Forest Service awards $231,760 for reforestation, planting over 46,000 seedlings in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,176 ($23.2K)

Contractor: Absolute Forestry LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-13

Contract Duration: 40 days

Daily Burn Rate: $579/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 LAKE FIRE REFORESTATION PLANT - PLANT APPROXIMATELY 46,352 TREE SEEDLINGS ON 302 ACRES WITHIN THE LAKE FIRE PERIMETER. PLANTING SPOT WILL BE SCALPED TO MINERAL SOIL IN A 3 FOOT BY 3-FOOT SQUARE AND A TREE PLANTED IN THE SCALPED AREA.

Place of Performance

Location: SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91342

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $23,176 to ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC for work described as: FY26 LAKE FIRE REFORESTATION PLANT - PLANT APPROXIMATELY 46,352 TREE SEEDLINGS ON 302 ACRES WITHIN THE LAKE FIRE PERIMETER. PLANTING SPOT WILL BE SCALPED TO MINERAL SOIL IN A 3 FOOT BY 3-FOOT SQUARE AND A TREE PLANTED IN THE SCALPED AREA. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on ecological restoration within the Lake Fire perimeter. 2. Utilizes a specific planting method involving scalping to mineral soil. 3. Awarded to Absolute Forestry LLC, a new entrant in federal contracting. 4. Small contract value suggests a targeted, localized restoration effort. 5. Fixed-price contract type aligns with defined service delivery. 6. Short performance period indicates a focused, seasonal operation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $231,760 for planting 46,352 seedlings over 302 acres appears reasonable for a focused reforestation effort. However, without specific benchmarks for per-seedling planting costs or comparable reforestation projects in similar fire-affected areas, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the relatively small scale of the project limits the potential for significant economies of scale.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for a contract valued under the federal micro-purchase threshold. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of service, which is beneficial for price discovery and ensuring a competitive award.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this reforestation contract likely resulted in a fair market price for the taxpayer, as multiple firms vied for the opportunity to perform the work.

Public Impact

Benefits the ecological health of the Lake Fire burn scar area in California. Delivers critical reforestation services by planting over 46,000 tree seedlings. Geographic impact is concentrated within the specified 302-acre perimeter. Supports local employment in forestry and environmental restoration sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited track record for Absolute Forestry LLC in federal contracting.
Short performance window may pose logistical challenges for timely completion.
Reliance on a single contractor for a specific ecological outcome.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process indicates potential for good performance.
Clear, defined scope of work for seedling planting.
Fixed-price contract provides cost control for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Forestry and Environmental Services sector, a subset of the broader Support Activities for Forestry industry. The market for reforestation services is driven by environmental regulations, post-disaster recovery efforts (like wildfire), and land management objectives. While specific market size data for this niche is not readily available, federal agencies like the Forest Service are significant purchasers of such services to manage vast public lands.

Small Business Impact

This contract was competed under SAP and awarded to Absolute Forestry LLC. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting it may not generate significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless the prime contractor actively seeks them out.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a competed award under SAP, it implies adherence to procurement regulations. The Forest Service's contracting officers are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. There is no specific mention of enhanced oversight mechanisms or an Inspector General investigation related to this particular award.

Related Government Programs

Forestry and Reforestation Services
Wildfire Recovery and Mitigation
Environmental Restoration Contracts
Support Activities for Forestry

Risk Flags

Potential for weather-related delays impacting short performance window.
Contractor's limited federal contracting history.
Ensuring adequate seedling survival rates post-planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $23,176 to ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC. FY26 LAKE FIRE REFORESTATION PLANT - PLANT APPROXIMATELY 46,352 TREE SEEDLINGS ON 302 ACRES WITHIN THE LAKE FIRE PERIMETER. PLANTING SPOT WILL BE SCALPED TO MINERAL SOIL IN A 3 FOOT BY 3-FOOT SQUARE AND A TREE PLANTED IN THE SCALPED AREA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABSOLUTE FORESTRY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23,176.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-13.

What is the typical cost per seedling planted for federal reforestation contracts of this nature?

Determining a precise 'typical' cost per seedling for federal reforestation contracts is complex due to variations in terrain, seedling type, planting methods, labor costs, and regional economic factors. However, industry estimates and past federal contract data suggest that costs can range broadly from $1.50 to $5.00 per seedling, sometimes higher for challenging sites or specialized species. For this contract, the total award of $231,760 for 46,352 seedlings equates to approximately $4.99 per seedling. This figure falls within the higher end of the general range, but could be justified by the specific requirements of scalping to mineral soil and the location within a fire perimeter, which may present more difficult planting conditions.

What is the track record of Absolute Forestry LLC with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Absolute Forestry LLC appears to be a relatively new entrant or has a limited history of federal contracting. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are typically used for smaller dollar value procurements. Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database (like FPDS-NG), it's difficult to ascertain the full extent of their federal contract history. However, the nature of this award suggests it might be one of their initial or smaller federal engagements. Further investigation into their past performance on similar projects, either federal or commercial, would be necessary for a complete assessment.

How does the short performance period (40 days) impact the risk of non-completion?

A short performance period of 40 days for planting over 46,000 seedlings presents a moderate risk of non-completion or delayed completion, primarily due to potential weather disruptions, labor availability, and the logistical demands of the task. Reforestation is often seasonal and weather-dependent. If adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, extreme heat, or early frost) occur during this window, it could significantly impede planting progress. Additionally, securing sufficient skilled labor for such a concentrated period can be challenging. The government's risk is mitigated by the fixed-price contract, which incentivizes the contractor to manage resources effectively to meet the deadline, and by the potential for liquidated damages if the contract is not completed on time.

What are the potential environmental benefits and long-term implications of this reforestation effort?

This reforestation effort is crucial for the ecological recovery of the 302 acres within the Lake Fire perimeter. Planting 46,352 tree seedlings aims to re-establish forest cover, which is vital for preventing soil erosion, improving water quality in local watersheds, and restoring habitat for wildlife. Over the long term, a successfully reforested area will contribute to carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change. It also plays a role in restoring the aesthetic and recreational value of the landscape. The success of this project depends on seedling survival rates, which are influenced by post-planting care and environmental conditions, and the establishment of a resilient, diverse forest ecosystem.

Are there any comparable federal spending benchmarks for similar reforestation projects?

Direct, publicly available benchmarks for specific reforestation projects like this one are scarce, as contract details vary significantly. However, general cost ranges for seedling planting can be inferred from various sources. For instance, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management often engage in large-scale reforestation. Reports and contract awards in similar regions or for similar species might show per-acre or per-seedling costs. Given the $231,760 award for 302 acres, the cost per acre is approximately $767. This figure needs to be considered alongside the specific planting methodology (scalping) and the challenging post-fire environment. Without more granular data on comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high or low benchmark, but it appears to be within a plausible range for intensive site preparation and planting.

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: 127EAT26Q0030

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 WILSON RD, CENTRAL POINT, OR, 97502

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,176

Exercised Options: $23,176

Current Obligation: $23,176

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N24A4196

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline