Zettie Sharples

Zettie Sharples serves as a key procurement lead within the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center’s Acquisition Division, supporting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mission to advance land conservation and soil health through expert technical services. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracting actions, Sharples specializes in securing janitorial and facility support services that sustain the operational integrity of field offices, conservation centers, and rural planning hubs. Their acquisitions directly enable the delivery of critical conservation programs, ensuring clean, compliant, and functional environments for agricultural specialists and field staff engaged in land easement monitoring and data-driven resource planning. Sharples maintains consistent working relationships with a small, vetted cohort of contractors—including PROJECTELLA LLC, HOMESTEAD SERVICES, LLC, and JANIE B LLC—each of which has demonstrated reliability in delivering facility maintenance, sanitation, and custodial services across rural and remote USDA sites. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven experience in high-compliance, low-impact service delivery within sensitive environmental and regulatory contexts. The working relationship pattern is characterized by long-term performance-based contracts, with a focus on quality assurance, responsive service level agreements, and adherence to federal environmental standards. Sharples exhibits a full commitment to small business participation, with 100% of acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This consistent approach ensures equitable access for small, locally based service providers, many of which are owned by women, veterans, or residents of underserved rural communities. The procurement strategy prioritizes socioeconomic inclusion as a core component of mission success, reinforcing USDA’s broader goals of rural economic resilience. The primary procurement focus is NAICS 561720 (Janitorial Services), encompassing routine cleaning, waste management, disinfection protocols, and facility upkeep tailored to conservation and agricultural operational needs. Sharples’ expertise lies in aligning custodial services with federal environmental compliance requirements, ensuring that support functions do not interfere with sensitive conservation activities or soil health initiatives.