Nicko Palacios

Nicko Palacios supports critical infrastructure procurement activities for Base Cape COD(00052), a U.S. Coast Guard facility under the Department of Homeland Security. Responsible for managing acquisitions that sustain and modernize essential physical assets, Palacios oversees contracts for facility systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural components. Their role ensures operational readiness by aligning procurement with regulatory compliance, safety standards, and resilience goals. Palacios typically handles service-based acquisitions under FAR Part 12 and Part 13, focusing on maintenance, inspection, and environmental stewardship contracts to uphold Coast Guard mission continuity. Palacios maintains a consistent working relationship with GALLO CONSTRUCTION CO INC, a primary contractor for facility upgrades and infrastructure modernization. This partnership reflects a preference for experienced, full-service contractors capable of delivering integrated construction and maintenance solutions. The contracting pattern suggests a reliance on proven vendors with demonstrated capacity in complex, multi-disciplinary projects, often involving coordination across trade specialties. While long-term vendor relationships are prioritized, Palacios also engages a diverse pool of qualified firms to ensure competition and performance reliability. Palacios demonstrates a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, with approximately one-third of acquisitions set aside for total small business participation under FAR 19.5, while the majority remain open to all competitors. This pattern indicates a strategic emphasis on fostering small business involvement without compromising mission-critical delivery timelines or technical requirements. There is no indication of exclusive use of 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, suggesting a preference for broad-based small business eligibility rather than targeted socioeconomic categories. The procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in three NAICS categories: 333921 for elevator and moving stairway manufacturing, 541350 for building inspection services, and 561730 for landscaping services. These reflect a focus on life-safety systems, regulatory compliance inspections, and grounds maintenance essential to Coast Guard facility operations. Palacios’ expertise lies in procuring specialized technical services that ensure structural integrity, environmental compliance, and long-term asset sustainability across coastal infrastructure.