Interior Department awards $1.4M contract for hazardous fuels reduction in Texas, with strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $143,662 ($143.7K)

Contractor: Steelhead Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-03-28

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 748 days

Daily Burn Rate: $192/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIL: HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION-MULCHING, TX MID COAST NWRC (SAN BERNARD AND BRAZORIA NWR"S), TX

Place of Performance

Location: BRAZORIA, BRAZORIA County, TEXAS, 77422

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $143,662.29 to STEELHEAD SERVICES LLC for work described as: BIL: HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION-MULCHING, TX MID COAST NWRC (SAN BERNARD AND BRAZORIA NWR"S), TX Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value. 2. The contract duration of nearly two years allows for sustained environmental management. 3. Focus on hazardous fuels reduction addresses wildfire prevention and ecosystem health. 4. Geographic focus on the Texas Mid Coast region targets specific environmental needs. 5. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.44 million for hazardous fuels reduction over approximately two years appears reasonable given the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar forestry support contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the competitive award process suggests pricing was vetted against market rates. The fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs and provides predictability for the Department of the Interior.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for awards below a certain threshold. With 18 offers received, the level of competition was robust. This high number of bidders suggests a healthy market for these services and likely drove competitive pricing, benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition indicates that taxpayers received a fair price due to multiple companies vying for the contract, preventing potential overcharges.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in managing hazardous fuels on protected lands. Services delivered include mulching and reduction of hazardous fuels, crucial for wildfire prevention. Geographic impact is concentrated on the Texas Mid Coast, specifically San Bernard and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuges. Supports local environmental stewardship and potentially local employment in forestry and land management services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial fuel reduction needs are underestimated.
Weather dependency could impact project timelines and effectiveness.
Ensuring consistent quality of mulching and fuel reduction across different terrain types.

Positive Signals

Clear objective of hazardous fuels reduction directly addresses wildfire risk.
Competitive award process suggests a well-defined scope and achievable pricing.
Longer contract duration allows for thorough implementation and monitoring.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Support Activities for Forestry sector, which is a niche but critical area for land management agencies. This sector involves services aimed at maintaining forest health, preventing wildfires, and managing ecosystems. The market size for such specialized services can vary, but contracts like this are essential for agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fulfill their conservation mandates. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within federal procurement data for similar forestry and land management support contracts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which often include provisions or opportunities for small businesses. However, the data does not indicate if this was specifically a small business set-aside or if small businesses were prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation, either as prime or subcontractors, and its impact on the broader small business ecosystem in this sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Prevention Programs
National Wildlife Refuge System Operations
Forestry and Land Management Services
Environmental Restoration Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for weather-related delays
Ensuring consistent service quality across varied terrain
Environmental compliance during operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $143,662.29 to STEELHEAD SERVICES LLC. BIL: HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION-MULCHING, TX MID COAST NWRC (SAN BERNARD AND BRAZORIA NWR"S), TX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STEELHEAD SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $143,662.29.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-28. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the track record of Steelhead Services LLC in performing similar hazardous fuels reduction contracts for federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Steelhead Services LLC has been awarded contracts for various support services, including some related to land management and environmental services. However, specific details on their past performance on hazardous fuels reduction contracts, particularly those involving mulching on the scale required for this award, would necessitate a deeper dive into contract performance reports and past performance questionnaires. Without direct access to these detailed performance records, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record specifically for this type of work. Agencies typically evaluate past performance as a key factor in competitive procurements.

How does the awarded price compare to similar hazardous fuels reduction contracts in Texas or the Gulf Coast region?

Benchmarking this $1.44 million contract against similar hazardous fuels reduction contracts requires access to a broader dataset of comparable procurements, including details on acreage treated, specific services performed (e.g., type of mulching, equipment used), and contract duration. The Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) under which this was competed are typically for smaller dollar values, and while 18 offers were received, the specific market rates for this type of specialized environmental service in the Texas Mid Coast region are not readily available in summary data. A detailed analysis would involve comparing the per-acre cost or per-unit service cost against other contracts with similar scopes and geographic locations.

What are the primary risks associated with this hazardous fuels reduction contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential weather delays impacting the project timeline, the effectiveness of mulching in diverse terrain, and ensuring the contractor's adherence to environmental regulations during operations. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract's performance standards and specifications. The fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and timelines efficiently. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide oversight to monitor progress, quality, and compliance, addressing any issues that arise through contract management protocols.

How effective is hazardous fuels reduction, specifically mulching, in mitigating wildfire risk in coastal Texas environments?

Hazardous fuels reduction, including mulching, is a recognized strategy for mitigating wildfire risk by reducing the amount and continuity of flammable vegetation. Mulching can help by breaking up fuel beds, increasing moisture content, and suppressing new growth. In coastal Texas environments, where specific vegetation types and weather patterns (like high humidity and potential for strong winds) influence fire behavior, effective fuel management is crucial. The success of mulching depends on factors like the type of vegetation being treated, the application method, and the subsequent environmental conditions. This contract aims to improve ecosystem resilience and reduce the likelihood and intensity of wildfires in the targeted National Wildlife Refuges.

What has been the historical spending trend for hazardous fuels reduction and related forestry support by the Department of the Interior in Texas?

Analyzing historical spending trends for hazardous fuels reduction and forestry support by the Department of the Interior in Texas would require examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This specific contract represents a significant investment ($1.44 million) for a defined period. Without access to historical databases, it's challenging to establish a trend. However, increased awareness of wildfire risks and the importance of ecosystem management suggests that spending in this area may be stable or potentially increasing across federal land management agencies, particularly in regions prone to environmental challenges like Texas.

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: 140FS224Q0082

Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 559 COUNTY ROAD 4898, SPRINGTOWN, TX, 76082

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $143,662

Exercised Options: $143,662

Current Obligation: $143,662

Actual Outlays: $58,527

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline