Forest Service awards $17.4M contract for Davidson River Campground reconstruction to Wright Bros LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,370,210 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Wright Bros LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-07-16

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 380 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GAOA DAVIDSON RIVER CAMPGROUND RECONSTRUCTION

Place of Performance

Location: PISGAH FOREST, TRANSYLVANIA County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28768

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $17.4 million to WRIGHT BROS LLC for work described as: GAOA DAVIDSON RIVER CAMPGROUND RECONSTRUCTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. The project duration is 380 days, indicating a focused and relatively short-term reconstruction effort. 4. The awardee, Wright Bros LLC, is a new entity with no prior federal contract history in this dataset. 5. The North Carolina location of the contractor may have implications for local economic impact. 6. The project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a common sector for federal infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of specific project details and comparable contract data. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns. However, without more information on the scope of work and the specific reconstruction needs, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The award to a new contractor also introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding performance and potential cost efficiencies.

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 a bid. With 8 bidders, the competition level appears healthy, which typically drives more competitive pricing. This process allows the agency to select the best value offer based on technical and price factors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better quality services through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are users of the Davidson River Campground, who will experience improved facilities. The contract will deliver reconstruction services for a public campground, enhancing recreational infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to the Davidson River area, likely within North Carolina. The project will likely create temporary employment opportunities for construction workers in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of prior federal contract performance data for Wright Bros LLC introduces performance risk.
The specific scope of reconstruction is not detailed, making it difficult to assess potential cost escalations.
Reliance on a single contractor for the entire reconstruction project concentrates risk.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project duration is defined, suggesting a clear timeline for completion.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building and renovation of non-residential structures. Federal spending in this sector often supports infrastructure development, facility upgrades, and maintenance across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific scale and nature of the reconstruction, but federal agencies regularly award contracts for similar construction projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This means that opportunities for small businesses may be limited to direct subcontracting by the prime contractor, Wright Bros LLC, if they choose to engage them. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Wright Bros LLC actively partners with small subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Forest Service contracting officer and potentially contracting officer's representatives (CORs). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency would be enhanced through public contract databases, but detailed project oversight mechanisms are internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Infrastructure Projects
Recreational Facility Construction and Maintenance
Federal Construction Contracts
Department of Agriculture Capital Improvement Projects

Risk Flags

New Contractor Performance Risk
Scope Definition Uncertainty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $17.4 million to WRIGHT BROS LLC. GAOA DAVIDSON RIVER CAMPGROUND RECONSTRUCTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WRIGHT BROS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-16. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Wright Bros LLC in performing federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Wright Bros LLC has no prior federal contract history within this dataset. This means there is no established performance record to evaluate regarding their ability to meet federal requirements, manage budgets, or adhere to timelines. Agencies typically conduct due diligence on new contractors, but the absence of past performance can represent a risk factor. Future performance will be crucial in establishing their credibility within the federal contracting landscape.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar campground reconstruction projects?

Direct comparison of the $17.4 million award for the Davidson River Campground reconstruction to similar projects is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work, the size of the campground, and the extent of the reconstruction. Federal campground projects can vary significantly in cost based on location, required amenities, environmental considerations, and the age/condition of existing infrastructure. The number of bidders (8) suggests a competitive process, which generally helps in achieving a reasonable price, but without a detailed scope, a precise value benchmark is not feasible.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract include the lack of past performance from the awardee, Wright Bros LLC, which introduces uncertainty regarding project execution and adherence to schedule and budget. Additionally, the firm-fixed-price contract, while offering cost certainty, can lead to contractor claims or reduced quality if the scope of work is not perfectly defined or if unforeseen conditions arise during reconstruction. The specific nature of reconstruction in a natural environment may also present unique challenges not fully captured in the initial scope.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type for this type of project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for projects where the scope of work is well-defined and risks are understood, such as reconstruction. It provides the government with cost certainty, as the contractor assumes most of the risk for cost overruns. For the Davidson River Campground reconstruction, an FFP contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently. However, if unforeseen issues arise that significantly deviate from the original scope, it could lead to disputes or a need for contract modifications, potentially impacting the overall value.

What is the historical spending pattern for campground reconstruction by the Forest Service?

Historical spending patterns for campground reconstruction by the Forest Service are not detailed in the provided data. However, the Forest Service, as part of the Department of Agriculture, manages a vast network of recreational facilities across National Forests. Spending on infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, including campground reconstruction, is a recurring necessity driven by aging facilities, increased visitor use, and environmental factors. The frequency and scale of such projects can fluctuate based on budget allocations, agency priorities, and the condition of existing infrastructure nationwide.

What does the number of bidders indicate about the market for this type of construction service?

The fact that 8 bids were received for this contract suggests a reasonably competitive market for commercial and institutional building construction services relevant to campground reconstruction. A higher number of bidders generally indicates that multiple firms are capable of and interested in performing such work, which can lead to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. This level of competition is positive for the government and taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of obtaining a fair price and high-quality service.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 12445225R0005

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1840 E THREE NOTCH ST BLDG 1, ANDALUSIA, AL, 36421

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,370,210

Exercised Options: $17,370,210

Current Obligation: $17,370,210

Actual Outlays: $6,690,137

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline