Agriculture Department awards $122K contract for surveying services in Tennessee, with L.I. Smith & Associates Inc. as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $122,292 ($122.3K)

Contractor: L. I. Smith & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-24

End Date: 2026-06-05

Contract Duration: 73 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROCURE SURVEYS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: BEACON HILL FARMS LLC WRE 5447412502026, YAHOO FARMS LIVING TRUST 54474125020D8, JDY LAND, LLC WRE 54474125020YC, JOHNNIE FINLEY WRE 54474125020YG & FRANK JAMES WRE 54474125020YF

Place of Performance

Location: PARIS, HENRY County, TENNESSEE, 38242

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $122,292.24 to L. I. SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: PROCURE SURVEYS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: BEACON HILL FARMS LLC WRE 5447412502026, YAHOO FARMS LIVING TRUST 54474125020D8, JDY LAND, LLC WRE 54474125020YC, JOHNNIE FINLEY WRE 54474125020YG & FRANK JAMES WRE 54474125020YF Key points: 1. Contract awarded to L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc. for surveying services. 2. The contract has a duration of 73 days, indicating a short-term project. 3. The procurement method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific reason for excluding certain sources. 4. The contract type is 'Firm Fixed Price', which provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The project is located in Tennessee, with specific sites including Beacon Hill Farms, Yahoo Farms, JDY Land, Johnnie Finley, and Frank James. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541370, pertaining to Surveying and Mapping Services. 7. The contract is for delivery order under an existing award. 8. The total award amount is $122,292.24.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $122,292.24 for surveying services over approximately 73 days appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar surveying contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions, but the price per day is approximately $1,675. The firm fixed price nature of the contract helps manage cost risks for the government. The contractor, L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc., has a track record that would need further review to fully assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $1,675 per day, based on the total award and duration.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This indicates that while competition was sought, certain sources were intentionally excluded. The specific reasons for this exclusion are not detailed in the provided data, but it suggests a targeted approach to selecting contractors, potentially based on specialized capabilities or prior relationships. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, may limit the potential for the most competitive pricing. Taxpayers benefit when competition is maximized, leading to potentially lower costs. Further transparency on the exclusion criteria would be beneficial.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the entities whose land or projects require surveying, potentially including agricultural operations or land development projects. The services delivered are surveying and mapping, crucial for land management, development, and regulatory compliance. The geographic impact is concentrated in Tennessee, specifically at the named farm and land locations. Workforce implications may include employment for surveyors and support staff employed by L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc. and potentially related administrative roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition process.
Limited information on the specific surveying tasks and deliverables, making a comprehensive value assessment challenging.
The short duration of the contract might indicate a need for rapid deployment, potentially increasing costs or risks if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract awarded to a specific company, L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc., suggesting they meet the required qualifications.
The project is clearly defined by location and service type (surveying).
The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger, pre-established framework agreement.

Sector Analysis

The surveying and mapping services sector is essential for various industries, including agriculture, construction, real estate, and government land management. The market size for surveying services in the US is substantial, driven by infrastructure projects, land development, and regulatory requirements. This contract fits within the broader government spending on land management and agricultural support services. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type and complexity of the surveying required.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc., is likely not a small business, and opportunities for small business involvement through subcontracting may be limited unless proactively pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed justifications for procurement decisions, such as source exclusions, may not always be readily available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture - Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services
Surveying and Mapping Services
Federal Land Management Contracts
Agricultural Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential lack of transparency regarding source exclusion criteria.
Limited detail on specific surveying deliverables and scope.
Contract duration is relatively short, requiring efficient execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $122,292.24 to L. I. SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC.. PROCURE SURVEYS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: BEACON HILL FARMS LLC WRE 5447412502026, YAHOO FARMS LIVING TRUST 54474125020D8, JDY LAND, LLC WRE 54474125020YC, JOHNNIE FINLEY WRE 54474125020YG & FRANK JAMES WRE 54474125020YF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L. I. SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $122,292.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-24. End: 2026-06-05.

What is the specific nature of the surveying work being performed under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services' under NAICS code 541370. While the exact deliverables are not detailed, this typically includes boundary surveys, topographic surveys, land surveys for agricultural purposes, and potentially mapping for land use planning or resource management. The locations mentioned (Beacon Hill Farms, Yahoo Farms, JDY Land, Johnnie Finley, Frank James) suggest the work is related to agricultural land or properties within Tennessee. The short duration of 73 days implies a focused scope of work, possibly for a specific project phase or a defined area.

What are the qualifications and past performance of L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc. for this type of work?

Information regarding the specific qualifications and past performance of L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc. is not detailed in the provided data. However, their selection as the contractor suggests they met the requirements set forth by the Department of Agriculture for this surveying task. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing their contract history, client references, and any performance evaluations available through federal procurement databases. Their ability to secure this contract indicates a level of competence and experience deemed sufficient by the contracting agency.

How does the $122,292.24 award compare to similar surveying contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture?

Comparing this $122,292.24 award requires context on the scope and complexity of the surveying services. For short-duration, localized surveying tasks, this amount appears within a reasonable range. However, without detailed specifications of the acreage, required precision, and deliverables, a direct comparison to other USDA surveying contracts is challenging. Larger projects involving extensive mapping or complex land divisions would naturally command higher prices. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the scope was well-defined enough to estimate costs accurately.

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

Potential risks include scope creep, unforeseen site conditions, contractor performance issues, and delays. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure. The 'Firm Fixed Price' model shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The defined duration (73 days) sets expectations for timely completion. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, if properly justified, aims to select a capable contractor. Oversight by the Department of Agriculture and clear deliverables outlined in the delivery order are crucial for managing performance risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for surveying services by the Department of Agriculture in Tennessee?

Historical spending patterns for surveying services by the Department of Agriculture in Tennessee are not provided in this data. To analyze this, one would need to query federal spending databases for similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541370) and geographic locations (Tennessee) over previous fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, frequency of awards, and potentially identify frequently used contractors. Such analysis could highlight whether this $122,292.24 award is typical, high, or low for the agency in that region.

Why were certain sources excluded from the competition for this surveying contract?

The data states the procurement method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This implies that while the competition was open to all responsible sources, specific entities were intentionally excluded. Common reasons for such exclusions include the need for highly specialized expertise, prior performance issues with certain contractors, or the existence of a specific contract vehicle (like a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract or an existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract) that limits the pool of eligible bidders. Without further details from the contracting agency, the precise rationale for exclusion remains unspecified.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 302 N CALDWELL ST, PARIS, TN, 38242

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $122,292

Exercised Options: $122,292

Current Obligation: $122,292

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12FPC325D0028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline