Karen Love

Karen Love serves as Manager of Environmental Services within the Procurement Management Division of the City of Port St. Lucie, where she leads the acquisition of specialized technical services critical to the city’s public utilities infrastructure. In this primary procurement role, she oversees the solicitation and award of contracts for plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems that support water and wastewater operations, ensuring compliance with municipal standards and operational continuity through preventive maintenance protocols. Her acquisitions are strategically aligned with the agency’s mission to sustain resilient utility systems and maintain regulatory compliance across civic infrastructure. Karen collaborates primarily with licensed plumbing, heating, and HVAC contractors who possess demonstrated expertise in municipal-grade systems, including commercial-grade piping, pump station upgrades, and climate-controlled utility enclosures. Her working relationships are built on technical proficiency, adherence to performance specifications, and timely delivery of services that minimize disruption to public utility operations. She engages with a broad base of qualified vendors who meet stringent certification and bonding requirements, favoring contractors with proven experience in public-sector environmental infrastructure projects. Karen’s procurement approach reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted under non-set-aside conditions. She does not currently utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, instead prioritizing technical capability and system reliability over socioeconomic classifications. Her contracting patterns indicate a focus on competitive sealed bidding and performance-based service contracts, ensuring value and accountability without socioeconomic preferences. Her primary industry focus is NAICS 238220 — Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors — with an emphasis on high-reliability mechanical systems for water treatment facilities, pump stations, and utility buildings. She procures specialized equipment and installation services for HVAC controls, corrosion-resistant piping, and energy-efficient climate systems critical to maintaining operational integrity in environmental service facilities. Her technical expertise lies in interpreting engineering specifications and ensuring contractor compliance with ANSI, ASME, and local plumbing codes.