Michael V. Johnson

Michael V. Johnson serves as a Contracting Officer Representative for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, supporting the U.S. Forest Service’s mission to sustainably manage and restore federal forest lands. In this role, he provides critical oversight of contract performance, ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and acts as the primary liaison between the agency and contractors delivering field-based forestry services. He is instrumental in executing acquisitions aligned with ecological restoration goals, including wildfire risk reduction, invasive species control, and watershed rehabilitation. His procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on support activities for forestry, ensuring that contracted work meets rigorous environmental and operational standards. Johnson collaborates closely with a network of specialized forestry contractors who deliver hands-on ecological services such as prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, hand piling, and trail maintenance. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with firms possessing proven expertise in forest health operations and federal land management compliance. His working relationships emphasize performance accountability, safety adherence, and environmental stewardship, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors who demonstrate technical proficiency and regulatory alignment. His contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to socioeconomic diversity, with HUBZone set-asides accounting for two-thirds of his acquisitions. This preference underscores a deliberate strategy to channel federal resources into economically disadvantaged rural communities, many of which are located within or adjacent to the National Forest. The remaining third of contracts are awarded under no set-aside authority, typically when specialized capabilities are limited among HUBZone firms. This balanced approach promotes equitable access while maintaining mission readiness. Johnson’s procurement focus is entirely centered on NAICS 115310—Support Activities for Forestry—encompassing services such as forest inventory, fuel reduction, erosion control, and habitat restoration. He exclusively procures field-based, labor-intensive ecological services requiring specialized equipment and certified personnel, demonstrating deep technical familiarity with forest management practices and federal environmental compliance frameworks.