Melani L. Hainesworth

Melani L. Hainesworth serves as a Contract Specialist within the 693C73 Eastern Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration, where she manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for critical transportation infrastructure projects on federally managed lands. Her responsibilities include developing solicitation documents, conducting market research, evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with FAR and agency-specific policies. She specializes in highway, bridge, and roadway construction acquisitions that support public access, environmental resilience, and long-term infrastructure sustainability across national forests and public rights-of-way. Her work directly enables the agency’s mission to maintain safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation networks on federal lands. Hainesworth maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of experienced contractors, including ESTES BROS. CONST. INC., BLUEGRASS CONTRACTING CORP, BRYANT'S LAND AND DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIES, INC., TERRA SITE CONSTRUCTORS LLC, and ASPEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. These firms are frequently selected for their proven track record in complex civil construction environments, including steep terrain, sensitive ecological zones, and constrained right-of-way conditions. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and contractor accountability, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in technical competence and regulatory compliance. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with 44.4% of awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of acquisitions are open to all competitors, she actively prioritizes opportunities for small businesses capable of delivering high-quality highway and bridge construction services. Her approach aligns with federal socioeconomic goals, ensuring equitable access for qualified small firms without compromising project integrity or public safety standards. Hainesworth’s procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 237310 — Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction. She specializes in acquiring heavy civil construction services including earthwork, drainage systems, pavement installation, bridge rehabilitation, and erosion control measures. Her technical expertise lies in managing complex infrastructure projects that require coordination with environmental regulators, land management agencies, and engineering consultants to ensure compliance with federal environmental and safety mandates.