Michael Winstead

Michael Winstead serves as a key procurement lead within the USDA Forest Service–SPOC NW, overseeing acquisitions critical to sustaining national forest infrastructure and ecological resilience. He manages a portfolio of contracts focused on trail and bridge rehabilitation, wildfire mitigation systems, reforestation support, and maintenance of remote administrative and recreational facilities. His work directly supports the agency’s mission to balance public access with long-term ecosystem preservation, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while prioritizing sustainable, mission-aligned outcomes. Winstead typically handles construction, specialty trade, and forestry support contracts under FAR Part 19, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and public safety. Winstead maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse base of contractors specializing in civil infrastructure and forest service support. He routinely engages with small business firms certified under HUBZone and other socioeconomic programs, fostering partnerships with contractors experienced in remote-site construction, erosion control, and ecological restoration. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and vendor accountability, encouraging innovative solutions from firms with proven expertise in challenging terrain and sensitive environmental zones. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Winstead consistently structures procurements to maximize socioeconomic impact, with nearly 89% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses and over 11% reserved specifically for HUBZone-certified firms. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate strategy to cultivate local economic development in rural communities while ensuring access to specialized capabilities essential for forest service operations. He avoids large-scale indefinite-delivery contracts in favor of targeted, performance-driven task orders that promote competition and community engagement. Winstead’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction), 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), and 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors). He procures services including trail grading, culvert installation, wildfire fuel reduction, invasive species management, and facility maintenance in remote forested areas. His technical expertise lies in integrating environmental compliance with construction standards, ensuring all projects meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements.