Gerald E. Tilson

Gerald E. Tilson serves as a Contract Specialist for the Daniel Boone National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that support the agency’s mission of ecological stewardship and public recreation infrastructure. He manages the full lifecycle of acquisitions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal regulations and alignment with forest management priorities. His portfolio primarily includes contracts for trail and campground maintenance, waste and sanitation services, boundary and fence construction, and environmental monitoring, all critical to sustaining the forest’s natural resources and visitor safety. While specific contractor names are not available, Tilson routinely engages with a diverse pool of vendors specializing in forestry support, civil engineering, and environmental testing services. He fosters collaborative relationships with small businesses and regional contractors capable of delivering field-based solutions in remote, ecologically sensitive areas. His procurement approach emphasizes responsiveness, local economic impact, and technical proficiency in land management operations. Tilson demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with 80% of his acquisitions set aside exclusively for small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize participation from small, disadvantaged, and locally based firms, ensuring that contracting opportunities directly benefit communities surrounding the national forest. His pattern of awarding nearly all contracts under small business set-asides underscores a consistent dedication to equitable access and workforce development. His primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), and 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), with a secondary emphasis on 111419 (Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover). He specializes in acquiring services related to forest health assessments, erosion control, trail engineering, soil and water quality testing, and auxiliary agricultural support tied to forest-based education programs, demonstrating deep technical familiarity with natural resource management systems.