Forest Service awards $18.6K for road maintenance, highlighting localized wildfire recovery efforts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,580 ($18.6K)

Contractor: Omalley Brothers Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-06-01

End Date: 2026-09-01

Contract Duration: 92 days

Daily Burn Rate: $202/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ROAD MAINTENANCE, WILDCAT BAER ROAD TREATMENTS OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

Place of Performance

Location: WENATCHEE, CHELAN County, WASHINGTON, 98801

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $18,580 to OMALLEY BROTHERS CORP for work described as: ROAD MAINTENANCE, WILDCAT BAER ROAD TREATMENTS OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope for specific needs. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 3. The contract duration is short (92 days), aligning with immediate or seasonal needs. 4. Awarded to Omally Brothers Corp, a single contractor, suggesting potential specialization or limited bidding opportunities. 5. The contract is for road maintenance, likely supporting access for wildfire recovery or prevention activities. 6. Geographic focus on Washington state indicates a regional response to specific environmental conditions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18,580 is modest, making direct comparisons to larger infrastructure projects difficult. Given the small scale and the use of SAP, the pricing is likely assessed for reasonableness rather than through extensive benchmarking. The fixed-price nature suggests the contractor bears cost overruns, which is a positive risk mitigation for the government. However, without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparable bids, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often through pre-existing contract vehicles or informal solicitations. While the exact number of bidders isn't specified beyond the award to one contractor, SAP aims for fair opportunity but doesn't guarantee broad market engagement like full-and-open competition. This approach is suitable for smaller dollar amounts but may limit price discovery compared to larger, more competitive solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, SAP competition balances efficiency for smaller purchases with the risk of potentially higher prices due to reduced competition. The government aims for best value within the simplified process, but the savings from competition might be less pronounced than in larger bids.

Public Impact

Local communities in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest benefit from improved road access, crucial for emergency response and resource management. Services delivered include essential road maintenance, ensuring the safety and usability of forest roads. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington state, specifically within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Workforce implications are likely minimal, involving a small team for specialized road treatment tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the lowest possible price.
Short contract duration could lead to follow-on contracts if needs persist.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing effectiveness difficult.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical infrastructure maintenance in a national forest.
Firm Fixed Price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Awarded under a streamlined process suitable for the contract's small value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Activities for Forestry' sector, which encompasses a range of services aimed at managing and maintaining forest resources. Spending in this area is often tied to environmental stewardship, wildfire management, and recreational access. The market typically includes specialized contractors capable of performing tasks like road maintenance, vegetation control, and ecological restoration. Benchmarks for such small, localized contracts are difficult to establish due to their specific nature and regional focus.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the small award value ($18,580) and the use of SAP, it's possible that small businesses were among the bidders, but there's no explicit requirement or tracking for subcontracting. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Forest Service's contracting officers and program managers within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Accountability is managed through the firm fixed-price agreement, requiring completion of specified road maintenance tasks. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are not always publicly advertised with the same detail as larger contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if significant fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Management and Suppression
National Forest Road Maintenance
Environmental Remediation Services
Public Lands Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP.
Short duration may indicate a need for follow-on work.
Geographic concentration could be a factor if similar needs exist elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $18,580 to OMALLEY BROTHERS CORP. ROAD MAINTENANCE, WILDCAT BAER ROAD TREATMENTS OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OMALLEY BROTHERS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18,580.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-01. End: 2026-09-01.

What is the track record of Omally Brothers Corp with federal contracts, particularly with the Forest Service?

Information regarding Omally Brothers Corp's specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Forest Service, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards, performance reviews, and any reported issues. Understanding their history with similar road maintenance or forestry support contracts would provide insight into their reliability and experience. Without this historical data, assessing their suitability and past performance is speculative. However, the award of this contract suggests they met the basic requirements for this specific procurement under SAP.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar road maintenance contracts in national forests?

The $18,580 value for this road maintenance contract is relatively small, suggesting a highly localized and specific scope of work, possibly for emergency repairs or targeted treatments. Larger road maintenance contracts in national forests can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, covering extensive networks, paving, or major reconstruction. This contract's value aligns with 'task orders' or 'calls' against existing agreements (like a BPA Call, as indicated by 'AW: BPA CALL') or small, standalone procurements under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). Direct comparison to larger projects is not meaningful; instead, it should be benchmarked against other small-scale, localized road treatments within the same forest or region, which are often not publicly detailed.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific road maintenance contract?

The primary risks for this contract include: 1. **Scope Creep:** Although the value is small, the short duration and potential for unforeseen conditions (weather, terrain) could lead to requests for additional work beyond the initial scope. 2. **Performance Quality:** Ensuring the maintenance meets required standards for safety and longevity, especially given the limited competition and potentially rapid execution. 3. **Environmental Impact:** Road work in forest environments carries inherent risks of soil erosion, water contamination, or habitat disruption if not managed carefully. 4. **Contractor Viability:** For small contracts, ensuring the contractor has adequate resources and expertise for the specific tasks, though the award suggests they met minimum standards. 5. **Cost Overruns (for contractor):** While a fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor, unforeseen site conditions could make the job unprofitable for them, potentially impacting future willingness to bid or quality.

What does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation imply about the contract's effectiveness and cost?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation implies that the contract was awarded through a streamlined process designed for purchases below the federal micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) and the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). This means it was likely competed among a smaller pool of vendors, possibly using GSA Schedules, other IDIQs, or informal solicitations. While SAP aims for efficiency and fair pricing for smaller buys, it generally offers less robust price competition than full-and-open procedures. Therefore, the cost-effectiveness is considered 'fair' to 'good' – balancing administrative ease with reasonable market pricing, but potentially not achieving the absolute lowest price possible through broader competition. Effectiveness is judged by meeting the specific, often urgent, needs for which SAP is intended.

How does this contract fit into the Forest Service's broader wildfire recovery or prevention strategy?

This contract likely supports the Forest Service's broader strategy by addressing critical infrastructure needs in areas affected by or at risk of wildfires. Post-wildfire, roads often suffer damage (erosion, debris, washouts) that hinders access for firefighting, recovery efforts, and ecological restoration. Maintaining or repairing these roads ensures continued operational capability. Proactively, good road conditions can facilitate fuel management activities and access for monitoring. The small scale suggests it's a component of a larger, ongoing effort within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, contributing to resilience and safety in a fire-prone region.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1240BD26Q0012

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7842 SE 282ND AVE, GRESHAM, OR, 97080

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,580

Exercised Options: $18,580

Current Obligation: $18,580

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240BD23A0029

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline