Forest Service awards $1.06M contract for forestry support in Missouri, with a 341-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $105,600 ($105.6K)

Contractor: Skylight Forestry Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2027-03-15

Contract Duration: 341 days

Daily Burn Rate: $310/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 5.4.1 COMMON STAND EXAM- QUICK PLOT FOR THE SALEM RD- MO

Place of Performance

Location: SALEM, SHANNON County, MISSOURI, 65560

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $105,600 to SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC for work described as: 5.4.1 COMMON STAND EXAM- QUICK PLOT FOR THE SALEM RD- MO Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential forestry support services, contributing to land management and conservation efforts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to favorable pricing for the government. 3. Performance risk appears moderate, given the nature of the services and the fixed-price contract type. 4. The contract aligns with the Forest Service's mission to manage and protect national forests. 5. This award falls within the broader sector of natural resource management and environmental services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.06 million for 341 days of forestry support appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for forestry services in the Midwest region suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it may limit flexibility if unforeseen issues arise. The specific services, such as 'COMMON STAND EXAM- QUICK PLOT FOR THE SALEM RD', are standard for forest management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among eligible vendors. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' generally implies that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This level of competition is beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives a fair market price for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process under SAP helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Forest Service, which receives critical support for its land management operations. Services delivered include stand examination and quick plot analysis, essential for forest inventory and health assessment. The geographic impact is focused on Missouri, specifically related to the Salem Road area, supporting local forest resources. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for forestry technicians and specialists involved in executing the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 'quick plot' requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for accurate data collection and analysis.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was achieved.
Clear service description for stand examination and plot analysis.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the broader natural resources and environmental services sector, specifically focusing on forestry management. The market for these services is driven by federal and state land management agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for forest inventory, stand assessment, and ecological surveying. The Forest Service is a significant player in this sector, awarding numerous contracts annually to support its vast landholdings.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, if SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on small businesses in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Forest Service contracting officer and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like SAM.gov, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forestry and Wildland Fire Management
Natural Resource Conservation
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Land Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor expertise is insufficient.
Risk of inaccurate data collection impacting land management decisions.
Dependence on contractor's personnel availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $105,600 to SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC. 5.4.1 COMMON STAND EXAM- QUICK PLOT FOR THE SALEM RD- MO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $105,600.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2027-03-15.

What is the track record of SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC with federal contracts?

Information regarding SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including client feedback, any past performance issues, and their history of timely delivery and quality of work. Examining their award history across different agencies and contract types would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in fulfilling government requirements. Without this historical data, assessing their contractor performance risk is limited to assumptions based on the current award.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar forestry support contracts?

The contract value of $1.06 million for approximately one year of service (341 days) for forestry support in Missouri appears to be within a reasonable range for such services. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark against contracts for similar scope, duration, and geographic location. Factors such as the specific tasks (e.g., stand exams, plot analysis), the complexity of the terrain, and the required expertise influence pricing. Generally, competitive bidding under SAP aims to align contract values with market rates, suggesting this award is likely cost-effective. Further analysis would involve querying databases for comparable Forest Service or BLM contracts in the Midwest region.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues if the contractor, SKYLIGHT FORESTRY INC, fails to meet the quality or timeliness standards for the forestry support services. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, there's a risk of the contractor cutting corners to maintain profitability, potentially impacting data accuracy. Another risk is the dependency on the contractor's specialized knowledge and personnel; any disruption in their workforce could delay project completion. Environmental factors, such as weather or unexpected ecological conditions, could also pose risks to the execution of field-based tasks, although these are often addressed through contract clauses and contingency planning.

How effective is the Forest Service in leveraging competitive contracting for forestry services?

The Forest Service generally employs competitive contracting effectively for forestry services, utilizing mechanisms like Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for smaller value contracts and full and open competition for larger ones. The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation for this $1.06 million award suggests a deliberate choice to use a streamlined competitive process suitable for this contract's value. This approach typically fosters price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to bid, leading to cost savings. The agency's consistent need for diverse forestry services across vast landholdings necessitates robust contracting strategies to ensure efficient resource allocation and achieve land management objectives.

What are the historical spending patterns for forestry support in Missouri?

Historical spending patterns for forestry support in Missouri by the Forest Service would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the number of contracts awarded annually. Analyzing past data would help determine if the current $1.06 million award is consistent with previous investments in the region or represents an increase or decrease in spending. Such analysis could also identify dominant contractors, common contract vehicles used, and the overall budget allocation towards forestry support activities within the state. This context is crucial for understanding the significance of the current award within the broader financial landscape of Forest Service operations in Missouri.

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: 12443926Q0024

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 737 CORTLANDT ST, HOUSTON, TX, 77007

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: $105,600

Exercised Options: $105,600

Current Obligation: $105,600

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444521D0021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline