Susan Salaj

Susan Salaj serves as a key procurement lead within the C5I Division 2 at Kearneysville, supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission to sustain and modernize command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, and information systems. She manages acquisitions for mission-critical IT infrastructure, communications systems, and software solutions that enable maritime domain awareness and operational readiness. Her work ensures the Coast Guard’s digital ecosystems remain secure, interoperable, and resilient across distributed operational environments, with a focus on procurement actions aligned with federal acquisition regulations and defense modernization priorities. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly enumerated, Salaj engages with a diverse ecosystem of vendors including computing infrastructure providers, wireless communications equipment manufacturers, and software publishers. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and technical compliance, fostering partnerships with both large systems integrators and specialized small businesses capable of delivering tailored C5I solutions. She prioritizes vendor responsiveness, cybersecurity adherence, and system interoperability in source selection evaluations. Salaj exhibits a balanced but deliberate commitment to small business participation, with approximately half of her acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, while the remaining half remain open to all competitors. This reflects a strategic approach to maintaining market competition while actively cultivating capabilities among small, innovative firms. Her contracting patterns demonstrate consistent alignment with socioeconomic goals without compromising mission-critical performance requirements. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 518210 for computing infrastructure and data services, 513210 for custom software development, and 334220 for radio and wireless communications equipment. She routinely acquires secure cloud-hosted platforms, tactical communications hardware, and mission-specific software applications that support real-time data sharing, vessel tracking, and emergency response coordination, reflecting deep technical expertise in maritime C5I systems.