Forest Service Awards $36M for National Retardant Operations in 2026 to Perimeter Solutions LP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,000,000 ($36.0M)

Contractor: Perimeter Solutions LP

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-01-01

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL RETARDANT - DAILY RATE - OPERATIONS 2026 IQ COMMIT INITIAL FUNDING - $36M

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83705

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $36.0 million to PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP for work described as: NATIONAL RETARDANT - DAILY RATE - OPERATIONS 2026 IQ COMMIT INITIAL FUNDING - $36M Key points: 1. Significant funding allocated for critical wildfire suppression resources. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Focus on chemical manufacturing sector for essential operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a sole-source award with no disclosed benchmark data. Without competitive pricing, it's difficult to assess if the $36M is a fair market value for the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no opportunity for vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying a premium for these essential services, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of critical wildfire retardant for the 2026 season. Supports operational readiness for the Forest Service's firefighting efforts. Impacts the chemical manufacturing industry, specifically fire retardant production.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
No clear justification for sole-source provided.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Lack of transparency in award process.

Positive Signals

Secures essential resource for wildfire season.
Supports critical national defense/safety function.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for national safety and environmental protection, particularly concerning wildfire management.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this sole-source award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had opportunities to participate.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for bypassing competition is robust and that the pricing is reasonable and in the best interest of the government.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Insufficient justification for sole-source
Limited transparency in award process

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $36.0 million to PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP. NATIONAL RETARDANT - DAILY RATE - OPERATIONS 2026 IQ COMMIT INITIAL FUNDING - $36M

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-01-01.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of through full and open competition?

The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or urgent requirements. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess the validity of bypassing competition.

How does the $36M daily rate compare to industry benchmarks for similar wildfire retardant services?

The data indicates a total funding of $36M for the year 2026, not a daily rate. Without a breakdown of the services included and the duration of operations, it is impossible to establish a comparable daily rate. Furthermore, as this is a sole-source award, publicly available benchmark data for similar contracts is unlikely to exist, making a direct comparison difficult.

What is the potential impact on taxpayer funds due to the lack of competitive bidding for this essential service?

The lack of competitive bidding for this $36M contract creates a significant risk of inflated pricing. Without competing offers, Perimeter Solutions LP may not have been incentivized to offer the most cost-effective solution. This could lead to taxpayers bearing a higher cost than if the contract had been awarded through a competitive process, potentially diverting funds from other critical government programs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 1202SC25R2500

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8000 MARYLAND AVE STE 350, CLAYTON, MO, 63105

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,000,000

Exercised Options: $36,000,000

Current Obligation: $36,000,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1202SC26T2500

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline