Forest Service awards $517K for emergency lodging, highlighting potential value-for-money concerns in a competitive bid

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,700 ($51.7K)

Contractor: Doneright Management, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-26

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 157 days

Daily Burn Rate: $329/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MCCALL EMERGENCY INCIDENT STAFF LODGING 2026 FIRE SEASON

Place of Performance

Location: MCCALL, VALLEY County, IDAHO, 83638

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $51,700 to DONERIGHT MANAGEMENT, LLC for work described as: MCCALL EMERGENCY INCIDENT STAFF LODGING 2026 FIRE SEASON Key points: 1. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The duration of the contract (157 days) aligns with the fire season, indicating operational relevance. 4. The award to Doneright Management, LLC, requires scrutiny for performance history and alignment with government needs. 5. The geographic focus on Idaho (ID) suggests a specific regional requirement for fire season support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $517,000 for approximately five months of emergency lodging services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of supporting fire season operations. However, without specific details on the number of units, duration of use, or service level agreements, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar emergency response lodging contracts would be necessary to confirm competitive pricing and operational efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a broader range of potential bidders than micro-purchase thresholds but may not always reach the full spectrum of large contractors. The number of bidders and the specific SAP procedures used are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the intensity of competition. A robust competition under SAP can still yield competitive pricing, but the potential for limited outreach exists.

Taxpayer Impact: While competed under SAP, the level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. A well-contested SAP procurement should drive down prices, ensuring funds are used efficiently. If competition was limited, taxpayers may have overpaid.

Public Impact

Wildland firefighters and support personnel will benefit from essential lodging during the critical fire season. Services delivered include providing safe and adequate temporary housing in support of wildfire suppression efforts. The geographic impact is concentrated in Idaho, addressing specific regional needs for emergency response. Workforce implications include ensuring the well-being and readiness of deployed firefighting crews.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of services provided.
Limited information on the bidding process under SAP hinders a full understanding of competition's impact on price.
The specific capacity and amenities of the lodging are not detailed, raising questions about suitability for all personnel needs.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded for a specific, critical operational period (fire season).
The fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.
The award was made through a competitive process, even if under SAP.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of government support services, specifically catering to emergency response needs. The market for emergency incident lodging is often localized and demand-driven, fluctuating with seasonal risks like wildfires. While not a massive sector in itself, it's a critical component of disaster preparedness and response infrastructure, often involving smaller, specialized providers.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which can sometimes favor small businesses. However, without specific details on the number of bidders or whether small business set-aside goals were applied, it's difficult to determine the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. If Doneright Management, LLC is a small business, this represents a direct award. If not, the subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are unknown.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Forest Service's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as agreed. Transparency is limited by the public availability of detailed performance reports or specific bidding data under SAP.

Related Government Programs

Wildland Fire Management
Emergency Response Services
Federal Lodging Contracts
Department of Agriculture Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Geographic concentration risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $51,700 to DONERIGHT MANAGEMENT, LLC. MCCALL EMERGENCY INCIDENT STAFF LODGING 2026 FIRE SEASON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DONERIGHT MANAGEMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $51,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-26. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Doneright Management, LLC in providing emergency lodging services to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of Doneright Management, LLC in providing emergency lodging services to federal agencies is not readily available within the provided data. A comprehensive review would require searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov for past performance records, contract awards, and any reported issues or commendations. Understanding their experience with similar scale and scope contracts, particularly for emergency response or disaster relief, is crucial for assessing their capability and reliability in fulfilling the Forest Service's requirements for the 2026 fire season.

How does the $517,000 contract value compare to similar emergency lodging contracts for fire seasons in other regions?

Benchmarking the $517,000 contract value requires comparing it to similar emergency lodging contracts awarded by federal agencies for fire season support in comparable geographic regions and for similar durations. Without access to a database of such contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. Factors like the number of personnel to be housed, the duration of the fire season, the remoteness of the location, and the required amenities (e.g., basic shelter vs. full-service accommodations) significantly influence pricing. The Forest Service's internal historical data or publicly available contract award databases would be the primary sources for such a benchmark analysis.

What are the specific risks associated with using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this type of emergency service?

Using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for emergency services like lodging can introduce risks related to competition and price. While SAP is designed for efficiency in procuring goods and services below certain thresholds, it may not attract the same level of robust competition as larger, full-and-open solicitations. This can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers if the market is not adequately explored. Additionally, the documentation and oversight requirements under SAP are often less stringent, which could increase the risk of inadequate service delivery or contractor performance issues if not managed diligently by the contracting officer.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing emergency lodging contracts to ensure optimal value and performance?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service in managing emergency lodging contracts can be assessed by examining their historical performance data, including contract close-out rates, incidence of disputes or claims, and post-performance reviews. Their ability to secure competitive pricing, ensure timely and adequate service delivery, and manage contractor performance are key indicators. The agency's established procedures for emergency procurement, contingency planning, and contract oversight, potentially including the use of pre-negotiated agreements or rapid response teams, would also inform this assessment. Specific data on this contract's performance post-award would be necessary for a definitive evaluation.

What has been the historical spending pattern for emergency incident staff lodging by the Forest Service over the past five years?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for emergency incident staff lodging by the Forest Service over the past five years would reveal trends in contract values, award types (competed vs. sole-source), and geographic distribution. This data can highlight fluctuations in spending related to fire severity, changes in procurement strategies, and the prevalence of specific contractors. Understanding these patterns helps in forecasting future needs, identifying potential cost-saving opportunities, and assessing the consistency and efficiency of the agency's approach to securing essential support services during critical periods.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Forestry › Support Activities for Forestry

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 321 N 3RD ST, MCCALL, ID, 83638

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,700

Exercised Options: $51,700

Current Obligation: $51,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline