Interior Department awards $736K for forest restoration, with 14 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,647 ($73.6K)

Contractor: Razr BAK Restoration, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-12-15

Contract Duration: 253 days

Daily Burn Rate: $291/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PINTO MESA MASTICATION

Place of Performance

Location: CRAIG, MOFFAT County, COLORADO, 81625

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $73,647 to RAZR BAK RESTORATION, LLC for work described as: PINTO MESA MASTICATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RAZR BAK RESTORATION, LLC for forest restoration services. 2. The contract falls under the 'Support Activities for Forestry' category. 3. Competition was robust, with 14 bids submitted for this purchase order. 4. The contract duration is 253 days, ending April 6, 2026. 5. This award represents a small portion of the Bureau of Land Management's overall forestry budget. 6. The firm fixed price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $736,470 for forest restoration services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While specific per-unit cost benchmarks for mastication are not readily available without more granular data, the competitive bidding process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved. Comparing this to similar-sized restoration projects within the Bureau of Land Management or other agencies would provide further context, but the presence of 14 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was open to a broad range of potential offerors. The submission of 14 bids demonstrates significant interest and a competitive marketplace for these services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and a greater likelihood of securing services at a competitive rate.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the price and ensured the government received good value for its investment in forest restoration.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the ecosystems within Colorado targeted for forest restoration. Services delivered include forest mastication, a process to reduce wildfire fuel loads. The geographic impact is focused on areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado. This contract supports jobs in the environmental services and forestry sector within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if restoration needs exceed initial assessment.
Dependence on weather conditions for effective mastication.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting restoration quality.

Positive Signals

Clear contract type (firm fixed price) limits cost overruns.
Competitive bidding process suggests contractor capability and fair pricing.
Defined end date provides a clear project timeline.

Sector Analysis

The forest restoration sector is critical for managing public lands, particularly in regions prone to wildfires. This contract for mastication services addresses a key need in fuel reduction. Spending in this area is influenced by environmental policies, wildfire risk assessments, and agency budgets. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the broader 'Support Activities for Forestry' or 'Wildfire Management' categories across federal land management agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the competitive nature and the number of bidders, it's possible small businesses participated, but their specific role or impact is not detailed in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation goals were met.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the Department of the Interior, which has established oversight mechanisms for its procurement activities. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, it likely falls under standard agency procurement regulations and review processes. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising from contract performance.

Related Government Programs

Forestry and Wildfire Management Programs
Bureau of Land Management Land Management Contracts
Environmental Restoration Services
Federal Forestry Support Activities

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting restoration quality.
Geographic specificity of the restoration area is not detailed.
Contractor's specific mastication experience requires further verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $73,647 to RAZR BAK RESTORATION, LLC. PINTO MESA MASTICATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAZR BAK RESTORATION, LLC.

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 $73,647.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-12-15.

What is the specific geographic area within Colorado targeted for this mastication project?

The provided data indicates the contract is for services in Colorado (SN: COLORADO) and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). However, it does not specify the exact geographic parcels or regions within Colorado that will undergo mastication. This level of detail is typically found in the contract's statement of work or associated environmental assessments, which are not included in this summary. Understanding the precise location is crucial for assessing the ecological impact and wildfire risk reduction effectiveness.

How does the per-acre cost of this mastication contract compare to similar projects in the Western United States?

Without the specific acreage or detailed scope of work (e.g., density of vegetation, terrain difficulty), calculating a precise per-acre cost for this $736,470 contract is not feasible. Mastication costs can vary significantly based on these factors. To benchmark, one would need to identify comparable BLM or Forest Service contracts in similar ecological zones (e.g., Ponderosa pine forests, sagebrush steppe) and compare their total cost against the treated acreage. Given the 14 bids, it suggests the price was competitive within its specific context, but a broader comparison requires more granular data on the work performed.

What is RAZR BAK RESTORATION, LLC's track record with federal forestry contracts, particularly for mastication?

The provided data identifies RAZR BAK RESTORATION, LLC as the awardee but does not include details on their past performance history or specific experience with mastication projects. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract award history, past performance evaluations (if available in federal databases like CPARS), and any certifications or specialized equipment they possess for this type of work. The fact they were awarded this contract, especially in a competitive environment, suggests they met the basic qualifications, but their specific expertise level remains unconfirmed by this data alone.

What are the expected wildfire risk reduction outcomes from this specific mastication project?

The primary goal of mastication is to reduce fuel loads, thereby decreasing the intensity and spread rate of potential wildfires. The expected outcomes for this project would be detailed in the contract's performance work statement (PWS) and could include metrics such as the reduction in canopy cover, decrease in surface fuel loading (e.g., tons per acre), and improved defensible space around critical infrastructure or communities. The effectiveness will depend on the specific vegetation types being treated and the scale of the project area. The BLM likely has specific objectives related to wildfire mitigation in Colorado that this contract aims to address.

How has federal spending on forest mastication services trended over the last five years, and does this contract align with that trend?

Federal spending on forest mastication and related fuel reduction activities has generally increased over the last five years, driven by heightened wildfire activity and a greater emphasis on proactive forest management and restoration. Agencies like the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA Forest Service) are key spenders in this area. This $736,470 contract aligns with this trend, representing a specific investment in fuel reduction. Analyzing broader spending patterns would involve aggregating data across multiple agencies and contract types related to forest health and wildfire prevention.

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: 140L3726Q0025

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 129 S 200 W, AURORA, UT, 84620

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $73,647

Exercised Options: $73,647

Current Obligation: $73,647

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline