Linda Schell

Linda Schell serves as a Purchasing Agent for the Rocky Mountain Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service, where she plays a critical role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support ecological restoration, wildfire mitigation, and land stewardship across the Rocky Mountain region. Her procurement responsibilities encompass a broad range of services essential to operational readiness, including landscaping, wildlife habitat support, and specialized technical consulting. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning purchases with the agency’s strategic goals for sustainable forest management and infrastructure resilience. Linda maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse network of vendors, primarily small businesses and specialized service providers with expertise in ecological services and land management support. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based partnerships with firms capable of delivering site-specific, environmentally sensitive solutions. She works closely with contractors who demonstrate proven experience in native vegetation restoration, invasive species control, and wildlife support activities, fostering vendor reliability through clear performance metrics and consistent communication. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Linda consistently applies a 100% small business set-aside approach across her procurement portfolio, in full alignment with FAR 19.5. Her contracting strategy prioritizes equitable access for small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and other socioeconomically disadvantaged entities, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to inclusive economic development in rural and forest-adjacent communities. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 561730 (Landscaping Services), which accounts for half of her acquisitions, including erosion control, trail maintenance, and native plant installation. She also regularly procures services under NAICS 115210 (Support Activities for Animal Production), such as wildlife monitoring and habitat enhancement, and NAICS 541990 (Other Professional Services), including ecological assessments and restoration planning. Linda’s expertise lies in integrating environmental compliance, technical specificity, and socioeconomic objectives into a cohesive acquisition framework.