Jessica Hawkins

Jessica Hawkins serves as a Wildlife Biologist with the National Forests in Mississippi, operating under the U.S. Forest Service’s Department of Agriculture. In this role, she provides critical ecological expertise to inform infrastructure and land management acquisitions, ensuring that construction and maintenance projects align with federal environmental standards and sustainable forest practices. She plays a pivotal role in evaluating contractor proposals for trail, road, and wildfire mitigation infrastructure, integrating biological assessments into procurement decisions to protect sensitive habitats and endangered species. Her acquisitions typically support ecological restoration, public safety enhancements, and resilience improvements across forested public lands, bridging scientific analysis with operational contracting needs. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly enumerated, Hawkins collaborates extensively with specialty trade contractors capable of executing ecologically sensitive work in remote and protected environments. Her procurement process emphasizes technical proficiency in habitat preservation, erosion control, and low-impact construction methods. Vendor partnerships are cultivated with firms demonstrating proven experience in environmental compliance, native vegetation restoration, and wildlife corridor integration, ensuring that all projects meet rigorous biological performance benchmarks. Hawkins maintains a 100% small business set-aside preference under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic equity and local economic development. All eligible acquisitions are reserved exclusively for small businesses, fostering opportunities for 8(a), HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned firms with expertise in environmental specialty contracting. This approach strengthens community engagement and ensures that contracting resources circulate within Mississippi’s small business ecosystem. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 238990, All Other Specialty Trade Contractors, which encompasses niche services such as habitat restoration, invasive species control, trail stabilization, and wildlife-friendly infrastructure installation. She specializes in acquisitions requiring ecological expertise, including erosion control matting, riparian buffer construction, and non-motorized access improvements. Her technical domain centers on balancing public access with ecological integrity, ensuring that all contracted work adheres to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) mandates.