Bureau of Land Management awards $197K for spring seed procurement to Millborn Seeds Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $197,300 ($197.3K)

Contractor: Millborn Seeds Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-02

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 81 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY

Place of Performance

Location: BROOKINGS, BROOKINGS County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57006

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $197,300 to MILLBORN SEEDS INC for work described as: BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY Key points: 1. The contract value of $197,300 for seed procurement appears reasonable given the duration and scope. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This award supports the Bureau of Land Management's reforestation and land restoration efforts. 5. The contract is relatively small in dollar value compared to broader federal land management expenditures. 6. The short performance period indicates a specific, time-sensitive need for these seeds.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $197,300 for 81 days of service appears to be a fair price for seed procurement. Without specific per-unit seed cost data, direct benchmarking is challenging. However, the award to a single vendor under full and open competition suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive by the Bureau of Land Management. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value for money by locking in costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data shows 17 bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this seed procurement contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government secured the best value available in the market.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits the Bureau of Land Management's efforts in land restoration and ecological recovery. The seeds procured will be used for reforestation and habitat rehabilitation projects. The geographic impact is focused on areas managed by the BLM, likely within South Dakota and surrounding regions. This procurement supports the agricultural and horticultural sectors involved in seed production and supply.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting seed availability or quality.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical, time-sensitive procurement.
Ensuring the specific seed types meet the ecological restoration requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Short performance period suggests a focused and manageable scope of work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products' sector, which supports ecological restoration and land management activities. While specific market size data for this niche is not readily available, it is a critical component of federal land stewardship. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on seed types and quantities, but the $197K award is modest within the context of large-scale federal land management budgets.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the full and open competition and the nature of seed procurement, it's possible that small businesses could have participated. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities or the specific impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, typically subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Bureau of Land Management, as part of the Department of the Interior, has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability would be managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the firm fixed-price terms.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Land Management Reforestation Programs
Department of the Interior Land Management Contracts
Federal Seed Procurement
Ecological Restoration Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for non-performance by the awarded vendor.
Risk of seed quality not meeting restoration requirements.
Possible delays in delivery impacting planting schedules.
Dependence on specific seed types for ecological outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $197,300 to MILLBORN SEEDS INC. BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MILLBORN SEEDS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $197,300.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-02. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar seed procurement contracts by the Bureau of Land Management?

Analyzing historical spending for similar seed procurement contracts by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Typically, such contracts would be awarded for specific ecological restoration projects, wildfire recovery efforts, or habitat management initiatives. The frequency and value of these awards would depend on the BLM's land management priorities, the scale of restoration needs, and the availability of appropriated funds. Without specific historical data points, it's difficult to establish a precise pattern, but one would expect these awards to fluctuate based on environmental conditions (e.g., post-fire seasons) and agency funding cycles. The current award of $197,300 for spring seeds suggests a targeted procurement for a specific, likely seasonal, need rather than a large, ongoing supply agreement.

How does the price per unit for these seeds compare to market rates or other federal contracts?

Determining the precise price per unit for the seeds procured under this contract is not possible with the provided data, as specific seed types, quantities, and their associated costs are not detailed. To compare this to market rates or other federal contracts, one would need to identify the exact species of seeds, their germination rates, purity, and the quantity purchased (e.g., by pound or seed count). Federal agencies often use established price lists or conduct market research to benchmark costs. If this contract was awarded under full and open competition with multiple bids, it suggests the price was considered competitive. However, a true value-for-money assessment would require a detailed breakdown of the seed types and quantities to compare against industry benchmarks or recent similar federal awards.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific seed procurement contract?

The primary risks associated with this seed procurement contract include potential supply chain disruptions that could affect the availability or timely delivery of the specified seeds, especially given the short performance period (March 2 to May 22, 2026). Another risk is ensuring the quality and viability of the seeds meet the stringent requirements for ecological restoration; poor germination or incorrect species could undermine the project's objectives. Since the award is to a single vendor, Millborn Seeds Inc., there's a concentration risk if the vendor fails to perform. Finally, the firm fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, could pose a risk if unforeseen market fluctuations significantly increase seed costs beyond what was anticipated during the bidding process, potentially impacting the vendor's profitability and willingness to perform.

What is the track record of Millborn Seeds Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts?

Assessing the track record of Millborn Seeds Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts would involve reviewing their past performance on awards from the Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies. This typically includes examining past performance evaluations, any instances of contract disputes or terminations, and their history of on-time delivery and quality compliance. A review of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases would be necessary to identify previous federal awards to Millborn Seeds Inc., their values, and the agencies involved. Without this specific historical data, it is difficult to definitively state their track record. However, being awarded a contract under full and open competition suggests they met the basic qualifications and were deemed a responsible source by the BLM for this particular procurement.

How does this contract align with the Bureau of Land Management's broader land restoration goals?

This contract for spring consolidated seed buy directly aligns with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) broader land restoration goals by providing essential resources for ecological recovery and habitat improvement. The BLM manages vast tracts of public land, many of which require active restoration due to factors like wildfires, invasive species, or historical land use. Procuring seeds is a fundamental step in revegetation efforts, aiming to re-establish native plant communities, control erosion, and support wildlife. The timing of the award for 'spring consolidated seed buy' suggests it supports seasonal planting initiatives critical for successful germination and establishment in various ecosystems managed by the BLM. The specific types of seeds procured would dictate the precise ecological benefits, but the act of acquiring them is a necessary component of the BLM's stewardship mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products

Product/Service Code: AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140L3726R0001

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Millborn Seeds, Inc.

Address: 2132 32ND AVE, BROOKINGS, SD, 57006

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $197,300

Exercised Options: $197,300

Current Obligation: $197,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline