Esther Benson

Esther Benson serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, specifically supporting the Csa Intermountain 7 office. She manages acquisition activities critical to maintaining operational readiness across remote forested landscapes, focusing on transportation infrastructure, maintenance equipment, and related logistics services. Her role ensures compliance with federal contracting regulations while advancing the agency’s mission of sustaining forest ecosystems and public access through reliable, resilient infrastructure. Benson routinely handles complex procurements under FAR Part 13 and Part 14, often utilizing simplified acquisition procedures and sealed bidding for time-sensitive, mission-critical needs. She maintains strong, recurring relationships with a select group of contractors specializing in heavy equipment, site development, and specialized transportation systems, including Nehemiah Construction LLC, McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, Sutter Equipment Co Inc, Reliance Contractors Inc, and Peterson Plumbing Supply. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in rural infrastructure, equipment maintenance, and field-responsive service delivery. Her contracting patterns indicate a reliance on established, locally rooted contractors capable of operating in challenging terrain with minimal logistical support. Benson demonstrates an unwavering commitment to small business participation, with 100% of her procurements structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a strategic emphasis on fostering economic opportunity among small, locally based firms, particularly those with capabilities in construction, equipment supply, and field maintenance services. Her contracting approach consistently prioritizes socioeconomic goals without compromising mission performance or technical standards. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336999 (All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing) and 336212 (Truck Trailer Manufacturing), indicating deep specialization in procuring custom-built and heavy-duty transportation assets such as specialized trailers, maintenance vehicles, and mobile equipment units essential for forest service operations. Her technical domain expertise centers on ruggedized, off-road-capable systems designed for sustained use in high-maintenance, low-access environments.