Lee A. Norton

Lee A. Norton serves as a Contract Specialist for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests under the U.S. Forest Service, where they manage the full lifecycle of procurement actions to support critical land management and infrastructure missions. Responsible for soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts in alignment with FAR and USDA guidelines, Norton ensures acquisitions directly advance wildfire mitigation, trail and road maintenance, ecological restoration, and public safety initiatives. Their portfolio primarily includes construction, specialty trade, and support services contracts essential to sustaining forest ecosystems across Arizona and New Mexico. Norton cultivates strategic relationships with a diverse range of contractors, particularly those experienced in federal land management environments. They routinely engage with small businesses and specialty trade firms capable of delivering site-specific solutions for forestry infrastructure, including erosion control, metal fabrication, and janitorial services for remote facilities. Their contracting approach emphasizes collaboration with vendors who demonstrate technical competence in rugged terrain operations and environmental compliance, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in performance accountability and regulatory adherence. A strong advocate for socioeconomic inclusion, Norton consistently prioritizes small business participation, with approximately two-thirds of their awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. They actively leverage Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides and maintain a balanced approach to non-set-aside procurements, ensuring competition while advancing federal diversity goals. Their contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to empowering underserved businesses aligned with rural and forest-dependent economies. Norton’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 237310 (highway and bridge construction), 238990 (specialty trade contracting), and 115310 (forestry support activities), reflecting expertise in infrastructure resilience and ecological services. They regularly acquire janitorial services, ornamental metalwork for visitor facilities, and contractor-led forest health operations, demonstrating deep familiarity with the technical demands of managing public lands in compliance with NEPA and environmental stewardship standards.