Carl Henderson

Carl Henderson serves as a Contract Specialist within the Western Zone of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, where he manages the acquisition lifecycle for critical land stewardship and infrastructure projects. His responsibilities include developing solicitation documents, conducting market research, evaluating proposals, and awarding contracts aligned with federal procurement regulations and agency mission goals. He primarily handles acquisitions supporting wildfire risk reduction, trail and road maintenance, habitat restoration, and facility operations—ensuring that procurement strategies directly advance ecological sustainability and public safety across national forest lands. Carl cultivates strong partnerships with a diverse range of vendors, particularly small businesses and specialty trade contractors experienced in forestry support and environmental compliance. He works closely with firms providing technical services such as ecological consulting, trail construction, and forest management support, fostering collaborative relationships built on transparency, compliance, and performance accountability. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor reliability and technical competency over transactional engagements. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Carl consistently prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with nearly 79% of his acquisitions designated for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He actively promotes opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, and other certified small entities, embedding socioeconomic goals into every stage of the acquisition process to enhance economic equity and regional workforce development. His procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) and 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors), reflecting deep expertise in forest management support, vegetation control, and non-structural infrastructure work. He also regularly procures services under 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services), demonstrating specialized knowledge in ecological restoration, environmental compliance, and public land access infrastructure. His technical domain expertise ensures acquisitions align with the Forest Service’s mission of sustainable land stewardship.