HHS awards $62K for tree removal services, highlighting facilities support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $62,109 ($62.1K)

Contractor: Chenega Reliable Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-07-18

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 292 days

Daily Burn Rate: $213/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO REMOVE FIFTEEN (15) SMALL AND FIFTEEN (15) LARGE TREES UTILIZING THE NON-RECURRING CLIN

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20894

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $62,108.55 to CHENEGA RELIABLE SERVICES LLC for work described as: TO REMOVE FIFTEEN (15) SMALL AND FIFTEEN (15) LARGE TREES UTILIZING THE NON-RECURRING CLIN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential facility maintenance, ensuring safe and functional grounds. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately 9.7 months, indicating a short-term need. 5. This service falls under facilities support, a broad category of operational needs. 6. The relatively small award amount suggests a localized or specific maintenance task.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $62,108.55 appears reasonable for the described services of removing 30 trees. Benchmarking against similar tree removal contracts in the Maryland area suggests that pricing for such services can range significantly based on tree size, accessibility, and complexity. Given the fixed-price nature, the government has a clear understanding of the total cost. Without more detailed scope information, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the amount seems aligned with typical market rates for professional tree removal services.

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 a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the most advantageous offer based on price and other factors. The open competition suggests that the agency sought to maximize value and ensure a fair market price was obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which aims to secure the best possible price for the services rendered, preventing potential overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its personnel, who will experience improved grounds safety and aesthetics. Services delivered include the removal of 15 small and 15 large trees, mitigating potential hazards from falling branches or diseased trees. The geographic impact is localized to the NIH campus in Maryland. This contract supports the operational maintenance of federal facilities, indirectly benefiting the scientific and research missions conducted at NIH.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen complications during tree removal that could increase costs or extend timelines, though the fixed-price nature mitigates this risk for the government.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for safe and effective removal, requiring diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Award to a single, established contractor (Chenega Reliable Services LLC) suggests a known entity capable of performing the work.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
The contract is for a defined scope of work (tree removal), reducing ambiguity.

Sector Analysis

The Facilities Support Services sector encompasses a wide range of activities necessary for the operation and maintenance of government buildings and grounds. This contract for tree removal fits within the broader landscape management and maintenance sub-sector. Spending in this area is consistent across federal agencies, particularly those with large campuses like NIH, to ensure safety, compliance, and a conducive working environment. Comparable spending benchmarks for grounds maintenance vary widely but are essential for operational continuity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Chenega Reliable Services LLC, is likely a large business, and their engagement does not inherently create opportunities for small business subcontractors unless specified in their own business practices or other contractual requirements not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting officer and the designated contract specialist or administrator within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to complete the specified work within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Grounds Maintenance Contracts
Facilities Management Services
Environmental Services Contracts
Tree Trimming and Removal Services

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting removal complexity.
Contractor's adherence to safety and environmental protocols during execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $62,108.55 to CHENEGA RELIABLE SERVICES LLC. TO REMOVE FIFTEEN (15) SMALL AND FIFTEEN (15) LARGE TREES UTILIZING THE NON-RECURRING CLIN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHENEGA RELIABLE SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $62,108.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-18. End: 2026-05-06.

What is the track record of Chenega Reliable Services LLC in performing similar tree removal or grounds maintenance contracts for the federal government?

Chenega Reliable Services LLC has a diverse portfolio of federal contracts, often in the areas of facilities maintenance, logistics, and base operations support. While specific details on their tree removal performance history require deeper database analysis, their presence as a recipient of federal awards suggests a capacity to manage and execute such services. It is advisable to review past performance evaluations and contract histories for this specific entity to gauge their reliability and quality of work in similar environmental services. Their broader experience in facilities support indicates a foundational understanding of operational requirements on government installations.

How does the awarded price compare to the average cost of tree removal for similar-sized projects in the Maryland region?

Benchmarking the $62,108.55 award for removing 30 trees against regional averages requires detailed analysis of tree size, species, accessibility, and complexity of removal. However, professional tree removal services in the Maryland area can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars per tree, depending on these factors. For large trees requiring specialized equipment or posing significant risks, costs can escalate. The fixed-price nature of this contract suggests that Chenega Reliable Services LLC has factored these variables into their bid. A preliminary comparison suggests the price is within a plausible range for a substantial tree removal project, though a definitive value assessment would necessitate more granular data on the specific trees and site conditions.

What are the primary risks associated with this tree removal contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks include potential damage to surrounding infrastructure or property during removal, environmental hazards (e.g., improper disposal of debris), and contractor non-performance or delays. Mitigation strategies involve the firm-fixed-price contract type, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The government's selection process under full and open competition likely vetted bidders for technical capability and safety protocols. Furthermore, contract oversight by NIH officials is crucial to monitor progress, ensure adherence to safety standards, and verify proper execution. Specific clauses within the contract likely address liability, insurance, and environmental compliance.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at the National Institutes of Health?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), as a large research institution with extensive grounds, consistently allocates significant funding towards facilities support services. This includes a broad spectrum of needs such as maintenance, repair, landscaping, custodial services, and security. Historical spending data would reveal a substantial and ongoing investment in these areas to ensure the operational integrity and safety of its numerous facilities. Tree removal contracts, like this one, represent a smaller, albeit necessary, component of this overall facilities maintenance budget, often driven by seasonal needs, storm damage, or campus development projects.

Does the contract include specific environmental protection or disposal requirements for the removed trees?

While the provided data does not explicitly detail environmental protection clauses, federal contracts for services involving physical removal typically include stipulations regarding waste disposal and environmental compliance. It is highly probable that this contract mandates adherence to federal, state, and local regulations concerning the disposal of organic debris. This could involve requirements for chipping, mulching, composting, or specific landfill procedures. The contractor is expected to manage the removal process in an environmentally responsible manner, minimizing ecological impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5253 PRUE RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78240

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $62,109

Exercised Options: $62,109

Current Obligation: $62,109

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N99022A00023

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline