Forest Service awards $1.14M contract for roadway vegetation maintenance to JWM Enterprises, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $114,450 ($114.5K)

Contractor: JWM Enterprises, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-10-15

Contract Duration: 185 days

Daily Burn Rate: $619/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DISASTER BRUSHING - ROADWAY VEGETATION MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: BLACKSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, VIRGINIA, 24060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $114,450 to JWM ENTERPRISES, LLC for work described as: DISASTER BRUSHING - ROADWAY VEGETATION MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract is for roadway vegetation maintenance, a recurring need for infrastructure upkeep. 3. JWM Enterprises, LLC, a relatively new entity, secured this award. 4. The contract duration is 185 days, indicating a short-term service requirement. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 6. Virginia is the performance location, potentially indicating regional service needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.14M for 185 days of vegetation maintenance appears within a reasonable range for such services, though specific benchmarks are difficult without detailed scope. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns. However, the lack of detailed performance metrics or comparison to similar large-scale contracts makes a definitive value assessment challenging. The award to a single entity without extensive public track record warrants closer monitoring of performance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less formal competition process than full and open competition. While this suggests some level of competition, the exact number of bidders and the specific solicitation method are not detailed. SAP is often used for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold or for specific categories of smaller purchases, implying that the competition might have been limited to pre-qualified vendors or those within a specific geographic area.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, potentially resulting in slightly higher costs for taxpayers. However, it can also expedite the procurement process for essential services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Forest Service, which will receive roadway vegetation maintenance services. The services delivered will ensure safer and more accessible roadways within national forest areas. The geographic impact is localized to Virginia, where the contract is to be performed. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for landscaping and maintenance crews employed by JWM Enterprises, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on JWM Enterprises, LLC's track record and capacity for large-scale vegetation management.
The contract's short duration may not allow for comprehensive performance evaluation.
Reliance on SAP may limit the pool of potential competitors, potentially impacting price competitiveness.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to benchmark performance and value effectively.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the Forest Service.
Awarding to a single entity streamlines the contracting process.
The contract addresses a necessary maintenance function for public infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping and horticultural services sector is a significant part of the broader facilities maintenance industry. Federal spending in this area often supports infrastructure upkeep, environmental management, and grounds maintenance across various agencies. Contracts like this are common for maintaining federal lands, including roadways, parks, and administrative facilities. Benchmarking this specific contract's value is challenging without a detailed scope of work, but it falls within the typical range for specialized vegetation management services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While JWM Enterprises, LLC is an LLC, its size status relative to small business definitions is not provided. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Further investigation into JWM Enterprises' size classification and any subcontracting plans would be necessary to fully assess its impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the US Forest Service's contracting officers and program managers. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, it may have less rigorous oversight than larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, with less public detail available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Roadway Maintenance Services
Landscaping and Horticultural Services
Federal Infrastructure Maintenance
Forest Service Operations

Risk Flags

Limited Contractor Performance Data
Potential for Limited Competition (SAP)
Short Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $114,450 to JWM ENTERPRISES, LLC. DISASTER BRUSHING - ROADWAY VEGETATION MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JWM ENTERPRISES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $114,450.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-10-15.

What is the track record of JWM Enterprises, LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Publicly available data on JWM Enterprises, LLC's track record for government contracts is limited. As an LLC, its history and scale of operations are not as widely documented as larger corporations. The award of this $1.14M contract by the Forest Service is a significant indicator of their capability, but without access to past performance evaluations or a more extensive contract history, it is difficult to definitively assess their experience. Further due diligence would involve reviewing any past performance reports, client references, or financial stability assessments that may be available through government contracting databases or direct inquiry.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar roadway vegetation maintenance contracts?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $1.14M contract for roadway vegetation maintenance against similar contracts is challenging without a detailed scope of work and specific performance metrics. The contract is for a firm fixed price over 185 days, awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). SAP procurements can sometimes result in less competitive pricing than full and open competition. To conduct a proper comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar geographic locations, vegetation types, density, required services (e.g., mowing, trimming, herbicide application), and contract durations. Without this granular data, it's difficult to ascertain if the price is above, below, or in line with market rates for comparable services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

Key risks associated with this contract include the limited public information available on JWM Enterprises, LLC's performance history, which could indicate a higher risk of performance issues. The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) might suggest a less robust competition, potentially leading to suboptimal pricing or service quality compared to a full and open competition. The short contract duration (185 days) could also pose a risk if the scope of work is underestimated or if unforeseen environmental conditions arise, potentially leading to change orders or contract modifications. Finally, the lack of detailed performance metrics makes it harder to proactively identify and mitigate performance deficiencies.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing vegetation maintenance contracts of this nature?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service in managing vegetation maintenance contracts like this one can be inferred from their consistent need for such services. The agency manages vast tracts of land requiring ongoing maintenance to ensure safety, prevent wildfires, and maintain infrastructure. Their use of various contracting mechanisms, including SAP for smaller procurements, suggests an established process for acquiring these services. However, the effectiveness is ultimately tied to the specific oversight provided by contracting officers and the performance of the awarded contractors. Without specific data on past performance issues or successes related to this particular type of contract within the Forest Service, a definitive assessment of their management effectiveness is difficult.

What are the historical spending patterns for roadway vegetation maintenance by the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for roadway vegetation maintenance by the Department of Agriculture, and specifically the Forest Service, would likely show consistent annual expenditures. These services are essential for maintaining safe access to and within national forests, mitigating wildfire risks, and preserving infrastructure. Spending can fluctuate based on factors such as weather patterns, fire seasons, budget allocations, and the specific needs of different forest regions. A detailed analysis would require examining procurement data over several fiscal years to identify trends, average contract values, and the prevalence of different contracting methods (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source) for vegetation management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12444026Q0043

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2312 LEE HWY, MARION, VA, 24354

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $114,450

Exercised Options: $114,450

Current Obligation: $114,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline