Forest Service awards $498K contract for woodpecker monitoring, highlighting support for forestry activities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,800 ($49.8K)

Contractor: Wildlife Investigations LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FMS RED COCKADED WOODPECKER (RCW) MONITORING AND CLUSTER INVENTORY

Place of Performance

Location: HUGER, BERKELEY County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29450

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $49,800 to WILDLIFE INVESTIGATIONS LLC for work described as: FMS RED COCKADED WOODPECKER (RCW) MONITORING AND CLUSTER INVENTORY Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized ecological monitoring services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially healthy market for these services. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the need for accurate ecological data. 4. This contract supports critical wildlife habitat assessment within forestry programs. 5. The award falls within the broader category of scientific and technical support for natural resource management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $498,000 for a three-year period for monitoring and cluster inventory of the Red Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized ecological services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for wildlife monitoring and habitat assessment would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specific nature of the work, which requires ecological expertise and potentially extensive fieldwork, the price point does not immediately suggest overpayment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among eligible vendors. With three bidders participating, there was a degree of competition, which generally aids in price discovery and ensures a selection based on a balance of cost and technical merit. The use of SAP implies that the acquisition was likely streamlined, aiming for efficiency while still adhering to competitive principles.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayer funds were likely used efficiently, as multiple firms vied for the contract, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits the U.S. Forest Service's conservation efforts for the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker. It ensures the delivery of crucial data for managing and protecting RCW habitats across its range. The geographic impact is focused on areas within South Carolina where RCW populations are present. The contract supports specialized ecological services, potentially involving local biologists and field technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if monitoring requirements expand beyond initial parameters.
Dependence on contractor's specialized knowledge for accurate data collection.
Environmental factors could impact fieldwork and data collection timelines.

Positive Signals

Clear objective for monitoring and inventory of a specific species.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Awarded to a specialized firm, indicating relevant expertise.
Competition under SAP suggests a fair and open process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Services sector, specifically focusing on environmental consulting and wildlife management. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, conservation mandates, and land management agencies' needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for ecological surveys, endangered species monitoring, and environmental impact assessments within federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. However, the award to 'WILDLIFE INVESTIGATIONS LLC' suggests the contractor may be a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized, and the overall impact on the small business ecosystem for ecological services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Forest Service contracting officer and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance standards and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Endangered Species Act Compliance
Forestry and Natural Resource Management
Wildlife Habitat Monitoring
Ecological Surveys
Conservation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental delays impacting fieldwork.
Reliance on contractor's specialized expertise for data accuracy.
Need for robust oversight to ensure data quality and adherence to scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $49,800 to WILDLIFE INVESTIGATIONS LLC. FMS RED COCKADED WOODPECKER (RCW) MONITORING AND CLUSTER INVENTORY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILDLIFE INVESTIGATIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $49,800.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Wildlife Investigations LLC in performing similar ecological monitoring contracts for federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Wildlife Investigations LLC's track record. Key indicators would include the number of previous federal contracts awarded, their values, the agencies they served, and performance ratings if available. Examining past performance on contracts related to endangered species monitoring, particularly for the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, would provide specific insight into their capabilities and reliability. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract completions would indicate a strong track record, while frequent issues or disputes might raise concerns about their capacity to meet the current contract's requirements.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar Red Cockaded Woodpecker monitoring services?

Benchmarking the $498,000 contract value against market rates requires access to detailed cost data from comparable contracts or industry surveys. Factors influencing price include the geographic scope, duration, specific monitoring methodologies required (e.g., acoustic monitoring, nest checks, habitat assessments), and the level of reporting expected. If similar three-year contracts for RCW monitoring in the Southeast region typically range from $400,000 to $600,000, then this award appears to be within a competitive market range. Conversely, if comparable services are consistently procured at significantly lower price points, it might suggest an opportunity for better price negotiation or a need to investigate the specific requirements driving the cost.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential delays due to unforeseen environmental conditions (e.g., weather, natural disasters impacting fieldwork), challenges in accessing remote RCW habitats, and the contractor's ability to maintain consistent data quality over the contract period. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance standards in the contract, regular progress meetings between the Forest Service and the contractor, and contingency planning for fieldwork disruptions. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and timelines effectively. Furthermore, the Forest Service's oversight and review of deliverables serve as a key mitigation for data quality risks.

How effective is the Forest Service's current approach to monitoring the Red Cockaded Woodpecker population?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service's monitoring approach, which includes contracts like this one, is typically evaluated based on the accuracy and completeness of the data collected and its subsequent use in adaptive management strategies. Success is measured by the ability to track population trends, identify habitat threats, and inform conservation actions that contribute to the species' recovery or stability. Data from these monitoring efforts are crucial for assessing the impact of forestry practices and conservation initiatives on RCW populations. Long-term trend analysis and the species' conservation status, as determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provide indicators of the overall effectiveness of these monitoring and management efforts.

What has been the historical spending trend for Red Cockaded Woodpecker monitoring by the Forest Service over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending for RCW monitoring requires accessing procurement data over the specified period. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded by the Forest Service (and potentially other relevant agencies) for RCW monitoring and inventory. Trends could reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether the number of contracts or their average value has changed. Such analysis could indicate shifts in agency priorities, increased regulatory focus on the species, or changes in the cost of providing these services. For instance, a steady increase in spending might suggest a heightened focus on conservation or a growing need for more intensive monitoring.

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: 12444124Q0018

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10033 S CAROLINA RD, MC CLELLANVILLE, SC, 29458

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,600

Exercised Options: $49,800

Current Obligation: $49,800

Actual Outlays: $24,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444124A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline