Jorge A. Somoza

Jorge A. Somoza serves as a key procurement professional within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, supporting the U.S. Forest Service’s mission to sustainably manage public forest lands through strategic acquisition of infrastructure and operational services. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on forestry support, civil engineering, and public land maintenance, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing environmental resilience and public access. His work directly enables critical activities including trail and road construction, vegetation management, and ecological restoration, aligning acquisitions with the agency’s operational priorities and long-term stewardship goals. Somoza collaborates extensively with small and mid-sized contractors specializing in forest service operations, heavy civil construction, and structural metal fabrication. He cultivates partnerships with firms possessing expertise in remote-site logistics, erosion control, and sustainable forestry practices, often prioritizing vendors with proven experience in challenging Pacific Northwest terrain. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, requiring contractors to meet stringent environmental standards and safety protocols while maintaining flexibility for seasonal and emergency response needs. A strong advocate for small business inclusion, Somoza consistently prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with over 70% of his acquisitions designated for small businesses under FAR 19.5. HUBZone firms account for over 10% of his award activity, and he actively encourages participation from service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. This commitment reflects a deliberate strategy to stimulate economic development in rural Washington communities while building a resilient, locally rooted contractor base. His procurement focus centers on NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction), and 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), reflecting deep expertise in terrestrial infrastructure and ecological restoration projects. He routinely procures services such as brush clearing, culvert installation, bridge rehabilitation, and fabricated metal components for trail structures, demonstrating specialized knowledge in federal land management contracting and environmental compliance.