Loretta Payne

Loretta Payne serves as a Contract Specialist within the W072 Endist Pittsburgh office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, supporting the Department of the Army’s mission to maintain and modernize critical civil infrastructure. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for construction, engineering, and facility maintenance contracts essential to flood control, navigation, and water resource systems. Her work ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with strategic priorities in infrastructure resilience and environmental stewardship. She routinely handles complex construction, civil works, and specialized mechanical/electrical contracts requiring technical expertise and rigorous oversight. Payne maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC and C. J. MAHAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC, both of which have demonstrated proven capabilities in civil works and site development. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established contractors with proven track records in federal infrastructure projects, while also fostering competitive bidding environments to ensure value and accountability. She engages vendors through sealed bid and negotiated procurement methods, emphasizing performance-based outcomes and compliance with safety and environmental standards. A strong advocate for small business participation, Payne consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, which account for over half of her awards. She also actively supports Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned, and HUBZone Small Businesses, reflecting a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic equity in federal contracting. Her pattern of set-aside usage demonstrates a balanced approach that promotes competition while ensuring access for underserved small business communities. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS codes related to electrical contracting, fabricated structural metal manufacturing, and landscaping services, aligning with infrastructure rehabilitation needs. She frequently procures specialized components such as crane systems and water control hardware, requiring deep technical understanding of civil works engineering. Payne’s expertise lies at the intersection of construction execution and regulatory compliance, ensuring that federal investments in water infrastructure meet both operational and sustainability goals.