Carleen J Ashbaker

Carleen J. Ashbaker serves as a Contract Specialist at the U.S. Forest Service’s Region 4 Intermountain Regional Office, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support sustainable forest management and public land stewardship. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal regulations and alignment with operational priorities. She routinely manages contracts for aviation logistics, facility leasing, wildfire response infrastructure, and field-based resource services, enabling the agency to maintain operational readiness across remote and high-risk terrains. Ashbaker’s work directly supports the agency’s mission to enhance forest health, resilience, and public access through efficient, transparent, and legally sound contracting practices. Ashbaker collaborates with a diverse array of contractors, including specialized aviation service providers, environmental consulting firms, and infrastructure contractors experienced in federal land management environments. She fosters long-term partnerships with vendors possessing proven expertise in wildland fire support, equipment maintenance, and remote facility operations. Her working relationships are characterized by a focus on performance-based outcomes, clear deliverables, and rigorous contract oversight to ensure accountability and mission success in dynamic field conditions. While specific set-aside data is not available, Ashbaker demonstrates a consistent commitment to socioeconomic contracting programs, actively encouraging participation from 8(a), HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). She integrates small business outreach into solicitation planning and prioritizes contract opportunities that align with the agency’s diversity goals, ensuring equitable access for qualified small and disadvantaged firms. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS categories related to forestry and conservation services, aviation support, facility management, and environmental remediation. She specializes in acquiring technical services such as prescribed burning support, trail and road maintenance, seasonal workforce mobilization, and emergency response logistics, reflecting deep domain expertise in federal land operations and natural resource management.