Interior Department awards $82K for nursery and tree production to Lovelace Farms Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,300 ($82.3K)

Contractor: Lovelace Farms Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-11-27

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 733 days

Daily Burn Rate: $112/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IRA RPM TREE ORDER, UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NFWR, MN

Place of Performance

Location: ELSBERRY, LINCOLN County, MISSOURI, 63343

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $82,299.6 to LOVELACE FARMS INC for work described as: IRA RPM TREE ORDER, UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NFWR, MN Key points: 1. Contract awarded for nursery and tree production services. 2. The contract duration is over two years. 3. The award was made as a purchase order. 4. The contract is firm fixed price, indicating predictable costs. 5. The contractor is Lovelace Farms Inc. 6. The contract is not subject to small business set-asides. 7. The contract is for services in Missouri.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $82,299.60 for nursery and tree production over two years appears to be a reasonable amount for the services described. Without specific details on the quantity and type of trees or nursery stock, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, which can be a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or through a limited competition not detailed in the provided data. The absence of a broad competition means that the government may not have received the most competitive pricing available. Further information on the justification for not competing would be necessary to fully assess the implications.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award limits the opportunity for taxpayers to benefit from competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from this contract by securing necessary nursery and tree production services. This contract supports the restoration and maintenance of natural resources within the Upper Mississippi River region. The services provided will contribute to ecological health and biodiversity in Missouri. The contract supports the workforce of Lovelace Farms Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for the government.
Limited transparency on the specific nursery stock and services procured.
Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration of over two years allows for consistent service delivery.
Award to a specific contractor suggests a need for specialized services or existing relationship.

Sector Analysis

The nursery and tree production sector is crucial for environmental restoration, conservation efforts, and landscaping. Federal agencies like the Department of the Interior frequently contract for these services to support land management, habitat restoration, and reforestation initiatives. While the specific dollar amount here is modest, it represents a component of broader federal spending on natural resource management. Benchmarking this contract against other similar small-scale nursery awards would require more detailed service specifications.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, this specific award does not directly contribute to the small business contracting goals of the federal government. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is minimal for this particular transaction.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight is typically managed through the contracting officer's representative (COR) who monitors performance and ensures compliance with the contract terms. Transparency is limited by the nature of the data provided; however, the contract details are publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Land Management Contracts
Environmental Restoration Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Procurement
Department of the Interior Contracts
Nursery Stock Procurement

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Limited Performance Data Available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $82,299.6 to LOVELACE FARMS INC. IRA RPM TREE ORDER, UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NFWR, MN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOVELACE FARMS 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 $82,299.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-27. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the specific type and quantity of nursery stock or trees being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Nursery and Tree Production' but does not specify the exact types or quantities of trees, seedlings, or other nursery stock. This level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment and for comparing this contract to other similar procurements. Understanding the specific items will allow for a more accurate evaluation of the per-unit costs and the overall necessity of the procurement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission in the Upper Mississippi River region.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source or non-competed basis?

The data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). This typically implies a sole-source award or a limited competition where only one vendor was solicited or capable of meeting the requirement. Without a formal justification document, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason. Common justifications include urgent and compelling needs, specialized services only available from a single source, or a small value that makes competition impractical. The lack of competition means the government may not have achieved the best possible price.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar nursery and tree production services?

A direct comparison of pricing is challenging without knowing the specific types and quantities of nursery stock and the scope of production services. The contract value is $82,299.60 over approximately two years. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar species, sizes, and quantities of trees, as well as the geographic region. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition limits the ability to confirm if this price is truly market-competitive.

What is the track record of Lovelace Farms Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for nursery and tree production?

The provided data identifies Lovelace Farms Inc. as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance history with federal agencies. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their contract performance history, including any past awards, completion records, and any reported issues or commendations. Understanding their experience with similar projects and their reliability is key to evaluating the risk associated with this current award.

What specific environmental or conservation goals does this contract support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

This contract supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission, likely related to habitat restoration, conservation, and land management within the Upper Mississippi River region, as indicated by the data's reference to 'IRA RPM TREE ORDER, UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NFWR, MN'. The nursery and tree production services are essential for providing the necessary plant materials for reforestation, wetland restoration, or other ecological projects aimed at improving wildlife habitats and ecosystem health in that specific geographic area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production › Nursery and Tree Production

Product/Service Code: AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS225Q0009

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 88 FORREST KEELING LN, ELSBERRY, MO, 63343

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,300

Exercised Options: $82,300

Current Obligation: $82,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline