Thomas D. Rush

Thomas D. Rush serves as a Senior Contracting Officer (SK3) within the U.S. Coast Guard’s Headquarters Contract Operations (CG-912), where he leads the acquisition of critical aerospace, maritime, and technical services to support national security and operational readiness. His portfolio centers on the procurement of specialized vessel modernization, maritime domain awareness systems, and aerospace component manufacturing, ensuring the Coast Guard maintains mission-critical capabilities across coastal and riverine environments. Rush manages full lifecycle contracts from solicitation through award and administration, with a focus on complex, high-stakes procurements requiring technical rigor and regulatory compliance under FAR and DFARS guidelines. He maintains long-standing relationships with key industrial partners including Bollinger Shipyards, Davie Defense Inc., Rauma Marine Constructions Oy, and Rozema’s Boat Works, Inc., reflecting a preference for experienced shipbuilders and defense contractors with proven expertise in vessel construction, repair, and maritime system integration. His contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, technical proficiency, and sustained performance, often leveraging sole-source or limited competition pathways for specialized maritime platforms and engineered components. Rush’s contracting activity is overwhelmingly non-set-aside, with 97.4% of awards issued under unrestricted competition, indicating a focus on mission-critical capabilities where specialized expertise outweighs socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is minimal at 2.6%, it aligns with targeted opportunities in niche technical services where qualified small firms can deliver specialized consulting or maintenance support. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336413 for other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing, reflecting demand for aviation subsystems used in Coast Guard surveillance and rescue platforms. He also regularly procures technical consulting services under NAICS 541611 and 541690, as well as custom programming and machinery maintenance, demonstrating deep expertise in integrating advanced sensor systems, data analytics, and maintenance infrastructure to sustain operational effectiveness.