Forest Service awards $1.9M contract for cadastral survey services in Montana

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $190,327 ($190.3K)

Contractor: Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-09

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $521/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FNF RC TRUMAN CADASTRAL SURVEY

Place of Performance

Location: KALISPELL, FLATHEAD County, MONTANA, 59901

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $190,327.47 to JACKOLA ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE PC for work described as: FNF RC TRUMAN CADASTRAL SURVEY Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure accurate land boundaries for federal properties. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a broad search for qualified bidders. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides predictability. 4. Service delivery is concentrated in Montana, impacting local land management. 5. The contractor, Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC, will provide specialized surveying expertise. 6. Contract duration of one year with potential for extension aligns with project needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.9 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized cadastral surveying services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for surveying and mapping services (NAICS 541370) would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a need for experienced professionals. The firm fixed-price structure indicates that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, which is a positive sign for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests a competitive process was pursued, which generally leads to better price discovery and selection of the most capable offeror.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and selecting the best value provider for essential land surveying services.

Public Impact

Federal land management agencies, specifically the Forest Service, benefit from accurate cadastral surveys. Services delivered include surveying and mapping to define and verify property boundaries. Geographic impact is concentrated in Montana, supporting state and federal land administration. The contract supports specialized professional services, potentially creating work for surveyors and related technical staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if 'exclusion of sources' criteria were overly restrictive.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical function like land surveying carries inherent risk.
Scope creep could lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly within the fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration allows for focused execution of surveying tasks.
Specialized nature of the work suggests a qualified contractor is likely to be selected.

Sector Analysis

The surveying and mapping services sector (NAICS 541370) is crucial for land management, infrastructure development, and resource assessment. Federal agencies are significant clients, awarding contracts for boundary surveys, topographic mapping, and geographic information systems. This contract fits within the broader federal spending on land administration and natural resource management, where accurate data is paramount for decision-making and legal certainty.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of cadastral surveying, it is possible that larger, established firms are better positioned to compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but opportunities may exist for smaller firms to support the prime contractor in specific tasks if allowed by the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and project managers responsible for land surveying. Accountability is tied to the successful completion of survey deliverables according to contract specifications and timelines. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Cadastral Surveying
Land Management Services
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Natural Resource Management Contracts
Department of Agriculture Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks sufficient resources.
Risk of scope creep impacting budget and timeline.
Dependence on accurate data for critical land management decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $190,327.47 to JACKOLA ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE PC. FNF RC TRUMAN CADASTRAL SURVEY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACKOLA ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE PC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $190,327.47.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-09.

What is the historical spending by the Forest Service on cadastral surveying services?

Historical spending data for cadastral surveying by the Forest Service can provide valuable context for the current $1.9 million award. Analyzing past contract values, durations, and the number of awarded contracts over several fiscal years would reveal trends in demand and typical investment levels. For instance, if historical spending has averaged $1-1.5 million annually for similar services, this award might represent a slight increase or a consolidation of multiple smaller projects. Conversely, if historical spending has been significantly higher, this award could indicate a reduced scope or a shift in strategy. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether the current contract is in line with historical resource allocation for this critical function.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar surveying services in Montana?

To assess the value for money, the awarded price of $1.9 million needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for cadastral surveying in Montana. This involves researching rates charged by private surveying firms in the region for comparable services, considering factors like hourly rates for surveyors and technicians, equipment costs, and overhead. Data from industry surveys or publicly available contract awards for similar projects in the same geographic area can be used. If the Forest Service's price is significantly lower than market rates, it suggests a good deal; if it's higher, it may indicate potential overpayment or a more extensive scope than typical commercial projects. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract implies a negotiated price, making this comparison crucial for evaluating its fairness.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC for this contract?

Risks associated with relying on Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC primarily revolve around contractor performance and potential issues specific to cadastral surveying. Key risks include the possibility of delays in project completion, which could impact land management decisions or development projects dependent on accurate boundary data. There's also a risk of technical errors in the surveys, leading to boundary disputes or legal challenges. Furthermore, the contractor's financial stability and capacity to handle the workload over the contract period are important considerations. While the 'full and open competition' suggests a vetting process, ongoing monitoring of performance, adherence to quality standards, and timely delivery is essential to mitigate these risks throughout the contract's lifecycle.

How effective are cadastral surveys in supporting Forest Service land management objectives?

Cadastral surveys are fundamental to effective Forest Service land management. They provide the legal definition of boundaries for federal lands, which is essential for preventing encroachment, managing resource extraction (timber, minerals), facilitating land exchanges, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Accurate surveys underpin the integrity of the Forest Service's land records and are critical for resolving boundary disputes with adjacent landowners, including private individuals, states, and tribal nations. Without reliable cadastral data, the agency's ability to manage its vast landholdings, protect public resources, and fulfill its stewardship responsibilities would be significantly compromised. This contract directly supports these core objectives by ensuring the accuracy and legal defensibility of property lines.

What is the typical duration and value range for Forest Service cadastral surveying contracts?

The typical duration and value range for Forest Service cadastral surveying contracts can vary widely depending on the scope and complexity of the project. Smaller, localized surveys might be completed within months and cost tens of thousands of dollars, often awarded through task orders under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Larger, more comprehensive projects, like those involving extensive boundary retracement or new surveys across significant acreage, can extend over multiple years and reach into the millions of dollars, similar to this $1.9 million award. Contracts are often firm-fixed-price to ensure cost control. Understanding this range helps contextualize the current award as a substantial but not necessarily unprecedented investment in maintaining accurate land records.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2250 US HIGHWAY 93 S, KALISPELL, MT, 59901

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $190,327

Exercised Options: $190,327

Current Obligation: $190,327

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240LS24D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline