Forestry services contract awarded to FCO Foresters Inc. for $261,631.94 to support timber sales in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $261,632 ($261.6K)

Contractor: FCO Foresters Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-10-06

End Date: 2026-10-26

Contract Duration: 385 days

Daily Burn Rate: $680/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ACQUIRE FORESTRY SERVICES FOR WORK PREFORMING LAYOUT, BOUNDARIES, AREA DETERMINATION, MARK AND CRUISE, AND MARKING PAINT FOR VISTA TIMBER SALE.

Place of Performance

Location: REDDING, SHASTA County, CALIFORNIA, 96002

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $261,631.94 to FCO FORESTERS INC for work described as: ACQUIRE FORESTRY SERVICES FOR WORK PREFORMING LAYOUT, BOUNDARIES, AREA DETERMINATION, MARK AND CRUISE, AND MARKING PAINT FOR VISTA TIMBER SALE. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential forestry tasks including boundary layout, area determination, and timber marking. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests a clear scope and budget, potentially mitigating cost overrun risks. 3. The award was made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The contract duration of 385 days is relatively short, suggesting a project-specific need rather than long-term support. 5. The geographic focus on California highlights the importance of these services for regional timber management. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates this was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $261,632 for forestry services appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes layout, boundary determination, and marking for timber sales. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale forestry support contracts suggests this price falls within expected ranges for specialized services. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined and executed efficiently by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the federal micro-purchase threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive offers within the streamlined process, aiming for fair market pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive process, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure that the government receives competitive pricing and avoids overpaying for necessary forestry services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Forest Service and potentially the timber industry in California, through the efficient management of timber sales. Services delivered include critical pre-sale activities such as laying out timber sale boundaries, determining areas, and marking trees for harvest. The geographic impact is concentrated in California, supporting the management of national forest lands within the state. Workforce implications may include employment for skilled foresters and technicians employed by FCO Foresters Inc. and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial timber sale areas require adjustments.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for accurate boundary and area determination, impacting future sale success.
Weather or environmental conditions in California could impact the timely execution of field-based forestry tasks.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures aim for efficient and competitive procurement.
Contract duration is aligned with typical project timelines for timber sale preparation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Activities for Forestry' sector, which encompasses a range of services essential for managing forest resources. The market for these services is driven by federal and state land management agencies, as well as private timber companies. Spending in this sector is often project-based, tied to specific timber sales, forest health initiatives, or land surveys. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar forestry support services awarded by the Forest Service or other land management agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the specific competition level under SAP is not detailed, the absence of a set-aside means that larger businesses could also compete. This contract does not appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated within its structure, though the prime contractor may voluntarily engage small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Forest Service contracting officer and project managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Forest Management Services
Timber Sale Preparation
Forestry Consulting
Land Surveying Services
Environmental Services for Land Management

Risk Flags

Potential for inaccurate timber sale boundary determination.
Risk of project delays due to environmental or weather conditions.
Contractor performance quality is critical for sale success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $261,631.94 to FCO FORESTERS INC. ACQUIRE FORESTRY SERVICES FOR WORK PREFORMING LAYOUT, BOUNDARIES, AREA DETERMINATION, MARK AND CRUISE, AND MARKING PAINT FOR VISTA TIMBER SALE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FCO FORESTERS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $261,631.94.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-06. End: 2026-10-26.

What is the track record of FCO Foresters Inc. in performing similar forestry services for the federal government?

FCO Foresters Inc. has been awarded this contract for forestry services, indicating they possess the necessary qualifications and capabilities. To assess their track record further, one would examine their past performance on similar federal contracts, looking at factors such as on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget. Information on past performance can often be found in federal procurement databases or through agency performance evaluations. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services previously rendered, the agencies they've served, and the overall value of those contracts, providing a clearer picture of their experience and reliability in executing tasks like boundary layout, area determination, and timber marking.

How does the awarded value of $261,631.94 compare to similar forestry support contracts awarded by the Forest Service?

The awarded value of approximately $261,632 for forestry services appears to be within a moderate range for specialized support activities related to timber sales. When compared to other contracts for similar services, such as timber cruising, boundary marking, and area determination, this value suggests a project of substantial scope but not exceptionally large. For instance, smaller, more localized tasks might range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars, while large-scale, multi-year forest management programs could run into millions. This contract's value is consistent with a defined project requiring specialized expertise for a specific set of timber sales within a particular region like California.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential inaccuracies in boundary determination or area calculations, which could impact the success of timber sales and revenue generation. Environmental factors, such as weather or difficult terrain in California, could also delay project completion. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure: the firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently and accurately to avoid cost overruns. The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures implies a well-defined scope, and the Forest Service will likely have oversight mechanisms to monitor progress and quality. The contractor's expertise and reputation, presumably vetted during the procurement process, also serve as a risk mitigation factor.

How effective is the Forest Service in utilizing contracts like this to achieve its timber management and revenue goals?

Contracts like this are crucial for the Forest Service to effectively manage timber resources and generate revenue from timber sales. By outsourcing specific technical tasks such as layout, boundary determination, and marking, the agency can leverage specialized expertise and maintain operational flexibility. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of services provided by contractors like FCO Foresters Inc. and the agency's oversight. When executed well, these contracts ensure that timber sales are accurately defined, legally sound, and efficiently prepared, leading to successful harvests and contributing to forest health objectives and agency budgets. The Forest Service's ability to procure these services competitively and at fair prices, as indicated by the SAP award, further enhances their effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Forestry' by the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Forestry' by the Department of Agriculture, particularly the Forest Service, typically show consistent investment in services essential for land management and timber programs. Annual expenditures can fluctuate based on congressional appropriations, agency priorities, and the number and scale of timber sales planned. The Forest Service often relies on a mix of in-house capabilities and contracted services for tasks like timber cruising, reforestation, fire management support, and sale preparation. Analyzing historical data reveals trends in the utilization of contract vehicles, the average value of forestry support contracts, and the prevalence of specific service types, providing context for current spending levels and procurement strategies.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 415 COLFAX AVE, GRASS VALLEY, CA, 95945

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $261,632

Exercised Options: $261,632

Current Obligation: $261,632

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 127EAS23D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline