Daniel Rago

Daniel Rago serves as Supervisor of the Bureau of Highways within the Department of Public Works for Ontario County, overseeing the procurement and management of infrastructure maintenance and transportation-related capital projects. In this role, he directs the acquisition of materials, equipment, and services essential to roadway preservation, drainage enhancement, and civil works rehabilitation. His responsibilities include evaluating vendor capabilities, ensuring compliance with state and federal procurement regulations, and aligning contracting decisions with the agency’s strategic priorities in pavement longevity and infrastructure resilience. Rago typically handles complex solicitations for engineering supplies, construction materials, and specialized highway equipment, ensuring that all procurements support long-term asset management goals. While no specific contractor relationships are currently documented, Rago engages with a broad spectrum of suppliers specializing in transportation infrastructure inputs, including manufacturers of asphalt modifiers, geosynthetic drainage products, and road marking systems. His procurement approach emphasizes technical compliance, performance-based specifications, and vendor reliability over price alone, fostering partnerships with firms capable of delivering durable, code-compliant solutions under rigorous environmental and safety standards. Rago’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of acquisitions issued without set-aside designations. This indicates a focus on technical merit and market-wide competition rather than socioeconomic preferences, though small businesses are not excluded and may compete successfully based on capability and compliance. His primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 423860, encompassing merchant wholesalers of transportation equipment and supplies beyond motor vehicles. This includes procuring specialized highway construction materials such as guardrail components, signage systems, erosion control fabrics, and pavement rehabilitation technologies. Rago’s expertise centers on the technical specifications and performance criteria governing civil infrastructure inputs, ensuring that all acquired goods meet DOT standards for durability, safety, and lifecycle efficiency.