Croatan Mastication Projects Awarded to Land Services Company for $673,699

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $673,699 ($673.7K)

Contractor: Land Services Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 667 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CROATAN MASTICATION PROJECTS

Place of Performance

Location: NEW BERN, CRAVEN County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28560

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $673,699 to LAND SERVICES COMPANY, LLC for work described as: CROATAN MASTICATION PROJECTS Key points: 1. The contract is for mastication services in North Carolina. 2. Awarded to Land Services Company, LLC, a single entity. 3. The project duration is 667 days. 4. Funding is allocated under a BPA Call. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $673,699 for 667 days of service appears reasonable for forestry support activities. Benchmarking against similar mastication projects would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition environment. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for forestry management, which can have long-term environmental and economic benefits, but the efficiency of the procurement method impacts overall value.

Public Impact

Supports forest health and wildfire risk reduction in North Carolina. Provides employment opportunities within the forestry sector. Contributes to land management goals of the Forest Service.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
SAP competition might exclude larger, potentially more efficient contractors.

Positive Signals

Supports critical forest management objectives.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the forestry and land management sector, specifically focusing on vegetation control through mastication. Spending benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on terrain, density, and project scale.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that neither small business set-aside nor participation was explicitly noted for this contract. Further investigation is needed to determine if small businesses were involved or had an opportunity to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Forest Service, likely through contract officers and technical representatives. Accountability for project completion and quality rests with Land Services Company, LLC.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP.
Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Potential for higher costs due to limited bidding.
Performance metrics and long-term impact monitoring details are not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $673,699 to LAND SERVICES COMPANY, LLC. CROATAN MASTICATION PROJECTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAND SERVICES COMPANY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $673,699.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific scope of work for these mastication projects and how does it align with the Forest Service's broader land management goals?

The mastication projects involve mechanical removal of undergrowth and small trees to reduce fuel loads, improve forest health, and mitigate wildfire risk. This directly supports the Forest Service's strategic objectives for ecosystem restoration and hazardous fuels reduction, particularly in areas prone to wildfires. The specific scope would detail acreage, treatment intensity, and desired outcomes for each project site within the Croatan National Forest.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar mastication services, considering the specific environmental conditions in North Carolina?

Without specific per-acre or per-hour cost data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the total contract value of $673,699 over nearly two years suggests a moderate scale. Factors like terrain, vegetation density, and accessibility in North Carolina's coastal plain will influence costs. A thorough benchmark analysis would require detailed cost breakdowns and comparison with regional and national averages for similar forestry services.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness of the mastication work and the long-term ecological impact of these projects?

Effectiveness is typically ensured through detailed performance work statements, regular site inspections by Forest Service personnel, and defined acceptance criteria. Long-term ecological impact monitoring might involve post-treatment assessments of vegetation regrowth, soil health, and wildlife habitat. The contract should specify reporting requirements and performance metrics to track both immediate project success and broader environmental outcomes.

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: 12444124Q0078

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 INDUSTRIAL DR, GEORGETOWN, SC, 29440

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $673,699

Exercised Options: $673,699

Current Obligation: $673,699

Actual Outlays: $494,206

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444123A0038

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline