Ken Wickward

Ken Wickward serves as a Technical Contracting Specialist within the USDA Forest Service, where he plays a critical role in translating operational needs into technically sound acquisition strategies. Focused on infrastructure resilience and emergency response capabilities in remote environments, he manages the procurement of complex construction and engineering services essential to maintaining forest roads, bridges, and access corridors. His work directly supports the agency’s mission of ecological stewardship and public safety by ensuring that contracted solutions meet rigorous federal engineering standards and environmental compliance requirements. Wickward specializes in technical evaluations, statement of work development, and contract administration for mission-critical civil works projects. He maintains consistent partnerships with a select group of contractors, including ACI Federal Inc., AMD International Technologies LLC, and The Locums Co., LLC, who provide specialized engineering, technical staffing, and construction management services. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for firms with demonstrated expertise in rugged terrain infrastructure, wildfire response logistics, and federal construction compliance. Wickward collaborates closely with these vendors to ensure technical alignment, performance accountability, and adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards. Wickward’s acquisition portfolio is entirely set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic diversity and local economic development. All contracts are awarded exclusively to small business concerns, fostering opportunities for firms with proven experience in rural and federally managed land construction. This approach reinforces the Forest Service’s goal of empowering small, regionally based contractors who understand the unique challenges of operating in remote, ecologically sensitive areas. His primary technical focus is NAICS 237310—Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction—where he procures services related to trail and road maintenance, erosion control structures, culvert replacements, and seismic retrofitting of forest access infrastructure. His expertise lies in evaluating technical proposals for geotechnical stability, drainage design, and sustainable construction practices aligned with USDA environmental guidelines.