Forest Service awards $57K culvert order to Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co. for Wisconsin infrastructure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,148 ($57.1K)

Contractor: Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-11

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 47 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CNF-CON CWF2/NFXF/SSCC-FORESTWIDE CULVERT ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: LAONA, FOREST County, WISCONSIN, 54541

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $57,147.6 to UPPER PENINSULA CONCRETE PIPE CO. for work described as: CNF-CON CWF2/NFXF/SSCC-FORESTWIDE CULVERT ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 2. The contract duration is relatively short, indicating a focused scope of work. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The award is a purchase order, a common mechanism for acquiring goods and services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to highway, street, and bridge construction. 6. The contract is for a specific geographic region within Wisconsin.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $57,147.60 appears reasonable for a culvert order of this nature, especially considering it is a purchase order with a defined scope. Without specific details on the number and size of culverts, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the competitive award process suggests that pricing was vetted against market alternatives. The fixed-price nature of the contract further supports value for money by capping potential government expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process for acquisitions below a certain threshold. While the exact number of bids received is not detailed, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This level of competition, even within simplified procedures, generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under simplified acquisition procedures, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the required culverts and related services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely local infrastructure projects within the Forest Service's Wisconsin operations. The services delivered include the provision of culverts, essential for managing water flow and maintaining transportation routes. The geographic impact is concentrated in Wisconsin, specifically within the area served by the Forest Service's Upper Peninsula operations. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving the manufacturing and delivery of the culverts by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delivery delays if the contractor faces supply chain issues for concrete pipe materials.
Scope creep could occur if the initial order requirements are not precisely defined, leading to potential cost increases.

Positive Signals

The use of a fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
The competitive award process suggests that the selected contractor offered a favorable price and terms.
The short contract duration minimizes long-term commitment and allows for flexibility in future procurement needs.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the construction materials and services sector, specifically related to infrastructure development. The market for concrete pipes and culverts is competitive, with numerous manufacturers and suppliers. This award represents a small portion of the overall federal spending on infrastructure and public works, which is a significant category encompassing transportation, utilities, and environmental management projects.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The contractor, Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co., is likely a small or medium-sized business given its regional focus, but without further data, its size classification is unknown. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would be limited unless this represents a significant portion of the contractor's annual revenue.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the Forest Service's project managers responsible for the infrastructure work. Accountability is ensured through the terms of the purchase order and the fixed-price agreement. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract data, allowing for scrutiny of the award and its terms.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Grants
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Infrastructure Maintenance
National Park Service (NPS) Facility Upgrades

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery timelines.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring modifications to the order.
Need for diligent project management to ensure quality and adherence to specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $57,147.6 to UPPER PENINSULA CONCRETE PIPE CO.. CNF-CON CWF2/NFXF/SSCC-FORESTWIDE CULVERT ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UPPER PENINSULA CONCRETE PIPE CO..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $57,147.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-11. End: 2026-04-27.

What is the track record of Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co. with federal contracts is not readily available within the provided data. Federal procurement databases would need to be consulted to ascertain their history, including past performance ratings, previous contract awards, and any reported issues or successes. A review of their federal contracting history would provide insight into their reliability, experience with similar projects, and adherence to contract terms. This information is crucial for assessing the risk associated with awarding them new contracts and for understanding their overall performance as a federal supplier.

How does the awarded price compare to similar culvert purchases by the Forest Service or other agencies?

A direct comparison of the awarded price of $57,147.60 for this culvert order to similar purchases is challenging without more granular data on the specifications of the culverts (e.g., diameter, length, material strength, quantity) and the specific geographic locations of other purchases. However, the fact that this contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' suggests that the Forest Service followed procedures designed to achieve a competitive price. Benchmarking against publicly available data for similar construction materials and infrastructure components, adjusted for regional economic factors and inflation, would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of certainty regarding the final cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in material delivery due to supply chain disruptions affecting concrete pipe manufacturers, or unforeseen site conditions at the installation location that might necessitate changes to the order or installation process. There's also a minor risk of scope creep if the initial requirements are not perfectly defined, although the fixed-price nature of the purchase order helps mitigate financial exposure. Performance risk related to the quality of the culverts or the contractor's ability to meet specifications is also a consideration, though this is generally assessed during the bidding process. The short duration of the contract (delivery expected by April 27, 2026, from an order placed likely in 2026) limits the window for these risks to materialize.

How effective is the Forest Service in procuring necessary infrastructure materials through purchase orders?

The Forest Service, like many federal agencies, utilizes purchase orders (POs) as a standard mechanism for acquiring goods and services, particularly for requirements that fall under simplified acquisition thresholds. The effectiveness of POs hinges on robust internal controls, clear statement of work, and competitive sourcing when applicable. For routine items like culverts, POs can be an efficient tool, enabling timely procurement. The Forest Service's effectiveness in this regard is demonstrated by its ability to award contracts like this one, which appears to have undergone a competitive process. However, consistent monitoring of PO spending and contractor performance is essential to ensure ongoing effectiveness and prevent potential misuse of funds or substandard service delivery.

What is the historical spending pattern for culvert-related procurements by the Forest Service in Wisconsin?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for culvert-related procurements by the Forest Service in Wisconsin would require access to historical federal procurement data. This would involve querying databases for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and keywords related to 'culverts' or 'drainage structures' awarded by the Forest Service within Wisconsin over several fiscal years. Such an analysis could reveal trends in contract values, average pricing, common contractors, and the typical procurement methods used (e.g., competitive bids, sole-source). This historical context is valuable for understanding the agency's procurement needs and for benchmarking current contract awards against past performance.

Does the Forest Service have specific programs or initiatives that this culvert order supports?

This culvert order likely supports the Forest Service's broader mission of managing and maintaining national forests, which includes ensuring the accessibility and safety of roads and trails within these lands. Culverts are critical infrastructure components for managing water runoff, preventing erosion, and maintaining the integrity of transportation routes that allow for public access, resource management activities (like timber harvesting or fire suppression), and recreational use. While not tied to a single named program, this procurement directly contributes to the operational effectiveness and environmental stewardship goals of the Forest Service within its Wisconsin jurisdiction.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: PIPE, TUBING, HOSE, AND FITTINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12363N26Q4059

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6480 US HIGHWAY 2 41 M35, WELLS, MI, 49894

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,148

Exercised Options: $57,148

Current Obligation: $57,148

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline