Forest Service Awards $26,857 for 80 Miles of Kootenai National Forest Road Reconditioning

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,857 ($26.9K)

Contractor: THE Mountain View Company LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-08-30

End Date: 2025-08-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $74/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CONTRACT CONSISTS OF ROUGHLY 80 MILES OF ROADWAY RECONDITIONING ON THE REXFORD/FORTINE RANGER DISTRICT IN THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST. ROADS WITH AN AGGREGATE SURFACING ON FILE SHALL BE WORKED WITH A GRADER, THEN COMPACTED WITH A VIBRATORY STEEL

Place of Performance

Location: EUREKA, LINCOLN County, MONTANA, 59917

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $26,857.17 to THE MOUNTAIN VIEW COMPANY LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACT CONSISTS OF ROUGHLY 80 MILES OF ROADWAY RECONDITIONING ON THE REXFORD/FORTINE RANGER DISTRICT IN THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST. ROADS WITH AN AGGREGATE SURFACING ON FILE SHALL BE WORKED WITH A GRADER, THEN COMPACTED WITH A VIBRATORY STEEL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential roadway reconditioning within a specific ranger district. 2. The Mountain View Company LLC secured this award. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a streamlined process. 4. The contract duration is one year, aligning with the project scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $26,857 for 80 miles of road reconditioning appears low for extensive work. Pricing may be acceptable if the scope is limited to basic grading and compaction, but could be concerning if deeper repairs are needed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition pool. While this can expedite the process for smaller dollar amounts, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure maintenance in a national forest, which is a standard and necessary expenditure.

Public Impact

Improved access for recreational users and forest management activities. Potential for reduced erosion and environmental impact on the forest floor. Supports local economic activity through contract work.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Scope of work may be basic for the mileage

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs
Clear project objective and location

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Support Activities for Forestry' and relates to infrastructure maintenance within federal lands. Spending benchmarks for similar road reconditioning projects can vary widely based on terrain, scope, and material requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Mountain View Company LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this is a small business and if opportunities were adequately presented to the small business community.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was a Purchase Order, which is a common method for smaller procurements. Oversight would involve ensuring the work is completed to standard within the specified timeframe.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for underpricing if scope is underestimated
Limited visibility into specific reconditioning tasks
SAP competition may not be maximally cost-effective
Lack of detail on environmental mitigation during work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $26,857.17 to THE MOUNTAIN VIEW COMPANY LLC. THE CONTRACT CONSISTS OF ROUGHLY 80 MILES OF ROADWAY RECONDITIONING ON THE REXFORD/FORTINE RANGER DISTRICT IN THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST. ROADS WITH AN AGGREGATE SURFACING ON FILE SHALL BE WORKED WITH A GRADER, THEN COMPACTED WITH A VIBRATORY STEEL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MOUNTAIN VIEW COMPANY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26,857.17.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-30. End: 2025-08-29.

What is the specific scope of 'reconditioning' for these 80 miles of roadway?

The scope appears to be focused on grading and compacting existing aggregate surfacing. It does not explicitly mention significant repairs like base course replacement, culvert work, or paving. This suggests a maintenance-level effort rather than a full reconstruction.

What is the risk of inadequate competition impacting the final price?

The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) inherently limits the number of potential bidders compared to full and open competition. While SAP is designed for efficiency in smaller procurements, there's a moderate risk that a more competitive bidding environment could have yielded a lower price for the government.

How effectively will this contract address long-term road stability and safety?

The contract addresses immediate surface issues through grading and compaction, which can improve usability and reduce minor erosion. However, it likely does not address underlying structural deficiencies. Long-term effectiveness depends on the initial condition of the roads and whether this is part of a larger, ongoing maintenance strategy.

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: 1284LL24Q0070

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 179 COLVILLE LN STE B, PONDERAY, ID, 83852

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: $26,857

Exercised Options: $26,857

Current Obligation: $26,857

Actual Outlays: $26,857

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline