Catherine R. Powell

Catherine R. Powell serves as a key procurement lead within the U.S. Forest Service’s R10 Alaska Regional Office, overseeing the acquisition of critical infrastructure and operational support services essential to maintaining federal land access in Alaska’s remote and ecologically sensitive regions. Her work centers on managing contracts for transportation systems, facility maintenance, and environmental compliance projects, ensuring alignment with the agency’s mission of sustainable resource management and resilient public access. She handles a diverse portfolio of construction, engineering, and technical support acquisitions, often navigating complex logistical and environmental constraints unique to Alaska’s terrain. Powell cultivates partnerships with a broad network of small and mid-sized contractors, particularly those with regional expertise in Alaska’s challenging conditions. While no single vendor dominates her award profile, she consistently engages firms capable of delivering high-integrity civil works, mechanical systems, and specialized maintenance services under stringent federal standards. Her procurement approach emphasizes reliability, local knowledge, and adaptability, fostering long-term vendor relationships grounded in performance and compliance. A staunch advocate for small business inclusion, Powell directs 93.1% of her acquisitions toward total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a deep commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. She actively prioritizes contracts set aside for small businesses, including those certified under 8(a), HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business programs, ensuring equitable access to federal opportunities for Alaska-based enterprises. Her technical focus is concentrated in NAICS 238220 (plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning), 237310 (highway and bridge construction), and 237990 (other heavy civil engineering), underscoring her expertise in infrastructure resilience and facility sustainment. She routinely procures services related to road and bridge maintenance, utility system upgrades, and heavy equipment repair, demonstrating specialized knowledge in cold-weather construction practices and federal environmental compliance frameworks.