Rito P. Sabanal

Rito P. Sabanal serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, supporting the agency’s mission to deliver critical civil and military infrastructure through strategic acquisition planning and contract execution. Responsible for managing complex engineering and construction contracts, Sabanal oversees the solicitation, evaluation, and award of services related to heavy civil works, water resource development, and infrastructure modernization. Their work directly enables USACE’s priorities in flood risk management, navigation system maintenance, and environmental restoration, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-driven delivery of public works. Sabanal collaborates with a diverse range of contractors specializing in heavy civil engineering and professional engineering services, maintaining partnerships with firms possessing the technical capacity to execute large-scale infrastructure projects. While no single contractor dominates their portfolio, relationships are built around demonstrated capability in project delivery, safety compliance, and sustainable construction practices. Sabanal consistently engages both large prime contractors and qualified small businesses, fostering competitive bidding environments that prioritize technical merit and performance history. Sabanal exhibits a strong preference for total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, with approximately one-third of acquisitions reserved exclusively for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate commitment to expanding socioeconomic opportunities in the engineering and construction sector, aligning with DoD and USACE goals to enhance small business participation without compromising mission readiness. No other set-aside categories are prominently utilized, indicating a focus on broad small business inclusion rather than targeted programs like 8(a) or HUBZone. The majority of Sabanal’s procurements fall under NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), reflecting expertise in managing projects involving dams, levees, dredging, and transportation infrastructure. A smaller but significant portion supports NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), including design, surveying, and technical analysis for complex water resource systems. Their procurement portfolio underscores deep domain knowledge in public works engineering, environmental compliance, and resilient infrastructure development.