Agriculture Forest Service awards $30K contract for vault pumping services in Washington

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,000 ($30.0K)

Contractor: White Logging LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-06-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $82/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2026 METHOW VALLEY RANGER DISTRICT VAULT PUMPING CALL

Place of Performance

Location: WINTHROP, OKANOGAN County, WASHINGTON, 98862

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $30,000 to WHITE LOGGING LLC for work described as: 2026 METHOW VALLEY RANGER DISTRICT VAULT PUMPING CALL Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential sanitation services to maintain public health and environmental standards. 2. Service period covers one full year, ensuring continuous operational support. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller value procurements. 5. The contractor, White Logging LLC, is a new awardee for this specific service category. 6. Geographic focus on Methow Valley Ranger District highlights localized service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30,000 for a one-year period for vault pumping services appears reasonable for the scope of work. Given the nature of the service, which involves specialized equipment and environmental considerations, this price point is likely competitive. Benchmarking against similar contracts for septic tank and related services in the region would provide a more precise value assessment, but the amount is within expected ranges for localized, essential maintenance tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes or proposals. While not a full and open competition, SAP is designed to streamline the acquisition of goods and services below certain dollar thresholds, promoting efficiency. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the use of SAP suggests a focused outreach to potential vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this contract aims to balance the need for competition with the efficiency of acquiring lower-value services, potentially leading to cost savings through streamlined processes compared to larger, more complex solicitations.

Public Impact

Benefits park visitors and staff by ensuring sanitary facilities are operational. Delivers essential septic tank and related services to maintain environmental compliance. Services are geographically focused on the Methow Valley Ranger District in Washington State. Supports local operational needs of the Forest Service in a specific recreational area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP procedures, which might impact price discovery.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical sanitation service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
Awarding to a vendor under SAP can foster participation from smaller or specialized businesses.
The contract duration ensures consistent service delivery for the specified period.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Septic Tank and Related Services' category (NAICS 562991), a niche but essential part of infrastructure maintenance. This sector is characterized by localized service providers and is critical for public health and environmental protection, particularly in areas with limited traditional sewer infrastructure, such as national forests. Spending in this area is often driven by operational needs and regulatory compliance.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was competed under SAP, it is not explicitly stated as a small business set-aside. However, SAP procedures often facilitate participation by small businesses due to simplified requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist or if the prime contractor is a small business itself, impacting the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Forest Service contracting officer and the Methow Valley Ranger District officials. Standard contract administration processes, including performance monitoring and invoice verification, would be in place. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Operations
Public Lands Maintenance
Sanitation and Waste Management Services
Federal Facility Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP
Contractor performance risk for essential service

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $30,000 to WHITE LOGGING LLC. 2026 METHOW VALLEY RANGER DISTRICT VAULT PUMPING CALL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITE LOGGING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the track record of White Logging LLC in providing similar sanitation services to federal agencies?

Information regarding White Logging LLC's specific track record in providing vault pumping or similar sanitation services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. As the award is under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), it suggests this may be a new or less frequent contractor for this specific service. Further investigation into the contractor's past performance, potentially through federal procurement databases or agency performance records, would be necessary to fully assess their experience and reliability in delivering these critical services. The limited nature of SAP awards often means less extensive public performance history is readily available compared to larger, more competitively bid contracts.

How does the $30,000 contract value compare to similar vault pumping services in the region?

The $30,000 contract value for a one-year period of vault pumping services is considered reasonable for localized, essential maintenance. Without specific regional benchmarks for comparable services (e.g., cost per pump-out, frequency of service), a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a single ranger district requiring periodic service over 364 days, this amount aligns with typical expenditures for such specialized environmental services. Factors influencing cost include the number of facilities, accessibility, and the specific requirements outlined in the Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) call. The Firm Fixed Price structure provides cost certainty for the Forest Service.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues by the contractor (White Logging LLC), leading to unsanitary conditions or environmental hazards, and the risk of limited competition inherent in Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) potentially leading to suboptimal pricing. Mitigation strategies include the Forest Service's oversight of contract performance, ensuring adherence to service level agreements, and prompt payment upon satisfactory completion. The Firm Fixed Price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. While SAP limits the number of bidders, it is intended to streamline acquisition for lower-value needs, balancing efficiency with a degree of competition.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing contracts for essential maintenance services like vault pumping?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service in managing contracts for essential maintenance services like vault pumping is generally considered adequate, driven by the need to maintain public health and environmental standards on federal lands. Contracts are typically overseen by contracting officers and on-site personnel who monitor performance and ensure compliance with terms and conditions. The use of Firm Fixed Price agreements provides cost control. However, the effectiveness can vary based on the specific district's resources, the clarity of contract requirements, and the diligence of oversight. The success of this particular $30,000 contract hinges on the performance of White Logging LLC and the Forest Service's ability to monitor and enforce the contract terms.

What are the historical spending patterns for vault pumping services within the Forest Service or Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for vault pumping services within the Forest Service or the broader Department of Agriculture are not detailed in the provided data. However, such services are typically procured on an as-needed basis or through recurring contracts to maintain sanitation facilities across numerous ranger districts and recreational areas. Spending is likely influenced by factors such as the number of facilities, visitation rates, seasonal usage, and environmental regulations. Contracts are often awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures for smaller, localized needs like this $30,000 award, suggesting a decentralized approach to managing these essential services across various units.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Septic Tank and Related Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1240BD22Q0028

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 110 LOOKOUT MT RD, TWISP, WA, 98856

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,000

Exercised Options: $30,000

Current Obligation: $30,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240BD23A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline