Agriculture awards $172K contract for disaster response personnel services to Terrestris, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $172,248 ($172.2K)

Contractor: Terrestris, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $957/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PERSONNEL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM SUPPORT ON TROPICAL STORM HELENE DISASTER RESPONSE CONTRACTS ATTN: KEITH FRIOT

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28802

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $172,247.92 to TERRESTRIS, LLC for work described as: PERSONNEL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM SUPPORT ON TROPICAL STORM HELENE DISASTER RESPONSE CONTRACTS ATTN: KEITH FRIOT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential personnel support for disaster response operations. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is firm-fixed-price, which helps manage cost certainty. 4. Performance period is relatively short, indicating a specific, time-bound need. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to custom computer programming services, though the description emphasizes personnel support. 6. The award value is modest, suggesting a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $172,247.92 for approximately six months of personnel services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of disaster response support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for project and program support in emergency management or federal IT services would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure offers cost predictability for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a process that aims to secure the best value through a wide range of potential providers, rather than being limited to a select few.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and potentially communities impacted by tropical storms. The contract delivers crucial project and program support personnel for disaster response efforts. The geographic impact is likely focused on areas affected by tropical storms, particularly in North Carolina where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include the provision of specialized personnel to augment the agency's capacity during critical response periods.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the disaster response needs exceed initial projections.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The NAICS code 'Custom Computer Programming Services' may not fully align with the described 'project and program support' function, raising questions about the precise nature of services.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive award.
Contract is for a defined period, aligning with immediate disaster response needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to administrative and support services for government operations. The market for disaster response support is dynamic, often involving specialized firms capable of rapid deployment and management of complex logistical and programmatic needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts supporting FEMA, other disaster relief agencies, or specific agency-led recovery efforts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Terrestris, LLC's size status is not provided, but the lack of set-aside suggests it may not be a small business or that the requirement was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, though detailed performance reports are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Relief Funding
Emergency Management Support Services
Federal Personnel Support Contracts
Forest Service Operations

Risk Flags

Potential NAICS code mismatch with service description.
Limited information on contractor's past performance in disaster response.
Lack of specific details on competition level (number of bidders).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $172,247.92 to TERRESTRIS, LLC. PERSONNEL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM SUPPORT ON TROPICAL STORM HELENE DISASTER RESPONSE CONTRACTS ATTN: KEITH FRIOT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TERRESTRIS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $172,247.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'project and program support' services being provided under this contract, and how does it relate to the NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services)?

The contract description emphasizes 'PERSONNEL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM SUPPORT ON TROPICAL STORM HELENE DISASTER RESPONSE CONTRACTS.' While the NAICS code is 541511, which typically denotes custom computer programming, the description suggests a broader role involving project management, coordination, and administrative support for disaster response efforts. It's possible that the personnel assigned possess IT skills relevant to disaster response systems, or that the support includes IT-related project management. However, without further clarification, there appears to be a potential mismatch between the stated NAICS code and the primary description of services, which warrants further investigation into the exact deliverables and personnel qualifications.

How does the $172,247.92 award value compare to similar disaster response personnel support contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this specific contract requires access to a broader dataset of similar procurements. However, for a period of approximately six months (April 3, 2026, to September 30, 2026), $172,247.92 for specialized personnel support in disaster response appears to be within a reasonable range for a focused task. Contracts for broader disaster recovery or longer-term program management can run into millions of dollars. This award suggests a specific, limited need for project and program support personnel related to Tropical Storm Helene response, rather than a large-scale, long-term engagement. A more precise comparison would involve analyzing contracts with similar durations, service scopes (e.g., project management, administrative support, technical assistance), and agency contexts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Terrestris, LLC's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract. Typically, for personnel services contracts, performance is evaluated based on factors such as timeliness of support, quality of work, adherence to project timelines, effective communication, and responsiveness to agency needs during the disaster response period. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that the contractor is expected to deliver the agreed-upon services within the specified budget. The contracting officer's representative (COR) or designated government official would be responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's statement of work and potentially against specific, unstated KPIs.

What is Terrestris, LLC's track record with federal disaster response contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture?

Information regarding Terrestris, LLC's specific track record with federal disaster response contracts, especially with the Department of Agriculture, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and other contract history databases. Federal agencies typically consider past performance as a significant factor in award decisions, particularly for time-sensitive and critical support roles like disaster response. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their experience and reliability in similar high-pressure situations.

Given the firm-fixed-price contract type, what is the potential risk of cost overruns or the need for contract modifications?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is designed to shift cost risk to the contractor, providing the government with price certainty. For this contract, the risk of cost overruns for Terrestris, LLC is significant if their internal costs exceed their bid price. For the government, the primary risk related to FFP contracts often lies in potential scope creep or unforeseen circumstances that necessitate contract modifications (e.g., change orders). If the disaster response needs evolve beyond the initial scope, the agency might need to issue modifications, potentially increasing the total contract value. However, the relatively short duration and specific focus on Tropical Storm Helene response may limit the likelihood of extensive modifications, assuming the initial scope was well-defined.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 306 COMMERCE ST, OCCOQUAN, VA, 22125

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $172,248

Exercised Options: $172,248

Current Obligation: $172,248

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444725A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline