Karl Lautzenheiser

Karl Lautzenheiser serves as a Contract Specialist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, where he plays a pivotal role in executing acquisitions that advance the agency’s mission to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and their habitats. He manages a diverse portfolio of procurement actions spanning engineering, construction, and environmental services, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and aligning contracts with strategic ecological priorities. His work directly supports infrastructure modernization, habitat rehabilitation, and invasive species control across the National Wildlife Refuge System, making him a key enabler of the agency’s conservation goals through disciplined, mission-driven contracting. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Lautzenheiser maintains consistent partnerships with specialty trade contractors, civil engineers, and environmental service providers, often engaging firms with expertise in ecological restoration and public infrastructure. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for competitive, transparent processes that prioritize technical capability and environmental stewardship. He routinely collaborates with vendors possessing niche expertise in wetland mitigation, habitat reconstruction, and sustainable construction practices, fostering long-term vendor relationships grounded in regulatory compliance and performance accountability. Lautzenheiser demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly 44% of his acquisitions set aside for total small businesses under FAR 19.5, and an additional 2.4% awarded through 8(a) competed programs. His approach actively promotes small business participation, leveraging set-asides to expand opportunities for disadvantaged entrepreneurs while ensuring competitive rigor. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate balance between broad competition and targeted socioeconomic goals, reinforcing the Department of the Interior’s commitment to inclusive economic growth. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), 238990 (Specialty Trade Contractors), and 237310/237990 (Heavy Civil Construction), reflecting his expertise in acquiring services related to habitat infrastructure, trail systems, water control structures, and ecological restoration projects. He specializes in procurements requiring technical knowledge of environmental compliance, wetland engineering, and sustainable construction practices, ensuring that all acquisitions support the FWS’s ecological mission with precision and integrity.