Keri Hicks - Technical Contact

Keri Hicks serves as the technical contact for the Ochoco National Forest, playing a critical role in advancing the U.S. Forest Service’s mission of ecological restoration and wildfire risk reduction across central Oregon. While not formally designated as a contracting officer, Hicks provides essential technical oversight for acquisitions related to forest management, ensuring that procurements align with scientific best practices in silviculture, habitat enhancement, and riparian restoration. Their involvement spans the full lifecycle of contract execution—from requirements definition and technical evaluation to performance monitoring—making them a key liaison between field biologists, resource specialists, and procurement staff. Hicks primarily handles research-driven acquisitions aimed at improving forest resilience through evidence-based land management. Though specific contractor names are not available, Hicks works with a diverse array of ecological consultants, environmental scientists, and technical service providers who deliver field data collection, ecological modeling, and restoration planning services. These partnerships are typically structured as task orders under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or direct awards to specialized small firms with expertise in forest ecology and natural resource assessment. The working relationship emphasizes collaboration, technical rigor, and adaptive management, with contractors often embedded in field operations to support real-time decision-making. Hicks demonstrates a strong, consistent commitment to small business participation, with 100% of acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate local ecological expertise and support economically disadvantaged enterprises in rural Oregon. No other socioeconomic set-asides are indicated, but the exclusive focus on small businesses underscores a dedication to community-based capacity building and equitable access to federal environmental contracts. The primary NAICS code utilized is 541720, reflecting a heavy emphasis on research and development in the social sciences and humanities—specifically applied ecological research, social impact assessments, and community-based forest planning. Procurements center on scientific studies, public engagement frameworks, and data-driven management plans that inform long-term forest health strategies, demonstrating deep technical expertise in integrating social science with ecological restoration.