Rick Petersen

Rick Petersen serves as the primary contracting lead for the C5I Division 3 Portsmouth within the U.S. Coast Guard, overseeing the acquisition of advanced command, control, communications, computers, cyber, and intelligence (C5I) systems critical to maritime domain awareness and national security operations. He manages a diverse portfolio of procurements focused on modernizing maritime surveillance, navigation, and secure communication infrastructure, ensuring operational resilience across dynamic threat environments. His role is central to executing strategic modernization initiatives aligned with Department of Homeland Security priorities, requiring deep technical understanding of both hardware and services supporting real-time data fusion and cyber-secure communications. Petersen maintains a consistent working relationship with Trimble Inc., a key vendor providing precision positioning, navigation, and timing technologies integral to Coast Guard mission systems. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for established industry partners with proven capabilities in defense-grade C5I solutions, emphasizing reliability, interoperability, and lifecycle support. While he collaborates primarily with large, experienced contractors, his approach remains open to innovative technology providers capable of meeting stringent military specifications for secure, ruggedized systems. His contracting activity is exclusively non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition, indicating a prioritization of technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic preferences. This reflects the critical nature of the systems being procured and the need for rapid, unimpeded access to specialized expertise and proven platforms. Petersen’s procurement focus is evenly split between NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), encompassing systems integration, cybersecurity, and data analytics services, and NAICS 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing), covering the acquisition of secure radio systems, satellite terminals, and tactical communication hardware. His expertise lies at the intersection of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology adaptation and military-grade system integration, supporting the Coast Guard’s evolving need for agile, networked maritime operations.