Arlene "kay" Steffey

A Kay Steffey serves as a key procurement lead within the USDA Forest Service’s Csa Northwest 2 unit, responsible for managing operational and maintenance contracts critical to sustaining national forest infrastructure. Their role centers on acquiring field-support services that enable wildfire mitigation, ranger station operations, and public land accessibility across remote terrains. Steffey handles a diverse portfolio of service-based acquisitions under FAR Part 12 and Part 13 procedures, prioritizing rapid response capabilities and mission-critical support contracts that align with the Forest Service’s stewardship mandate. They work closely with field personnel to translate operational needs into compliant, performance-based requirements. Steffey maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including RELIANCE CONTRACTORS INC, TIMBERLINE SILVICS INC, and BLACK BOX SAFETY, INC., who provide specialized forestry support, safety compliance, and environmental services. These partnerships are characterized by repeat engagements and performance-based task orders, reflecting a preference for vendors with proven field experience in rural and ecologically sensitive environments. SHELTON NANCY and L1 ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED are also frequent awardees, indicating a reliance on small, locally rooted providers capable of delivering tailored, on-site solutions. Steffey demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 82.3% of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to prioritize economically disadvantaged and community-based firms, aligning with USDA’s socioeconomic goals. While no specific 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB preferences are dominant, the consistent use of total small business set-asides ensures broad inclusion of small, locally owned enterprises in forest service contracting. The procurement focus centers on NAICS 562991 (septic and waste services), 115310 (forestry support activities), and 561720 (janitorial services), indicating expertise in environmental sanitation, silvicultural assistance, and facility maintenance for ranger stations and remote outposts. Steffey’s technical domain expertise lies in procuring field-ready, low-impact services that sustain ecological integrity while ensuring safe, functional infrastructure in federally managed wilderness areas.