Bryce N. Pitchford

Bryce N. Pitchford serves as the primary procurement lead for the Incident Procurement Logistics unit within the U.S. Forest Service, responsible for acquiring critical resources to support wildland fire response and forest management operations. He manages a specialized portfolio of contracts for tactical equipment, protective gear, aerial ignition systems, fire-resistant textiles, and field shelters essential to National Type 2 Firefighter Crews. His role ensures rapid, mission-critical deployment of logistics systems under dynamic operational conditions, requiring agile contracting methods and strict compliance with federal acquisition regulations for emergency and incident-based procurements. Pitchford maintains a consistent working relationship with ONTIC ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, INC, a key supplier of specialized fire suppression and field support equipment. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical reliability and rapid delivery capacity, particularly for mission-essential gear that must meet rigorous performance standards under extreme environmental conditions. He collaborates closely with manufacturers capable of customizing equipment to meet evolving operational needs in remote, high-risk fire zones. A strong advocate for small business participation, Pitchford consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Aside contracts under FAR 19.5, with 75% of his acquisitions reserved for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster innovation and resilience within the supplier base, ensuring diverse vendors—particularly those with expertise in forestry support and ruggedized equipment—have meaningful access to federal contracting opportunities. His procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), reflecting deep expertise in acquiring field logistics, fire suppression tools, and operational support services tailored to wildland firefighting. A smaller portion of his portfolio falls under NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), indicating engagement with specialized equipment for environmental monitoring and fuel analysis. Pitchford’s work bridges technical procurement with field operational needs, ensuring acquired systems are both compliant and mission-ready.