Columbus Campbell

Columbus Campbell serves as a key procurement lead within the USDA Forest Service’s Incident Procurement unit, responsible for rapidly acquiring critical logistical and operational resources to support wildland fire response and all-hazard incident management. Working directly with incident command teams, he facilitates time-sensitive acquisitions of mobile command units, heavy equipment, water systems, and temporary housing infrastructure across national forests and grasslands. His role ensures that emergency response capabilities are fielded swiftly and in compliance with federal acquisition regulations, prioritizing mission readiness over routine procurement cycles. He manages a high-volume, high-stakes acquisition portfolio focused on rapid deployment and mission-critical service delivery. Campbell maintains dynamic relationships with a broad network of specialty trade contractors and small business vendors capable of mobilizing under urgent conditions. He routinely engages with firms experienced in incident support, temporary infrastructure, and emergency logistics, fostering partnerships with contractors who can deliver turnkey solutions in remote, austere environments. His procurement approach emphasizes agility, pre-qualified vendor lists, and streamlined contracting mechanisms such as GSA schedules and blanket purchase agreements to reduce response times during active incidents. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Campbell directs 100% of his procurements toward small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, ensuring equitable access for economically disadvantaged and community-based firms. His contracting patterns consistently prioritize small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, aligning with federal socioeconomic goals while enhancing local economic resilience in incident-affected regions. His primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 237310 (highway and bridge construction), 115310 (forestry support services), 238990 (specialty trade contracting), 238160 (roofing), and 236220 (commercial building construction). These categories reflect his expertise in acquiring infrastructure, site preparation, temporary facilities, and emergency repairs essential to sustaining incident operations and restoring public lands after disasters.