Forest Service awards $56.5K contract for reforestation, with 7 bidders competing for the work

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,516 ($56.5K)

Contractor: Silhouette Farm & Forestry, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-06-02

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $942/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 LAKE FIRE SAWMILL LIEBRE REFORESTATION RELEASE - HAND RELEASE CONSISTING OF GRUBBING A 5-FOOT AREA DOWN TO MINERAL EACH PLANTED AND NATURAL SEEDLING, CROWN RELEASE OF SAID SEEDLINGS AND OAK SPROUT THINNING WITHIN SELECTED UNITS. TOTAL ACREAGE T

Place of Performance

Location: SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91342

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $56,516 to SILHOUETTE FARM & FORESTRY, LLC for work described as: FY26 LAKE FIRE SAWMILL LIEBRE REFORESTATION RELEASE - HAND RELEASE CONSISTING OF GRUBBING A 5-FOOT AREA DOWN TO MINERAL EACH PLANTED AND NATURAL SEEDLING, CROWN RELEASE OF SAID SEEDLINGS AND OAK SPROUT THINNING WITHIN SELECTED UNITS. TOTAL ACREAGE T Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical reforestation efforts, including grubbing and seedling release, contributing to forest health and resilience. 2. Competition was robust with 7 bidders, suggesting a healthy market for these specialized forestry services. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 4. This award is part of broader efforts to manage and restore national forest lands. 5. The contractor, Silhouette Farm & Forestry, LLC, is positioned to deliver these services in California.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

While specific cost benchmarks for this niche service are not readily available, the competitive nature of the award suggests a fair market price was achieved. The contract value is relatively small, indicating a focused scope of work. Further analysis would require benchmarking against similar small-scale reforestation projects in the region.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (System for Award Management), and attracted 7 bidders. This indicates a broad outreach and a competitive environment for this type of forestry support service. The number of bidders suggests that the market is sufficiently developed to support multiple providers, which generally leads to better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with multiple bidders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, securing the best possible value for the reforestation services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the national forests in California, which will see improved health and reduced wildfire risk through reforestation. Services include manual labor for grubbing, seedling release, and oak sprout thinning, directly contributing to ecological restoration. The geographic impact is localized to the specific units within the Lake Fire area in California. This contract supports a specialized segment of the forestry workforce, likely involving skilled laborers and technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen ecological challenges arise during the short contract duration.
Dependence on favorable weather conditions for effective manual labor execution.

Positive Signals

Clear definition of services (grubbing, release, thinning) minimizes ambiguity.
Short duration (60 days) allows for focused execution and timely completion.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Support Activities for Forestry sector, a critical component of natural resource management. The market for such services is often localized and dependent on specific land management needs, such as post-fire recovery or habitat restoration. While precise market size data for this niche is scarce, it is intrinsically linked to the overall federal and state spending on land management and conservation, which amounts to billions annually.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside for this contract. However, the presence of Silhouette Farm & Forestry, LLC, a potentially small business, as the awardee suggests that small businesses are active participants in this contracting space. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist or if this contract contributes to broader small business utilization goals.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Forest Service, an agency within the Department of Agriculture, which has established oversight mechanisms for its contracts. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the overall agency's audit plan.

Related Government Programs

Forest Management Contracts
Reforestation and Habitat Restoration
Wildfire Recovery Projects
Support Activities for Forestry

Risk Flags

Environmental dependency risk
Contractor performance risk
Scope definition clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $56,516 to SILHOUETTE FARM & FORESTRY, LLC. FY26 LAKE FIRE SAWMILL LIEBRE REFORESTATION RELEASE - HAND RELEASE CONSISTING OF GRUBBING A 5-FOOT AREA DOWN TO MINERAL EACH PLANTED AND NATURAL SEEDLING, CROWN RELEASE OF SAID SEEDLINGS AND OAK SPROUT THINNING WITHIN SELECTED UNITS. TOTAL ACREAGE T

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SILHOUETTE FARM & FORESTRY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56,516.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-06-02.

What is the track record of Silhouette Farm & Forestry, LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Forest Service?

Information regarding the specific track record of Silhouette Farm & Forestry, LLC with federal contracts, especially with the Forest Service, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov and FPDS for past awards, performance reviews, and any documented issues. Understanding their past performance on similar reforestation or forestry support contracts would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability in executing this current award. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their experience level and potential risks associated with their performance.

How does the awarded price compare to similar reforestation contracts in California?

Benchmarking the awarded price of $56,516 for this specific reforestation task against similar contracts in California requires access to a broader dataset of forestry service procurements. Factors such as acreage, type of work (grubbing, thinning, seedling release), labor intensity, and specific ecological conditions significantly influence pricing. Given the limited scope and duration (60 days), this contract appears to be for a focused, smaller-scale effort. A detailed comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with comparable service descriptions, geographic locations, and contract values within the same or adjacent fiscal years to determine if the price is competitive and reflects fair market value.

What are the primary risks associated with the execution of this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include environmental factors such as unfavorable weather conditions (e.g., drought, excessive rain) that could impede manual labor and affect seedling survival rates. There's also a risk of encountering unforeseen ecological challenges within the designated units that might require adjustments to the scope of work, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed properly, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Contractor performance risk, related to the quality of work and adherence to specifications, is another consideration, though mitigated by the competitive bidding process. Finally, the short duration of the contract presents a risk of schedule slippage if any delays occur.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services delivered under this contract for forest health?

The services outlined – grubbing a 5-foot area, releasing existing seedlings (both planted and natural), and thinning oak sprouts – are designed to directly enhance forest health and promote successful reforestation. Grubbing down to mineral soil prepares the ground for new growth and reduces competition. Releasing seedlings ensures they have adequate space, light, and nutrients to thrive, increasing their survival and growth rates. Oak sprout thinning helps manage species composition and prevent overcrowding. When executed effectively, these actions are crucial for restoring ecosystems, improving biodiversity, and increasing the resilience of forests to threats like wildfire and disease.

How does this contract's value compare to the Forest Service's overall spending on reforestation and similar activities?

The awarded value of $56,516 for this specific reforestation contract is relatively small when compared to the Forest Service's overall budget and spending on land management activities. The Forest Service manages over 193 million acres of national forest land and allocates substantial funds annually towards reforestation, timber management, and ecological restoration. While this contract addresses a specific need within the Lake Fire area, it represents a fraction of the agency's broader investment in maintaining and improving forest ecosystems across the country. Annual spending on forestry and related conservation efforts by federal agencies often runs into the billions of dollars.

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

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3672 S PACIFIC HWY, MEDFORD, OR, 97501

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $237,232

Exercised Options: $56,516

Current Obligation: $56,516

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N24A4026

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline