Forest Service awards $348K for hurricane damage repairs to Bent Creek Experimental Forest

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $348,656 ($348.7K)

Contractor: DOT Construction, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 208 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST-INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS RESULTING FROM HURRICANE HELENE

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28806

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $348,655.94 to DOT CONSTRUCTION, INC for work described as: BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST-INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS RESULTING FROM HURRICANE HELENE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to DOT CONSTRUCTION, INC for infrastructure repairs. 2. Work to be completed within 208 days. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 4. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 5. Project located in North Carolina. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal infrastructure spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $348,655.94 appears reasonable for infrastructure repairs following a hurricane. Without specific details on the scope of work, direct comparisons are difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs. The number of bids received (6) suggests a competitive environment that likely contributed to a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, potentially related to qualifications or prior performance. Six bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of repair work.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and ensuring a fair market rate is achieved for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The Forest Service benefits from the restoration of critical infrastructure at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. This project will ensure the continued functionality of research and operational facilities. The geographic impact is localized to North Carolina. Local construction workforce may benefit from employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial damage assessment was incomplete.
Weather delays could impact project timeline and costs if not adequately managed.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market for these services.
Project addresses essential infrastructure needs post-natural disaster.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this sector supports the maintenance and repair of government facilities nationwide. The market size for construction services is substantial, and this contract represents a specific need for disaster recovery within the Forest Service's operational footprint.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Forest Service, as the awarding agency, will monitor performance. The fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Inspector General reviews could be triggered by allegations of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief programs
General Services Administration (GSA) public building services
Department of Defense infrastructure repair contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for weather-related delays
Risk of unforeseen damage discovery during repairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $348,655.94 to DOT CONSTRUCTION, INC. BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST-INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS RESULTING FROM HURRICANE HELENE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOT CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $348,655.94.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-04-27.

What specific types of infrastructure damage were addressed by this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS RESULTING FROM HURRICANE HELENE' at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. While the exact nature of the damage is not detailed, it likely includes repairs to buildings, roads, utilities, or other facilities within the experimental forest that were compromised by the hurricane's impact. A thorough review of the contract's statement of work (SOW) would provide specific details on the scope of repairs, such as structural damage, roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, or site remediation.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar hurricane repair contracts?

Direct comparison of the $348,655.94 award is challenging without knowing the precise scope and scale of damage and repairs. However, for localized infrastructure repairs following a significant weather event, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range for a single delivery order. Larger-scale disaster recovery efforts often involve multi-million dollar contracts. The number of bids (6) suggests that the contract value was sufficient to attract multiple interested parties, indicating it was likely priced competitively within the market for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential weather delays impacting the completion timeline, unforeseen additional damage discovered during repairs, and contractor performance issues. Given the fixed-price nature, the primary financial risk to the government is minimized, but cost overruns could still occur if the scope of work expands significantly beyond the initial assessment. Ensuring the contractor has adequate resources and experience in post-disaster repair is crucial for mitigating performance risks.

What is the track record of DOT CONSTRUCTION, INC?

Information regarding the specific track record of DOT CONSTRUCTION, INC is not provided in the summary data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, including client feedback, on-time delivery rates, and adherence to budget. Checking the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) would be a standard step to evaluate their past performance and identify any potential concerns or commendations.

How does this spending fit into the broader context of Forest Service infrastructure maintenance?

This $348,655.94 contract represents a specific, reactive expenditure for disaster recovery. The Forest Service manages a vast network of infrastructure across numerous experimental forests and ranger districts, requiring ongoing maintenance and capital investment. This award addresses an urgent need caused by a natural disaster, complementing the agency's regular budget allocations for routine maintenance, upgrades, and new construction projects aimed at preserving and improving its facilities and operational capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 12444725R0004

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4801 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD STE 506, CHARLOTTE, NC, 28212

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $348,656

Exercised Options: $348,656

Current Obligation: $348,656

Actual Outlays: $101,856

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline