Agriculture Dept. Awards $210K Contract for Round Bald Trail Disaster Recovery Planning
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,000 ($21.0K)
Contractor: Cole Surveying and Design, PA
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2026-07-17
Contract Duration: 99 days
Daily Burn Rate: $212/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: USE SRS A&E SHORTLIST PROCESS TO CONTRACT THE SURVEYING OF THE TRAILHEAD, TRAIL, AND OVERLOOKS OF THE ROUND BALD TRAIL AS A BASIS TO INFORM THE DISASTER RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR THIS TRAIL FOLLOWING THE SEVERE IMPACTS OF HURRICANE HELENE.
Place of Performance
Location: MARS HILL, MADISON County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28754
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $21,000 to COLE SURVEYING AND DESIGN, PA for work described as: USE SRS A&E SHORTLIST PROCESS TO CONTRACT THE SURVEYING OF THE TRAILHEAD, TRAIL, AND OVERLOOKS OF THE ROUND BALD TRAIL AS A BASIS TO INFORM THE DISASTER RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR THIS TRAIL FOLLOWING THE SEVERE IMPACTS OF HURRICANE HELENE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cole Surveying and Design, PA for environmental consulting. 2. Focus on surveying for disaster recovery construction plans post-Hurricane Helene. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a competitive process. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $210,000 appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services related to disaster recovery planning for a trail system. Benchmarking against similar surveying and design contracts for trail infrastructure would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for smaller dollar value procurements. This method aims for efficiency while still allowing for multiple offers, impacting price discovery by encouraging competitive bids.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently for essential planning to restore public infrastructure damaged by a natural disaster.
Public Impact
Restoration of the Round Bald Trail will improve access to natural resources. Disaster recovery planning ensures efficient and effective rebuilding of damaged infrastructure. Support for environmental consulting services contributes to the local economy. The project aims to mitigate future risks associated with severe weather events.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if unforeseen complexities arise during surveying.
- Reliance on accurate historical data for effective disaster recovery planning.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective to inform critical disaster recovery construction plans.
- Use of a competitive process (SAP) for award.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically related to land surveying and planning for infrastructure recovery. Spending in this sector often fluctuates with natural disaster events and infrastructure investment priorities.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Forest Service, an agency within the Department of Agriculture, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement oversight processes should ensure adherence to contract terms and taxpayer value.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Forest Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is relatively short (99 days), potentially limiting thoroughness if issues arise.
- Specific surveying methodologies are not detailed in the provided data.
- No explicit mention of small business participation.
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen complexities are encountered during the survey.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-agriculture, nc, definitive-contract, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $21,000 to COLE SURVEYING AND DESIGN, PA. USE SRS A&E SHORTLIST PROCESS TO CONTRACT THE SURVEYING OF THE TRAILHEAD, TRAIL, AND OVERLOOKS OF THE ROUND BALD TRAIL AS A BASIS TO INFORM THE DISASTER RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR THIS TRAIL FOLLOWING THE SEVERE IMPACTS OF HURRICANE HELENE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLE SURVEYING AND DESIGN, PA.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-07-17.
What specific surveying techniques will be employed to accurately assess the damage and inform the construction plans?
The contract details do not specify the exact surveying techniques. However, typical methods for such projects include GPS/GNSS, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and traditional ground surveying. The chosen methods will depend on the terrain, required accuracy, and budget, aiming to provide comprehensive data for the disaster recovery planning.
How will the surveying data be integrated into the disaster recovery construction plans to ensure effectiveness?
The surveying data will serve as the foundational input for the construction plans. It will identify the extent of damage to the trailhead, trail, and overlooks, providing critical information on erosion, structural integrity, and necessary repairs. This data will enable engineers to develop precise, cost-effective, and resilient reconstruction strategies.
What is the potential long-term value of this surveying contract beyond immediate disaster recovery?
Beyond immediate recovery, the detailed surveying data can inform long-term trail management, maintenance schedules, and future development plans. It can also serve as a baseline for assessing future environmental impacts or changes. This comprehensive data enhances the overall stewardship of the natural resource and its accessibility.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 12445226C0006
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 549 ELK PARK DR UNIT 707, ASHEVILLE, NC, 28804
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,000
Exercised Options: $21,000
Current Obligation: $21,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-07-17
Potential End Date: 2026-07-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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