Toby Richards

Toby Richards serves as an AFMO (Administrative and Financial Management Officer) for the Gila National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service, where he plays a pivotal role in managing procurement activities that support critical infrastructure stewardship and operational sustainability. His responsibilities include planning, soliciting, and awarding contracts for construction materials and utilities-related supplies essential to maintaining forest health, public safety, and recreational infrastructure. Richards ensures acquisitions align with federal regulations and agency priorities, focusing on the procurement of materials needed for water system rehabilitation, sewer upgrades, and facility maintenance across remote federal lands. While specific contractor relationships are not currently documented, Richards’ procurement patterns indicate a consistent reliance on merchant wholesalers specializing in construction materials, fostering partnerships with vendors who can deliver high-quality, compliant products to geographically dispersed sites. His working relationships emphasize reliability, timely delivery, and adherence to federal procurement standards, often requiring vendors to meet stringent environmental and logistical requirements for remote forest operations. Richards demonstrates a full commitment to small business participation, with 100% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to prioritize economic opportunity for small, locally based enterprises, particularly those capable of supplying specialized construction materials in compliance with federal sustainability mandates. His contracting approach actively supports socioeconomic goals by ensuring small businesses have equitable access to federal procurement opportunities within the National Forest System. His primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 423390—Other Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers—indicating deep expertise in sourcing piping, concrete products, fittings, and other essential infrastructure components. Richards’ technical domain expertise lies in procuring materials suited for rugged, ecologically sensitive environments, ensuring that all acquisitions support both operational needs and the Forest Service’s mission of ecological integrity.