Kathi J Barber

Kathi J. Barber serves as a Purchasing Agent responsible for managing federal acquisitions in support of mission-critical operations. Her role centers on executing competitive procurement processes in full compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with a strong emphasis on small business outreach and socioeconomic program participation. She handles a diverse portfolio of service-based contracts, primarily in environmental support, civil engineering, and facility maintenance, ensuring timely delivery of essential resources while upholding transparency and fiscal accountability within the agency’s procurement framework. Barber cultivates strategic relationships with a broad base of small and mid-sized vendors, particularly those certified under socioeconomic programs. While no single contractor dominates her award profile, her procurement patterns reflect consistent engagement with firms specializing in forestry support, janitorial services, and civil engineering construction. She prioritizes open competition and leverages multiple award schedules and blanket purchase agreements to streamline sourcing, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance and compliance. A hallmark of Barber’s contracting approach is her pronounced commitment to small business participation, with 81.8% of her awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. She actively promotes opportunities for small businesses, with a notable emphasis on Women-Owned Small Businesses, reflecting a deliberate strategy to expand economic inclusion. Her set-aside preferences align with federal goals to enhance access for underserved entrepreneurs and ensure equitable distribution of contracting opportunities. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), and 561720 (Janitorial Services), indicating deep expertise in environmental stewardship, infrastructure support, and facility operations. She routinely procures specialized services such as vegetation management, erosion control, waste disposal, and custodial operations, demonstrating technical fluency in land management and public works contracting domains.