Eric Ayres

Eric Ayres serves as a key procurement professional within San Diego County, supporting the agency’s mission to maintain safe, resilient public infrastructure and essential municipal services. In his capacity as a SLED (State, Local, and Tribal) procurement lead, he manages the acquisition of capital construction, environmental remediation, and heavy equipment maintenance services critical to county operations. His work directly enables the delivery of public works projects, including transportation systems, water and sewer infrastructure, and industrial facility upkeep, ensuring compliance with state and federal contracting standards while advancing operational sustainability goals. Ayres engages with a broad spectrum of contractors specializing in civil construction, mechanical systems, and environmental remediation. He cultivates long-term partnerships with firms possessing expertise in highway and bridge construction, waterline installation, and commercial HVAC maintenance. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, requiring vendors to demonstrate technical proficiency, safety compliance, and adherence to public works standards. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently works with firms qualified under state-certified contractor licensing programs and experienced in large-scale public-sector delivery. Ayres’ contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of acquisitions conducted without set-aside designations. This indicates a focus on technical capability and cost-effectiveness over socioeconomic classifications, though he remains compliant with all federal and state small business participation requirements. His approach prioritizes value and reliability, ensuring that public funds support high-performing vendors regardless of size or certification status. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and 237110 (Water and Sewer Line Construction), with additional emphasis on commercial machinery repair (811310) and environmental remediation (562910). He possesses deep domain knowledge in civil infrastructure lifecycle management, including bid evaluation, performance monitoring, and contract administration for complex public works projects.