Kristen Allen

Kristen Allen serves as the primary contracting lead for the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) within the U.S. Coast Guard, overseeing the acquisition of mission-critical aviation sustainment components and support services essential to maintaining operational readiness of the Coast Guard’s rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft fleet. Her role centers on managing complex procurements for avionics, maintenance parts, and auxiliary equipment to extend the service life of legacy platforms such as the MH-65E Dauphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurement strategy with the ALC’s strategic priorities in modernization and logistics sustainment, frequently engaging in long-term contract vehicles and performance-based service agreements. Allen maintains consistent working relationships with key industry partners including ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., AIRBUS US SPACE & DEFENSE INC, and AVIATRIX INC, leveraging their expertise in aerospace systems integration, avionics modernization, and technical maintenance support. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance outcomes and technical reliability, often utilizing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and blanket purchase agreements to ensure rapid response to fleet readiness requirements. She collaborates closely with contractors to ensure seamless integration of new technologies into aging airframes while maintaining strict adherence to military and FAA certification standards. While the majority of her acquisitions are open to full and open competition, Allen demonstrates a meaningful commitment to small business participation, with nearly 20% of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to engage qualified small businesses in the aerospace supply chain, particularly those capable of supporting specialized maintenance, component overhaul, and logistics support functions. Her procurement focus is overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—reflecting deep expertise in sourcing high-reliability aviation components, including flight control systems, sensors, and support hardware. She rarely procures complete aircraft or engines, instead specializing in the sustainment ecosystem that keeps Coast Guard aircraft mission-ready through parts replacement, repair, and technical service contracts.