Leslie N. Karsten

Leslie N. Karsten serves as a Contract Specialist within the 6982AF Central Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration, where she manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for critical transportation infrastructure projects across federally managed lands. Her role encompasses the planning, solicitation, award, and administration of contracts for highway, bridge, and civil engineering works in remote and ecologically sensitive areas, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-driven objectives. Karsten’s portfolio is exclusively focused on construction-related acquisitions, supporting the agency’s mandate to maintain safe, durable, and sustainable access to national parks, forests, and Native American territories. She maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of experienced contractors, including MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, MCCULLOUGH CONSTRUCTION INC., WEST COAST CONTRACTORS, INC., S.T. RHODES CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED, and SEB ENGINEERING INC. These firms are frequently selected for their proven expertise in complex civil construction environments, demonstrating technical proficiency in heavy highway work, earthmoving, and bridge rehabilitation under challenging logistical conditions. Karsten’s contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and contractor reliability in high-risk, low-access terrains. Karsten’s procurement strategy reflects a balanced approach to socioeconomic goals, with approximately one-third of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, while the majority remain open to all competitors. This pattern indicates a deliberate emphasis on fostering small business participation without compromising project complexity or schedule demands, aligning with federal priorities to expand opportunities for qualified small firms in the construction sector. Her technical expertise is concentrated entirely within NAICS 237310—Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction—where she specializes in procuring turnkey construction services for roadways, retaining structures, drainage systems, and related civil works. Karsten’s deep familiarity with the engineering demands of federal lands ensures that all acquisitions meet stringent safety, environmental, and durability standards required for long-term infrastructure resilience.