Karla Cottom, Technical Contact

Karla Cottom serves as the Technical Contact for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, playing a pivotal role in the planning, evaluation, and execution of forest management acquisitions. She ensures that procurement activities align with the U.S. Forest Service’s mission to restore ecological resilience, mitigate wildfire risks, and maintain critical infrastructure across southern Oregon and northern California. Her work centers on technical specifications for support activities in forestry, including prescribed fire operations, invasive species treatment, reforestation, and trail and road maintenance. Cottom collaborates closely with field biologists, fire management teams, and engineering staff to translate operational needs into compliant, performance-based contract requirements that meet federal standards under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. She maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors, including S365 INC, LOGISTICS365 INC, SPROUT FORESTRY INCORPORATED, and THREE STRIPES CONTRACTING LLC, all of which deliver field-based forestry services with proven expertise in ecological restoration and resource management. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with on-the-ground experience in fire-adapted landscapes and remote terrain operations, emphasizing reliability, safety compliance, and environmental stewardship. Cottom’s procurement portfolio is entirely set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, reflecting a steadfast commitment to fostering economic opportunity within rural and forest-dependent communities. All awarded contracts are reserved exclusively for small business concerns, reinforcing the agency’s dedication to socioeconomic equity and local workforce development. Her primary focus is on NAICS 115310—Support Activities for Forestry—encompassing services such as fuel reduction, timber stand improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement, and forest inventory support. She specializes in procuring technical, labor-intensive services that require field certification, equipment proficiency, and adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) protocols, ensuring that contracting directly advances the forest’s ecological and public safety objectives.