USDA Awards $2.76M for Forest Health, Awarded to Leslie Heavy Haul LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,765,214 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Leslie Heavy Haul LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-06-11

End Date: 2027-11-01

Contract Duration: 1,238 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COR: JASON DIERBERG JASON.DIERBERG@USDA.GOV PERFORMANCE PERIOD FOR AWARDED ITEMS: DATE OF AWARD- OCTOBER 31, 2025. DESCRIPTION OF WORK - THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO INCREASE FOREST HEALTH AND VIGOR, DIMINISH TREE COMPETITION AND M

Place of Performance

Location: MI WUK VILLAGE, TUOLUMNE County, CALIFORNIA, 95346

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.8 million to LESLIE HEAVY HAUL LLC for work described as: COR: JASON DIERBERG JASON.DIERBERG@USDA.GOV PERFORMANCE PERIOD FOR AWARDED ITEMS: DATE OF AWARD- OCTOBER 31, 2025. DESCRIPTION OF WORK - THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO INCREASE FOREST HEALTH AND VIGOR, DIMINISH TREE COMPETITION AND M Key points: 1. The contract aims to improve forest health and reduce tree competition in California. 2. Leslie Heavy Haul LLC secured the award, with the Forest Service as the agency. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. This award falls under support activities for forestry, a critical environmental sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.76 million for a performance period of approximately 3 years appears reasonable for forestry support activities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for forest management and restoration would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was likely a limited competition. While SAP can lead to efficiency for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline the acquisition process, potentially saving administrative costs. However, the impact on overall taxpayer value depends on the price discovery achieved through the limited competition.

Public Impact

Improved forest health can lead to reduced wildfire risk, benefiting communities and ecosystems. The project supports environmental stewardship and the long-term health of California's forests. Investments in forestry can create local jobs and support related industries. Enhanced forest vigor contributes to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
Performance period is relatively long, requiring close monitoring.
Specific metrics for success in 'increasing forest health and vigor' are not detailed.

Positive Signals

Clear objectives for forest health improvement.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded to a specific company, indicating a selection process was completed.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the forestry and natural resources sector, focusing on environmental management and conservation. Spending in this area is often driven by ecological needs, disaster preparedness, and long-term sustainability goals.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Leslie Heavy Haul LLC meets the performance objectives for forest health and vigor. The Forest Service should establish clear performance metrics and conduct regular reviews to ensure accountability and taxpayer value.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for suboptimal pricing due to limited competition (SAP).
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided summary.
Contract duration is substantial, requiring sustained oversight.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.8 million to LESLIE HEAVY HAUL LLC. COR: JASON DIERBERG JASON.DIERBERG@USDA.GOV PERFORMANCE PERIOD FOR AWARDED ITEMS: DATE OF AWARD- OCTOBER 31, 2025. DESCRIPTION OF WORK - THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO INCREASE FOREST HEALTH AND VIGOR, DIMINISH TREE COMPETITION AND M

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LESLIE HEAVY HAUL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-11. End: 2027-11-01.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the 'increase in forest health and vigor' and 'diminish tree competition'?

The provided data does not specify the metrics for measuring forest health and vigor or tree competition. A thorough review of the contract's statement of work and performance work statement would be necessary to identify these key performance indicators. Effective oversight requires clearly defined, measurable outcomes to ensure the project's success and justify the expenditure.

What was the rationale for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a contract valued at over $2.7 million?

Using SAP for a contract of this value is unusual, as SAP is typically intended for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (often $250,000). The rationale might stem from specific agency policies, urgency, or a belief that it offered the best value through a streamlined process. However, it raises questions about whether full and open competition could have yielded better pricing.

How will the effectiveness of Leslie Heavy Haul LLC's work be evaluated post-performance period?

The effectiveness evaluation will likely involve post-performance monitoring of the forest areas treated. This could include ecological assessments, comparison with control areas, and analysis of long-term trends in forest health indicators. The Forest Service should have established protocols for such evaluations to ensure the lasting impact of the project and inform future forestry investments.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 18971 HESS AVE, SONORA, CA, 95370

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,765,214

Exercised Options: $2,765,214

Current Obligation: $2,765,214

Actual Outlays: $773,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N23A4013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline