Thomas W. Howcroft

Thomas W. Howcroft serves as Chief of the Contracting Office for the C5I Division 1 Alexandria under the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security, where he leads the acquisition strategy for mission-critical command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems. In this role, he oversees the full lifecycle of procurement activities—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and performance management—ensuring alignment with national maritime domain awareness objectives and enterprise cybersecurity standards. His portfolio primarily encompasses secure telecommunications, satellite infrastructure, and integrated IT systems essential to operational resilience and real-time decision-making in austere environments. While no specific contractor relationships are currently identifiable in the dataset, Mr. Howcroft’s office engages a diverse ecosystem of defense and aerospace contractors, systems integrators, and specialized technology vendors capable of delivering hardened, classified, and interoperable C5I solutions. His team prioritizes vendors with proven expertise in secure satellite communications, RF systems, and military-grade networking equipment, fostering long-term partnerships with firms that meet stringent DoD and DHS compliance requirements, including FISMA, NIST SP 800-53, and ITAR/EAR controls. Mr. Howcroft’s contracting approach reflects a strong emphasis on open competition, with 91.7% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, yet he maintains a consistent 8.3% commitment to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This demonstrates a balanced strategy that prioritizes mission readiness while actively supporting small business participation across the federal acquisition landscape. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 517410 (Satellite Telecommunications) and 511210 (Software Publishers), reflecting deep expertise in secure satellite bandwidth, tactical data links, and mission-critical software platforms. He also regularly procures wireless communications equipment (NAICS 334220) and power systems (NAICS 335311) to sustain the electromagnetic infrastructure underpinning Coast Guard operations. His technical acumen spans enterprise architecture, signal integrity, and secure cloud-enabled C5I ecosystems.