Tess M. Foster

Tess M. Foster supports the USDA Forest Service in managing critical infrastructure acquisitions aligned with the agency’s mission to sustain public access to forested lands through resilient transportation networks, recreational facilities, and ecological support systems. While her formal title is not listed, her procurement activities center on construction, facility modernization, and technical services essential to forest management. She handles a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning civil works, signage, institutional furnishings, and specialized professional services, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and strategic infrastructure goals. Foster maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including GCS LLC, ACME ASPHALT INDUSTRIES INC, and TwentyoneTwentyseven LLC, each of which provides specialized expertise in road and trail construction, pavement systems, and site-specific infrastructure solutions. Her procurement approach reflects a preference for established vendors with proven capacity in forest service environments, fostering reliable, repeat partnerships that prioritize performance, safety, and environmental stewardship in remote and sensitive ecological zones. Her contracting patterns reveal a balanced approach to socioeconomic goals, with nearly half of her awards designated for total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for small and disadvantaged firms. While the majority of procurements remain open to all competitors, her consistent use of small business set-asides underscores a deliberate strategy to enhance market diversity and local economic engagement in rural and forest-adjacent communities. Foster’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) and 339950 (Sign Manufacturing), reflecting her work on campground facilities, visitor centers, and wayfinding infrastructure. She also routinely procures institutional furniture (337127), building equipment services (238290), and professional technical services (541990), indicating deep expertise in end-to-end facility development—from site preparation to furnishings and operational support—tailored to the unique demands of federally managed public lands.