Agriculture Dept. Spends $68,850 on Herbicide via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,850 ($68.8K)

Contractor: Farmers Fertilizer CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-30

Contract Duration: 51 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PURCHASE HERBICIDE FOR FOLIAR SPRAY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: BENTLEY, GRANT County, LOUISIANA, 71407

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $68,850 to FARMERS FERTILIZER CO for work described as: PURCHASE HERBICIDE FOR FOLIAR SPRAY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Spending is for vegetation management via foliar spray herbicide. 2. Farmers Fertilizer Co. is the contractor. 3. The contract is a delivery order with a firm fixed price. 4. This purchase falls under the Department of Agriculture, specifically the Forest Service. 5. The contract duration is 51 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount is $68,850. Without specific per-unit pricing or historical data for this exact herbicide, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the use of full and open competition suggests a reasonable price was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it leverages market forces to secure competitive pricing for necessary goods.

Public Impact

Supports vegetation management critical for forest health and wildfire prevention. Ensures availability of necessary supplies for land management agencies. Benefits from competitive bidding, potentially leading to cost savings for taxpayers. Procurement process transparency through full and open competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited contract duration may require future procurements.
Specific herbicide efficacy and environmental impact not detailed.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear purpose for vegetation management.

Sector Analysis

This purchase is within the broader agricultural and land management sector. Spending on herbicides for vegetation management is common for agencies like the Forest Service to maintain ecosystem health and prevent issues like wildfires. Benchmarks for such specific chemical purchases are highly variable.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses participated in or were awarded this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract falls under the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Standard procurement oversight processes would apply, ensuring adherence to regulations and contract terms. The use of full and open competition suggests a robust initial oversight of the solicitation process.

Related Government Programs

Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of specific herbicide details
Absence of per-unit cost benchmark
Limited contract duration
No indication of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $68,850 to FARMERS FERTILIZER CO. PURCHASE HERBICIDE FOR FOLIAR SPRAY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FARMERS FERTILIZER CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $68,850.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-30.

What is the specific type of herbicide being purchased and its intended application beyond general vegetation management?

The specific type of herbicide is not detailed in the provided data, only that it is for foliar spray vegetation management. Understanding the exact chemical composition and its targeted vegetation would allow for a more precise assessment of its necessity, potential environmental impact, and whether specialized or common formulations are being procured, which could influence cost-effectiveness.

How does the $68,850 award compare to the estimated cost or historical spending for similar herbicide purchases by the Forest Service?

Without access to the government's cost estimates or historical spending data for comparable herbicide purchases, it is challenging to definitively assess if $68,850 represents a competitive price. The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator, suggesting market forces were leveraged, but a direct benchmark is needed for a thorough value assessment.

What are the potential long-term environmental implications of using this herbicide, and were these considered in the procurement?

The provided data does not specify the environmental impact assessment for this herbicide. While vegetation management is crucial, the long-term ecological effects, potential for non-target species harm, and adherence to environmental regulations should be a key consideration during procurement, especially for large-scale applications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing › Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 12444026Q0054

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Farmers Fertilizer CO.

Address: 150 SUNSET AVE, SMITHS GROVE, KY, 42171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $68,850

Exercised Options: $68,850

Current Obligation: $68,850

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0563X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline