Forest Service Awards $3.5M for Landscaping Services in West Virginia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,500 ($3.5K)

Contractor: Nelson, Robert L

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIAL, AND EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM MOWING, WEED EATING/TRIMMING AND LEAF BLOWING SERVICES FOR THE MARLINTON RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, HOUSE AND WAREHOUSE SITES FROM APPROXIMATELY APRIL 6, 2026 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2031 IN ACC

Place of Performance

Location: MARLINTON, POCAHONTAS County, WEST VIRGINIA, 24954

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3,500 to NELSON, ROBERT L for work described as: PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIAL, AND EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM MOWING, WEED EATING/TRIMMING AND LEAF BLOWING SERVICES FOR THE MARLINTON RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, HOUSE AND WAREHOUSE SITES FROM APPROXIMATELY APRIL 6, 2026 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2031 IN ACC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Robert L. Nelson for landscaping services. 2. Services include mowing, weed eating, and leaf blowing. 3. The contract duration is approximately one year, with potential for extensions. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. 5. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $3,500 is relatively small, suggesting it may be for a specific site or limited scope. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts would require more detailed service descriptions and geographic data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, indicating it was likely awarded to small businesses or through a limited competition process. This method can lead to faster awards but may not always achieve the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small award amount suggests a minimal direct taxpayer impact from this specific contract.

Public Impact

Ensures upkeep of the Marlinton Ranger District administrative office, house, and warehouse sites. Supports the operational readiness of Forest Service facilities. Provides essential grounds maintenance services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best price.
Contract duration is short (one year), requiring potential re-competition soon.
Lack of detail on specific service levels and performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific vendor, ensuring continuity of service.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Services are essential for facility maintenance.

Sector Analysis

Landscaping services are a common requirement for government facilities. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on the size of the area, frequency of service, and specific tasks required. This contract appears to be for a localized, smaller-scale operation.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP, which often favors small business participation. However, the data does not explicitly state if the awardee is a small business or if small business set-asides were used.

Oversight & Accountability

Standard oversight for purchase orders applies. The Forest Service is responsible for monitoring contract performance and ensuring services are rendered as specified.

Related Government Programs

Landscaping Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes oversight difficult.
Short base contract duration requires frequent re-evaluation.
Geographic location (West Virginia) may limit the pool of qualified bidders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3,500 to NELSON, ROBERT L. PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIAL, AND EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM MOWING, WEED EATING/TRIMMING AND LEAF BLOWING SERVICES FOR THE MARLINTON RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, HOUSE AND WAREHOUSE SITES FROM APPROXIMATELY APRIL 6, 2026 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2031 IN ACC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NELSON, ROBERT L.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the estimated annual cost for these landscaping services, and how does it compare to similar contracts for Forest Service facilities of comparable size?

The total award is $3,500 for a contract running from April 2026 to March 2031, with a base year ending March 31, 2027. This suggests an annual value of approximately $3,500 for the base year. This amount is likely low for comprehensive landscaping, indicating it might cover only basic maintenance or a very small area. Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts for similar-sized administrative sites or specific task orders.

What are the specific performance standards and metrics for the mowing, weed eating, and leaf blowing services to ensure quality and value?

The provided data lacks specific performance standards and metrics. A thorough review would require examining the Purchase Order details to understand the defined service levels, frequency of service, and quality expectations. Without these, assessing the effectiveness and value for money is challenging, relying solely on the vendor's adherence to general industry practices.

Given the contract's duration and SAP competition, what is the likelihood of achieving significant cost savings through future full and open competition?

The current contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition environment. While this can be efficient for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing. Future full and open competition, especially if the scope or value increases, could potentially lead to greater cost savings by attracting a wider range of bidders and fostering more robust price discovery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12444326Q0011

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3947 BEAVER CREEK RD, MARLINTON, WV, 24954

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,300

Exercised Options: $3,500

Current Obligation: $3,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline