Leo J. Rauch

Leo J. Rauch serves as a Contracting Officer for the Lolo National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, where he manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions critical to sustaining forested landscapes in western Montana. His responsibilities include soliciting, awarding, and administering contracts that support infrastructure resilience, ecological stewardship, and public safety—particularly in trail, bridge, and forest road maintenance. Rauch specializes in acquiring services and equipment aligned with land management operations, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and environmental mandates. He plays a pivotal role in translating operational needs into legally sound, mission-driven contracts that uphold the agency’s commitment to sustainable resource management. Rauch maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including Quality Construction Co., YOY Inc., Century Warehousing, Inc., Oregon Woods, Inc., and the County of Kootenai. These partnerships reflect a preference for regional vendors with demonstrated expertise in forestry support, construction, and equipment logistics. His contracting approach emphasizes reliability, local engagement, and technical proficiency, fostering long-term vendor collaborations that align with the forest’s operational rhythms and geographic constraints. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Rauch directs 90.9% of his acquisitions toward Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a robust commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. He routinely structures solicitations to maximize opportunities for small, locally based firms, ensuring equitable access to federal contracting resources while reinforcing community economic resilience. His procurement focus centers on NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) and 561720 (Janitorial Services), each accounting for 18.2% of his portfolio, alongside key activity in highway and bridge construction (237310) and forestry equipment leasing (532412). This specialization underscores his technical expertise in managing services that sustain forest infrastructure, maintain public access, and ensure operational readiness across remote and ecologically sensitive terrain.