Forest Service awards $2.3M contract for Sage Hen Recreation Area campground reconstruction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,329,028 ($2.3M)

Contractor: YRU Contracting Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-10-28

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: SAGE HEN RECREATION AREA RECONSTRUCTION - PHASE III. THIS PROJECT RECONSTRUCTS THE HOLLYWOOD AND ANTELOPE CAMPGROUNDS AT SAGE HEN RECREATION AREA ON THE BOISE, ID NATIONAL FOREST. BASE AND ALL OPTIONS ARE AWARDED FOR THIS PROJECT.

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83709

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.3 million to YRU CONTRACTING INC for work described as: SAGE HEN RECREATION AREA RECONSTRUCTION - PHASE III. THIS PROJECT RECONSTRUCTS THE HOLLYWOOD AND ANTELOPE CAMPGROUNDS AT SAGE HEN RECREATION AREA ON THE BOISE, ID NATIONAL FOREST. BASE AND ALL OPTIONS ARE AWARDED FOR THIS PROJECT. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on reconstructing campgrounds, indicating a need for infrastructure improvement in a recreational area. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The project duration is 180 days, implying a relatively short but intensive construction phase. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The project is located in Idaho, potentially benefiting the local economy through construction activities. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237310 points to highway, street, and bridge construction, suggesting significant civil engineering work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.3 million for campground reconstruction appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes two campgrounds. Benchmarking against similar federal reconstruction projects for recreational facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost predictability. Without specific cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar projects, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the price seems aligned with typical infrastructure development costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The record shows 6 bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition. The exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the final price and overall competitiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not entirely unrestricted, receiving 6 bids suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive price. However, the exclusion of certain sources could have potentially led to a higher price than if all qualified sources had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

Recreational users of the Sage Hen Recreation Area will benefit from improved campground facilities. The project will deliver reconstruction services for the Hollywood and Antelope Campgrounds. The geographic impact is localized to the Boise National Forest in Idaho. The construction activities are expected to create temporary employment opportunities for the local workforce. The project aims to enhance the visitor experience and safety within the national forest.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method raises questions about potential limitations on competitive pricing.
The specific reasons for excluding certain sources are not detailed, which could obscure potential risks or inefficiencies.
The project's reliance on a single award for both base and options might concentrate risk with one contractor.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition (albeit with exclusions), indicating an effort to solicit bids broadly.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses necessary infrastructure improvements in a public recreation area, enhancing user experience and safety.
The contractor, YRU Contracting Inc., has secured a contract, suggesting they meet the necessary qualifications.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically related to civil engineering and infrastructure development for public recreational facilities. The market for such projects is driven by government funding for public lands and infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for campground development, park infrastructure, or similar land management projects. The size of this contract is moderate within the broader federal construction landscape.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'small business' flag is set to false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and their involvement would likely depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting decisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Forest Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Forest Recreation Area Management
Public Lands Infrastructure Development
Campground Construction and Renovation
Federal Civil Engineering Projects
Boise National Forest Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Risk of construction delays due to weather or site conditions.
Need for clear oversight to ensure quality and adherence to schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.3 million to YRU CONTRACTING INC. SAGE HEN RECREATION AREA RECONSTRUCTION - PHASE III. THIS PROJECT RECONSTRUCTS THE HOLLYWOOD AND ANTELOPE CAMPGROUNDS AT SAGE HEN RECREATION AREA ON THE BOISE, ID NATIONAL FOREST. BASE AND ALL OPTIONS ARE AWARDED FOR THIS PROJECT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YRU CONTRACTING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-10-28.

What is the track record of YRU Contracting Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for similar reconstruction projects?

Information regarding YRU Contracting Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially for projects analogous to campground reconstruction, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require examining past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards. Understanding their experience with similar scopes of work, project sizes, and government agencies would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability in executing the Sage Hen Recreation Area project effectively and efficiently. Without this historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond meeting the initial bid requirements.

How does the awarded price of $2.3 million compare to similar federal campground reconstruction projects?

Benchmarking the $2.3 million award against similar federal campground reconstruction projects is essential for assessing value for money. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, factors such as the number of campsites, scope of work (e.g., utility upgrades, road improvements, new facilities), and geographic location significantly influence project costs. Generally, reconstruction projects involving extensive civil engineering and site work can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. The Forest Service likely conducted internal cost estimates and reviewed bids against historical data for similar projects in the region to ensure the price was fair and reasonable.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential construction delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions, cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), and contractor performance issues. The firm fixed-price contract inherently transfers some cost risk to the contractor. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed project planning by the Forest Service, clear contract specifications, regular progress monitoring, and defined procedures for addressing change orders or disputes. The relatively short duration (180 days) suggests a focused effort, but also increases the risk of schedule compression if issues arise. The exclusion of sources in the competition process could also be a risk if it limited the pool of highly qualified bidders.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for federal construction projects?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific needs or limitations. While 'full and open' suggests an intention to solicit widely, the 'exclusion of sources' implies that certain potential bidders were deemed ineligible for reasons not specified here (e.g., security, past performance, specific technical requirements). This method can be effective if the exclusions are justified and the remaining pool is still sufficiently competitive. Receiving 6 bids indicates a reasonable level of competition. However, if the exclusions significantly narrowed the field or eliminated highly capable contractors, it could potentially lead to less competitive pricing than a truly unrestricted open competition. The effectiveness hinges on the justification for exclusions and the resulting bidder landscape.

What is the historical spending pattern for campground reconstruction and related infrastructure within the Boise National Forest or similar national forests?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for campground reconstruction and related infrastructure within the Boise National Forest and comparable national forests is crucial for context. This would involve examining past Forest Service budgets and contract awards for similar projects over several fiscal years. Such analysis could reveal trends in project frequency, average contract values, and the types of work typically undertaken. Understanding this historical spending provides a baseline against which the current $2.3 million award can be assessed for its significance and alignment with ongoing infrastructure investment strategies. It also helps identify potential fluctuations in funding or priorities related to recreational facility maintenance and upgrades.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1476 MANN CREEK RD, WEISER, ID, 83672

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,329,028

Exercised Options: $2,329,028

Current Obligation: $2,329,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240LT25D0029

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline