Gary Hubbard

Gary Hubbard serves as a Forest Engineer with the Cherokee National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, where he plays a critical role in managing infrastructure and ecological restoration projects essential to forest health and public safety. His responsibilities include evaluating engineering needs for trail systems, erosion control structures, and wildfire mitigation infrastructure, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. He leads the acquisition process for specialized engineering services and fabricated components, aligning procurements with the agency’s mission to sustain forest ecosystems while enabling safe public access. His acquisitions typically involve custom-engineered metal structures, drainage systems, and vegetation management equipment requiring precise technical specifications. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly enumerated, Gary consistently engages with vendors capable of delivering high-precision, field-deployable solutions tailored to rugged forest environments. He works closely with manufacturers and fabricators who understand the demands of remote site logistics, corrosion resistance, and low-impact installation methods. His procurement approach emphasizes vendor responsiveness, technical adaptability, and adherence to federal environmental standards, fostering long-term partnerships with suppliers who can deliver durable, site-specific solutions under challenging conditions. Gary maintains a 100% Small Business Set-Aside preference under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic equity and local economic development. He prioritizes contracting with small businesses, including HUBZone, 8(a), and service-disabled veteran-owned firms, ensuring that federal investments in forest infrastructure directly benefit underserved communities and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 332313 (Plate Work Manufacturing), indicating deep specialization in custom-fabricated steel and metal components—such as guardrails, bridge components, culverts, and retaining structures—engineered for forested terrain. His technical expertise lies in specifying materials and fabrication techniques that withstand extreme weather, soil erosion, and heavy use, ensuring long-term resilience of forest infrastructure.