Forrest Ward

Forrest Ward supports the Ok City Area Indian Health Service in managing critical procurement initiatives aligned with the agency’s mission to deliver culturally competent, high-quality healthcare to Native American communities. Though his official title is not specified, his procurement activities center on acquiring medical infrastructure, clinical equipment, and facility support services essential to modernizing tribal health systems. He oversees acquisitions for diagnostic tools, surgical and dental instrumentation, and technical maintenance services, ensuring compliance with federal healthcare standards and tribal sovereignty priorities. His work directly enables clinical capacity building through the strategic deployment of advanced medical technology and operational support systems. Ward maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors including DNI Mission Services LLC, McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, Razor Consulting Solutions, Inc., Lyday Construction LLC, and Valiosa LLC. These partnerships reflect a blend of specialized construction, facility maintenance, consulting, and medical supply expertise tailored to the unique logistical and cultural needs of Indian Health Service facilities. His contracting patterns indicate a preference for vendors with demonstrated experience in remote or tribal settings, emphasizing reliability, cultural awareness, and compliance with federal procurement regulations. A defining feature of Ward’s procurement strategy is his strong emphasis on socioeconomic set-asides, with nearly 43% of awards designated for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) contractors—a unique set-aside specific to the Indian Health Service. An additional 14.3% of contracts are awarded under the Buy Indian Act, reinforcing tribal economic development. He also actively supports total small business participation, with 7.1% of awards going to general small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to empowering Native-owned and tribally affiliated enterprises. His procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS categories including 562998 for miscellaneous waste management services, 325414 for biological product manufacturing, and 811310 for commercial machinery repair—reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to sustaining health infrastructure. He frequently procures medical waste handling systems, pharmaceutical supply chains, and diagnostic equipment maintenance, showcasing expertise in both clinical and environmental health operations within tribal healthcare ecosystems.