Forest Service awards $542K contract for forestry support to Absolute Forestry LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $54,273 ($54.3K)

Contractor: Absolute Forestry LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-07-15

End Date: 2029-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,265 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TETON TO SNAKE-PHILLIPS CANYON HAND THIN-PRUNE-PILE, BRIDGER-TETON NF AWARD OF BASE AND OPTIONS 1 AND 2

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSON, TETON County, WYOMING, 83001

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $54,273 to ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC for work described as: TETON TO SNAKE-PHILLIPS CANYON HAND THIN-PRUNE-PILE, BRIDGER-TETON NF AWARD OF BASE AND OPTIONS 1 AND 2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of approximately 3.5 years provides a stable period for service delivery. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The award is a Delivery Order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The contract is for Support Activities for Forestry, a critical function for land management. 6. The geographic location of Wyoming is specified for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $542,730 over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable for specialized forestry support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for hand thinning, pruning, and piling in national forests would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed price structure offers cost predictability. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the award amount seems aligned with the scope of work for a single contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific exclusion of sources might indicate a prior contract vehicle or a specific set of pre-qualified vendors. The level of competition is not explicitly stated in terms of the number of bidders, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust process aimed at achieving fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The contract directly supports the management and health of the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Services include hand thinning, pruning, and piling, which are essential for wildfire risk reduction and forest ecosystem health. The contract benefits the local and regional environment by promoting sustainable forest practices. It may indirectly support local economies through employment opportunities for forestry workers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if 'exclusion of sources' narrowed the field significantly.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical forestry tasks could pose a risk if performance falters.
The specific performance standards and quality control measures are not detailed, posing a potential risk to service quality.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty and incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair market price was likely achieved.
The contract duration allows for consistent application of forestry management practices.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Activities for Forestry' sector, which is a crucial component of natural resource management and conservation. The market for these services involves specialized firms with expertise in silviculture, wildfire mitigation, and ecological restoration. Spending in this sector is often driven by environmental regulations, land management agency needs, and efforts to combat climate change impacts like increased wildfire frequency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Forest Service's historical procurement data for similar vegetation management contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the awardee is ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC. There is no explicit information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. Given the contract value and nature of the work, it's possible that larger firms may be involved in subcontracting, but this cannot be confirmed without further details. The absence of specific small business utilization goals suggests this contract may not have been specifically targeted towards small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service, a division of the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are usually embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment clauses. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Forest Management Contracts
Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Services
National Forest System Land Management
Environmental Services Contracts
Vegetation Management Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Performance risk associated with manual labor in challenging environments.
Dependence on weather conditions for timely execution.
Need for robust quality assurance to ensure effectiveness of treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $54,273 to ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC. TETON TO SNAKE-PHILLIPS CANYON HAND THIN-PRUNE-PILE, BRIDGER-TETON NF AWARD OF BASE AND OPTIONS 1 AND 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $54,273.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-07-15. End: 2029-12-31.

What is the track record of ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC in performing similar forestry support services for federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to assess the track record of ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC. Key indicators to examine would include the number and value of previous contracts awarded to the company, the types of services rendered, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar tasks such as hand thinning, pruning, and piling, particularly within national forest environments, is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this new award. Without specific historical data on ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC, it is difficult to definitively assess their past performance.

How does the awarded amount of $542,730 compare to the average cost of similar forestry support contracts in the Bridger-Teton National Forest or similar regions?

To benchmark the $542,730 award, one would need to analyze historical data for similar forestry support contracts (hand thinning, pruning, piling) awarded by the Forest Service or other agencies in the Intermountain West region. Factors influencing cost include contract duration, scope of work (acreage treated, density of vegetation), labor rates, equipment costs, and specific environmental conditions. If this contract covers approximately 3.5 years and a significant acreage, the value might be considered competitive. However, a detailed comparison requires access to specific contract line item details and regional cost indices to determine if this represents good value for money or if it is potentially above or below market rates.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality assurance procedures outlined in the contract to ensure effective service delivery?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or quality assurance procedures for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include clauses defining acceptable outcomes, such as the percentage of vegetation to be removed, the maximum residual fuel load, or specific standards for piling and disposal. Quality assurance would involve regular inspections by Forest Service personnel, adherence to safety protocols, and potentially penalties for non-compliance or failure to meet defined standards. The absence of this information in the summary data limits a thorough assessment of potential performance risks.

What is the potential impact of this contract on wildfire risk reduction in the Bridger-Teton National Forest?

This contract directly addresses wildfire risk reduction by funding essential vegetation management activities like hand thinning and piling. Thinning reduces the density of trees, making it harder for fires to spread vertically and horizontally through the canopy. Piling and subsequent removal or burning of the thinned material further reduces fuel loads on the forest floor. The effectiveness of this impact is contingent on the scope of work (e.g., acreage treated), the quality of execution, and how these efforts integrate with broader forest management strategies for the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Consistent application over the contract's duration is key to achieving meaningful risk reduction.

Are there any known risks associated with ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC's past performance or the nature of the services being contracted?

Without access to detailed past performance reviews or specific contract compliance records for ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC, it is difficult to identify known risks associated with their performance. However, general risks inherent in forestry support contracts include weather-related delays, challenging terrain, potential for accidents (given the manual labor involved), and the need for specialized knowledge of forest ecology and fire behavior. The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type could also indicate a potential risk if it unduly limited the pool of qualified bidders, potentially impacting price or quality.

How does this contract fit into the Forest Service's overall strategy for forest health and wildfire management in Wyoming?

This contract aligns with the Forest Service's broader mission to manage and protect national forests, including critical objectives related to forest health and wildfire risk mitigation. In regions like Wyoming, which are susceptible to wildfires, such contracts are vital for implementing fuel reduction treatments and promoting ecosystem resilience. The specific tasks of thinning and piling directly contribute to creating healthier forest stands less prone to catastrophic fire. This award likely represents one component of a larger, multi-year strategy by the Forest Service to address landscape-level forest health challenges and enhance community safety.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1240LS26Q0015

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 WILSON RD, CENTRAL POINT, OR, 97502

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $54,273

Exercised Options: $54,273

Current Obligation: $54,273

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1284LM22D0047

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline