Forest Service awards $14.3M contract for forestry support in Oregon, with a 4.5-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,314,369 ($14.3M)

Contractor: TWC Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-08-21

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,593 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GO BIG G-Z STEWARDSHIP IRSC FREMONT-WINEMA NF, CHILOQUIN RD LEAD APSO: CURTIS YOCUM PRIMARY COR: JASON RAABE

Place of Performance

Location: CHILOQUIN, KLAMATH County, OREGON, 97624

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $14.3 million to TWC CORP for work described as: GO BIG G-Z STEWARDSHIP IRSC FREMONT-WINEMA NF, CHILOQUIN RD LEAD APSO: CURTIS YOCUM PRIMARY COR: JASON RAABE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TWC CORP for Support Activities for Forestry. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. Contract duration of over 4 years indicates a long-term need. 4. Awarded under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) may indicate a smaller, less complex procurement. 5. Geographic focus on Oregon (ST: OR, SN: OREGON) highlights regional service delivery. 6. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.3 million over approximately 4.5 years results in an average annual value of roughly $3.18 million. Benchmarking this against similar 'Support Activities for Forestry' contracts is difficult without more specific service details. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the quality and efficiency of the services delivered by TWC CORP.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically implies a competitive process for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP suggests that multiple offers were likely solicited and considered. This level of competition, even within SAP, generally aids in price discovery and achieving a reasonable market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally ensures that taxpayers benefit from a market-driven price, preventing potential overpayment that could occur with less competitive or sole-source awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Forest Service, which receives support for its forestry activities. Services delivered are related to 'Support Activities for Forestry,' which could encompass a range of tasks such as data collection, analysis, administrative support, or technical assistance. The geographic impact is focused on Oregon, suggesting that the services will directly support forestry management and operations within the state. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for individuals with expertise in forestry and related support functions, potentially both within TWC CORP and indirectly through related economic activity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service description makes it difficult to assess performance metrics and potential risks.
The duration of the contract (over 4 years) could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed effectively.
No information on small business participation or subcontracting plans.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
Competition under SAP suggests a structured procurement process aimed at achieving fair pricing.
The contract is awarded to a specific entity (TWC CORP), indicating a clear point of accountability.

Sector Analysis

The 'Support Activities for Forestry' category falls within the broader environmental services and government contracting sector. This sector is characterized by a mix of large, established firms and smaller specialized companies. Government spending in this area is driven by the need for specialized expertise and support for land management agencies like the Forest Service. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the support activities, but the $14.3 million over 4.5 years represents a significant, multi-year commitment for regional forestry support.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The analysis of subcontracting implications is therefore limited. Without a small business set-aside, larger prime contractors like TWC CORP may or may not engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further review of the contract's subcontracting plan, if one exists, would be necessary to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are established through the contract terms and conditions, including performance expectations and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract award data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forestry Management Services
Environmental Consulting
Government Support Contracts
Department of Agriculture Procurements
Forest Service Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration.
Lack of detailed service description hinders performance assessment.
Unknown track record of the contractor (TWC CORP).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $14.3 million to TWC CORP. GO BIG G-Z STEWARDSHIP IRSC FREMONT-WINEMA NF, CHILOQUIN RD LEAD APSO: CURTIS YOCUM PRIMARY COR: JASON RAABE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TWC CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-21. End: 2027-12-31.

What specific services are included under 'Support Activities for Forestry' for this contract?

The provided data abbreviates the contract details, listing the National Description as 'Support Activities for Forestry.' This broad category can encompass a wide range of services essential for the effective management and operation of forestry programs. Examples might include administrative support, data management and analysis, environmental monitoring, technical assistance, compliance support, public outreach coordination, or logistical planning for field operations. Without access to the full contract statement of work (SOW), the precise nature and scope of these activities remain undefined. Understanding the specific services is crucial for evaluating the contract's value, performance, and alignment with the Forest Service's strategic objectives in Oregon.

How does the $14.3 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar forestry support activities by the Forest Service?

Directly comparing the $14.3 million contract value to historical spending requires access to detailed historical procurement data for 'Support Activities for Forestry' or closely related service categories, broken down by agency, region, and contract duration. The provided data indicates this is a definitive contract awarded on August 21, 2023, with an end date of December 31, 2027, spanning approximately 4.5 years. This suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $3.18 million. To assess if this is high or low, one would need to analyze trends in Forest Service spending for similar support functions, considering factors like inflation, changes in program scope, and market rates for such services over time. Without this comparative analysis, it's difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment.

What is TWC CORP's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service?

The provided data identifies TWC CORP as the contractor (co: 'TWC CORP') but does not include details about their past performance or contract history. To assess TWC CORP's track record, a review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary. This would involve searching for previous awards to TWC CORP, examining their performance ratings on past contracts, identifying any past issues or disputes, and determining their experience with similar types of services, especially within the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service. A strong track record with relevant agencies and service types would indicate lower performance risk for this new contract.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that will be used to evaluate the success of this 'Support Activities for Forestry' contract. Typically, such metrics are detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). For a contract of this nature, KPIs could include timeliness of deliverables, accuracy of data provided, adherence to budget, successful completion of assigned tasks, client satisfaction ratings from Forest Service personnel, and compliance with relevant regulations. The absence of this information in the summary data means that the specific measures of success and contractor accountability are not immediately apparent and would need to be sourced from the full contract documentation.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as potential cost overruns or performance deficiencies?

The provided data does not explicitly list any identified risks for this contract. However, potential risks inherent in a contract of this duration and nature (Support Activities for Forestry) can be inferred. These might include scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the original agreement, potentially leading to cost overruns or schedule delays, especially if the contract is not a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) or if change orders are not managed tightly. Performance deficiencies could arise if TWC CORP lacks the necessary expertise or resources, or if unforeseen environmental or operational challenges impact service delivery. The firm fixed price nature of this contract (pt: 'FIRM FIXED PRICE') mitigates the risk of cost overruns due to fluctuating prices, but not necessarily due to scope changes or inefficiencies. A thorough risk assessment would require reviewing the SOW and contractor past performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Forestry › Support Activities for Forestry

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12363N22Q4111

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 29100 SW TOWN CENTER LOOP W, WILSONVILLE, OR, 97070

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,314,369

Exercised Options: $14,314,369

Current Obligation: $14,314,369

Actual Outlays: $5,870,085

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline