Rich Jaros

Rich Jaros serves as Soil and Water Program Manager for the USDA Forest Service, overseeing the planning, acquisition, and execution of contracts critical to ecological restoration and land stewardship on national forest lands. In this role, he ensures that procurement activities align with the agency’s mission to enhance forest health, mitigate soil erosion, and protect watersheds through science-based interventions. His acquisitions primarily support field-level operations, including erosion control, stream rehabilitation, and invasive species management, often requiring specialized contractors capable of operating in remote, rugged terrain. Jaros plays a pivotal role in translating ecological objectives into actionable procurement strategies that uphold federal compliance and environmental standards. He maintains consistent partnerships with contractors specializing in forestry support services and specialty trade contracting, including ACI FEDERAL INC, ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC, GONDO ROY E MD, THE LOCUMS CO, LLC, and AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC. These relationships reflect a blend of technical service providers, labor staffing firms, and niche environmental contractors who deliver on-site expertise in soil conservation, vegetation management, and field logistics. Jaros prioritizes vendors with proven experience in federal land management environments and a capacity to mobilize rapidly in response to ecological emergencies. Jaros exhibits a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, awarding approximately equal portions of contracts under total small business set-asides and open competitions. His procurement patterns demonstrate a strong commitment to small business participation, particularly through FAR 19.5 total small business set-asides, while maintaining flexibility to ensure mission-critical needs are met with qualified, capable vendors regardless of size designation. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) and 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors), reflecting deep expertise in contracting for ecological restoration, erosion control systems, vegetation treatment, and infrastructure support in sensitive natural areas. He regularly acquires services involving hydrologic modeling, native plant establishment, and contractor-led field crews trained in federal environmental protocols.