James Whalen

James Whalen serves as a Forest Fish Biologist with the National Forests in Mississippi, where he provides critical ecological expertise to guide habitat restoration, aquatic resource management, and infrastructure projects that support sustainable forest ecosystems. His role directly informs procurement decisions related to fisheries conservation, stream stabilization, and riparian zone rehabilitation, ensuring that acquisitions align with federal environmental standards and the U.S. Forest Service’s mission of ecological integrity. Whalen collaborates closely with contracting staff to define technical specifications for projects involving stream crossing improvements, fish passage installations, and aquatic habitat monitoring, making him a key technical authority in the agency’s acquisition lifecycle. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Whalen routinely engages with specialized environmental consulting firms, hydraulic engineering contractors, and ecological restoration vendors who possess demonstrated expertise in aquatic biology and forested watershed management. His working relationships emphasize technical competence, regulatory compliance, and adaptive management practices, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering science-based solutions under dynamic field conditions. Whalen’s procurement activities are fully aligned with a 100% Small Business Set-Aside preference under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to expanding economic opportunity for small businesses in the environmental services sector. He actively prioritizes contracting with firms certified under HUBZone, SDVOSB, and general small business programs, ensuring that local and mission-aligned enterprises contribute meaningfully to federal conservation goals. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), encompassing services such as aquatic habitat assessments, stream restoration design, invasive species control, and fisheries inventory surveys. Whalen’s technical domain expertise lies in freshwater ecology, stream geomorphology, and the application of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize anthropogenic impacts on native fish populations, making him a pivotal figure in advancing ecologically sound forest management through targeted, science-driven contracting.