Anita J. Young

Anita J. Young serves as a Purchasing Agent for the Mark Twain National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, where she manages the acquisition of goods and services critical to sustainable forest management and public land stewardship. Her responsibilities include planning, soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts aligned with federal procurement regulations and the agency’s mission to enhance wildfire resilience, control invasive species, and maintain trail and road infrastructure. She handles a diverse portfolio of construction, engineering, and support services, ensuring compliance with environmental and labor standards while supporting operational readiness across the forest’s vast terrain. Young cultivates strong partnerships with small businesses and specialized contractors delivering forestry support, civil engineering, and maintenance services. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, her procurement patterns reflect consistent collaboration with firms experienced in ecological restoration, infrastructure upkeep, and land management operations. She prioritizes vendor responsiveness, technical competency, and adherence to federal environmental guidelines, fostering long-term relationships with vendors capable of operating in sensitive ecological zones under challenging conditions. A staunch advocate for small business inclusion, Young consistently directs nearly 70% of her acquisitions toward Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a robust commitment to socioeconomic equity in federal contracting. Her office also utilizes HUBZone set-asides at a minimal but intentional level, reflecting targeted support for businesses located in economically distressed areas. Her contracting approach aligns with USDA and Forest Service mandates to maximize opportunities for disadvantaged and locally rooted enterprises. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), with additional emphasis on professional technical services and janitorial support for field stations. She specializes in acquiring services related to trail rehabilitation, erosion control, vegetation management, and forest infrastructure maintenance, requiring deep domain knowledge of federal land use policies and environmental compliance frameworks.