flooring contractors for vessel interiors). These reflect deep technical expertise in naval architecture, marine material systems, and vessel sustainment, ensuring procurement aligns with Coast Guard-specific operational and safety requirements.