Rita Loper

Rita Loper serves as a Contracting Officer for the USDA Forest Service, where she plays a critical role in executing acquisitions that support the agency’s mission of sustaining national forest and grassland ecosystems. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on infrastructure resilience, ecological restoration, and emergency response operations in remote and rugged terrains. Her work ensures operational readiness through the procurement of construction, engineering, and support services essential to wildfire mitigation, invasive species control, and public land maintenance. Loper’s acquisitions are strategically aligned with federal land management priorities, emphasizing mission-critical services that enhance forest health and public safety. Loper maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors, including ACI FEDERAL INC, ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC, GONDO ROY E MD, THE LOCUMS CO, LLC, and AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC. These partnerships span construction, staffing, and technical support services, reflecting her need for both large-capacity contractors and specialized niche providers. Her procurement approach prioritizes reliability, regulatory compliance, and performance in high-risk environments, fostering long-term vendor collaborations that align with the Forest Service’s operational demands. A strong advocate for small business participation, Loper consistently applies set-asides under FAR 19.5, with nearly two-thirds of her awards designated for total small business set-asides and nearly one-fifth reserved for HUBZone firms. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic equity, actively leveraging programs that promote economic opportunity in rural and underserved communities. This focus supports the Forest Service’s broader goals of community engagement and regional economic development. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), indicating deep expertise in civil infrastructure and forest service support operations. She regularly procures site preparation, erosion control, trail maintenance, and forestry support services, demonstrating specialized knowledge in heavy civil engineering and ecological stewardship contracting.