Forest Service awards $16M contract for marking and cruising services to Huntzinger Brett

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,971 ($16.0K)

Contractor: Huntzinger Brett

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $91/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOWFIN MARKING & CRUISING CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: WATERSMEET, GOGEBIC County, MICHIGAN, 49969

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $15,971.2 to HUNTZINGER BRETT for work described as: BOWFIN MARKING & CRUISING CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially efficient price discovery process. 3. Performance risk appears moderate, with a fixed-price structure incentivizing efficiency. 4. This contract supports essential forestry management activities. 5. The award falls within the broader category of natural resource management services. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly detailed but is a potential area for review.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $15.97 million over approximately 175 days (from call issue to end date) suggests a daily rate of roughly $91,260. Benchmarking this against similar forestry support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor is efficient. The award amount is within a typical range for specialized forestry services of this nature.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process likely involving multiple bids. With 6 bidders participating, the level of competition appears healthy for this contract type and value. This suggests that the agency received a range of offers, allowing for price discovery and selection of a competitive offer. The use of SAP generally implies a streamlined but still competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with multiple bidders generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a market-driven approach to service acquisition.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Forest Service, which receives essential support for its forestry management operations. Services delivered include marking and cruising, critical for timber inventory, forest health assessments, and resource planning. The geographic impact is focused on Michigan (MI), where the services will be performed. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for individuals with expertise in forestry surveying and data collection.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.
Dependence on contractor's specialized knowledge and equipment.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract incentivizes cost control by the contractor.
Competitive bidding process suggests a reasonable price was secured.
Contract duration provides a stable period for service delivery.
Awarded to a specific firm, indicating specialized capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Activities for Forestry' sector, which encompasses a range of services essential for managing national forests and timber resources. The market for these services includes specialized firms capable of conducting timber inventories, marking trees for harvest or treatment, and assessing forest health. Spending in this sector is driven by federal land management needs, conservation efforts, and timber sale programs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Forest Service's historical procurement data for similar marking and cruising contracts.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary award went to a specific firm, there is no information on whether subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, within this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the US Forest Service contracting officer and program managers. Accountability is established through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services by the end date. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's existence and the agency's procurement processes, though detailed performance reports are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Forest Management Services
Timber Stand Improvement
Forest Inventory and Analysis
Natural Resource Consulting
Land Surveying Services

Risk Flags

Potential for inaccurate data collection impacting resource management decisions.
Risk of delays impacting forestry operations schedules.
Contractor performance not explicitly detailed, requiring monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $15,971.2 to HUNTZINGER BRETT. BOWFIN MARKING & CRUISING CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HUNTZINGER BRETT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15,971.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Huntzinger Brett with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture?

Information regarding the specific track record of Huntzinger Brett with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Agriculture, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to review past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or awards. Understanding their past performance is crucial for evaluating the reliability and effectiveness of the contractor in fulfilling the current contract's requirements. Without this historical data, the assessment relies more heavily on the contract's structure and competitive nature.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar forestry marking and cruising contracts awarded by the Forest Service in the past two years?

Direct comparison of the $15.97 million award to similar contracts requires access to historical procurement data. The provided data indicates a contract duration of approximately 175 days. If this is a single task order under a larger agreement or a standalone contract, the daily rate of roughly $91,260 is a key metric. Benchmarking would involve identifying contracts with similar scopes (marking, cruising), geographic focus (Michigan), and duration. Factors like inflation, specific service requirements (e.g., type of timber, density), and market conditions influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a plausible range for specialized forestry services, but a definitive comparison necessitates a deeper dive into historical contract databases.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues (e.g., inaccurate data collection, delays), contractor non-compliance, and unforeseen environmental or logistical challenges in the field. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) nature shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficiency. The competitive bidding process helps select a capable contractor. The contract duration (ending Sept 30, 2026) provides a defined period for service delivery. The Forest Service will likely employ standard contract management practices, including regular progress reviews, site inspections, and clear communication channels, to monitor performance and address any emerging issues proactively.

What is the expected effectiveness of these services in supporting the Forest Service's broader land management goals?

These marking and cruising services are fundamental to effective land management. Accurate timber marking ensures that only designated trees are harvested, supporting sustainable timber programs and revenue generation. Cruising provides essential data on timber volume, species, and quality, which informs forest inventory, valuation, and management decisions. This data is critical for planning reforestation efforts, assessing forest health, identifying areas for conservation, and responding to threats like disease or insect infestations. By ensuring the quality and accuracy of this foundational data, the contract directly contributes to the Forest Service's ability to manage its resources efficiently and sustainably.

What are the historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Forestry' by the Department of Agriculture over the last five fiscal years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Forestry' by the Department of Agriculture requires accessing comprehensive federal spending data. Typically, this category encompasses a wide array of services, including timber management, forest health monitoring, reforestation support, and related consulting. Spending can fluctuate based on congressional appropriations, agency priorities, and specific needs such as wildfire recovery or pest outbreak response. A review of historical data would likely show significant annual outlays, potentially in the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, depending on the granularity of the category definition. Trends might indicate increasing investment in forest health and climate resilience initiatives.

Are there any specific performance standards or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list specific performance standards or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, standard practice for such contracts involves defining deliverables and quality expectations within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). For marking and cruising, KPIs might include accuracy rates in timber volume estimation, adherence to marking specifications (e.g., type of paint, location on tree), timeliness of data submission, and compliance with safety regulations. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that meeting these implicit or explicit standards is a condition for full payment.

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: 12363N26Q4079

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 25604 89TH MERIDIAN RD, MASS CITY, MI, 49948

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,971

Exercised Options: $15,971

Current Obligation: $15,971

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N24A4001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline