Charlie Cernat

Charlie Cernat serves as a key procurement lead within the USDA Forest Service’s Incident Procurement unit, responsible for rapidly acquiring critical logistical and infrastructure support services in response to wildland fires and all-hazard incidents. His role ensures incident management teams have immediate access to specialized resources such as mobile command units, heavy equipment, temporary housing, and water systems essential for suppression and recovery operations. Cernat manages time-sensitive, mission-critical acquisitions under FAR Part 18 and emergency procurement authorities, often operating under expedited timelines to meet dynamic operational demands across national forests and grasslands. Cernat maintains a broad network of qualified vendors capable of mobilizing under urgent conditions, with partnerships centered on firms experienced in heavy civil engineering, emergency response logistics, and temporary infrastructure deployment. He works closely with contractors who possess proven capabilities in field deployment, equipment maintenance, and compliance with federal environmental and safety standards. His procurement approach prioritizes agility and reliability, fostering long-term relationships with vendors who can scale operations rapidly and operate in remote, high-risk environments. Cernat demonstrates an unwavering commitment to small business participation, directing 100% of his procurements toward total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This consistent focus ensures opportunities for small, agile firms—including those certified as HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Woman-Owned Small Businesses—to contribute directly to national incident response efforts. His contracting patterns reflect a strategic emphasis on socioeconomic equity and workforce development within the emergency response sector. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), encompassing the acquisition of temporary infrastructure, access roads, water supply systems, and site preparation services essential for incident command operations. Cernat’s technical expertise lies in evaluating contractor capabilities for rapid deployment of field-engineered solutions under austere conditions, ensuring compliance with federal environmental regulations and incident command system standards.