Mike Heckendorn

Mike Heckendorn serves as the IBET Fleet Manager for the Tahoe National Forest, overseeing the acquisition and lifecycle management of heavy equipment and vehicle systems critical to forest operations. In this role, he ensures the procurement of specialized machinery and maintenance support services that enable wildfire mitigation, trail and road restoration, and resource stewardship across the National Forest System. His acquisitions directly support the U.S. Forest Service’s mission of ecological resilience, focusing on mission-critical fleet assets that enhance operational readiness and safety in remote, high-risk environments. Heckendorn manages a portfolio of complex, technically demanding procurements under FAR Part 13 and Part 14, often requiring detailed performance specifications for heavy-duty equipment. His contractor relationships are centered on specialized manufacturers and wholesale distributors of construction and forestry machinery, with a strong emphasis on small business partners who can deliver certified, durable, and maintenance-ready equipment. He collaborates closely with vendors who provide not only hardware but also technical support, parts supply, and service contracts, ensuring sustained fleet availability in challenging terrain. His procurement approach prioritizes reliability, compliance with federal environmental and safety standards, and long-term total cost of ownership. Heckendorn maintains a 100% Small Business Set-Aside preference across all eligible acquisitions, consistently directing opportunities to small businesses under FAR 19.5. His contracting patterns reflect a deep commitment to socioeconomic equity, with a strong preference for firms certified as small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women, and economically disadvantaged individuals. He actively engages with Small Business Administration resources to ensure broad participation and capacity building among qualified vendors. His primary NAICS focus lies in 333120 (Construction Machinery Manufacturing) and 423810 (Construction and Mining Machinery Merchant Wholesalers), reflecting his specialization in procuring tracked loaders, dozers, skidders, forestry masticators, and heavy-duty utility vehicles. He possesses deep technical expertise in equipment specifications, emissions compliance, and maintenance interoperability, ensuring that all acquisitions align with the Forest Service’s operational and environmental mandates.