Agriculture Department awards $212,555 for forestry support, planting 15,200 seedlings in Oregon

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,255 ($21.3K)

Contractor: Three Stripes Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2026-11-15

Contract Duration: 209 days

Daily Burn Rate: $102/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS PROJECT WOULD PLANT A TOTAL OF 9,000 SEEDLINGS IN THE SPRING OF 2026 AND 6,200 SEEDLINGS IN THE FALL OF 2026.

Place of Performance

Location: LA GRANDE, UNION County, OREGON, 97850

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $21,255 to THREE STRIPES CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: THIS PROJECT WOULD PLANT A TOTAL OF 9,000 SEEDLINGS IN THE SPRING OF 2026 AND 6,200 SEEDLINGS IN THE FALL OF 2026. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on seedling planting, a key component of forest restoration and management. 2. The award to Three Stripes Contracting LLC represents a specific investment in regional ecological health. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests defined scope and cost certainty for the government. 4. Performance period spans Spring and Fall 2026, aligning with optimal planting seasons. 5. The contract is categorized under Support Activities for Forestry, indicating a specialized service.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $212,555 for planting 15,200 seedlings results in a per-seedling cost of approximately $13.98. This cost needs to be benchmarked against similar seedling planting contracts, considering factors like species, site preparation, and survival guarantees. Without more granular data on the scope of work beyond planting, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature provides some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $13.98 per seedling planted.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Program), suggesting a streamlined process for smaller value procurements. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP competition typically involves a limited number of offers compared to full and open competition. This approach aims for efficiency but may not always yield the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP can lead to quicker award times but may result in slightly higher prices than those achieved through broader, more competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the forests in Oregon, through the planting of new seedlings. Services delivered include the physical planting of 9,000 seedlings in Spring 2026 and 6,200 in Fall 2026. The geographic impact is localized to Oregon, specifically within the areas managed by the Forest Service. Workforce implications include temporary employment opportunities for planting crews managed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not have secured the best possible pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the long-term success of the planting effort.
The contract duration is relatively short, focusing solely on the planting activity rather than ongoing forest health monitoring.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a specific contractor (Three Stripes Contracting LLC) supports business engagement.
The project directly addresses ecological restoration goals through seedling planting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader environmental services sector, specifically focusing on forestry and land management. The market for such services includes companies specializing in ecological restoration, arboriculture, and conservation. Spending in this area is driven by federal and state agencies responsible for public lands, aiming to maintain forest health, combat climate change impacts, and preserve biodiversity. Comparable benchmarks would involve analyzing costs for similar seedling planting initiatives across different regions and agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP, which often includes considerations for small businesses. However, the data does not specify if Three Stripes Contracting LLC is a small business or if there were small business set-aside provisions. If the contractor is a large business, there may be opportunities for small business subcontracting, but this is not detailed in the provided information. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and project officers within the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of the specified seedlings planted. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed operational oversight reports are not usually publicly disseminated. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research
Forest Management
Reforestation and Habitat Restoration Programs
National Forest System Land Management

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Per-seedling cost requires further benchmarking for value assessment.
Contract focuses solely on planting, not long-term forest health outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $21,255 to THREE STRIPES CONTRACTING LLC. THIS PROJECT WOULD PLANT A TOTAL OF 9,000 SEEDLINGS IN THE SPRING OF 2026 AND 6,200 SEEDLINGS IN THE FALL OF 2026.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THREE STRIPES CONTRACTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21,255.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2026-11-15.

What is the track record of Three Stripes Contracting LLC in performing similar forestry support services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Three Stripes Contracting LLC in performing similar forestry support services is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their capabilities, a review of past performance evaluations, previous contracts awarded to the company, and any reported issues or successes would be necessary. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for historical awards and performance reviews. A lack of readily available public information on past performance could indicate a newer or less experienced contractor, or simply that their previous work was not extensively documented in public systems. Understanding their experience is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this contract and ensuring successful project completion.

How does the per-seedling cost of $13.98 compare to industry benchmarks for seedling planting?

The per-seedling cost of approximately $13.98 is a key metric for value assessment. To benchmark this effectively, it needs to be compared against similar contracts awarded by the Forest Service or other land management agencies. Factors influencing this cost include seedling type (bare-root vs. containerized), species, planting density, site accessibility, terrain difficulty, and whether site preparation or follow-up care is included. For instance, planting in remote or steep terrain would naturally incur higher costs than planting in accessible, flat areas. Industry reports or databases that track costs for ecological restoration projects could provide broader comparisons. Without such comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether $13.98 represents excellent, fair, or concerning value.

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

Potential risks for this contract include seedling mortality due to poor planting techniques, adverse weather conditions, or inadequate site suitability. There's also a risk of contractor underperformance, delays in planting schedules, or failure to meet the specified number of seedlings. Mitigation strategies typically involve clear contract language defining performance standards, survival rate requirements (if applicable), and penalties for non-compliance. The Forest Service would likely conduct site inspections during and after planting to verify quality and quantity. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs and execute the work efficiently. However, unforeseen environmental factors remain a risk.

What is the expected effectiveness of planting 15,200 seedlings in terms of forest restoration outcomes?

The effectiveness of planting 15,200 seedlings depends heavily on factors beyond the planting itself, such as species selection, site conditions, post-planting care, and natural regeneration processes. While planting a significant number of seedlings contributes to reforestation efforts, the ultimate success is measured by seedling survival rates and the establishment of a healthy, self-sustaining forest ecosystem over time. This contract focuses solely on the planting activity. Long-term effectiveness would require monitoring survival rates, assessing biodiversity impacts, and evaluating the contribution to broader forest health goals like carbon sequestration or habitat improvement. The Forest Service likely has specific ecological objectives for this planting effort that would inform the definition of 'effectiveness'.

How does this contract's value compare to historical spending on similar forestry support activities by the Department of Agriculture?

To compare this contract's value ($212,555) to historical spending, one would need to analyze past contracts for seedling planting and general forestry support services awarded by the Department of Agriculture, particularly the Forest Service. This analysis should consider the quantity of seedlings planted, the geographic area, the type of planting (e.g., manual vs. machine), and the specific services included (e.g., site preparation, seedling procurement). Adjusting for inflation would be crucial for a fair comparison. Examining trends in per-seedling costs over time and across different regions can reveal whether current spending is consistent with historical patterns or represents a significant deviation, potentially indicating changes in market prices, technology, or program scope.

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: 1240BG26Q0007

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 243 S STAGE RD, MEDFORD, OR, 97501

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,255

Exercised Options: $21,255

Current Obligation: $21,255

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline