Richard A Braun

Richard A. Braun serves as a Contracting Officer for the Rocky Mountain Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service, where he manages the acquisition of critical services supporting ecological restoration, wildfire mitigation, and public land stewardship. His procurement portfolio centers on mission-critical support activities for forestry operations, including habitat rehabilitation, fuel reduction, and infrastructure resilience projects. Braun ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contract awards with the agency’s strategic goals of sustainable land management and ecosystem recovery across the Rocky Mountain region. Braun cultivates partnerships with a diverse range of vendors specializing in forestry support, land management, and environmental services. He routinely engages with small businesses and specialized contractors experienced in ecological restoration, invasive species control, and forest health monitoring. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, performance-based outcomes, and technical proficiency in natural resource management, fostering reliable relationships with firms capable of operating in remote, ecologically sensitive environments. A strong advocate for small business participation, Braun consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, which account for over 43% of his acquisitions. He also actively utilizes HUBZone set-asides, reflecting a deliberate commitment to economic development in rural and underserved communities. His procurement patterns demonstrate a balanced approach to socioeconomic goals, ensuring equitable access for qualified small businesses while maintaining mission readiness and operational effectiveness. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), encompassing services such as prescribed burning, tree planting, trail maintenance, and erosion control. He also procures related construction services under NAICS 237310 and 236118 for infrastructure improvements supporting forest operations. Braun’s technical expertise spans environmental compliance, land use permitting, and sustainable resource management, making him a key liaison between operational needs and contractor execution in the field.