Gary S. Baber

Gary S. Baber serves as a Contracting Officer for the USDA Forest Service – Spoc East, where he manages the acquisition of critical infrastructure and operational support services essential to sustaining federal forest lands. His responsibilities include planning, soliciting, awarding, and administering contracts that enable the modernization of facilities, environmental management, and public access improvements across the region. Baber specializes in construction, engineering, and forestry support acquisitions, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning contracts with the agency’s mission of ecological resilience and infrastructure integrity. He plays a pivotal role in translating operational needs into legally sound, performance-based solicitations that deliver long-term value. Baber cultivates collaborative relationships with a diverse range of contractors, primarily those experienced in civil construction, land surveying, and forestry support services. While no single vendor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with proven expertise in federal environmental and infrastructure projects, fostering partnerships grounded in technical competency and regulatory compliance. His contracting approach emphasizes competitive bidding, clear performance metrics, and accountability, ensuring contractors deliver high-quality outcomes under complex environmental and logistical constraints. Baber demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately 20% of his awards directed toward small business set-asides, including 18% under Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5) and 2% through 8(a) competed contracts. His procurement patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand economic opportunity for small and disadvantaged firms while maintaining rigorous standards for performance and compliance. He actively promotes socioeconomic goals without compromising mission-critical outcomes. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), 541370 (Surveying and Mapping Services), and 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction), reflecting his expertise in land management infrastructure. He routinely acquires services related to forest road rehabilitation, topographic surveys, and facility upgrades, requiring deep familiarity with federal environmental standards and construction best practices.