Mike Carr

Mike Carr serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the Gila National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, where he provides critical oversight of contracts supporting forest health, infrastructure stewardship, and public safety initiatives. In this role, he ensures contractor performance aligns with federal standards and agency mission goals, particularly in the maintenance and rehabilitation of water, sewer, and recreational facilities. His acquisitions primarily involve support activities for forestry operations, including vegetation management, trail maintenance, erosion control, and utility system upgrades. Carr acts as the primary liaison between field personnel and contractors, translating operational needs into technically sound procurement requirements while ensuring compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and federal contracting regulations. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Carr consistently engages with a network of specialized small businesses qualified in forestry support services, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors possessing proven expertise in ecological restoration and rural infrastructure. His working relationships emphasize performance-based outcomes, requiring contractors to demonstrate technical competency in sustainable land management practices and adherence to environmental compliance protocols. He actively collaborates with field biologists, engineers, and operations staff to ensure contract deliverables meet rigorous ecological and safety standards. Carr maintains a 100% small business set-aside preference under FAR 19.5, reflecting a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic equity and local economic development. All procurements are reserved exclusively for small businesses, with a strong emphasis on HUBZone, 8(a), and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses that bring regional knowledge and adaptive capacity to remote forest environments. His contracting patterns prioritize inclusive participation, ensuring that federal investments directly benefit underserved communities with ties to the Gila’s landscape. His primary NAICS focus is 115310—Support Activities for Forestry—encompassing services such as fuel reduction, invasive species control, forest road maintenance, and campground infrastructure repair. Carr’s technical expertise lies in procuring specialized ecological services that balance public access with long-term forest resilience, ensuring all acquisitions advance the agency’s mission of sustainable land stewardship.