Sam Fragua

Sam Fragua serves as Lead Forestry Tech at the Lincoln National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, where he plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s mission of ecological stewardship through targeted procurement of forestry support services. Responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing contract execution for vegetation management, wildfire risk reduction, and habitat restoration projects, Fragua ensures that acquisitions align with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and Forest Service technical standards. He primarily handles contracts under NAICS 115310, focusing on specialized services such as prescribed burning, invasive species control, forest thinning, and fuel reduction operations conducted by qualified ecological contractors. Fragua collaborates closely with a network of certified forestry contractors and ecological service providers who possess expertise in silvicultural practices and federal land management protocols. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with proven experience in federal forest operations, including those with seasonal labor capabilities, equipment mobilization expertise, and compliance with USDA environmental compliance frameworks. His working relationships are characterized by technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term vendor engagement built on demonstrated safety records and ecological competency. Fragua maintains a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, with equal emphasis on open competition and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He actively prioritizes small business participation, ensuring that nearly half of his acquisitions are reserved exclusively for small businesses, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to fostering economic opportunity within rural and forest-dependent communities. He does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides but consistently facilitates access for general small businesses with forestry-specific capabilities. His technical domain centers exclusively on NAICS 115310, procuring services related to forest health improvement, trail and road maintenance, and ecosystem restoration. Fragua’s expertise lies in contracting for field-based ecological interventions that require specialized knowledge of forest ecology, fire behavior, and federal land use regulations, ensuring that every acquisition advances the Lincoln National Forest’s goals of resilience, sustainability, and public safety.