Martin Brothers Construction awarded $3.26M contract for Sierra National Forest road repairs after atmospheric river events

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,256,107 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Martin Brothers Construction

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-08-10

Contract Duration: 124 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT IS CRITICAL TO REPAIR THE ROADS DAMAGED DURING THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENTS THAT AFFECTED THE TAMARACK AREA IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST.

Place of Performance

Location: CLOVIS, FRESNO County, CALIFORNIA, 93611

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.3 million to MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION for work described as: THIS CONTRACT IS CRITICAL TO REPAIR THE ROADS DAMAGED DURING THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENTS THAT AFFECTED THE TAMARACK AREA IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical infrastructure needs following natural disaster. 2. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 3. BPA Call award mechanism suggests pre-negotiated terms. 4. Short performance period indicates urgency. 5. Contractor has a track record with federal agencies. 6. Geographic focus on California's Sierra National Forest.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.26 million for road repairs appears reasonable given the scope of work, which involves addressing damage from atmospheric river events. Benchmarking against similar highway, street, and bridge construction contracts awarded by the Forest Service or other agencies for disaster recovery would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government in controlling costs for defined scopes of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bids received isn't detailed, SAP generally encourages broad participation. The competitive nature of SAP awards helps ensure fair pricing and allows the government to leverage market competition to obtain the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive procedures, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices and ensures that public funds are used efficiently for essential infrastructure repairs.

Public Impact

Residents and visitors of the Tamarack area in Sierra National Forest will benefit from improved road access and safety. Essential services and emergency response capabilities will be enhanced by restored road infrastructure. The project supports the local economy through construction-related employment and resource utilization. Restoration of damaged roads is crucial for the ecological management and accessibility of the national forest.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen damage is more extensive than initially assessed.
Weather-related delays could impact the tight performance schedule.
Availability of specialized construction equipment and skilled labor in the remote Sierra Nevada region.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short performance period ensures timely completion of critical repairs.
Award to a contractor with experience in federal projects suggests familiarity with requirements.

Sector Analysis

The highway, street, and bridge construction sector is vital for national infrastructure. This contract falls within the broader construction industry, specifically focusing on civil engineering projects. Federal spending in this area often surges after natural disasters to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in data from the Federal Highway Administration or similar agencies managing large-scale infrastructure projects.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this contract. However, under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, there are often opportunities for small businesses to participate. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any specific small business goals were incorporated into the solicitation or award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, which has established oversight mechanisms for its construction projects. Accountability is typically ensured through contract clauses, performance monitoring, and final inspections. Transparency is maintained through public contract databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General oversight may apply depending on the scale and nature of any potential issues.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration - Disaster Relief Programs
Army Corps of Engineers - Public Works Projects
Department of the Interior - Infrastructure Repair

Risk Flags

Potential for weather-related delays impacting schedule.
Scope definition challenges in disaster recovery scenarios.
Logistical complexities in remote forest environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.3 million to MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION. THIS CONTRACT IS CRITICAL TO REPAIR THE ROADS DAMAGED DURING THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENTS THAT AFFECTED THE TAMARACK AREA IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-08-10.

What is the track record of Martin Brothers Construction with federal contracts, particularly for disaster recovery or road construction?

Martin Brothers Construction has a history of performing work for federal agencies. While specific details on disaster recovery projects are not immediately available from the provided data, their involvement in highway, street, and bridge construction suggests relevant experience. A deeper dive into their contract history on platforms like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the number and types of federal contracts they have previously held, their performance ratings, and any past issues or successes, particularly in similar environmental conditions or geographical areas. This would help assess their capability to handle the demands of this specific project effectively and efficiently.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar road repair contracts in disaster-affected areas?

The awarded amount of $3.26 million for repairing roads damaged by atmospheric river events in the Sierra National Forest needs to be benchmarked against similar projects. Factors such as the extent of damage, terrain complexity, material costs, and labor rates in the region significantly influence pricing. Without specific data on comparable contracts (e.g., cost per mile repaired, cost per square foot of pavement replaced), it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests a defined scope, which aids in cost control. Further analysis would involve comparing this contract's unit costs (if derivable) to regional or national averages for similar disaster recovery roadwork.

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

Key risks include potential weather delays impacting the tight 124-day performance schedule (ending August 10, 2026), unforeseen complexities in the extent of road damage requiring additional work, and logistical challenges in a remote forest environment. Mitigation strategies likely include the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which shifts some cost risk to the contractor, and the short duration, which emphasizes timely completion. The Forest Service's oversight and the contractor's experience are also risk mitigation factors. However, the potential for scope changes or schedule extensions due to weather remains a significant concern that requires active management.

How effective is the 'BPA Call' award mechanism in ensuring value for this type of emergency repair work?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call is a task order issued against an existing BPA. This mechanism is often used for recurring needs or when specific services are required quickly, leveraging pre-negotiated terms and conditions. For emergency road repairs, a BPA Call can expedite the procurement process compared to a full new solicitation, ensuring faster response times. The effectiveness in ensuring value depends on how well the underlying BPA was negotiated, the competitiveness of the initial BPA competition, and whether the specific requirements of this call align with the BPA's scope. It generally provides a streamlined approach that can be cost-effective for urgent needs.

What is the historical spending trend for road repair and maintenance within the Sierra National Forest or similar national forest regions?

Historical spending on road repair and maintenance within national forests, including the Sierra National Forest, can fluctuate significantly based on factors like weather events, congressional appropriations, and infrastructure condition assessments. Federal agencies like the Forest Service allocate funds annually for maintaining and repairing their extensive road networks. Spending patterns often show peaks following major storm seasons or natural disasters, as seen with the atmospheric river events. Analyzing past budgets and expenditures for the Forest Service's infrastructure programs would reveal trends, identify periods of increased investment, and provide context for the current $3.26 million award relative to historical funding levels.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12363N26Q4064

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8801 FOLSOM BLVD, STE 260, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95826

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,256,107

Exercised Options: $3,256,107

Current Obligation: $3,256,107

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N24A4037

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline