Louis J Romano

Louis J. Romano serves as a Contracting Officer for the SFLC Procurement Branch 1 (70Z080) within the U.S. Coast Guard, where he manages complex acquisitions critical to sustaining and modernizing the nation’s maritime fleet. His portfolio centers on shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance contracts for cutters and naval vessels, ensuring operational readiness for coastal, offshore, and open-ocean missions. Romano oversees the full lifecycle of procurement activities—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—specializing in cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts for major shipyard services, propulsion system upgrades, and dry dock overhauls. He plays a pivotal role in advancing the Coast Guard’s long-term vessel sustainment strategy through strategic sourcing and risk-managed contracting. Romano maintains longstanding relationships with key shipyard and marine infrastructure contractors, including Fairbanks Morse, LLC, Bay Ship & Yacht Co., Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C., and Technico Corporation. These partnerships reflect a focus on specialized maritime industrial capabilities, particularly in vessel fabrication, hull repairs, and mechanical system integration. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical compliance with naval standards, and rigorous contractor oversight to ensure mission-critical readiness. A strong advocate for small business participation, Romano consistently prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with over half of his acquisitions designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He also actively supports Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and HUBZone firms, reflecting a deliberate commitment to broadening vendor diversity within the maritime industrial base. His contracting patterns demonstrate a balanced approach between large prime contractors and qualified small businesses, fostering competition while meeting complex technical requirements. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing), accounting for over 70% of his portfolio, with secondary activity in related support services such as painting, coating, and mechanical component manufacturing. Romano’s expertise spans naval architecture, marine systems integration, and corrosion control, making him a key steward of the Coast Guard’s fleet modernization and life-extension initiatives.