Tara M Benton

Tara M. Benton serves as a Contract Specialist within the SFLC Procurement Branch 1 (70Z080) of the U.S. Coast Guard, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the Coast Guard’s fleet of cutters and maritime assets. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—primarily for shipbuilding, vessel repair, and propulsion system modernization. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with the Coast Guard’s strategic priorities of operational readiness and fleet longevity. Her work directly supports mission-critical maritime operations across coastal, offshore, and open-ocean environments. Benton maintains consistent working relationships with key industrial partners including Fairbanks Morse, LLC, Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C., Bay Ship & Yacht Co., Automatic Coating Limited USA, and Technico Corporation. These vendors are recognized for their specialized capabilities in naval architecture, dry-dock overhauls, corrosion protection, and marine propulsion systems. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical expertise, quality assurance, and performance reliability, fostering collaboration on multi-year maintenance and modernization programs. While the majority of her acquisitions are conducted as no set-aside actions (71%), Benton demonstrates a meaningful commitment to small business participation, regularly awarding contracts under Total Small Business Set-Aside provisions (19.4%) and HUBZone set-asides (9.7%). She actively seeks qualified small and HUBZone-certified firms capable of supporting niche marine manufacturing and repair services, ensuring equitable access to federal opportunities while maintaining mission-critical standards. Her procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing) and 333618 (Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in naval vessel construction, engine system integration, and structural plate work. She routinely procures specialized marine components, including propulsion units, hull modifications, and onboard systems, requiring technical fluency in naval engineering standards and maritime regulatory compliance.