Forest Service Awards $66.6K Tree Planting Contract to Gonzalez Forestry Inc. in Idaho

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,622 ($66.6K)

Contractor: Gonzalez Forestry Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-05-18

End Date: 2026-06-03

Contract Duration: 16 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CENTRAL ZONE SPRING TREE PLANTING, LOCHSA-POWELL AND MOOSE CREEK RANGER DISTRICTS, NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NATIONAL FORESTS

Place of Performance

Location: KOOSKIA, IDAHO County, IDAHO, 83539

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $66,622.4 to GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC. for work described as: CENTRAL ZONE SPRING TREE PLANTING, LOCHSA-POWELL AND MOOSE CREEK RANGER DISTRICTS, NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NATIONAL FORESTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for tree planting in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. 2. Gonzalez Forestry Inc. secured the $66.6K firm-fixed-price contract. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The contract duration is 16 days, indicating a short-term, focused effort. 5. This spending supports forestry management and ecological restoration.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $66,622.40 appears reasonable for a 16-day tree planting project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar forestry service contracts would provide a more definitive assessment, but the amount is not excessively high for specialized environmental work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources were excluded. This method aims for broad competition while potentially addressing specific capabilities or limitations. The price discovery is likely influenced by the competitive bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small contract value, which is focused on essential environmental restoration and forest management activities.

Public Impact

Supports ecological restoration and forest health in Idaho. Contributes to wildfire mitigation through reforestation efforts. Provides employment opportunities in the forestry sector. Enhances the natural beauty and resources of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited vendor pool due to source exclusion.
Short contract duration may limit scalability for larger projects.

Positive Signals

Supports critical environmental stewardship.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Forestry and Logging sector, specifically related to support activities for forestry. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining forest health, managing resources, and supporting ecological balance. Benchmarks for similar tree planting contracts vary widely based on acreage, species, and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or if the contract size or requirements naturally favored larger entities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply to ensure proper execution and accountability for the funds expended.

Related Government Programs

Support Activities for Forestry
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Short duration may indicate a narrow scope or potential for follow-on work.
Lack of small business award.
Firm-fixed-price contract limits flexibility if unforeseen conditions arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $66,622.4 to GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC.. CENTRAL ZONE SPRING TREE PLANTING, LOCHSA-POWELL AND MOOSE CREEK RANGER DISTRICTS, NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NATIONAL FORESTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $66,622.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-18. End: 2026-06-03.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

The specific criteria for excluding sources are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on demonstrated technical capabilities, past performance, specific certifications required for the specialized work, or geographic proximity to the project site. Understanding these criteria is crucial for assessing the fairness and effectiveness of the competition.

How does the $66.6K cost compare to the expected cost per acre or per tree for this specific type of reforestation effort?

Without data on the acreage to be planted or the number of trees, a precise per-unit cost comparison is not possible. However, $66.6K for a 16-day project suggests a significant operational scope. Benchmarking against regional averages for similar planting densities and terrain conditions would be necessary to determine if the cost is competitive and efficient.

What are the long-term ecological benefits expected from this tree planting initiative, and how will they be measured?

The long-term benefits are expected to include improved forest health, increased biodiversity, enhanced carbon sequestration, and potential reduction in erosion and wildfire risk. Measurement typically involves post-planting survival rate assessments, monitoring of growth, and ecological impact studies over several years. The Forest Service would have established protocols for tracking these outcomes.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 LATHROP DR, CENTRAL POINT, OR, 97502

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $66,622

Exercised Options: $66,622

Current Obligation: $66,622

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240LN26D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline