Forest Service awards $179K for wildlife snags, supporting forestry activities in Oregon

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $178,896 ($178.9K)

Contractor: Warner Creek CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 244 days

Daily Burn Rate: $733/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CREATING WILDLIFE SNAGS IN TIMBER SALE AREA WITHIN LSR

Place of Performance

Location: WESTFIR, LANE County, OREGON, 97492

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $178,896 to WARNER CREEK CO for work described as: CREATING WILDLIFE SNAGS IN TIMBER SALE AREA WITHIN LSR Key points: 1. Contract focuses on creating wildlife habitat features within timber sale areas. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. Performance period is relatively short, spanning 244 days. 5. The contract is managed by the Forest Service, a key agency within the Department of Agriculture. 6. The work is geographically located in Oregon, specifically within the Warner Creek area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $178,896 for creating wildlife snags appears reasonable given the scope of work. While specific per-unit cost benchmarks for snag creation are not readily available, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns. The duration of the contract (244 days) also indicates a focused effort rather than a long-term commitment, which can help manage overall expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements valued below a certain threshold. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a diverse pool of contractors for smaller-value requirements.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP for this contract likely resulted in competitive pricing for taxpayers, as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process helps prevent overpayment and ensures that government funds are used efficiently for this specific environmental service.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits wildlife by creating essential habitat features (snags) in forest areas designated for timber sales. The services delivered will enhance ecological diversity and support forest ecosystem health. The geographic impact is localized to the Warner Creek area within Oregon. The contract supports specialized environmental services within the forestry sector, potentially involving local labor or small businesses for execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'creating wildlife snags' is interpreted broadly without clear definition.
Dependence on contractor expertise for effective snag creation and ecological benefit.
Weather or site conditions could impact the timely completion within the 244-day period.

Positive Signals

Clear objective to enhance wildlife habitat, aligning with conservation goals.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under a competitive process (SAP) to ensure fair market value.
Specific geographic focus allows for targeted environmental improvement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Support Activities for Forestry sector, a niche within the broader environmental services and natural resource management industry. The market for such specialized ecological services is often driven by government agencies like the Forest Service, which require specific habitat enhancement and conservation efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of snag creation, but contracts of this value are typical for focused, short-term environmental projects.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not provided in the data. However, contracts awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures can sometimes offer opportunities for small businesses, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, depending on the specific solicitation and the capabilities of the small business community in the relevant geographic area.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and potentially a contract specialist or COR (Contracting Officer's Representative). Accountability is ensured through the fixed-price contract terms and the defined period of performance. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for review of basic contract details.

Related Government Programs

Forest Management Contracts
Wildlife Habitat Restoration
Environmental Services
Timber Sale Support Activities

Risk Flags

Contract performance risk
Environmental impact uncertainty
Contractor capability assessment needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $178,896 to WARNER CREEK CO. CREATING WILDLIFE SNAGS IN TIMBER SALE AREA WITHIN LSR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WARNER CREEK CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $178,896.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific methodology or standard used by the Forest Service for 'creating wildlife snags' in this context?

The specific methodology for 'creating wildlife snags' is not detailed in the provided award data. Typically, this process involves modifying existing live trees to create cavities or dead standing trees that provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds, mammals, and insects. Standards can vary based on regional ecological needs and Forest Service guidelines, often involving specific tree species, diameters, heights, and types of modifications (e.g., drilling holes, girdling). A detailed review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to understand the precise technical requirements and ecological objectives.

How does the $178,896 contract value compare to similar wildlife snag creation projects managed by the Forest Service or other agencies?

Direct comparison of the $178,896 contract value to similar wildlife snag creation projects is challenging without access to a broader database of comparable contracts. The value is influenced by factors such as the geographic scope, the number of snags to be created, the complexity of the terrain, and the specific ecological requirements. Contracts awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), like this one, are generally for smaller-value procurements. This amount suggests a focused, localized effort rather than a large-scale, multi-year habitat restoration program. Benchmarking would require analyzing contracts with similar SOWs, geographic locations, and performance periods.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential environmental risks (e.g., unintended harm to non-target species, inadequate snag creation effectiveness), performance risks (e.g., contractor failing to meet specifications, delays due to weather or site access), and financial risks (e.g., cost overruns if the fixed-price contract is poorly estimated, though the contractor bears this risk). Mitigation strategies likely include a detailed Statement of Work defining clear objectives and methods, Forest Service oversight by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor progress and quality, and the fixed-price contract structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively within the awarded amount.

What is the expected ecological impact of creating wildlife snags in the Warner Creek timber sale area?

The expected ecological impact of creating wildlife snags in the Warner Creek timber sale area is primarily the enhancement of habitat for various wildlife species. Snags provide crucial resources such as nesting sites, roosting locations, foraging opportunities, and shelter for numerous birds (like woodpeckers and owls), small mammals (like squirrels and bats), and insects. By increasing the availability of these features, the project aims to support biodiversity, improve forest ecosystem health, and potentially increase the populations or presence of species reliant on snags. The specific impact will depend on the number and quality of snags created and the existing ecological conditions of the area.

Has Warner Creek Co. performed similar environmental or forestry support services for the Forest Service or other federal agencies previously?

The provided data does not include information on the contractor's past performance history, such as previous contracts held with the Forest Service or other federal agencies. To assess the contractor's track record, one would typically need to consult the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) or agency-specific performance evaluation databases. This would reveal details about their past project successes, any performance issues, or disputes encountered on prior federal contracts, providing insight into their reliability and capability for executing this current contract.

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: 1240BE26Q0030

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 47840 WESTOAK RD, WESTFIR, OR, 97492

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $178,896

Exercised Options: $178,896

Current Obligation: $178,896

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline