Patricia Thomas

Patricia Thomas serves as a Purchasing Agent for the U.S. Army Engineer District Walla Walla, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical procurement activities aligned with the district’s civil and military engineering objectives. She manages the acquisition of goods and services essential to maintaining federal infrastructure across the Pacific Northwest, including dams, levees, locks, and hydropower facilities. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement—from needs assessment and solicitation to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-driven priorities. Thomas specializes in procuring specialized engineering components, marine and civil construction materials, and operational support equipment critical to water resource management and installation readiness. Thomas maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors, including JR MERIT, INC., NORTHBANK CIVIL AND MARINE, INC., NORTH WIND GENERAL CONTRACTORS LLC, KNIGHT CONST. & SUPPLY, INC., and TRANSCO INDUSTRIES, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in marine construction, civil infrastructure, and fabricated metal systems. Her procurement approach emphasizes reliability, technical precision, and timely delivery, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in performance accountability and regulatory compliance. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Thomas consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over 82% of her awards designated for small businesses. She actively supports socioeconomic programs, including Women-Owned Small Business set-asides, reflecting a deliberate strategy to broaden contractor diversity and enhance regional economic resilience through targeted contracting. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS categories including 721211 (RV Parks and Campgrounds), 339991 (Gasket and Sealing Device Manufacturing), and 332999 (Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products), indicating a strong emphasis on site infrastructure, fluid control systems, and custom-engineered components. She also procures specialized industrial instrumentation (334513) and truck trailers (336212), demonstrating technical fluency in mechanical and environmental systems supporting federal water and energy infrastructure operations.