Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson serves as a key procurement lead within the Umpqua National Forest, overseeing contracting activities aligned with the U.S. Forest Service’s mission of ecological restoration and sustainable land management. He manages a portfolio of acquisitions focused on vegetation management, reforestation, post-fire rehabilitation, and forest infrastructure maintenance, ensuring compliance with federal environmental and procurement regulations. His work directly supports operational readiness across the forest’s vast terrain by securing specialized services that advance habitat enhancement and forest health. Nelson’s procurement strategy emphasizes timely, ecologically sound contract execution to meet seasonal and fire-response timelines, often coordinating with field biologists and land managers to align acquisition needs with on-the-ground priorities. He maintains long-standing relationships with regional forestry contractors including G E Forestry, Inc., Green Hills Forestry LLC, Three Stripes Contracting LLC, and Umpqua Valley Forestry, Inc.—all of which specialize in timber harvesting, brush clearing, and silvicultural treatments. These partnerships reflect a preference for local, experienced vendors with proven expertise in Pacific Northwest forest systems. Nelson’s contracting approach prioritizes performance-based outcomes, requiring contractors to adhere to strict environmental standards and operational safety protocols, fostering a collaborative, compliance-driven vendor ecosystem. Nelson consistently applies a 100% Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 19.5, ensuring all eligible forestry contracts are reserved exclusively for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate commitment to regional economic development and workforce capacity building, with no use of large business set-asides or competitive range waivers. His procurement patterns demonstrate strong alignment with socioeconomic goals, prioritizing locally owned firms with demonstrated capacity in sustainable forest practices. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 113310 (Logging), encompassing mechanical thinning, snag removal, fuel reduction, and timber stand improvement. He procures specialized services requiring certified arborists, chainsaw operators, and heavy equipment technicians trained in low-impact forestry techniques. His technical domain expertise lies in implementing forest health interventions that balance ecological resilience with public safety and resource sustainability.