Ray Hershey

Ray Hershey serves as Project Manager for the USDA Forest Service’s Olympic National Forest, overseeing the planning, execution, and compliance of mission-critical infrastructure and resource management acquisitions. In this role, he ensures that contracting activities align with the Forest Service’s mandate to sustain ecological integrity while enhancing public safety and access. His procurement portfolio centers on support activities for forestry, including trailhead development, hazard tree removal, snag creation, and resilient road and utility maintenance across rugged terrain. Hershey works closely with field biologists, engineers, and land managers to translate operational needs into technically sound solicitations that meet federal acquisition regulations and environmental compliance standards. While specific contractor names are not publicly detailed, Hershey consistently engages with specialized forestry support vendors capable of delivering ecological restoration services, heavy equipment operations in sensitive habitats, and remote infrastructure construction. His working relationships emphasize vendors with proven expertise in sustainable forest management practices, including those experienced in working within designated wilderness areas and under strict environmental review protocols. He fosters long-term partnerships with firms that demonstrate technical proficiency, safety compliance, and adaptive project management in challenging topographies. Hershey exhibits a strong preference for small business participation, with 66.7% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to expanding economic opportunity for small, locally based enterprises with forestry-specific capabilities, including those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. He actively encourages small business subcontracting and prioritizes vendors with demonstrated experience in ecological stewardship and low-impact construction methods. His primary procurement focus is NAICS 115310—Support Activities for Forestry—encompassing services such as vegetation management, erosion control, wildlife habitat enhancement, and forest road maintenance. Hershey’s technical expertise lies in procuring specialized ecological services that balance resource protection with public safety, ensuring all acquisitions support the long-term resilience of one of the nation’s most biodiverse temperate rainforest ecosystems.