Agriculture Department awards $430K for hurricane-impacted property research in four Southern cities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,000 ($43.0K)

Contractor: Heirshares, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2028-04-14

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $59/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INFORMAL PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION. THIS CONTRACT WILL EXAMINE INFORMAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN FOUR CITIES AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES IMPACTED BY HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON IN FALL 2024. ASHEVILLE, NC; TAMPA, FL; GREENVILLE, SC, AND ATLANTA, GA.

Place of Performance

Location: ATHENS, CLARKE County, GEORGIA, 30602

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $43,000 to HEIRSHARES, LLC for work described as: INFORMAL PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION. THIS CONTRACT WILL EXAMINE INFORMAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN FOUR CITIES AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES IMPACTED BY HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON IN FALL 2024. ASHEVILLE, NC; TAMPA, FL; GREENVILLE, SC, AND ATLANTA, GA. Key points: 1. Focus on informal property ownership in hurricane-affected areas offers critical insights for disaster recovery. 2. Research scope includes four distinct urban and surrounding county areas, ensuring broad applicability. 3. Contract duration of two years allows for comprehensive data collection and analysis. 4. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 5. Small business participation is not explicitly detailed, warranting further investigation. 6. The contractor, Heirshares, LLC, will be assessed for relevant experience in property research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $430,000 for a two-year research project appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar studies on property ownership and disaster impact is difficult without more specific details on deliverables. However, the cost per year is approximately $215,000, which seems within a typical range for specialized research services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process for acquisitions below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP suggests that multiple offers were likely solicited and considered. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for a range of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP generally leads to better price discovery and value for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards, though the level of competition may be less intense than for larger, full-and-open procurements.

Public Impact

Residents and property owners in hurricane-impacted areas of Asheville, NC; Tampa, FL; Greenville, SC; and Atlanta, GA, will benefit from a clearer understanding of property ownership. The research will deliver insights into informal property ownership, crucial for effective disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts. Geographic impact is concentrated in four specific Southern cities and their surrounding counties. The project may indirectly impact local government planning and land management agencies by providing data to inform policy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed information on the specific methodology for examining informal property ownership.
Potential for findings to be too narrowly focused on the four selected cities without broader applicability.
Uncertainty regarding the contractor's prior experience with similar large-scale disaster impact property research.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical need for information in areas affected by recent hurricanes.
The research is designed to inform future disaster preparedness and recovery strategies.
The fixed-price nature of the award provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on research and consulting related to property and land use. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing academic institutions, private research firms, and specialized consulting groups. The Forest Service's need for this specific research highlights the intersection of environmental concerns, disaster management, and property law.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract was competed under SAP, which can include small business set-asides. However, it is not explicitly stated if this was a small business set-aside or if small businesses were among the bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and potential subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and program managers. Transparency is expected through the publication of contract awards and potentially through public release of research findings. Accountability will be tied to the contractor's adherence to the contract terms and delivery of research outcomes.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Recovery Programs
Land Use Planning
Property Law Research
Hurricane Preparedness Initiatives
Federal Property Management

Risk Flags

Potential for data access challenges in informal property ownership contexts.
Scope may be limited to specific geographic areas, potentially reducing broader applicability.
Contractor's specific experience in disaster impact property research requires verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $43,000 to HEIRSHARES, LLC. INFORMAL PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION. THIS CONTRACT WILL EXAMINE INFORMAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN FOUR CITIES AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES IMPACTED BY HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON IN FALL 2024. ASHEVILLE, NC; TAMPA, FL; GREENVILLE, SC, AND ATLANTA, GA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEIRSHARES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2028-04-14.

What is the track record of Heirshares, LLC in conducting similar property research, particularly in disaster-affected regions?

Information regarding Heirshares, LLC's specific track record in conducting property research, especially within disaster-affected regions, is not readily available in the provided data. A thorough review of past performance, client references, and previous government contracts would be necessary to assess their capabilities and suitability for this project. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their experience level and past success in similar endeavors. Further investigation into their portfolio and any publicly available performance reviews is recommended.

How does the $430,000 contract value compare to similar research projects on informal property ownership or disaster impact analysis?

Benchmarking the $430,000 contract value requires comparison with similar studies. Projects focusing on informal property ownership, land tenure, or the socio-economic impacts of natural disasters often vary significantly in cost based on geographic scope, research methodology, duration, and the specific deliverables required. A two-year study covering four distinct metropolitan areas and their surrounding counties suggests a substantial undertaking. Without access to detailed scopes of work for comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the allocated amount appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized, multi-location research of this nature.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks include potential delays in data collection due to unforeseen circumstances in the hurricane-impacted areas, challenges in accessing accurate information on informal property ownership, and the possibility that the research findings may not be as broadly applicable as anticipated. Mitigation strategies could involve building flexibility into the research timeline, establishing strong relationships with local authorities and community stakeholders for data access, and employing robust data validation techniques. The contract's fixed-price nature also presents a risk if unforeseen complexities arise, potentially impacting the contractor's profitability or the depth of the research.

How effective is the Forest Service's approach to studying informal property ownership in disaster zones through this contract?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service's approach hinges on the quality of the research conducted by Heirshares, LLC and the subsequent application of its findings. By focusing on informal property ownership, the contract addresses a critical gap in understanding land tenure dynamics that often complicate disaster recovery efforts. The selection of areas impacted by recent hurricanes (Helene and Milton) suggests a timely and relevant focus. The ultimate effectiveness will be measured by the clarity and actionability of the research outcomes for informing policy and improving future disaster response and rebuilding processes.

What are the historical spending patterns of the Forest Service or the Department of Agriculture on similar research initiatives?

Historical spending patterns for similar research initiatives by the Forest Service or the Department of Agriculture are not detailed in the provided data. However, agencies like the Forest Service frequently engage in research related to land management, environmental impact, and community resilience, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters. Such studies can range from small, localized assessments to large, multi-year projects. Understanding past investments in comparable research would provide valuable context for evaluating the current $430,000 award and its alignment with agency priorities and budget allocations for research and development.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › Title Abstract and Settlement Offices

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12444726Q0002

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 S DUKE ST UNIT 46, DURHAM, NC, 27701

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,000

Exercised Options: $43,000

Current Obligation: $43,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline