Chad Schmele

Chad Schmele serves as the primary procurement lead for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, overseeing contract execution aligned with the U.S. Forest Service’s mission of ecological restoration and sustainable land management. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on forest health, infrastructure maintenance, and operational support services, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and agency priorities such as prescribed fire operations, invasive species control, and reforestation. His role is central to translating ecological objectives into actionable contracts that deliver mission-critical resources while upholding transparency and accountability in federal spending. Schmele maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors, including S365 INC, LOGISTICS365 INC, SPROUT FORESTRY INCORPORATED, and THREE STRIPES CONTRACTING LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for firms with demonstrated expertise in forestry operations, equipment logistics, and land management services. His contracting patterns emphasize long-term, performance-based agreements that support on-the-ground field operations, often requiring specialized knowledge of wildland fire response, vegetation management, and remote-area logistics. A strong advocate for small business participation, Schmele consistently prioritizes small business set-asides, with nearly 90% of his acquisitions reserved under FAR 19.5 for small businesses. He also actively supports service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, reflecting a deliberate socioeconomic contracting strategy that promotes equitable access to federal opportunities. His approach aligns with USDA and Forest Service goals to strengthen rural economies and foster resilient, locally rooted vendor networks. His procurement focus centers on NAICS categories including 561730 (landscaping services), 561720 (janitorial services), and 325320/325314 (agricultural chemical and fertilizer manufacturing), indicating a technical emphasis on vegetation management, habitat restoration, and chemical application systems. He frequently procures specialized equipment, chemical treatments, and contractor-led ecological services tailored to the unique terrain and fire-adapted ecosystems of southern Oregon and northern California.