Forest Service Awards $272K BPA for Hurricane Recovery Road Maintenance in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $272,223 ($272.2K)

Contractor: Central Minority Maintenance, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2026-07-19

Contract Duration: 625 days

Daily Burn Rate: $436/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LOCATION: CONASAUGA ROAD BPA CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST ROAD MAINTENANCE BPA PROJECT: CONASAUGA RANGER DISTRICT FOR FY25 HURRICANE RECOVERY ROAD MAINTENANCE. INCLUDES GRADING AND SPOT SURFACING WITH GRAVEL AND FILL.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29406

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $272,222.7 to CENTRAL MINORITY MAINTENANCE, LLC for work described as: LOCATION: CONASAUGA ROAD BPA CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST ROAD MAINTENANCE BPA PROJECT: CONASAUGA RANGER DISTRICT FOR FY25 HURRICANE RECOVERY ROAD MAINTENANCE. INCLUDES GRADING AND SPOT SURFACING WITH GRAVEL AND FILL. Key points: 1. Project focuses on essential road maintenance for hurricane recovery in FY25. 2. Contract awarded to Central Minority Maintenance, LLC. 3. Spending is relatively low, suggesting a targeted scope. 4. Competition method indicates a standard procurement process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $272,222.70 for a 625-day duration appears reasonable for road maintenance activities. Benchmarking against similar Forest Service road maintenance contracts would provide a more precise assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition approach. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure repair, which is a necessary public service. The limited competition may result in a slightly higher cost than a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Restores critical road access in a national forest impacted by hurricanes. Supports local infrastructure resilience and safety. Ensures continued access for recreational and operational purposes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for higher costs due to limited competition

Positive Signals

Addresses critical hurricane recovery needs
Supports national forest infrastructure

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Support Activities for Forestry sector, specifically focusing on infrastructure maintenance. Spending benchmarks for similar road maintenance projects within national forests can vary significantly based on scope and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Central Minority Maintenance, LLC, indicating a potential focus on supporting minority-owned businesses. However, the 'sb' (small business) flag is false, suggesting the firm may not be classified as a small business for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call under a larger agreement allows for streamlined procurement. Oversight would involve monitoring the contractor's performance against the scope of work and ensuring adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best price.
Lack of explicit small business designation.
Scope of work is specific to immediate recovery needs.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $272,222.7 to CENTRAL MINORITY MAINTENANCE, LLC. LOCATION: CONASAUGA ROAD BPA CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST ROAD MAINTENANCE BPA PROJECT: CONASAUGA RANGER DISTRICT FOR FY25 HURRICANE RECOVERY ROAD MAINTENANCE. INCLUDES GRADING AND SPOT SURFACING WITH GRAVEL AND FILL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CENTRAL MINORITY MAINTENANCE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $272,222.7.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2026-07-19.

What specific criteria were used to determine that limited competition under SAP was appropriate for this hurricane recovery effort?

The justification for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) likely stems from the urgency of hurricane recovery needs and the relatively small contract value. SAP is designed for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold, allowing for faster award timelines. However, the specific criteria would be detailed in the contract's justification and approval (J&A) document, which should outline why full and open competition was not feasible or necessary.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar road maintenance projects in other national forests, considering the specific materials and labor involved?

A direct comparison is difficult without detailed cost breakdowns and knowledge of regional material and labor costs. However, the award amount of $272,222.70 for grading and spot surfacing over 625 days suggests a moderate cost per day. Benchmarking against similar Forest Service contracts for grading and gravel surfacing in comparable regions would be necessary to assess if the pricing is competitive.

What is the expected long-term impact of this maintenance on the road infrastructure's resilience to future weather events?

The spot surfacing with gravel and fill aims to address immediate damage from hurricane recovery. While this will improve current road conditions and immediate usability, its long-term resilience to future severe weather events depends on the quality of the work, the underlying roadbed condition, and the frequency and intensity of future storms. It's a repair measure, not necessarily a comprehensive upgrade for future resilience.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Forestry › Support Activities for Forestry

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8730 N PARK BLVD 4, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC, 29406

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $272,223

Exercised Options: $272,223

Current Obligation: $272,223

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444022A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline