Rodger O. Young

Rodger O. Young serves as a Contract Specialist with the USDA Forest Service–SPOC NW, where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that advance the agency’s mission of ecological restoration, infrastructure resilience, and public safety. He manages the full lifecycle of acquisition actions for critical projects including trail and bridge rehabilitation, wildfire mitigation infrastructure, reforestation support, and maintenance of remote administrative facilities. His work ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurement outcomes with the Forest Service’s environmental stewardship goals. Young primarily handles service-based contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with a focus on complex, mission-critical procurements requiring technical expertise in forestry operations and natural resource management. Young collaborates extensively with small businesses and specialized contractors capable of delivering field-based forestry support services. While specific vendor names are not disclosed, his contracting patterns reflect consistent engagement with firms possessing niche capabilities in forest management, ecological restoration, and remote-site construction. He fosters collaborative, long-term vendor relationships grounded in performance accountability and regulatory compliance, prioritizing vendors with demonstrated experience in federal environmental contracting and sustainable land-use practices. A strong advocate for socioeconomic equity in federal contracting, Young consistently applies set-asides in alignment with FAR 19.5, directing 60% of his acquisitions to total small business concerns and 20% specifically to HUBZone-certified firms. His commitment to broadening participation among disadvantaged businesses ensures that contracting opportunities support economic development in rural and underserved communities where Forest Service operations are most active. His procurement focus is overwhelmingly centered on NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry), encompassing services such as vegetation management, erosion control, fuel reduction, and ecological monitoring. He also procures limited signage and wayfinding systems under NAICS 339950 (Sign Manufacturing), ensuring public safety and access compliance across recreational and administrative sites. Young’s expertise lies in evaluating technical proposals for ecological impact, operational feasibility, and adherence to National Environmental Policy Act requirements.