Herback General Engineering LLC Awarded $1.45M for Lumsden Road Repair in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,451,881 ($1.5M)

Contractor: Herback General Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-02

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 212 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/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: 127EAW25C0034 - LUMSDEN ROAD REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: GROVELAND, TUOLUMNE County, CALIFORNIA, 95321

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.5 million to HERBACK GENERAL ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: 127EAW25C0034 - LUMSDEN ROAD REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for highway construction services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Definitive contract type indicates a single order under a pre-negotiated agreement. 4. Firm fixed price contract limits cost overrun risk for the government. 5. Contract duration of 212 days is standard for this type of project. 6. Project located in California, a region with significant infrastructure needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.45 million for road repair is within a typical range for similar infrastructure projects. Benchmarking against other highway, street, and bridge construction contracts awarded by the Forest Service or other agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed price structure helps control costs, but the final value depends on the scope and complexity of the Lumsden Road repair.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded. This could be due to specific qualifications or prior relationships. With 6 bidders, the competition level appears moderate, suggesting that price discovery was likely effective, but potentially not as robust as a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate number of bidders suggests that taxpayers likely received a competitive price, but there may have been an opportunity for even greater savings if more firms were able to participate without exclusion.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are users of Lumsden Road, including local residents, businesses, and commuters, who will experience improved transportation infrastructure. The project will deliver essential road repair and maintenance services, enhancing safety and accessibility. The geographic impact is localized to the Lumsden Road area within California. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers and related trades during the contract period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Risk of scope creep if not clearly defined in the definitive contract.
Dependence on contractor's ability to meet quality and timeline requirements.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract mitigates cost escalation risks.
Moderate number of bidders (6) indicates some level of market interest.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs, ensuring public safety and utility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector (NAICS 237310), a critical component of the broader Construction industry. This sector is characterized by significant government investment in maintaining and upgrading public infrastructure. Market size for such projects is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local funding initiatives. This specific contract represents a localized investment in transportation infrastructure, aligning with broader government goals for economic development and public safety.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). As a definitive contract awarded to Herback General Engineering LLC, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further review of the contract details would be needed to ascertain any mandated small business subcontracting goals or actual participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services within the agreed budget and timeline. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) programs
National Highway System (NHS) projects
Rural road improvement initiatives
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding

Risk Flags

Competition Level - Moderate (6 bidders)
Contract Type - Definitive Contract (potential for follow-on orders)
Competition Basis - Exclusion of Sources (potential impact on price discovery)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.5 million to HERBACK GENERAL ENGINEERING LLC. 127EAW25C0034 - LUMSDEN ROAD REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HERBACK GENERAL ENGINEERING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-02. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Herback General Engineering LLC with federal contracts?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Herback General Engineering LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with similar road repair projects, contract values, and agency clients would provide insight into their reliability and capability to execute the Lumsden Road repair project successfully. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess their past performance.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar road repair projects in California?

To benchmark the $1.45 million award for the Lumsden Road Repair, one would compare it to other highway, street, and bridge construction contracts of similar scope and scale awarded by federal, state, or local agencies in California. Factors such as project length, complexity (e.g., terrain, required materials), and the specific type of repairs (e.g., resurfacing, structural repair) would need to be considered. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is reasonable, but a detailed comparative analysis of project specifications and costs would confirm if it represents good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this definitive contract?

Key risks for this definitive contract include potential scope creep if the exact repair needs are not meticulously defined upfront, leading to potential cost overruns despite the fixed price. Contractor performance risk is also present; Herback General Engineering LLC must meet quality standards and project timelines. Furthermore, unforeseen site conditions during the repair process could necessitate change orders, impacting the overall project timeline and potentially requiring renegotiation if not adequately addressed in the initial contract. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition also presents a risk of not achieving the absolute best possible price.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' in ensuring competitive pricing?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. While it allows multiple bidders, the exclusion of certain sources can limit the pool of potential offerors. This moderate competition (6 bidders) likely resulted in competitive pricing, but it may not be as aggressive as a truly unrestricted competition where all qualified firms could participate. The effectiveness hinges on the justification for excluding sources and whether the remaining bidders were sufficiently competitive to drive down prices effectively for the taxpayer.

What is the historical spending trend for road repair projects by the Forest Service in California?

Analyzing historical spending by the Forest Service for road repair in California would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of projects undertaken, and the number of contractors utilized. Such an analysis could indicate whether spending has been increasing or decreasing, whether projects are becoming more or less expensive, and the typical contract sizes awarded. This context is crucial for understanding if the current $1.45 million award is consistent with past investment levels or represents a significant deviation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 127EAW25R0054

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2531 NOWLIN RD, MINDEN, NV, 89423

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,451,881

Exercised Options: $1,451,881

Current Obligation: $1,451,881

Actual Outlays: $163,659

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline