Travis Cohen

Travis C. Cohen serves as a Contracting Specialist within the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ceu OAKLAND (00088) procurement office, part of the Department of Homeland Security. In this role, he manages the acquisition lifecycle for critical civil engineering and infrastructure projects essential to maritime operational readiness. His portfolio primarily supports dredging, port security enhancements, base resilience initiatives, and environmental stewardship efforts under the agency’s mission to sustain the nation’s coastal and inland waterways. Cohen handles complex, high-stakes contracts requiring strict compliance with federal construction standards, environmental regulations, and federal acquisition regulations, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical infrastructure. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Cohen maintains a robust network of qualified vendors specializing in heavy civil engineering and institutional construction. He cultivates long-term partnerships with firms possessing proven expertise in marine construction, dredging equipment operations, and waterfront facility modernization. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and contractor accountability, fostering collaborative relationships with both large primes and specialized small businesses capable of delivering technically complex solutions under demanding operational conditions. Cohen demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly half of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He actively prioritizes 8(a) competed contracts, reflecting a deliberate strategy to expand opportunities for disadvantaged businesses. His set-aside patterns align with federal goals to promote equitable access while maintaining competitive rigor, ensuring small businesses with relevant capabilities contribute meaningfully to national security infrastructure. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), encompassing dredging, breakwater construction, and navigational channel maintenance. He also procures commercial and institutional building construction (236220) and power/communication line infrastructure (237130), demonstrating technical expertise in maritime civil works and resilience-driven engineering. Cohen’s domain knowledge spans environmental compliance, marine geotechnical engineering, and federal construction standards, making him a key steward of the Coast Guard’s physical infrastructure modernization.