Forest Service awards $283K heritage survey contract to Paleowest LLC for Lower North Shore Project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $283,574 ($283.6K)

Contractor: Paleowest LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-25

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $343/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SOUTH HALF OF THE LOWER NORTH SHORE PROJECT HERITAGE SURVEY CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: CHELAN, CHELAN County, WASHINGTON, 98816

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $283,574.4 to PALEOWEST LLC for work described as: SOUTH HALF OF THE LOWER NORTH SHORE PROJECT HERITAGE SURVEY CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a specialized heritage survey. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Performance risk appears low given the nature of the service. 4. This contract supports critical environmental and cultural resource management. 5. The award falls within the broader context of land management and conservation spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $283,574.40 for a heritage survey seems within a reasonable range for specialized archaeological and historical assessments. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cultural resource management services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the scope of a 'heritage survey' for a specific project, the price does not immediately suggest overpayment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among multiple bidders. With 3 bidders identified, this level of competition is generally sufficient to drive reasonable pricing and ensure a fair selection. The use of SAP indicates the agency sought competitive offers within the streamlined acquisition framework for smaller dollar amounts.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair market value for the services rendered, as multiple firms vied for the contract.

Public Impact

Benefits the Forest Service by ensuring compliance with heritage protection laws. Delivers essential data for the SOUTH HALF OF THE LOWER NORTH SHORE PROJECT. Geographic impact is focused on the specific project area within Washington. Supports specialized jobs in archaeology and historical preservation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP).
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
Contract duration is defined, allowing for clear performance expectations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on cultural resource management and archaeological surveys. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements for environmental and historical preservation on federal lands. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for similar surveys across federal agencies managing public lands.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. However, given the nature of the work, it is possible that small businesses specializing in heritage surveys could have participated in the bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a competed award under SAP, it would have undergone internal agency review. The firm fixed price nature provides cost control. Further oversight would come from the Forest Service's contracting officers and potentially the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if disputes arise.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service Heritage Programs
National Historic Preservation Act Compliance
Archaeological and Cultural Resource Management Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if survey boundaries are not clearly defined.
Risk of delays if significant cultural resources are unexpectedly discovered.
Contractor performance quality is dependent on specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $283,574.4 to PALEOWEST LLC. SOUTH HALF OF THE LOWER NORTH SHORE PROJECT HERITAGE SURVEY CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PALEOWEST LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $283,574.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-25. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Paleowest LLC in performing similar heritage survey contracts for federal agencies?

Paleowest LLC has a history of performing archaeological and cultural resource management services. While specific details on past federal contracts require deeper database searches, their specialization suggests experience relevant to this award. A review of their past performance ratings on similar federal contracts, if available through contract databases or agency performance portals, would provide insight into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets. Understanding their experience with Forest Service projects specifically would also be beneficial for assessing risk.

How does the per-unit cost or duration of this contract compare to similar heritage surveys conducted by the Forest Service or other agencies?

Without specific data on the 'units' of work (e.g., acres surveyed, linear feet, number of sites identified) or detailed cost breakdowns, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, the total contract value of $283,574.40 over approximately 2.25 years (September 2024 to December 2026) suggests a moderate annual expenditure for this type of specialized service. Benchmarking against other Forest Service contracts for similar-scope heritage surveys, or even those from agencies like the Bureau of Land Management or National Park Service, would be necessary to determine if this represents a competitive market rate or if there are significant deviations.

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

Primary risks for this heritage survey contract could include potential delays due to unforeseen site discoveries, scope creep if the survey area is not precisely defined, or contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear contract language defining the scope of work, established protocols for handling discoveries, and the firm fixed price structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently. The Forest Service's oversight and the contractor's specialized expertise are key to mitigating performance risks. The relatively modest contract value and duration also limit the overall financial exposure.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing contracts for cultural resource management and ensuring compliance with preservation laws?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service in managing such contracts is generally considered robust, given their mandate to manage vast public lands with significant cultural resources. They employ contracting officers and subject matter experts to oversee these specialized services. Compliance with laws like the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is a core function, and contracts like this are a mechanism to achieve that. However, effectiveness can vary by region and specific project complexity. Consistent positive past performance from contractors and successful project outcomes are indicators of effective management.

What has been the historical spending pattern for heritage surveys by the Forest Service in recent years?

Historical spending on heritage surveys by the Forest Service likely fluctuates based on land management priorities, specific project needs, and available funding. While this specific contract is for $283,574.40, the agency likely awards numerous contracts of varying sizes for similar services annually across its numerous national forests. Analyzing aggregated spending data for 'Support Activities for Forestry' or specific NAICS codes related to archaeological services over the past 5-10 years would reveal trends, identify peak spending periods, and highlight any significant shifts in investment in cultural resource management.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables tied to this contract that indicate success?

While the schema doesn't detail specific deliverables, heritage survey contracts typically require detailed reports, maps, photographic documentation, and recommendations for site preservation or mitigation. Success metrics would likely include the timely submission of these deliverables, the accuracy and completeness of the survey data, adherence to archaeological standards and best practices, and the final report's utility in informing project planning and compliance with heritage laws. The Forest Service contracting officer would be responsible for evaluating these aspects against the contract requirements.

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

Solicitation ID: 12363N24Q4315

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 319 E PALM LN, PHOENIX, AZ, 85004

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $283,574

Exercised Options: $283,574

Current Obligation: $283,574

Actual Outlays: $113,430

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N23A4485

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline