Forest Service awards $65.8K contract for spring planting in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,852 ($65.9K)

Contractor: Gonzalez Forestry Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 39 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NCF_52_SPRING_PLANT_2026, PALOUSE RD, NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NF

Place of Performance

Location: POTLATCH, LATAH County, IDAHO, 83855

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $65,852 to GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC. for work described as: NCF_52_SPRING_PLANT_2026, PALOUSE RD, NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NF Key points: 1. Contract value represents a modest investment in ecological restoration. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially efficient price discovery for specialized services. 3. Short performance period indicates a focused, time-sensitive operational need. 4. Firm fixed-price structure transfers risk to the contractor, ensuring cost certainty. 5. Geographic focus on Idaho highlights regional land management priorities. 6. Contract type indicates a specific task order under a broader agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $65,852 for spring planting is relatively small in the context of federal land management budgets. Benchmarking against similar forestry support contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the price appears reasonable for a short-duration, specialized task. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government secured cost certainty for this specific delivery order.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded. This suggests a potentially limited pool of eligible bidders compared to unrestricted full and open competition. The specific reasons for exclusion would need further investigation to fully assess the impact on price discovery and overall competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While some competition was present, the exclusion of certain sources may have limited the potential for the most competitive pricing, potentially costing taxpayers more than if all qualified vendors could have participated.

Public Impact

Benefits the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest by supporting critical reforestation efforts. Delivers essential ecological services through the planting of native vegetation. Geographic impact is localized to the Palouse Road area within the specified National Forest in Idaho. Workforce implications include employment for forestry technicians and laborers involved in planting operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion needs further review.
Short performance window could create logistical challenges for contractor execution.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear geographic focus aids in targeted resource allocation.
Specific task order structure suggests efficient use of existing contract vehicles.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Activities for Forestry' sector, which encompasses a range of services aimed at managing and improving forest ecosystems. This includes activities like planting, thinning, and pest management. The market for these services is often characterized by specialized firms, many of which are small businesses. Federal spending in this area supports national land management goals and contributes to the health of forest resources across the country.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC., may be a small business, there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting to small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor itself is an SMB and if they utilize other small businesses in their operations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Forest Service contracting officer and project officers. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Land Management
Reforestation and Habitat Restoration Programs
Forestry and Wildland Fire Management Support

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Due to Source Exclusion
Environmental/Weather Dependency
Contractor Performance Risk
Short Performance Window

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $65,852 to GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC.. NCF_52_SPRING_PLANT_2026, PALOUSE RD, NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NF

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 $65,852.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the track record of GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC. with federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that GONZALEZ FORESTRY INC. has received multiple federal contracts, primarily from agencies like the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service). These contracts often involve forestry-related services such as planting, site preparation, and vegetation management. The contract history suggests a specialization in these types of services. Analyzing the performance history, including any past issues or commendations, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability as a federal contractor. Without access to detailed performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), a full assessment is limited, but the consistent award of similar contracts suggests a generally satisfactory performance record.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar spring planting contracts?

The value of this contract, $65,852, is relatively modest for federal forestry projects. Spring planting contracts can vary significantly in price based on acreage, species planted, labor costs, and geographic location. Smaller, localized planting efforts or specific task orders under larger agreements tend to fall within this range. Larger-scale reforestation initiatives or contracts encompassing site preparation, planting, and initial maintenance could easily reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark against contracts with similar acreage, planting density, species, and duration within the same region (Idaho). However, for a defined task order with a short performance period, this value appears within a reasonable expectation for specialized planting services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include environmental factors that could impact planting success, such as adverse weather conditions (drought, frost) or soil conditions, which are inherent to ecological restoration work. Contractor performance risk is also present, although mitigated by the firm fixed-price structure; failure to meet planting targets or quality standards could lead to contract disputes or penalties. Given the short performance period (less than two months), there's a risk of delays impacting the timely completion of the planting season. Finally, the 'limited' competition aspect, due to source exclusion, introduces a potential risk of suboptimal pricing if the excluded sources could have offered more competitive bids.

How effective is this type of contract for achieving reforestation goals?

Contracts like this are generally effective for achieving specific, targeted reforestation goals, especially when executed as delivery orders under existing agreements. The firm fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to complete the work efficiently and to a specified standard. The focused nature of the award allows the Forest Service to address immediate planting needs in specific areas, such as the Palouse Road. However, the long-term effectiveness of reforestation depends on factors beyond the planting contract itself, including post-planting maintenance, natural regeneration, and the overall health of the ecosystem. For large-scale, multi-year reforestation efforts, broader, more comprehensive contracts or program funding might be more suitable.

What are historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Forestry' by the Forest Service?

Historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Forestry' by the Forest Service show a consistent and significant investment in maintaining and improving national forest lands. This category typically includes a wide array of services such as timber stand improvement, reforestation, pest management, and fire mitigation support. Annual spending can fluctuate based on budget allocations, national priorities (e.g., increased focus on wildfire resilience or climate change adaptation), and the number and size of contracts awarded. The Forest Service often utilizes a mix of contract types, including competitive bids and task orders, to procure these services. Analyzing historical data reveals trends in specific service demands and the geographic distribution of these investments across different National Forests.

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: $65,852

Exercised Options: $65,852

Current Obligation: $65,852

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1240LN26D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline