Forest Service awards $59K for Mt. Hood culvert repairs, focusing on emergency infrastructure replacement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,103 ($59.1K)

Contractor: JR Carlon Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-04

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 33 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: NFSR 1300 EMERGENCY REPAIRS - MT HOOD NF REMOVAL OF EXISTING DAMAGED CULVERTS AND ASPHALT; INSTALLATION OF 2 NEW CULVERTS AND ALL ASSOCIATED WORK.

Place of Performance

Location: MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, HOOD RIVER County, OREGON, 97041

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $59,102.5 to JR CARLON CORP for work described as: NFSR 1300 EMERGENCY REPAIRS - MT HOOD NF REMOVAL OF EXISTING DAMAGED CULVERTS AND ASPHALT; INSTALLATION OF 2 NEW CULVERTS AND ALL ASSOCIATED WORK. Key points: 1. The contract addresses an urgent need for culvert replacement on Mt. Hood, indicating potential infrastructure vulnerabilities. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and budget, offering cost certainty. 3. The relatively short duration of 33 days points to a focused, emergency-response project. 4. The award to JR Carlon Corp. represents a specific investment in regional infrastructure maintenance. 5. The project's success hinges on timely completion to mitigate further environmental damage or access issues.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $59,102.50 appears reasonable for emergency culvert replacement and associated work, especially considering the specialized nature of the task and the need for rapid deployment. Benchmarking against similar small-scale infrastructure repair projects in remote or challenging terrain suggests this price is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a clear ceiling for costs, which is beneficial for managing taxpayer funds on an urgent repair.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while a broad competition was intended, specific circumstances or pre-existing conditions may have limited the pool of eligible bidders. This could be due to specialized requirements, geographic limitations, or the urgent nature of the repair. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method implies a controlled competitive environment rather than a completely open market.

Taxpayer Impact: While a limited competition might not yield the absolute lowest price compared to a fully open bid, the Forest Service likely sought qualified contractors capable of executing the emergency repairs efficiently. The focus is on ensuring the necessary work is done promptly and correctly to prevent further damage.

Public Impact

Residents and visitors of Mt. Hood National Forest benefit from restored or improved access and safety due to the repaired culverts. The project delivers essential infrastructure maintenance, preventing potential environmental degradation and ensuring the longevity of forest roadways. The geographic impact is localized to the Mt. Hood National Forest area in Oregon. The contract supports the workforce involved in construction and engineering services for infrastructure repair.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during the emergency repair.
Risk of delays if specialized equipment or materials are not readily available for the short project timeline.
Dependence on weather conditions, which can impact construction schedules in mountainous regions.

Positive Signals

Clear project scope and firm-fixed-price contract mitigate financial risks.
Short duration indicates a focused effort on addressing an immediate need.
Award to a specific contractor suggests established capabilities for this type of work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction and Engineering sector, specifically focusing on infrastructure repair and maintenance. The market for such services involves specialized contractors capable of working in challenging environments. The value is relatively small compared to large-scale federal construction projects, but it represents a critical component of maintaining national forest infrastructure, which is a recurring need across various federal land management agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate a small business set-aside. Given the relatively small value and the nature of the work, it's possible that small businesses were among the bidders or could have been prime contractors. However, without specific subcontracting plans or set-aside information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though it likely provided work for a small business if JR Carlon Corp. qualifies as such.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and project managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though detailed daily progress reports might be internal unless specific public reporting requirements are mandated.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Road Maintenance
Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure Projects
Emergency Repair Contracts
Culvert Replacement Projects

Risk Flags

Emergency Repair
Limited Competition
Potential for Unforeseen Site Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $59,102.5 to JR CARLON CORP. NFSR 1300 EMERGENCY REPAIRS - MT HOOD NF REMOVAL OF EXISTING DAMAGED CULVERTS AND ASPHALT; INSTALLATION OF 2 NEW CULVERTS AND ALL ASSOCIATED WORK.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JR CARLON CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $59,102.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-04. End: 2026-04-06.

What is the track record of JR Carlon Corp. with federal contracts, particularly with the Forest Service or similar agencies?

Information regarding JR Carlon Corp.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Forest Service or similar agencies, would require a detailed search of federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. Generally, agencies assess past performance as part of the source selection process. For a contract of this size and urgency, the agency likely reviewed the contractor's relevant experience, capacity, and past performance on similar projects to ensure successful execution. Without direct access to their performance history, it's difficult to provide a definitive assessment, but the award itself suggests they met the agency's minimum requirements for this specific task.

How does the $59,102.50 cost compare to similar emergency culvert replacement projects in national forests?

Benchmarking this $59,102.50 contract requires comparing it to similar emergency culvert replacement projects within national forests or other federal lands. Factors influencing cost include geographic location, accessibility of the site, type and size of culverts being replaced, complexity of the surrounding terrain, and the urgency of the repair. For a project involving removal of damaged culverts and installation of two new ones, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized infrastructure work in a potentially remote or challenging environment like Mt. Hood. However, a precise comparison would necessitate data on projects with identical scopes, materials, and site conditions.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract, beyond general construction risks?

Beyond standard construction risks, this contract's primary risks stem from its emergency nature and location. The urgency may lead to compressed timelines, increasing the risk of errors or overlooking critical details. Working in the Mt. Hood National Forest presents environmental risks, such as unpredictable weather (snow, rain, temperature fluctuations) impacting work schedules and potentially causing site access issues. Furthermore, the removal of existing damaged culverts could uncover unforeseen subsurface conditions or environmental hazards requiring additional work or specialized handling, potentially impacting the budget and schedule despite the fixed-price nature. Ensuring minimal environmental disruption during the repair is also a key consideration.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method in ensuring value for money for emergency repairs?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method aims to balance the need for competition with specific project requirements. For emergency repairs, it allows agencies to solicit bids from a pre-qualified or relevant pool of contractors, potentially speeding up the process compared to a completely open solicitation. While it may not achieve the same level of price competition as a truly open bid, it helps ensure that bidders possess the necessary specialized skills and capacity for urgent tasks. The value for money is realized if the selected contractor can perform the work efficiently and effectively within the established timeframe and budget, preventing greater costs associated with prolonged infrastructure failure or damage.

What is the historical spending pattern for culvert maintenance and repair within the Forest Service, and how does this contract fit?

Historical spending on culvert maintenance and repair within the Forest Service is substantial, reflecting the vast network of roads and infrastructure managed across millions of acres. Agencies allocate significant budgets annually for maintaining these assets to ensure public access, resource management, and environmental protection. This $59,102.50 contract represents a small, specific investment within that broader category. It addresses an immediate, localized need rather than a systemic upgrade or large-scale program. Such emergency repair contracts are a necessary component of the overall maintenance strategy, addressing unforeseen failures that arise despite routine upkeep efforts.

What are the potential long-term implications of this repair for the Mt. Hood National Forest's infrastructure and ecosystem?

The long-term implications of this repair are positive, assuming the new culverts are installed correctly and meet current engineering standards. Properly functioning culverts are crucial for managing water flow, preventing erosion, and maintaining the structural integrity of the roadway. This prevents further degradation of the road surface and surrounding environment. By replacing damaged culverts, the Forest Service mitigates the risk of future failures that could lead to road closures, environmental damage (e.g., sediment runoff into waterways), and increased repair costs. The new infrastructure should serve the forest's needs for many years, supporting access for recreation, resource management, and emergency services.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1240BH26Q0006

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 90437 MILL LN, PAISLEY, OR, 97636

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $59,103

Exercised Options: $59,103

Current Obligation: $59,103

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240BH24D0031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline