Robert E. Lee

Bob L. Lee serves as an EAZ Acquisition Procurement Analyst for the Southern Research Station under the U.S. Forest Service, where he plays a pivotal role in managing the acquisition lifecycle for critical infrastructure and field support services. Responsible for planning, soliciting, and awarding contracts in alignment with FAR guidelines, Lee ensures that procurement activities directly support the Station’s mission of advancing ecological research, forest health monitoring, and sustainable land management. His portfolio primarily encompasses construction, engineering, and technical support services essential to maintaining operational readiness at remote research sites, with a strong emphasis on environmental compliance and mission-critical logistics. Lee maintains an established working relationship with LSG MANAGEMENT, LLC, a key contractor providing specialized support for field infrastructure and site maintenance. His procurement approach reflects a preference for experienced, performance-based vendors capable of delivering complex civil and specialty construction services under stringent environmental and safety standards. He engages with a mix of large and small firms, prioritizing technical capability and past performance over volume, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in reliability and regulatory adherence. His contracting patterns show a strong inclination toward open competition, with 76% of acquisitions issued without set-aside designations. However, he consistently reserves approximately 24% of opportunities for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding small business participation without compromising mission needs. While he does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, his small business awards reflect a focus on capacity-building among qualified general contractors and specialty trade firms. Lee’s procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), reflecting his domain expertise in field access infrastructure, trail maintenance, and forestry support services. He also routinely procures industrial and heavy civil construction through NAICS 237990 and 238990, ensuring that research sites remain accessible, safe, and compliant with federal environmental standards.