Steve Umbarger

Steve Umbarger serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, specifically supporting the Procurement and Workforce Administration office under agency code 12905B. He is responsible for managing the acquisition of specialized farm machinery and equipment critical to sustaining the agency’s national network of agricultural research facilities. His work directly enables scientific innovation by securing precision agricultural tools, field research instrumentation, and mechanized infrastructure essential for modern agronomic and livestock studies. Umbarger’s acquisitions are strategically aligned with the ARS mission to modernize research capabilities, ensuring that scientists have access to reliable, high-performance equipment tailored to field and laboratory environments. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Umbarger maintains consistent working relationships with manufacturers and distributors specializing in agricultural mechanization, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical compliance, delivery reliability, and service support. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and lifecycle cost analysis to ensure equipment durability and operational efficiency across diverse research settings. Umbarger exhibits a strong, consistent commitment to socioeconomic contracting, directing 100% of his acquisitions toward small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to empower small, domestic manufacturers and suppliers with expertise in farm equipment design and fabrication, promoting economic resilience within the rural industrial base. His contracting patterns prioritize small businesses without regard to other set-aside categories, demonstrating a focused dedication to broad-based small business participation. His primary technical domain centers on NAICS 333111—Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing—where he procures tractors, planters, harvesters, soil testing systems, and precision agriculture technologies. His expertise lies in evaluating mechanical specifications, durability standards, and compatibility with USDA research protocols, ensuring all acquisitions meet the rigorous demands of field-based agricultural science.