Kent Bernard

Kent Bernard serves as a Contract Specialist with the U.S. Army Engineer District Walla Walla, responsible for managing the full lifecycle of civil and military engineering acquisitions under the Department of the Army. He plays a pivotal role in executing the district’s mission to sustain and modernize critical infrastructure—including dams, levees, locks, and hydropower facilities—across the Pacific Northwest. Bernard specializes in procurement actions governed by FAR Part 36, focusing on construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance contracts for heavy civil works. His work ensures operational readiness and environmental compliance through timely, compliant, and cost-effective contracting solutions aligned with Army Corps of Engineers priorities. Bernard maintains consistent, long-term relationships with a core group of experienced contractors, including JR MERIT, INC., NORTHBANK CIVIL AND MARINE, INC., NORTH WIND GENERAL CONTRACTORS LLC, KNIGHT CONST. & SUPPLY, INC., and TRANSCO INDUSTRIES, INC. These vendors are recognized for their technical proficiency in heavy civil construction and marine works, and Bernard collaborates with them on complex, high-stakes projects requiring specialized engineering expertise and adherence to federal construction standards. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, rigorous contractor oversight, and proactive risk mitigation to ensure mission-critical infrastructure deliverables are met on schedule and to specification. Bernard demonstrates an unwavering commitment to socioeconomic contracting, directing 100% of his acquisition portfolio toward Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He actively cultivates partnerships with small businesses capable of delivering complex civil engineering services, ensuring equitable access to federal opportunities while strengthening regional economic resilience. His procurement patterns reflect a deliberate strategy to maximize small business participation without compromising technical rigor or mission requirements. His primary focus is on NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), encompassing large-scale earthmoving, hydraulic structure repair, erosion control, and navigation system upgrades. Bernard’s expertise lies in procuring services that demand specialized knowledge in water resource management, geotechnical engineering, and federal environmental compliance, ensuring all contracts meet the Army’s stringent standards for safety, sustainability, and operational durability.