Forest Service awards $12,681 contract for historic site survey to Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,681 ($12.7K)

Contractor: Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 114 days

Daily Burn Rate: $111/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NANTAHALA BALSAM LAKE LODGE HISTORIC SITE SURVEY

Place of Performance

Location: TUCKASEGEE, JACKSON County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28783

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $12,681 to ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS & INNOVATIONS, INC. for work described as: NANTAHALA BALSAM LAKE LODGE HISTORIC SITE SURVEY Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. The contract was competed under SAP, indicating a streamlined procurement process for smaller acquisitions. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 4. The duration of 114 days is typical for a specialized survey task. 5. The award is for support activities within the forestry sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12,681 is modest, making direct comparisons to larger contracts difficult. Given the specialized nature of a historic site survey, the pricing is likely competitive within its niche. Without more detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar surveys, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the small award amount suggests the agency is not overcommitting significant funds.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for acquisitions below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. This method aims to balance efficiency with ensuring fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the SAP process, even for a small contract, helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by preventing inflated pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Forest System and the public, through the preservation and understanding of historic sites. The service delivered is a historic site survey, crucial for cultural resource management. The geographic impact is localized to the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. This contract supports specialized environmental and historical consulting services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Limited insight into the specific historical significance of the site surveyed.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Competition under SAP suggests a fair market approach to pricing.
Clear end date provides a defined project timeline.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically environmental consulting and historical preservation. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from small specialized firms to larger engineering and architectural companies. The Forest Service, like other federal agencies, frequently procures these types of services to manage its vast land holdings and cultural resources.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. However, given the small contract value, it is plausible that small businesses were among the bidders or could have been awarded the contract. Further analysis would be needed to confirm any specific small business utilization.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Forest Service's contracting officer and program managers. Standard contract administration processes, including monitoring progress and ensuring deliverables meet requirements, would be in place. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific details of the survey's findings may be subject to internal agency review.

Related Government Programs

National Historic Preservation Act compliance
Forest Service cultural resource management programs
Historic site surveys
Environmental consulting services

Risk Flags

Limited performance data available
Scope of work details not fully specified in summary data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $12,681 to ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS & INNOVATIONS, INC.. NANTAHALA BALSAM LAKE LODGE HISTORIC SITE SURVEY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS & INNOVATIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,681.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific historical significance of the Nantahala Balsam Lake Lodge site?

The provided data does not detail the specific historical significance of the Nantahala Balsam Lake Lodge site. This information would typically be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) or related documentation for the contract. Historic site surveys are conducted to identify, evaluate, and document properties that may possess historical, architectural, or archaeological significance. The survey's findings would inform decisions regarding the site's eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and guide future preservation or management efforts. Understanding the site's significance is crucial for contextualizing the survey's objectives and the value of the services rendered.

How does the $12,681 contract value compare to similar historic site surveys conducted by the Forest Service?

Directly comparing the $12,681 contract value to similar historic site surveys by the Forest Service is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. However, this value is relatively small, suggesting a limited scope, such as a preliminary assessment or survey of a specific, contained area rather than a comprehensive historical study of a large complex. Larger, more complex historical site surveys or National Register nominations can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the site's size, complexity, and the depth of research required. The Forest Service, managing vast lands, likely procures a spectrum of survey contracts, from small, targeted efforts like this one to larger, more involved projects.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this historic site survey contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this specific contract. However, for a historic site survey, typical KPIs would likely include the timely completion of the survey within the 114-day period, the accuracy and completeness of the survey report, adherence to relevant historical and archaeological standards (e.g., Secretary of the Interior's Standards), and the successful identification and documentation of any significant historical features or artifacts. The final deliverable, the survey report, would be reviewed by Forest Service personnel to ensure it meets the requirements outlined in the contract's Statement of Work.

What is the track record of Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Forest Service or Department of Agriculture?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc. (ESI). To assess their track record, one would typically examine federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards, contract performance ratings (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this external data, it's impossible to definitively state ESI's experience level or past performance with the Forest Service or other federal agencies. However, their ability to win this competed contract suggests they met the basic qualifications and pricing requirements.

What is the potential risk associated with this contract, considering its size and scope?

The potential risks associated with this contract appear relatively low, primarily due to its modest value ($12,681) and defined scope (historic site survey). Key risks could include the contractor failing to deliver the survey report on time or to the required quality standards, potentially leading to delays in the Forest Service's cultural resource management activities. Another minor risk could be unforeseen complexities at the site that might necessitate a contract modification, though the fixed-price nature aims to mitigate cost overruns. The short duration (114 days) also limits the window for significant performance issues to arise. The competitive bidding process under SAP helps mitigate risks related to contractor selection and pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Forestry › Support Activities for Forestry

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12444826Q0010

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4525 ESTE AVE, CINCINNATI, OH, 45232

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,681

Exercised Options: $12,681

Current Obligation: $12,681

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N23A4346

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline