Rob Schaffer

Rob Schaffer serves as Aid to Navigation Branch Chief at U.S. Coast Guard Base Ketchikan (70Z035), where he leads the acquisition and sustainment of critical maritime navigation systems essential for safe and reliable operations in Alaska’s remote and harsh coastal environments. His role encompasses managing the full lifecycle of procurement activities for aids to navigation—including buoys, beacons, solar-powered lighting systems, and telemetry infrastructure—ensuring compliance with federal maritime standards and environmental regulations. Schaffer’s acquisitions directly support the Coast Guard’s core missions of search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and homeland security by maintaining the integrity of the nation’s navigational infrastructure in one of its most logistically challenging regions. While specific contractor names are not publicly enumerated, Schaffer consistently engages with a network of specialized vendors capable of delivering ruggedized, marine-grade equipment designed for extreme Arctic and sub-Arctic conditions. His procurement pattern emphasizes partnerships with firms possessing technical expertise in marine electronics, corrosion-resistant materials, and remote monitoring systems, often requiring custom engineering solutions to meet operational demands in unattended, high-maintenance environments. Schaffer maintains a 100% Small Business Set-Aside preference under FAR 19.5, reflecting a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic contracting. All acquisitions are reserved exclusively for small businesses, fostering opportunities for Alaska-based and nationally certified small disadvantaged, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned firms with proven capabilities in marine infrastructure and environmental compliance. His primary NAICS focus is 326150—Urethane and Other Foam Product Manufacturing—indicating a specialized procurement domain centered on high-density, marine-grade polyurethane foam used in buoy hulls, floatation systems, and structural components. This specialization underscores his technical expertise in materials science applications for maritime safety equipment, ensuring durability, buoyancy, and longevity under extreme weather and saltwater exposure.