Forest Service awards $247K contract for Ponderosa Pine seedling planting in Arizona

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $247,220 ($247.2K)

Contractor: Imperial Forestry, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-03-04

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 971 days

Daily Burn Rate: $255/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PNF BRADSHAW RD HAND PLANTING OF PONDEROSA PINE SEEDLINGS LAND MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED RESOURCES (LMIR) BPA

Place of Performance

Location: PRESCOTT, YAVAPAI County, ARIZONA, 86303

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $247,220 to IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED for work described as: PNF BRADSHAW RD HAND PLANTING OF PONDEROSA PINE SEEDLINGS LAND MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED RESOURCES (LMIR) BPA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on ecological restoration and forest health. 2. Utilizes a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 3. Awarded to a single contractor, raising questions about competition intensity. 4. Project duration spans over two years, suggesting a sustained effort. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 6. Geographic focus on Arizona highlights regional land management needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $247,220 for planting Ponderosa Pine seedlings appears to be within a reasonable range for this type of ecological restoration work. However, without specific data on the number of seedlings, acreage covered, or labor hours, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar forestry service contracts would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under a Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) and awarded as a BPA Call. While SAP generally allows for broader competition, the award to a single contractor suggests that either only one offer was received, or the competition was limited to a pre-qualified list of vendors under the BPA. The limited number of bidders may have restricted price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than a fully open and competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition can mean less assurance of obtaining the best possible price for services. While the BPA framework aims for efficiency, the specific call's competition level directly impacts the government's ability to leverage market forces for cost savings.

Public Impact

Benefits the ecological health and resilience of Arizona's forests. Delivers services related to reforestation and habitat restoration. Geographic impact is concentrated within Arizona, supporting local ecosystems. Potential workforce implications for forestry technicians and laborers in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition for this specific BPA call may have reduced price negotiation leverage.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing contractor effectiveness difficult.
The duration of the contract (971 days) requires ongoing monitoring to ensure timely completion and quality.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Utilizes a BPA, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor pool and streamlined acquisition process.
Focus on Ponderosa Pine planting addresses critical reforestation needs in Arizona.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Forestry and Land Management sector, a critical component of the Department of Agriculture's mission. The market for ecological restoration services is growing, driven by increasing awareness of climate change impacts and the need for sustainable land management. Spending in this area often involves federal agencies like the Forest Service procuring services for reforestation, fire mitigation, and habitat improvement. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically consider factors like seedling density, acreage treated, and labor rates for specialized forestry work.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is nil. However, the prime contractor, IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed here. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities and their impact on the small business ecosystem within the forestry services sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the Firm Fixed Price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services by the end date. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research
Forest Management and Protection
Reforestation and Habitat Restoration Programs
National Forest System Land Management

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Potential for quality compromises if contractor faces cost overruns on FFP contract.
Need for detailed performance monitoring due to nature of service work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $247,220 to IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED. PNF BRADSHAW RD HAND PLANTING OF PONDEROSA PINE SEEDLINGS LAND MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED RESOURCES (LMIR) BPA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $247,220.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-04. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the typical cost per seedling or per acre for Ponderosa Pine planting contracts of this nature?

Determining a precise benchmark for Ponderosa Pine seedling planting is complex, as costs vary significantly based on factors like seedling size and quality, planting density, terrain difficulty, labor rates, and geographic location. However, general estimates for manual planting can range from $300 to $800 per acre, with seedling costs adding to the total. For a contract valued at $247,220, if we assume a planting density of 500 seedlings per acre (a common range), and a seedling cost of $1-$3 each, the seedling cost alone could be $250,000-$750,000 for 1,000 acres. This suggests the $247,220 contract likely covers a smaller acreage or involves different planting densities and seedling types. Without more specific details on the scope of work (e.g., number of seedlings, acreage, planting specifications), a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult.

How does the competition level (limited to one bidder) impact the value received by the government?

When a contract is competed with only one bidder, the government loses the benefit of competitive pricing. In a truly open competition, multiple bidders would vie for the contract, driving down prices as they seek to win the award. With only one offer, the contractor has significant leverage, and the government may end up paying a higher price than if there had been robust competition. While the contract is awarded under a BPA Call, suggesting some prior vetting, the lack of multiple bids for this specific call limits the government's ability to ensure it is receiving the best possible value for its investment. This can translate to less efficient use of taxpayer funds.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for seedling planting?

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for their cost certainty. However, for services like seedling planting, there are potential risks. If unforeseen conditions arise during planting (e.g., unusually difficult terrain, unexpected weather delays, seedling supply issues), the contractor may face increased costs. While the FFP structure protects the government from cost overruns, a contractor who underestimated the effort could potentially cut corners on quality to maintain profitability, or even default on the contract if costs become unmanageable. Robust performance monitoring and clear quality standards are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED in similar federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED for federal contracts of this nature is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar Forest Service or Department of Interior contracts, including contract values, scope of work, timeliness of delivery, and any reported issues or disputes. Examining their history with Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and their success rate in competitive bidding processes would also provide valuable insights into their capabilities and reliability as a contractor for ecological restoration services.

How does this contract's value compare to the Forest Service's overall spending on reforestation and land management?

The $247,220 awarded to IMPERIAL FORESTRY, INCORPORATED represents a relatively small portion of the U.S. Forest Service's overall budget for land management and reforestation. The Forest Service manages over 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands and undertakes numerous projects annually. Annual spending on reforestation and habitat restoration can run into hundreds of millions of dollars across various contracts and task orders. This specific contract addresses a localized need in Arizona, contributing to the broader agency mission but not representing a significant portion of the total federal investment in forest health.

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: 12363N24A4082

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5865 TABLE ROCK RD, CENTRAL POINT, OR, 97502

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $247,220

Exercised Options: $247,220

Current Obligation: $247,220

Actual Outlays: $102,173

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N24A4082

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline