Chris Starling

Chris Starling serves as a key procurement lead within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, supporting the U.S. Forest Service’s mission to sustain ecological resilience and public safety through targeted infrastructure and operational support. He manages the acquisition of critical services essential to forest management, including fire protection system upgrades, ranger facility maintenance, and ecological restoration support. His procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on Support Activities for Forestry (NAICS 115310), ensuring that contracting aligns with the agency’s operational needs for wildfire mitigation, trail maintenance, and invasive species control. Starling’s work directly enables field teams to deliver on the Forest Service’s stewardship goals through timely, compliant, and mission-driven acquisitions. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Starling maintains consistent relationships with a network of small, regionally based vendors specializing in forestry support services. These partnerships emphasize local expertise in timber handling, fuel reduction, and ecological monitoring, fostering responsive, geographically attuned contracting that meets the unique demands of southwestern Washington’s terrain. His procurement approach prioritizes agility and technical proficiency, often engaging contractors with demonstrated experience in federal land management protocols and environmental compliance standards. Starling’s contracting activity is fully aligned with a 100% Small Business Set-Aside policy under FAR 19.5, reflecting a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic inclusion. All acquisitions are reserved exclusively for small businesses, with no set-asides for 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, indicating a broad-based emphasis on general small business participation rather than targeted socioeconomic categories. This strategy maximizes competition among qualified local firms and reinforces the agency’s dedication to economic development in rural communities. His technical expertise centers on NAICS 115310, encompassing services such as prescribed burning support, forest inventory, trail construction, and wildfire response logistics. Starling’s acquisitions consistently require contractors with specialized knowledge in federal environmental regulations, NEPA compliance, and forest health management, ensuring that all procurements deliver both operational effectiveness and ecological integrity.