Forest Service awards $1.02M contract for cultural resources inventory, with a 793-day performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,016,886 ($1.0M)

Contractor: Westland Resources Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-08-29

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 793 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY OF UP TO 2642 ACRES OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND MANAGED BY SEWARD RANGER DISTRICT, CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST.

Place of Performance

Location: JUNEAU, JUNEAU County, ALASKA, 99802

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.0 million to WESTLAND RESOURCES INC for work described as: CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY OF UP TO 2642 ACRES OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND MANAGED BY SEWARD RANGER DISTRICT, CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST. Key points: 1. The contract value of $1.02M for cultural resource inventory appears reasonable given the extensive acreage and duration. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not fully detailed, but it was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract type and a clear scope of work. 4. Performance context involves inventorying a significant portion of National Forest System land, crucial for land management and preservation. 5. This contract fits within the broader sector of environmental consulting and natural resource management services for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.02 million for surveying up to 2642 acres of National Forest System land is within a reasonable range for such environmental services. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale cultural resource inventories on federal lands suggests this pricing is competitive, especially considering the complexity and duration of the project (793 days).

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed for smaller procurements and can lead to less robust price discovery than larger, more widely advertised contracts. However, it can also result in faster award times.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competing under SAP may mean slightly less assurance of the absolute lowest price compared to a broad solicitation, but it likely offers a good balance of cost efficiency and timely service delivery for this contract size.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Forest Service, which will gain critical data for managing the Chugach National Forest. The services delivered include a comprehensive cultural resources inventory, essential for compliance with historical preservation laws. The geographic impact is focused on the Seward Ranger District within the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. Workforce implications include employment for environmental consultants, archaeologists, and field technicians involved in the inventory process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen complexities arise during the extensive inventory process.
Dependence on accurate historical data and accessibility of the land for thorough surveying.
Timeliness of deliverables is critical for ongoing land management decisions.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks.
Clear definition of the acreage to be inventoried provides a defined scope.
Experienced contractor, Westland Resources Inc., likely brings relevant expertise.
Long performance period allows for thoroughness in the inventory process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental consulting and natural resource management sector, a significant area of federal spending. The market includes numerous firms specializing in cultural resource surveys, environmental impact assessments, and land management support. Federal agencies like the Forest Service are major clients, requiring these services to comply with regulations and manage vast public lands effectively. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar inventories vary widely based on acreage, terrain, and required detail, but a contract of this size for extensive acreage is not unusual.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Westland Resources Inc. is the sole awardee listed. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to potentially negative if larger firms dominate this type of contract without specific subcontracting requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will primarily be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and project managers within the Seward Ranger District. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring completion of the inventory to specifications. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, where contract details are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Land Management
Cultural Resource Management
Environmental Compliance
Archaeological Surveys
Federal Land Inventory

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP usage.
Geographic remoteness and environmental conditions in Alaska may impact performance timelines.
Scope definition clarity is crucial for managing expectations and deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.0 million to WESTLAND RESOURCES INC. CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY OF UP TO 2642 ACRES OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND MANAGED BY SEWARD RANGER DISTRICT, CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTLAND RESOURCES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-29. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of Westland Resources Inc. in performing similar cultural resource inventory contracts for federal agencies?

Westland Resources Inc. has a history of performing environmental and cultural resource services. While specific details on past federal contracts of this exact scale are not immediately available in this summary, their designation as the awardee suggests they met the qualifications for this task. A deeper dive into their contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and past project scope would provide a more robust assessment of their track record. However, the Forest Service's selection implies a level of confidence in their capabilities for this specific inventory project.

How does the cost per acre for this contract compare to similar cultural resource inventories on federal lands?

The contract is valued at approximately $1.02 million for up to 2642 acres. This equates to roughly $384 per acre. Benchmarking this figure requires careful consideration of factors like terrain difficulty, accessibility, the required level of detail (e.g., Phase I survey, intensive survey), and the specific regulatory requirements of the land management agency. Generally, costs for such inventories can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars per acre. Without more specific comparative data on similar projects in Alaska or comparable forest environments, it's difficult to definitively state if $384/acre is high or low, but it appears to be within a plausible range for a large-scale federal land inventory.

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

Key risks include potential delays due to weather or access issues in remote Alaskan locations, unforeseen archaeological discoveries requiring additional work, and ensuring the thoroughness of the inventory across a large area. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates financial risk for the government, as the contractor is incentivized to complete the work within budget. The 793-day performance period provides ample time to address logistical challenges. The Forest Service's oversight and clear contract requirements also serve as risk mitigation tools, ensuring the scope is adhered to and quality standards are met.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for contracts of this magnitude?

SAP is designed for procurements generally under the federal micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) up to the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), though agencies can use it for higher dollar amounts under specific circumstances. While it streamlines the process, it typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. This can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to highly competitive, widely advertised bids. However, for contracts in the range of $1 million, using SAP suggests the agency identified specific justifications or efficiencies. The effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing is therefore moderate; it balances speed and administrative ease against potentially broader price discovery.

What is the historical spending pattern for cultural resource inventories by the Forest Service in Alaska?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for cultural resource inventories by the Forest Service in Alaska would require accessing and aggregating data from federal procurement databases over several years. This specific contract's value of $1.02M for a large acreage is a significant investment. Without access to historical data, it's difficult to establish a trend or benchmark. However, federal agencies like the Forest Service consistently allocate funds for land management activities, including environmental and cultural resource assessments, to comply with laws like the National Historic Preservation Act. Spending can fluctuate based on specific project needs, budget allocations, and land management priorities within regions like Alaska.

What are the potential long-term implications of this inventory for the management and preservation of cultural resources in the Chugach National Forest?

This inventory is foundational for the long-term management and preservation of cultural resources. The data gathered will identify previously unknown or unrecorded sites, providing critical information for land-use planning, development projects, and conservation efforts within the Seward Ranger District. It enables the Forest Service to prioritize protection measures, develop site-specific management plans, and ensure compliance with federal historic preservation laws. Ultimately, this contract contributes to a more informed and effective strategy for safeguarding the cultural heritage located on these National Forest System lands for future generations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1240BF24R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Westland Resources, Inc.

Address: 4001 E PARADISE FALLS DR, TUCSON, AZ, 85712

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,016,886

Exercised Options: $1,016,886

Current Obligation: $1,016,886

Actual Outlays: $707,603

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline