Forest Service Awards $218K for 2026 Black Hills & Nebraska Tree Planting to OC Forestry

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $218,253 ($218.3K)

Contractor: OC Forestry, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-16

Contract Duration: 43 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2026 SPRING TREE PLANTING ON THE BLACK HILLS NF AND NEBRASKA NF.

Place of Performance

Location: CHADRON, DAWES County, NEBRASKA, 69337

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $218,253.3 to OC FORESTRY, INCORPORATED for work described as: 2026 SPRING TREE PLANTING ON THE BLACK HILLS NF AND NEBRASKA NF. Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated on a single vendor, OC Forestry, Inc. 2. The contract is for a short duration (43 days) focused on specific planting activities. 3. Competition was conducted under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 4. The sector is Forestry, a niche area within the broader Department of Agriculture.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $218,253.30 for 43 days of work seems reasonable for specialized forestry services. Benchmarking against similar tree planting contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a process for smaller dollar value procurements. While competed, the limited scope and specific nature of the work may have restricted the number of potential bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential forest management and restoration activities, which have long-term environmental benefits.

Public Impact

Supports ecological restoration and forest health in national forests. Provides seasonal employment opportunities in the region. Contributes to the long-term sustainability of forest resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to SAP procedures.
Potential for price creep if vendor has unique capabilities.

Positive Signals

Supports critical environmental restoration.
Short-term, focused contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Forestry sector, specifically supporting land management and restoration efforts. Spending benchmarks for similar ecological services can vary widely based on location, scale, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under SAP, which has less stringent oversight requirements than larger procurements. The Forest Service should ensure proper documentation and justification for the competition method used.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential vendor lock-in
Lack of small business participation noted
Reliance on SAP procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $218,253.3 to OC FORESTRY, INCORPORATED. 2026 SPRING TREE PLANTING ON THE BLACK HILLS NF AND NEBRASKA NF.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OC FORESTRY, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $218,253.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-16.

What is the typical cost per acre or per tree for similar planting projects in this region?

Determining the typical cost per acre or per tree for similar planting projects in the Black Hills and Nebraska National Forests requires access to historical data and regional cost indices. Factors like terrain, tree species, planting density, and labor costs significantly influence these figures. Without specific benchmarks, it's difficult to definitively assess the value for money in this $218,253.30 contract.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for this type of specialized forestry service?

Relying on a single vendor, OC Forestry, Inc., for specialized forestry services like tree planting carries risks. These include potential price escalation in future contracts due to a lack of ongoing competition, reduced incentive for the vendor to innovate or improve efficiency, and vulnerability to disruptions if the vendor faces operational issues. Ensuring strong contract management and performance monitoring is crucial.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the Forest Service's broader reforestation and land management goals?

This contract directly contributes to the Forest Service's reforestation and land management goals by funding essential tree planting activities. The specific acreage or number of trees planted will determine the scale of its contribution. Effective execution by OC Forestry, Inc., ensuring proper planting techniques and survival rates, will maximize the ecological benefits and long-term success of this investment.

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: 1284LL26Q0023

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: OC Forestry Incorporated

Address: 1702 W MAIN ST, MEDFORD, OR, 97501

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $218,253

Exercised Options: $218,253

Current Obligation: $218,253

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12363N25A4087

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline