Agriculture Department awards $870K for fungi surveys, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $87,040 ($87.0K)

Contractor: Stone Ecosurveys LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-09-29

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,554 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 4 YEARS OF FUNGI SURVEYS COVERING LOWER JACKSON AND POSSIBLY OTHER PROJECTS.

Place of Performance

Location: IDLEYLD PARK, DOUGLAS County, OREGON, 97447

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $87,040 to STONE ECOSURVEYS LLC for work described as: 4 YEARS OF FUNGI SURVEYS COVERING LOWER JACKSON AND POSSIBLY OTHER PROJECTS. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year environmental survey. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a healthy market for these specialized services. 3. Performance risk seems low given the nature of the work. 4. This contract supports ongoing environmental monitoring efforts. 5. The contract falls within the environmental consulting services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $870,400 over approximately 4 years for fungi surveys appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized ecological consulting. Benchmarking against similar environmental survey contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the scope and duration suggest a fair price. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process. With three bidders participating, there was a reasonable level of competition, which generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government. The specific details of the bidding process would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award suggests that taxpayer dollars were used efficiently, as multiple firms vied for the contract, likely driving down the price.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service in understanding fungal ecosystems. Services delivered include comprehensive fungi surveys in specific geographic areas. Geographic impact is focused on Oregon, specifically Lower Jackson and potentially other project areas. Workforce implications include employment for environmental scientists and field technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'possibly other projects' are added without contract modification.
Dependence on specific expertise for accurate fungi identification.

Positive Signals

Clear contract duration and defined scope of work.
Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty.
Awarded to a specialized environmental consulting firm.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a niche within the broader professional services industry. The market for ecological surveys is driven by regulatory requirements, land management needs, and scientific research. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar multi-year ecological survey contracts can vary significantly based on geographic scope, species targeted, and required deliverables.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting was not explicitly provided in the data. However, the contract was competed under SAP, which can sometimes include provisions for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the bidding or subcontracting process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Forest Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Forest Health Monitoring Program
Ecological Research Grants
Environmental Impact Assessments
National Forest System Management

Risk Flags

Potential for scope expansion beyond initial definition.
Reliance on specialized expertise for accurate identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $87,040 to STONE ECOSURVEYS LLC. 4 YEARS OF FUNGI SURVEYS COVERING LOWER JACKSON AND POSSIBLY OTHER PROJECTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STONE ECOSURVEYS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $87,040.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-29. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific expertise of Stone Ecosurveys LLC in fungi identification and ecological surveys?

Stone Ecosurveys LLC specializes in ecological consulting services, which often include botanical surveys, wildlife assessments, and habitat mapping. While the provided data does not detail their specific expertise in fungi identification, it is a common component of ecological assessments, particularly in forest environments. Their ability to successfully execute this contract will depend on the qualifications of their field staff and any subject matter experts they engage for precise fungal identification. A review of their past performance on similar contracts or their company's stated capabilities would offer more insight into their specific strengths in mycology.

How does the $870,400 contract value compare to similar multi-year fungi survey contracts awarded by the Forest Service or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $870,400 contract value requires comparing it to similar multi-year fungi survey contracts. Factors such as the geographic area covered, the duration of the surveys, the intensity of sampling, and the specific types of fungi being targeted significantly influence cost. For a 4-year contract involving extensive surveys across potentially multiple project areas, this value appears reasonable. However, without access to a database of comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Generally, specialized ecological services can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on complexity and scale.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this fungi survey contract, and how will performance be measured?

Key performance indicators for this fungi survey contract would likely include the timely completion of survey fieldwork, the accuracy and completeness of data collection, adherence to established protocols for sample collection and identification, and the timely submission of comprehensive reports. Performance will be measured against the contract's statement of work, which would detail the specific deliverables, survey methodologies, and reporting requirements. The Forest Service contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring progress, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring that Stone Ecosurveys LLC meets all contractual obligations.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Forest Service on fungi surveys or similar ecological consulting services?

Historical spending patterns for fungi surveys and similar ecological consulting services by the Forest Service can be analyzed through federal procurement data. Agencies like the Forest Service frequently contract for environmental services to support land management, conservation, and regulatory compliance. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on specific program needs, budget allocations, and environmental initiatives. While this specific $870,400 contract represents a significant investment over four years, it should be viewed within the context of the agency's overall budget for scientific research and environmental stewardship. Analyzing past years' spending on ecological surveys would reveal trends and the typical scale of such contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks for this fungi survey contract include challenges in accessing remote survey areas, unpredictable weather conditions affecting fieldwork, difficulties in accurate fungi identification requiring specialized expertise, and potential delays in data analysis or reporting. Mitigation strategies typically involve detailed planning by the contractor, clear communication protocols with the Forest Service, contingency planning for adverse conditions, and ensuring the contractor has access to qualified mycologists. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage risks effectively to maintain profitability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 30567 LE BLEU RD, EUGENE, OR, 97405

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $87,040

Exercised Options: $87,040

Current Obligation: $87,040

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1204N019A0010

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline