Steven Bear (COR ONLY)

Steve Bear serves as a secondary procurement liaison within the USDA Forest Service’s CSA Southwest 5 office, supporting the agency’s mission to sustainably manage national forest infrastructure in the Southwest. Though not the primary contracting officer, he plays a critical role in facilitating the acquisition of operational and maintenance services essential to forest health, trail and facility repairs, and water system upkeep. His work ensures alignment with federal procurement regulations and supports the timely execution of mission-critical contracts under the Forest Service’s operational framework. He typically handles service-based acquisitions requiring technical expertise in ecological stewardship and resource management. Steve collaborates closely with a consistent cohort of contractors, including American Classic Construction Inc., Habitat Protection, Inc., and Southwest Research LLC, all of which specialize in forestry support services. His working relationships are characterized by repeat engagement with vendors possessing proven experience in forest infrastructure maintenance, invasive species control, and ecological restoration. These partnerships reflect a preference for contractors with demonstrated field capabilities, safety compliance, and familiarity with USDA protocols, fostering reliable, long-term vendor engagement grounded in performance history rather than transactional bidding. Steve’s procurement activities are fully aligned with a 100% Small Business Set-Aside policy under FAR 19.5, reflecting a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic inclusion. All acquisitions are structured to maximize opportunities for small businesses, including those certified under HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and general small business programs. This pattern underscores a deliberate strategy to build local capacity, stimulate regional economic development, and ensure diverse vendor participation in federal land stewardship efforts. His procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 115310—Support Activities for Forestry—encompassing services such as forest health assessments, fuel reduction, erosion control, and wildlife habitat maintenance. He specializes in procuring technical, labor-intensive services requiring field expertise in silviculture, environmental compliance, and public land access management, ensuring that contracted work directly supports the Forest Service’s ecological and public safety objectives.