Benjamin Bass

Benjamin Bass serves as a key procurement lead within the Upper Colorado Regional Office of the Bureau of Reclamation, where he manages complex engineering and infrastructure-related acquisitions aligned with the agency’s mission to sustain water resources and modernize hydraulic systems. He oversees the full lifecycle of contracts for critical civil works, including mechanical power transmission systems and switchgear infrastructure essential to dam operations, water control structures, and hydropower facilities. His acquisitions prioritize technical precision, long-term operational reliability, and environmental compliance, ensuring that procurement decisions directly support the agency’s stewardship of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Bass maintains consistent working relationships with specialized contractors including AMES FEDERAL CONTRACTING GROUP LLC, SOUTHWEST WATER DESIGN, L.L.C., RIVERRESTORATION.ORG, LLC, PACIFIC OVERHEAD CRANE SERVICES INC., and ROBINS CONSTRUCTION, LLLP. These partnerships reflect a focus on niche engineering firms with demonstrated expertise in water infrastructure, mechanical systems, and ecological restoration. His contracting approach emphasizes collaborative vendor engagement, requiring deep technical capability, site-specific experience, and adherence to federal environmental and safety standards. He maintains a 100% total small business set-aside preference across all applicable procurements, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals under FAR 19.5. His portfolio consistently awards contracts to small businesses, including those certified under HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB programs, reinforcing the agency’s mandate to foster regional economic resilience through targeted procurement. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 335313 (Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing) and 333613 (Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting a technical specialization in high-voltage electrical control systems and mechanical drive components used in dam gate actuators, pump stations, and hydroelectric turbines. This expertise ensures that acquisitions align with the operational demands of aging infrastructure requiring modernization and resilience upgrades.