Forest Service awards $79K contract for historic district feasibility study in Michigan

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $79,198 ($79.2K)

Contractor: Trivers Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-09-19

End Date: 2026-08-29

Contract Duration: 344 days

Daily Burn Rate: $230/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FEASIBILITY AND FUTURE-USE PLAN FOR THE J.W. TOUMEY HISTORIC DISTRICT BUILDINGS IN WATERSMEET, MICHIGAN

Place of Performance

Location: WATERSMEET, GOGEBIC County, MICHIGAN, 49969

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $79,198.19 to TRIVERS ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: FEASIBILITY AND FUTURE-USE PLAN FOR THE J.W. TOUMEY HISTORIC DISTRICT BUILDINGS IN WATERSMEET, MICHIGAN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on assessing the future use of historic buildings. 2. Awarded to Trivers Associates, Inc., an environmental consulting firm. 3. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. The contract duration is approximately one year. 5. This award represents a small portion of the Forest Service's overall contracting budget. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $79,198.19 appears reasonable for a specialized feasibility study of historic buildings. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting services for historic preservation projects suggests this price is within expected ranges, especially considering the specific location and scope. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes from pre-qualified vendors. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed for smaller procurements and may not achieve the same level of price discovery as full and open competition. The Forest Service likely sought quotes from firms with demonstrated expertise in historic preservation and environmental consulting.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices than if a broader competition were held, but it also allows for more efficient procurement of smaller, specialized services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and visitors of Watersmeet, Michigan, who will benefit from a plan for the J.W. Toumey Historic District. The services delivered include a feasibility and future-use plan for historic buildings. The geographic impact is localized to Watersmeet, Michigan. The contract supports specialized consulting work, potentially impacting a small segment of the environmental consulting and historic preservation workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the feasibility study's parameters are not strictly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for a specialized study may limit alternative perspectives.

Positive Signals

Focus on historic preservation aligns with cultural resource management goals.
Award to a firm with relevant expertise suggests a good fit for the service required.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on historic preservation and land use planning. The market for such specialized services is driven by government agencies and private entities seeking expertise in cultural resource management and sustainable development. Comparable spending in this niche often involves detailed site assessments, historical research, and architectural evaluations, with contract values varying widely based on project complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and the contractor is not a small business (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or immediate impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this specific award. The procurement method (SAP) might have allowed for small business participation if they were among the solicited vendors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and project manager. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price agreement, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified feasibility study. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Historic Preservation Act Programs
Forest Service Cultural Resources Management
Environmental Impact Assessments
Historic Building Rehabilitation Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Reliance on limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $79,198.19 to TRIVERS ASSOCIATES, INC.. FEASIBILITY AND FUTURE-USE PLAN FOR THE J.W. TOUMEY HISTORIC DISTRICT BUILDINGS IN WATERSMEET, MICHIGAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIVERS ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $79,198.19.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-19. End: 2026-08-29.

What is the track record of Trivers Associates, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Forest Service or Department of Agriculture?

Trivers Associates, Inc. has a history of performing environmental consulting services. While specific details on their federal contract history require deeper database searches, their selection for this Forest Service contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Analyzing past performance reviews and contract completion records would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and quality of work. Federal procurement data often reveals patterns in contract awards, allowing for an assessment of a contractor's established relationship with agencies and their success rate on similar projects.

How does the cost of this feasibility study compare to similar projects undertaken by the Forest Service or other federal agencies?

The $79,198.19 contract value for a historic district feasibility and future-use plan is considered moderate for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires access to detailed project scopes and durations. However, for a one-year study focused on a specific historic site, this amount appears aligned with market rates for environmental and architectural consulting. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the historic structures, the extent of research required, and the specific deliverables mandated by the Forest Service. Without direct comparisons of projects with identical scope and location, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the price seems reasonable for the described service.

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

Key risks include potential scope creep, where the study's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the quality of the final feasibility plan, which must be comprehensive and actionable. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined contract deliverables, regular progress reviews between the Forest Service and Trivers Associates, and adherence to the firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. The Forest Service's oversight and the contractor's expertise in environmental consulting and historic preservation are crucial for mitigating these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the J.W. Toumey Historic District feasibility study in guiding future decisions?

The effectiveness of the study hinges on the thoroughness of the research, the clarity of the analysis, and the practicality of the recommendations. A well-executed feasibility study should provide the Forest Service with a clear understanding of the structural integrity, historical significance, and potential adaptive reuse options for the buildings. This information is critical for making informed decisions regarding preservation, restoration, or alternative future uses, ensuring that taxpayer investments are directed towards viable and sustainable outcomes for the historic district.

What has been the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services related to historic preservation by the Forest Service?

Historical spending patterns for environmental consulting related to historic preservation by the Forest Service can vary significantly year over year, influenced by specific preservation initiatives, budget allocations, and the identification of new projects. While this $79,198 award is a single data point, broader analysis of Forest Service contracts under NAICS code 541620, particularly those tagged with 'historic preservation' or 'cultural resources,' would reveal trends. Agencies often allocate funds based on the National Historic Preservation Act mandates and the condition of historical assets on federal lands. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current award within the agency's overall commitment to heritage management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

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: 12444625Q0066

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 N BROADWAY, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $79,198

Exercised Options: $79,198

Current Obligation: $79,198

Actual Outlays: $2,027

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444523A0015

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline