BLM's $1.97M Seed Buy for FY26 Faces Limited Competition, Raising Cost Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $197,105 ($197.1K)

Contractor: Maughan Seed Company

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-02

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 81 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY

Place of Performance

Location: MANTI, SANPETE County, UTAH, 84642

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $197,105 to MAUGHAN SEED COMPANY for work described as: BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY Key points: 1. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans a $1.97 million seed purchase for FY26. 2. Competition appears limited, with Maughan Seed Company as the primary vendor. 3. The firm fixed price contract structure may not fully leverage market dynamics. 4. This spending falls within the broader context of land management and ecological restoration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $1.97 million for seed procurement is substantial. Without specific per-unit cost data or comparison to similar large-scale seed contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value. The limited competition raises questions about whether the government is securing the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract is listed under 'Full and Open Competition,' but the data indicates only one vendor, Maughan Seed Company, is involved. This suggests that while the opportunity was theoretically open, practical participation may have been restricted, potentially limiting price discovery and competitive pressure.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this purchase. The lack of robust competition could lead to higher costs than necessary, reducing the overall value for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Supports ecological restoration efforts by the BLM. Ensures availability of critical resources for land management. Potential for higher costs due to limited vendor pool. Impacts the seed supply chain and related industries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition despite 'Full and Open' designation.
Potential for inflated pricing due to single-vendor focus.
Short contract duration may limit long-term planning.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for land management resources.
Clear contract period and delivery timeline.
Firm fixed price provides budget certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products' category. Spending in this sector is crucial for environmental agencies like the BLM to manage public lands, combat wildfires, and restore ecosystems. Benchmarks for seed procurement vary widely based on species, quantity, and geographic needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. The focus on a single vendor, Maughan Seed Company, suggests that opportunities for small businesses may have been limited in this specific solicitation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Bureau of Land Management within the Department of the Interior. The firm fixed price contract provides a degree of cost certainty, but the limited competition warrants careful monitoring to ensure fair pricing and performance.

Related Government Programs

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Land Management Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to limited competition.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders value assessment.
Risk of vendor lock-in if Maughan Seed Company is the sole viable supplier.
Unclear if small businesses had a meaningful opportunity to participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $197,105 to MAUGHAN SEED COMPANY. BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAUGHAN SEED COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $197,105.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-02. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the specific breakdown of seed types and quantities being procured, and how does this influence the pricing and competitive landscape?

The provided data lacks specifics on seed types and quantities. This information is crucial for a thorough value assessment. Different seed types have vastly different market prices and availability, which directly impacts the competitive landscape. Without this detail, it's challenging to determine if the $1.97 million represents a fair market price or if specialized, high-cost seeds are driving the total.

Given the 'Full and Open Competition' designation but apparent single-vendor award, what steps were taken to ensure maximum outreach and encourage broader participation?

The discrepancy between the competition type and the apparent single-vendor award raises questions about the effectiveness of the outreach strategy. Agencies should document efforts to publicize solicitations widely, including through various federal contracting portals and industry associations. Understanding the specific requirements and evaluation criteria could also shed light on why only one vendor ultimately responded or was selected.

How does this $1.97 million seed purchase align with the BLM's long-term ecological restoration goals and budget priorities?

This purchase supports the BLM's mandate for land management and restoration. However, the effectiveness hinges on the quality and suitability of the seeds for specific restoration projects and the long-term success rates of those projects. Aligning this expenditure with strategic goals requires evaluating the seeds' role in achieving measurable ecological outcomes and ensuring it fits within the broader BLM budget without compromising other critical conservation activities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products

Product/Service Code: AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140L3726R0001

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 194 W 300 S, MANTI, UT, 84642

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $197,105

Exercised Options: $197,105

Current Obligation: $197,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline