Agriculture Department awards $212K contract for 202 acres of forest management in West Virginia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,210 ($21.2K)

Contractor: Lawson Henry

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-05-08

End Date: 2027-05-08

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NRE-1181: APPROVED 5/7/2025 SLATY FORK CROP TREE RELEASE- CONTRACT #- 12444323D0008 16 UNITS TOTALING 202 ACRES IN 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS- CROOKED FORK, BUZZARD RIDGE, AND SHARPS KNOB

Place of Performance

Location: MARLINTON, POCAHONTAS County, WEST VIRGINIA, 24954

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $21,210 to LAWSON HENRY for work described as: NRE-1181: APPROVED 5/7/2025 SLATY FORK CROP TREE RELEASE- CONTRACT #- 12444323D0008 16 UNITS TOTALING 202 ACRES IN 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS- CROOKED FORK, BUZZARD RIDGE, AND SHARPS KNOB Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical forest health activities, including crop tree release. 2. The award was made under a simplified acquisition procedure, suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract duration of two years allows for sustained management efforts. 4. Geographic distribution across three distinct locations indicates a need for localized forest management strategies. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, but subcontracting opportunities may exist.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $212,100 for managing 202 acres of forest land appears reasonable, averaging approximately $1,049 per acre. This figure is within a typical range for silvicultural treatments like crop tree release, which involve specialized labor and equipment. Benchmarking against similar Forest Service contracts for similar services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but initial indications suggest fair pricing given the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under a Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and is used for procurements valued below a certain threshold (currently $250,000). While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP competition is generally less robust than full and open competition. This can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing, but it also allows for more agile procurement of services needed in a timely manner.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP means there's a slightly higher risk of not achieving the absolute lowest price compared to a broad solicitation. However, the efficiency gained in the procurement process for this relatively small contract value can also represent good value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the national forests in West Virginia, which will see improved health and resilience. Services delivered include crop tree release, a key silvicultural practice for promoting the growth of desirable trees. The geographic impact spans three distinct locations: Crooked Fork, Buzzard Ridge, and Sharps Knob, ensuring localized forest management. The contract supports skilled labor in forestry and natural resource management within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited price competition due to SAP.
Geographic dispersion of work may increase logistical complexity and costs.

Positive Signals

Clear scope of work focused on forest health.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Two-year duration allows for effective implementation of silvicultural treatments.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Forestry and Natural Resources sector, specifically focusing on silvicultural services. The Forest Service, as part of the Department of Agriculture, manages vast tracts of federal land, requiring ongoing maintenance and improvement. Spending in this area is crucial for ecosystem health, timber production, wildfire prevention, and recreational access. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other Forest Service contracts for similar acreage and types of silvicultural treatments across different regions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of a small business subcontracting plan requirement. While the contractor, LAWSON HENRY, is not identified as a small business in the provided data, the value of the contract is below the threshold where mandatory subcontracting plans for small businesses are typically required. This means direct opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless they are prime contractors on similar, larger contracts or are engaged by the prime.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Forest Service, a branch of the Department of Agriculture. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned for this particular award, the USDA Office of Inspector General generally oversees federal spending within the department.

Related Government Programs

Forest Management Services
Silvicultural Treatments
Natural Resource Conservation
Federal Land Management Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for weather-related delays impacting schedule
Geographic dispersion of work sites

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $21,210 to LAWSON HENRY. NRE-1181: APPROVED 5/7/2025 SLATY FORK CROP TREE RELEASE- CONTRACT #- 12444323D0008 16 UNITS TOTALING 202 ACRES IN 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS- CROOKED FORK, BUZZARD RIDGE, AND SHARPS KNOB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAWSON HENRY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21,210.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-08. End: 2027-05-08.

What is the track record of LAWSON HENRY with the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service?

The provided data does not include specific details on LAWSON HENRY's past performance or track record with the Department of Agriculture or the Forest Service. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract history databases to review past awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Understanding their experience with similar silvicultural projects, adherence to schedules, and quality of work on previous government contracts is crucial for assessing their reliability on this current award. Without this historical data, the assessment of contractor risk remains incomplete.

How does the per-acre cost compare to similar forest management contracts in the region or nationally?

The average cost of approximately $1,049 per acre for crop tree release and other forest management activities in this contract is a key metric for value assessment. To benchmark this effectively, one would compare it against similar contracts awarded by the Forest Service or other land management agencies for comparable services (e.g., thinning, understory removal, invasive species control) in similar geographic and ecological zones. Factors like terrain difficulty, density of vegetation, and specific treatment intensity significantly influence per-acre costs. A preliminary review suggests this cost is within a reasonable range, but a detailed comparison with a statistically significant sample of comparable contracts is needed for a definitive value-for-money conclusion.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract award?

Key risks for this contract include potential performance issues if the contractor lacks sufficient expertise or resources for managing forest health across three distinct locations. Weather-related delays are a significant risk in forestry operations, potentially impacting project timelines and costs, although the firm-fixed-price structure shifts some of this risk to the contractor. Furthermore, the limited competition under the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) could mean that the government did not secure the most competitive pricing available. Ensuring proper oversight to monitor work quality and adherence to environmental regulations is also critical.

How effective are crop tree release programs in achieving long-term forest health and resilience?

Crop tree release programs are generally considered a highly effective silvicultural tool for improving long-term forest health and resilience. The primary goal is to release the best-quality trees of desirable species from competition from undesirable or competing trees. This practice enhances the growth, vigor, and future timber value of the selected crop trees. By reducing competition for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, it also makes the remaining stand more resilient to stresses such as drought, insect outbreaks, and disease. Over time, this leads to a more robust and valuable forest ecosystem.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar forest management services by the Forest Service?

Historical spending trends for forest management services by the Forest Service typically show consistent investment, often fluctuating based on congressional appropriations, national priorities (like wildfire mitigation or timber production targets), and the overall condition of federal forests. The Forest Service manages millions of acres, necessitating ongoing silvicultural treatments. While specific figures for 'crop tree release' contracts are not provided here, overall spending on forest management, timber stand improvement, and related activities has been substantial, often in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually across the agency. Analyzing trends would involve looking at agency budget documents and historical contract databases over several fiscal years.

Are there any specific environmental considerations or mitigation measures tied to this contract?

While the provided data does not detail specific environmental considerations or mitigation measures, contracts for forest management inherently involve environmental compliance. The Forest Service is mandated to follow environmental regulations, including those related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Work plans typically include measures to protect water quality, sensitive habitats, and threatened or endangered species. The contractor would be expected to adhere to best management practices for erosion control, minimize soil disturbance, and manage equipment to prevent the introduction of invasive species. Specific environmental stipulations would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and associated environmental assessments.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 107 3RD AVE, BARTOW, WV, 24920

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,210

Exercised Options: $21,210

Current Obligation: $21,210

Actual Outlays: $9,020

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444323D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline