Inez Aragon

Inez Aragon serves as a Purchasing Agent for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests under the U.S. Forest Service, where she plays a critical role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support sustainable land management and public safety. Her responsibilities include soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts aligned with the agency’s priorities in ecological restoration, wildfire mitigation, and infrastructure resilience. She primarily handles service-based procurements under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, ensuring compliance with environmental and operational standards while facilitating timely delivery of essential support functions. Aragon’s work directly enables field operations by securing the personnel and services necessary to maintain trails, roads, water systems, and forest facilities across Arizona and New Mexico. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Aragon consistently engages with a network of qualified vendors specializing in janitorial and facility support services, fostering long-term partnerships with firms capable of operating in remote, ecologically sensitive environments. Her procurement approach emphasizes reliability, environmental compliance, and adaptability to seasonal operational demands. She works closely with vendors who understand the unique challenges of federal land management, including access restrictions, wildlife protection protocols, and adherence to National Environmental Policy Act requirements. Aragon maintains a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside preference for all her acquisitions, reflecting a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic equity and rural economic development. All contracts are awarded exclusively to small businesses, ensuring maximum participation from locally rooted firms and underserved communities. This pattern aligns with USDA and Forest Service directives to strengthen community resilience through targeted contracting, with a strong emphasis on firms certified under the Small Business Administration’s programs, including 8(a), HUBZone, and Women-Owned Small Businesses. Her procurement focus is entirely centered on NAICS 561720, Janitorial Services, encompassing routine cleaning, waste management, restroom maintenance, and sanitation support for ranger stations, visitor centers, and field offices. Aragon’s technical expertise lies in evaluating service quality, safety compliance, and environmental stewardship practices, ensuring that contracted janitorial operations meet the stringent standards of federal land management while minimizing ecological impact.