Interior Department awards $121.7M hazardous fuels reduction contract to Monture Creek Land Management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $121,680 ($121.7K)

Contractor: Monture Creek Land Management, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-19

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 499 days

Daily Burn Rate: $244/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MT MT FIRE ZONE HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION BPA CALL #1

Place of Performance

Location: LEWISTOWN, FERGUS County, MONTANA, 59457

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $121,680 to MONTURE CREEK LAND MANAGEMENT, INC. for work described as: MT MT FIRE ZONE HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION BPA CALL #1 Key points: 1. Contract aims to mitigate wildfire risk in Montana's high-hazard zones. 2. Focus on environmental consulting services for hazardous fuels reduction. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable cost outcomes. 4. Contract duration extends over 1.5 years, indicating a medium-term project. 5. Competition level under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) may limit broad market engagement. 6. Potential for follow-on work or expansion given the nature of wildfire management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $121.7 million for hazardous fuels reduction over approximately 1.5 years appears reasonable given the scope and potential impact of wildfire mitigation. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental services contracts for federal land management agencies suggests this falls within expected ranges for significant projects. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value, assuming the scope is well-defined and achievable within the budget.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less extensive than full and open competition for larger dollar values. With 3 bidders, there was some level of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the specific parameters of the SAP competition (e.g., any specific solicitations or outreach) would determine the true breadth of market engagement and its impact on achieving the best possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition under SAP, while involving multiple bidders, may not have achieved the same level of price optimization as a full and open competition for a contract of this magnitude. Taxpayers benefit from some competition, but there's a possibility of higher costs than if a wider net was cast.

Public Impact

Benefits federal land managers and local communities by reducing wildfire risk in Montana. Delivers critical environmental consulting services for hazardous fuels reduction. Geographic impact is focused on hazardous fuel zones within Montana. Supports the ecological health and safety of areas prone to wildfires. May indirectly support local economies through related services and reduced wildfire damage.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial assessments are incomplete.
Reliance on a single BPA call could limit flexibility if needs change significantly.
Effectiveness of fuels reduction techniques needs continuous monitoring.

Positive Signals

Clear objective to reduce hazardous fuels and mitigate wildfire risk.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Contract duration allows for phased implementation and assessment.
Award to a specific company suggests prior vetting or capability assessment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically addressing natural resource management and disaster preparedness. The market for these services is significant, driven by increasing concerns over climate change and wildfire frequency. Federal agencies like the Department of the Interior are major clients, contracting for services that support land management, conservation, and public safety. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale hazardous fuels reduction projects can vary widely based on geographic scope, terrain, and specific treatment methods, but multi-million dollar awards are common for substantial efforts.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Monture Creek Land Management, Inc. is the prime contractor. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would require further investigation into the contract's specific clauses and the prime contractor's subcontracting plan. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though larger prime contracts often include provisions for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to specific deliverables and quality standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected within the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Wildfire Management Programs
Forestry and Land Management Services
Environmental Remediation Services
Natural Resource Conservation Contracts
Department of the Interior Agency Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for under-competition due to SAP.
Environmental risks associated with fuels reduction activities.
Dependence on weather conditions impacting project timelines.
Scope definition and management critical for fixed-price contract success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $121,680 to MONTURE CREEK LAND MANAGEMENT, INC.. MT MT FIRE ZONE HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION BPA CALL #1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MONTURE CREEK LAND MANAGEMENT, INC..

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 $121,680.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-19. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Monture Creek Land Management, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in hazardous fuels reduction?

A review of federal procurement data is necessary to fully assess Monture Creek Land Management, Inc.'s track record. Specifically, one would look for past awards related to environmental services, land management, and hazardous fuels reduction. Key metrics to examine include the number of previous federal contracts, their total value, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar scopes of work and agencies like the Department of the Interior would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this $121.7 million contract.

How does the awarded price compare to similar hazardous fuels reduction contracts in Montana or the broader Western US?

Benchmarking this $121.7 million contract requires comparing its cost per acre or per unit of service against similar hazardous fuels reduction efforts in Montana and the Western United States. Factors influencing price include terrain complexity, type of fuels targeted (e.g., brush, timber), treatment methods (mechanical thinning, prescribed burning), and labor costs. A detailed analysis would involve identifying comparable contracts awarded over the past 2-3 years, adjusting for inflation and regional economic differences. If this contract's unit costs are significantly higher or lower than benchmarks, it warrants further investigation into the reasons, such as unique project challenges or competitive dynamics.

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

Key risks include environmental factors (weather impacting work schedules, unforeseen ecological sensitivities), operational challenges (access to remote areas, equipment failure), contractor performance issues (delays, quality of work), and potential cost overruns despite the firm fixed-price structure if scope is not well-managed. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed performance work statements, regular progress reviews, contingency planning for weather delays, adherence to environmental protection protocols, and robust oversight by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The firm fixed-price nature itself acts as a risk mitigation tool for the government by capping cost exposure.

How effective are current hazardous fuels reduction strategies employed by federal agencies in preventing large-scale wildfires?

The effectiveness of hazardous fuels reduction strategies is a complex and debated topic. While these programs aim to reduce wildfire intensity and spread, their success is influenced by numerous factors, including the scale and frequency of treatments, landscape connectivity, climate change impacts (drought, high winds), and the specific ecological context. Studies suggest that well-executed fuels reduction can be effective in specific areas, particularly near communities (Wildland-Urban Interface), by making fires less severe and easier to control. However, achieving landscape-level impact requires sustained, large-scale efforts, and even treated areas can still burn under extreme weather conditions. Continuous research and adaptive management are crucial.

What has been the historical spending trend for hazardous fuels reduction contracts by the Department of the Interior over the last five years?

Analyzing the Department of the Interior's historical spending on hazardous fuels reduction contracts over the past five years would reveal trends in investment in wildfire mitigation. This would involve aggregating data on contract awards related to fuels management, prescribed burning, and related environmental services. An increasing trend might indicate a heightened focus on wildfire preparedness, potentially driven by recent fire seasons or policy changes. Conversely, stagnant or declining spending could suggest resource constraints or shifting priorities. Understanding this trend provides context for the current $121.7 million award, indicating whether it represents a continuation, increase, or decrease in the department's commitment to this area.

What specific environmental consulting services are included under this BPA Call, and how are they measured for success?

The contract specifies 'Environmental Consulting Services' for 'HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION'. This likely encompasses a range of activities such as ecological assessments, site evaluations, development of treatment plans, monitoring of vegetation, environmental impact analyses, and potentially compliance support for regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Success metrics would be tied to the deliverables outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). These could include the timely submission of assessment reports, the development of technically sound reduction plans, adherence to environmental protection measures during any fieldwork, and potentially the successful completion of specific reduction targets if the contractor is involved in implementation oversight.

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

Solicitation ID: 140FS225F0167

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15019 S SPERRY GRADE RD, BONNER, MT, 59823

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $121,680

Exercised Options: $121,680

Current Obligation: $121,680

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0S24A0019

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline