Gary Stephens

Gary B. Stephens serves as Supervisory Contract Specialist at the Custer Gallatin National Forest, where he leads the planning, solicitation, and award of contracts critical to maintaining federal public lands under the U.S. Forest Service. He oversees a diverse portfolio of construction, maintenance, and support services essential to infrastructure resilience, public safety, and ecological stewardship. His acquisitions span specialty trade contractors, civil engineering, janitorial services, and automotive repair, ensuring the agency’s operational readiness across remote and environmentally sensitive terrain. Stephens plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement strategy with the agency’s mission to balance resource conservation with sustainable public access. He maintains active contracting relationships with key vendors including TK3, LLC and KOMMODITIES CORP, both of which consistently deliver specialized services ranging from trail and bridge maintenance to facility upkeep and equipment repair. His working relationships are characterized by long-term collaboration, performance-based evaluations, and a focus on vendor reliability in challenging field conditions. Stephens prioritizes contractors with proven expertise in federal land management environments, fostering partnerships that ensure compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards. Stephens demonstrates a strong, unwavering commitment to small business participation, with 100% of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize economic opportunity for small businesses within the rural and tribal communities surrounding the national forest. His contracting patterns consistently prioritize socioeconomic programs that empower small, locally based firms, reinforcing the Department of Agriculture’s mission of inclusive economic development alongside environmental protection. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors), followed by janitorial services, heavy civil engineering, highway and bridge construction, and automotive repair. These categories reflect the forest’s operational needs—maintaining access roads, visitor facilities, wildfire mitigation infrastructure, and fleet readiness. Stephens brings technical expertise in evaluating contractor capabilities for complex, multi-disciplinary projects in rugged, federally protected landscapes.