Agriculture Dept. Awards $1.04M for Shasta Tree Planting to Absolute Forestry LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $104,264 ($104.3K)

Contractor: Absolute Forestry LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-11

End Date: 2026-05-23

Contract Duration: 73 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 14-CON-FY26 MT SHASTA TREE PLANTING

Place of Performance

Location: MOUNT SHASTA, SISKIYOU County, CALIFORNIA, 96067

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $104,264 to ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC for work described as: 14-CON-FY26 MT SHASTA TREE PLANTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Absolute Forestry LLC for tree planting services. 2. The contract is valued at $1,042,640 and spans from March to May 2026. 3. This is a firm-fixed-price contract, indicating a clear cost structure. 4. The award falls under Support Activities for Forestry within the Forest Service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.04M for tree planting over approximately two months appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar forestry service contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the price seems competitive for the specified region and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

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

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential reforestation efforts. The use of SAP implies a balance between cost efficiency and timely procurement for smaller value contracts.

Public Impact

Supports environmental restoration and forest health in California. Contributes to local employment and economic activity in the Shasta region. Enhances wildfire resilience and ecosystem services through tree planting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Potential for higher costs compared to full and open competition.

Positive Signals

Supports critical environmental restoration.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Timely award for essential seasonal work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Forestry and Logging Services sector. Spending in this area is crucial for land management, conservation, and disaster mitigation, with benchmarks varying based on project scale and location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Absolute Forestry LLC. Further analysis is needed to determine if this is a small business and if opportunities were provided for other small businesses through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Forest Service. The BPA Call mechanism suggests a pre-established agreement, with specific task orders requiring monitoring for performance and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price inflation due to limited competition.
Dependence on contractor's execution for successful planting outcomes.
Environmental factors (weather, pests) could impact planting success.
Need for clear performance metrics and monitoring by the agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $104,264 to ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC. 14-CON-FY26 MT SHASTA TREE PLANTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $104,264.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-11. End: 2026-05-23.

What is the historical cost performance for similar tree planting contracts awarded by the Forest Service?

Historical data for similar tree planting contracts by the Forest Service is essential for a robust value assessment. Without specific benchmarks, it's challenging to definitively state if $1.04M is optimal. Factors like terrain, species planted, and labor costs in the specific region significantly influence pricing. A comparative analysis of past awards would reveal cost trends and identify potential outliers, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for ecological restoration.

What are the specific risks associated with limited competition under SAP for this contract?

Limited competition under SAP, while efficient for smaller procurements, carries risks such as potentially higher prices due to reduced market pressure and a narrower pool of qualified contractors. There's also a risk of overlooking innovative solutions or specialized expertise available from a wider range of firms. Ensuring fair and transparent evaluation processes is critical to mitigate these risks and achieve the best value for the government.

How effectively will this contract contribute to the long-term forest health and wildfire resilience goals of the region?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on several factors beyond just the planting itself. Successful long-term contribution to forest health and wildfire resilience depends on the quality of seedlings used, proper planting techniques, survival rates post-planting, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The Forest Service's post-award oversight and the contractor's expertise in ensuring high survival rates will be key determinants of the contract's ultimate environmental impact.

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: 12363N26Q0008

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 WILSON RD, CENTRAL POINT, OR, 97502

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $104,264

Exercised Options: $104,264

Current Obligation: $104,264

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N24A4196

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline