Interior's $175K Coarse Woody Debris Creation Contract Awarded to Ascent Services LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $175,230 ($175.2K)
Contractor: Ascent Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-04-22
End Date: 2025-12-01
Contract Duration: 588 days
Daily Burn Rate: $298/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: 2024 COARSE WOODY DEBRIS CREATION
Place of Performance
Location: TILLAMOOK, TILLAMOOK County, OREGON, 97141
State: Oregon Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $175,230 to ASCENT SERVICES LLC for work described as: 2024 COARSE WOODY DEBRIS CREATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for $175,230 for debris creation services. 2. Ascent Services LLC secured the contract. 3. The contract falls under Support Activities for Forestry. 4. Awarded by the Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $175,230 appears reasonable for specialized forestry support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for debris creation is difficult without more specific service details, but the fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition environment. This method is typically used for smaller dollar amounts and may not achieve the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for environmental management and forestry support. The limited competition may result in a slightly higher cost than if a broader competition were pursued.
Public Impact
Supports ecological restoration and forest health initiatives. Contributes to wildfire risk reduction through debris management. Provides employment opportunities within the forestry sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Potential for higher costs with less competition.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical forestry and environmental goals.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader environmental services and forestry management sector. Spending in this area is crucial for land management agencies to maintain ecosystem health, manage wildfire risks, and support sustainable resource utilization.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award, either as the prime contractor or as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight processes should ensure proper execution and accountability for the funds expended.
Related Government Programs
- Support Activities for Forestry
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Land Management Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition.
- Potential for higher cost due to SAP.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Scope of services not fully detailed.
Tags
support-activities-for-forestry, department-of-the-interior, or, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $175,230 to ASCENT SERVICES LLC. 2024 COARSE WOODY DEBRIS CREATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASCENT SERVICES 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 $175,230.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-22. End: 2025-12-01.
What is the specific definition and scope of 'coarse woody debris creation' in this contract, and how does it align with broader land management objectives?
The specific scope of 'coarse woody debris creation' likely involves the strategic placement or manipulation of fallen trees and large branches to enhance soil health, provide habitat for wildlife, and potentially reduce fuel loads for wildfires. Its alignment with land management objectives would depend on the specific ecological goals of the Bureau of Land Management in the Oregon region, such as promoting forest regeneration or improving biodiversity.
What were the key factors that led to the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) instead of a broader competitive process for this contract?
The use of SAP suggests the contract value likely fell below the threshold for full and open competition, or specific circumstances allowed for its use. Factors could include the urgency of the need, the specialized nature of the services required, or the availability of qualified contractors within a limited geographic area, all of which are common justifications for utilizing SAP.
How will the effectiveness of the coarse woody debris creation be measured and evaluated to ensure taxpayer value?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through post-project assessments of the debris placement, ecological impact studies (e.g., soil moisture retention, wildlife usage), and potentially by comparing pre- and post-treatment conditions. The Bureau of Land Management would establish specific performance metrics and reporting requirements within the contract to ensure the work meets its intended environmental and forestry management goals.
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: 140L4324Q0058
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 18125 MAPLE GROVE RD, MONMOUTH, OR, 97361
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $175,230
Exercised Options: $175,230
Current Obligation: $175,230
Actual Outlays: $175,230
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-22
Current End Date: 2025-12-01
Potential End Date: 2025-12-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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