Agriculture Dept. Awards $1.15M for Containerized Pine Seedlings to Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $115,475 ($115.5K)
Contractor: PRT USA Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $317/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TASK ORDER TO GROW AND DELIVER CONTAINERIZED PINE SEEDLINGS TO TWO DISTRICTS ON THE FRANCIS MARION AND SUMTER NATIONAL FORESTS FOR PLANTING IN FY27.
Place of Performance
Location: WHITMIRE, NEWBERRY County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29178
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $115,475 to PRT USA INC for work described as: TASK ORDER TO GROW AND DELIVER CONTAINERIZED PINE SEEDLINGS TO TWO DISTRICTS ON THE FRANCIS MARION AND SUMTER NATIONAL FORESTS FOR PLANTING IN FY27. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on delivering containerized pine seedlings for reforestation efforts. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 4. This spending supports ecological restoration and forest management within the USDA Forest Service.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.15M for 364 days of service appears reasonable for specialized forestry supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for seedling procurement would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated but specific sources were initially excluded. This method aims for best value while potentially streamlining the process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential forest restoration, contributing to long-term environmental benefits and potentially future timber resources.
Public Impact
Supports critical reforestation efforts in South Carolina's national forests. Aims to enhance forest health and biodiversity through the planting of native pine species. Contributes to the long-term sustainability of forest ecosystems and natural resources.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for delivery delays impacting planting schedules.
- Seedling quality and survival rates are critical performance metrics.
- Weather dependency for planting success.
Positive Signals
- Supports environmental stewardship and conservation goals.
- Utilizes a firm fixed-price contract to control costs.
- Procurement method aimed for competitive pricing.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the forestry and natural resource management sector. Spending benchmarks for seedling procurement can vary significantly based on species, quantity, and geographic location.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Forest Service is responsible for overseeing this task order to ensure timely delivery and quality of seedlings. Accountability rests on meeting the contract's performance requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Forest Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Dependency on weather for successful planting.
- Potential for seedling disease or pest issues.
- Logistical challenges in delivery to remote forest locations.
- Ensuring long-term survival and growth of seedlings.
Tags
forest-nurseries-and-gathering-of-forest, department-of-agriculture, sc, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $115,475 to PRT USA INC. TASK ORDER TO GROW AND DELIVER CONTAINERIZED PINE SEEDLINGS TO TWO DISTRICTS ON THE FRANCIS MARION AND SUMTER NATIONAL FORESTS FOR PLANTING IN FY27.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRT USA INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $115,475.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What is the projected survival rate of the delivered seedlings and how is this monitored?
The contract likely specifies quality standards for the seedlings, including viability and health. Monitoring survival rates would typically involve post-planting assessments by the Forest Service, potentially over several growing seasons, to ensure the investment in reforestation is effective and meets ecological objectives.
What are the specific risks associated with excluding certain sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?
Excluding sources, even if later justified, can raise concerns about fairness and potentially limit the pool of qualified bidders, possibly impacting price competition. The justification for exclusion must be robust to ensure the government received the best value and that the process was equitable.
How does the cost per seedling compare to industry averages for similar containerized pine seedlings?
Without specific per-unit pricing or detailed cost breakdowns, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the overall contract value and duration suggest a significant quantity of seedlings. Benchmarking against publicly available nursery price lists or similar government contracts would be necessary for a precise cost assessment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 31783 S MERIDIAN RD, HUBBARD, OR, 97032
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $115,475
Exercised Options: $115,475
Current Obligation: $115,475
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 12444024D0007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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