Catina McLean, Asst. Forest Engineer

Catina McLean, Assistant Forest Engineer at the R1 Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service, plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency’s mission of sustainable forest stewardship through strategic infrastructure procurement. She oversees the planning, solicitation, and administration of heavy civil engineering contracts essential to maintaining forest roads, trails, bridges, and wildfire mitigation infrastructure across remote and ecologically sensitive landscapes. Her work ensures that critical public access and resource management facilities meet federal safety, environmental, and operational standards, directly supporting the agency’s priorities in forest health and resilience. McLean’s acquisitions are predominantly engineering-driven, focused on construction and site-specific civil works requiring specialized technical expertise and adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, McLean maintains collaborative relationships with a network of qualified civil engineering firms and construction contractors experienced in remote, environmentally constrained project environments. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical compliance, and contractor accountability in challenging terrains. She engages with vendors capable of delivering turnkey solutions for erosion control, drainage systems, trail construction, and fuel reduction infrastructure, often requiring specialized equipment and field logistics expertise. McLean consistently prioritizes small business participation, directing 100% of her eligible procurements toward Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a strong institutional commitment to fostering economic opportunity for small, locally based firms with proven capabilities in heavy civil construction. Her contracting patterns align with the agency’s broader socioeconomic goals, ensuring that small businesses are not only eligible but competitively positioned to deliver mission-critical services. Her primary technical focus lies in NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), encompassing earthmoving, grading, culvert installation, retaining wall construction, and access road development. McLean’s domain expertise centers on the intersection of ecological preservation and infrastructure durability, ensuring all projects comply with environmental regulations while meeting functional and safety requirements for public use and forest operations.