Ann Baca

Ann Baca serves as a Support Services Specialist at the Gila National Forest, part of the U.S. Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. In this role, she manages the acquisition of essential operational support services critical to maintaining forest infrastructure and public safety. Her responsibilities include planning, soliciting, and administering contracts that sustain facility operations, ensure compliance with federal environmental and accessibility standards, and support day-to-day agency functions. Baca specializes in non-technical, service-based procurements aligned with the agency’s mission of ecological stewardship and public access, focusing primarily on janitorial and custodial services that maintain sanitary, safe, and welcoming conditions across remote forest facilities. Baca collaborates with a broad network of small business vendors, particularly those certified under socioeconomic programs, to fulfill the agency’s operational needs. While specific contractor names are not publicly listed, her procurement patterns reflect consistent engagement with local and regional service providers capable of delivering reliable, scalable janitorial support in challenging, often isolated environments. Her working relationships are characterized by responsiveness, compliance with federal contracting regulations, and a preference for vendors with proven experience in federal land management settings. Baca demonstrates an unwavering commitment to small business participation, directing 100% of her procurements toward full small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to empower local economies and foster equitable access to federal contracting opportunities. Her approach aligns with USDA and Forest Service goals to maximize socioeconomic impact through targeted acquisition practices, prioritizing small businesses without requiring specific 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB certifications—though such firms are naturally favored due to their prevalence in the service sector. Her primary procurement focus is NAICS 561720 (Janitorial Services), encompassing routine cleaning, waste removal, restroom maintenance, and facility sanitation across visitor centers, ranger stations, and remote campgrounds. Baca’s technical expertise lies in specifying performance-based service requirements that ensure consistency, safety, and environmental compliance in sensitive natural areas, making her a key enabler of the Gila National Forest’s operational resilience and public service mission.