Ben Hipple

Bem Hipple serves as Supervisor Civil Engineer at the Boise National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, where he oversees the planning, solicitation, and execution of civil infrastructure acquisitions critical to forest stewardship and public safety. In this role, he ensures that construction and engineering projects align with ecological restoration goals, wildfire risk mitigation, and long-term infrastructure resilience. His procurement responsibilities primarily involve water and sewer line systems, structural metal components, and related civil works essential to maintaining forest roads, visitor facilities, and watershed integrity. Hipple works closely with field engineers and environmental specialists to translate operational needs into technically sound, compliant solicitations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. While specific contractor names are not available, Hipple consistently engages with firms possessing expertise in civil construction and fabricated metal systems, fostering partnerships with vendors capable of delivering durable, environmentally compliant infrastructure in remote, ecologically sensitive terrains. His contracting approach emphasizes technical precision, adherence to NEPA and ESA requirements, and the ability to operate under challenging field conditions. Vendor relationships are typically built on demonstrated capacity in rugged-environment construction and proven compliance with federal environmental standards. Hipple demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 66.7% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate local and regional contractors with the agility and specialized knowledge needed for on-site forest infrastructure work. His procurement patterns prioritize socioeconomic diversity, regularly including small business set-asides to support economic development in rural Idaho communities. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 237110 for water and sewer line construction and NAICS 332312 for fabricated structural metal manufacturing. He specializes in procuring gravity-fed water systems, culverts, retaining structures, and custom-fabricated metal components used in trail bridges, guardrails, and erosion control installations. His technical expertise spans hydraulic design, erosion control standards, and sustainable civil engineering practices tailored to national forest environments.