ALTERED ASPECTS, LLC
- Tell us briefly about your business and what motivated you to pursue government contracting?
Altered Aspects is the “Jack of all trades” when it comes to wildfire preparedness, forestry, and excavation projects. Owner-operator Blake Lindsay was a wildland firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service for 14 years. Eight of those years spent with the Idaho Panhandle Hotshot Crew. Furthermore, he has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Ecology and Management with a minor in Forest Resources. Altered Aspects has the tools, education, experience, and work ethic to get any job done; From defensible space creation to 1000-acre mastication projects; from single hazard tree removal to full scale logging operations; from simply cleaning out a ditch to full building site preparation. There is no job too big or small.
After three years in the Navy and 14 years in the Forest Service, I have a good understanding of what it means to be a public servant. My family motivated me to create Altered Aspects and persuade government contracting. Being a government employee didn’t allow me as much freedom to choose the time spent at work and the time spent with my family.
Although very rewarding, my time spent as a wildland firefighter in the Forest Service required me to be away from my family too much. As a government contractor, however, I get to choose when or if I want to take an assignment.
- What challenges did you find in your pursuit?
There have been, and still are, many challenges within government contracting. It’s a long, confusing process to even get to a point to start bidding on contracts. I am still trying to understand how to navigate through every aspect of government contracting. The APEX Accelerator has been instrumental in getting Altered Aspects paired up with the right contracts, with the right documentation, at the right time.
- How did you learn about the Idaho APEX program?
I learned about the APEX (PTAC) program from a friend of mine who worked in the Forest Service and was more familiar with government contracts.
- Please share how working with your Idaho APEX consultant assisted you with federal contracting.
From the first time I met with my APEX Accelerator (Beth Freeman Myers) she put me on the path to success. She organized a “to do” list for me with all the required steps to get my business ready to start bidding on contracts. We had numerous online and phone meetings where she ensured I wasn’t confused about anything and that I was doing things correctly. I appreciate Beth, the other APEX Accelerators, and the entire program very much. I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today if it weren’t for them.
- Have you been awarded any contracts/agreements since working with the Idaho APEX program?
Altered Aspects has been awarded one agreement for providing and operating heavy equipment on wildfires. I have also submitted two additional quotes for this upcoming fire season; One for providing and operating other miscilaneous heavy equipment on wildfires and another for providing professional timber fallers for wildfires.
- Would you recommend the Idaho APEX services to other business owners?
I have recommended the APEX services to a few business owners and will continue to doso.
7. Does your business have any SBA certifications (WOSB/EDWOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB)?:
SDVOSB and HUBZone Certifications
Blake Lindsay
Owner
Check out this company at https://alteredaspectsllc.com/