Derrick A Dodson

Derrick A. Dodson serves as a Purchase Agent for the Rocky Mountain Research Station, a scientific unit of the U.S. Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. In this role, he executes procurement actions to support applied ecological research, forest inventory systems, and landscape-scale monitoring initiatives. His responsibilities include soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts for specialized equipment, technical services, and operational supplies critical to field research and data collection. Dodson ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning purchases with the agency’s mission to advance sustainable land management through science-based decision-making. Dodson maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Colorado State University, a leading academic partner in ecological research, and Wesley D. Winslow, a specialized vendor providing niche scientific and surveying services. His procurement patterns reflect collaboration with both institutional research entities and small, technically proficient vendors capable of delivering customized solutions for field-deployable instrumentation and data analysis tools. These partnerships are typically established through competitive solicitations and reflect a preference for vendors with demonstrated expertise in environmental science applications. His contracting activity shows a balanced approach to socioeconomic set-asides, with approximately one-third of awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, indicating a deliberate effort to engage small businesses in technical support roles. The majority of procurements remain open to all competitors, reflecting the need for specialized capabilities not always available within the small business pool. Dodson’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS categories including 337214 for office furniture, 541370 for surveying and mapping services, 334516 for analytical laboratory instruments, and 561720 for janitorial support. His technical domain expertise centers on procuring equipment and services that enable field data collection, laboratory analysis, and operational infrastructure—ensuring research teams have the tools necessary to conduct rigorous ecological assessments across diverse forest and aquatic ecosystems.