James Paterson

James Paterson serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the USDA Forest Service’s Incident Procurement unit, supporting rapid-response logistics for wildland fire and all-hazard incidents. In this critical role, he provides oversight of contract performance for time-sensitive acquisitions of specialized equipment and services essential to incident management operations. His responsibilities include monitoring contractor compliance with performance metrics, ensuring delivery of mobile command units, heavy machinery, water support systems, and temporary housing, and coordinating with field incident teams to align procurement outcomes with operational needs. Paterson’s work is foundational to the Forest Service’s ability to deploy mission-critical resources swiftly across national forests and grasslands during emergencies. Paterson works closely with a network of small business contractors specializing in incident response logistics, including firms providing mobile infrastructure, equipment rental, and field support services. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with vendors possessing proven capabilities in rapid mobilization, emergency-grade equipment maintenance, and remote-area logistics. His working relationships are characterized by collaborative oversight, real-time performance feedback, and a focus on vendor adaptability under high-pressure conditions. Paterson’s procurement activity is fully aligned with a 100% small business set-aside mandate under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic inclusion. He prioritizes awarding contracts to small businesses, including those certified as 8(a), HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB), ensuring equitable access to federal emergency response opportunities. His contracting patterns consistently channel resources to small, agile firms capable of meeting the dynamic demands of incident response. His primary focus lies in NAICS 115310 — Support Activities for Forestry — encompassing specialized services such as wildfire suppression logistics, temporary infrastructure deployment, and incident command support. He routinely procures mobile command centers, portable water systems, heavy earth-moving equipment, and field accommodations tailored to remote, high-risk environments, demonstrating deep expertise in emergency forestry operations and rapid-response procurement.