Annie Valade

Ann Valade serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative for the Mark Twain National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture. In this role, she provides critical oversight of contract performance for infrastructure and land management projects, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, technical specifications, and environmental standards. She supports the agency’s mission of sustainable forest stewardship by monitoring construction, restoration, and maintenance contracts tied to wildfire resilience, trail and road infrastructure, and watershed protection. Her acquisitions primarily involve site preparation, roofing, structural exterior work, highway construction, and painting services, all aligned with the Forest Service’s operational needs on federally managed lands. Valade collaborates closely with a network of small business contractors specializing in field-based construction and land management services. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she maintains consistent working relationships with firms experienced in rural and ecologically sensitive environments, emphasizing performance accountability, safety compliance, and adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Her approach fosters transparent, performance-driven partnerships, encouraging contractors to meet rigorous ecological and engineering standards while delivering timely, high-quality outcomes. Valade exhibits a strong, consistent commitment to small business participation, with 100% of her acquisitions designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize economic opportunity for small, locally based firms, particularly those qualified under HUBZone, SDVOSB, or general small business certifications. Her contracting patterns prioritize socioeconomic goals without compromising technical rigor, ensuring that federal resources support both land stewardship and community economic development. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 238160 (roofing), 238910 (site preparation), 238190 (building exteriors), 237310 (highway and bridge construction), and 238320 (painting and wall covering). These reflect her technical expertise in managing outdoor infrastructure projects that require durable, weather-resistant materials and environmentally compliant practices. She is deeply familiar with the unique challenges of executing construction in protected forested areas, ensuring all work aligns with USDA and Forest Service environmental protocols.