Forest Service awards $1M+ for visitor center remodel, highlighting construction sector activity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,033,503 ($1.0M)

Contractor: TCS Northwest LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-10-28

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GAOA PROJECT - AFD VISITOR CENTER REMODEL

Place of Performance

Location: MISSOULA, MISSOULA County, MONTANA, 59801

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.0 million to TCS NORTHWEST LLC for work described as: GAOA PROJECT - AFD VISITOR CENTER REMODEL Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a commercial building construction project of this scope. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a healthy market for this type of construction service. 3. Project duration is within typical ranges for similar renovation projects. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. Geographic location in Montana may influence labor and material costs. 6. The project falls within the broader commercial and institutional building construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.03 million for the AFD Visitor Center Remodel seems aligned with typical costs for commercial and institutional building construction. Benchmarking against similar projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the scope appears to be a standard renovation. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards under $250,000, though this award exceeds that threshold. The presence of 8 bidders suggests robust competition for this construction project. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are Forest Service visitors and staff who will utilize the improved visitor center facilities. The project delivers essential building renovation and construction services. The geographic impact is localized to the specific Forest Service site in Montana. The project will likely involve local construction labor and potentially local material suppliers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions during renovation impacting schedule or cost.
Reliance on specific local labor markets could lead to availability issues.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Competitive bidding process suggests market validation of pricing.
Defined project scope and duration indicate clear planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the U.S. economy. This sector encompasses a wide range of projects from small renovations to large-scale new builds. Federal spending in this area supports infrastructure development and maintenance across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar visitor center or small-scale facility renovations would be relevant for a detailed analysis.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and potentially program managers. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Infrastructure Projects
Federal Building and Facility Renovations
Department of Agriculture Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen conditions arise.
Risk of schedule delays due to external factors.
Contractor performance and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.0 million to TCS NORTHWEST LLC. GAOA PROJECT - AFD VISITOR CENTER REMODEL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TCS NORTHWEST LLC.

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: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-10-28.

What is the track record of TCS NORTHWEST LLC in performing federal construction contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to assess TCS NORTHWEST LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with similar-sized projects and government agencies would provide insight into their reliability and capability to successfully execute the AFD Visitor Center Remodel.

How does the awarded price compare to similar visitor center renovation projects?

Direct comparison to similar visitor center renovations is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable projects with detailed cost breakdowns. However, the $1.03 million award for an 180-day project in Montana can be benchmarked against general commercial construction costs per square foot or per project type. Factors like the specific scope of work (e.g., HVAC, electrical, structural, finishes) and regional cost variations would significantly influence this comparison. The number of bidders (8) suggests the price was competitive within the market.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract?

Key risks include potential unforeseen conditions discovered during the renovation, which could lead to scope changes and cost increases, despite the firm fixed-price contract. Schedule delays due to weather, material availability, or labor shortages in Montana are also risks. Contractor performance and adherence to quality standards are ongoing risks that require diligent oversight. The relatively short duration (180 days) also implies a need for efficient project management.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing construction contracts of this nature?

The Forest Service, as part of the Department of Agriculture, has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms for managing construction contracts. Their effectiveness can be gauged by the success rate of their projects, adherence to budget and schedule, and the quality of completed work. The use of competitive bidding and firm fixed-price contracts are standard practices aimed at ensuring effectiveness and value. Specific performance metrics or past audit findings related to their construction management would offer a more definitive assessment.

What are the historical spending patterns for visitor center renovations by the Forest Service?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. This would involve querying for similar contract types (construction, renovation) awarded by the Forest Service specifically for visitor centers or related facilities over several fiscal years. Identifying trends in contract values, number of bidders, and contract durations would reveal spending patterns and potentially highlight periods of increased investment or shifts in procurement strategies for such projects.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the purchasing process for acquisitions valued below certain thresholds (currently $250,000 for most agencies). While this contract's value ($1,033,503.21) significantly exceeds the standard SAP threshold, it's possible it was awarded under specific exceptions or that the initial solicitation was managed under SAP principles before modification or exercise of options that increased its value. Typically, awards of this magnitude would be subject to full and open competition procedures, not standard SAP.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1240LU26Q0022

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 S BROADWAY AVE, HALL, MT, 59837

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,033,503

Exercised Options: $1,033,503

Current Obligation: $1,033,503

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline