Chris Tweed, Civil Engineer Tech

Chris Tweed serves as a Civil Engineer Tech within the R1 Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service, supporting critical infrastructure procurement for national forest lands. In this role, he plays a key technical and operational liaison in the acquisition of heavy civil engineering services essential to forest health, public access, and wildfire mitigation efforts. His responsibilities include evaluating technical specifications, validating contractor capabilities, and ensuring compliance with federal engineering standards for trail, road, and facility construction in ecologically sensitive and remote environments. Tweed’s work directly enables the agency’s mission to maintain resilient public infrastructure while safeguarding natural resources. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Tweed routinely engages with a network of qualified civil engineering firms specializing in remote-site construction, erosion control, and forest infrastructure rehabilitation. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for vendors with proven experience in federal environmental compliance, heavy equipment operations, and working under challenging terrain conditions. He collaborates closely with contractors to ensure adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and sustainable construction practices. Tweed’s contracting portfolio is entirely set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic inclusion. All acquisitions are structured to maximize participation from small business concerns, with no preference for large contractors. This 100% small business set-aside policy ensures opportunities for firms certified under HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and other small business programs, aligning with USDA’s broader goals of rural economic development. His primary procurement focus is NAICS 237990—Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction—encompassing road and trail maintenance, culvert installation, slope stabilization, and stream crossing projects. He specializes in acquisitions requiring expertise in erosion control, drainage systems, and environmentally sensitive earthwork, ensuring all projects meet Forest Service engineering standards and ecological protection protocols.