Interior Department awards $166K forestry support contract to Summitt Forests, Inc. for Utah operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $166,353 ($166.4K)

Contractor: Summitt Forests, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-08-29

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 594 days

Daily Burn Rate: $280/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIG HOLLOW AND ROCKY FORD LOP AND SCATTER

Place of Performance

Location: CEDAR CITY, IRON County, UTAH, 84721

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $166,352.99 to SUMMITT FORESTS, INC. for work described as: BIG HOLLOW AND ROCKY FORD LOP AND SCATTER Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 594 days (approx. 20 months) provides a reasonable timeframe for service delivery. 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 5. The award is for support activities within forestry, a critical sector for land management. 6. Geographic focus on Utah highlights specific regional needs. 7. The contractor, Summitt Forests, Inc., is a new awardee in this specific context. 8. No small business set-aside was applied, suggesting the competition was open to all eligible firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $166,000 for nearly two years of service is relatively small in the context of federal contracting. Benchmarking this specific 'Support Activities for Forestry' contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests the government aimed for predictable costs. Given the limited dollar amount, the value proposition will heavily depend on the successful execution and impact of the forestry support provided in Utah.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was broadly advertised, there might have been specific reasons for excluding certain sources initially, but ultimately it was open to all eligible bidders. The presence of 4 bids indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it allows for a wider pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, thereby maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars.

Public Impact

The contract directly benefits the Bureau of Land Management's efforts in forest management and support activities within Utah. Services delivered are expected to contribute to the health and sustainability of Utah's forests. The geographic impact is concentrated in Utah, addressing specific regional land management needs. The contract supports the forestry sector workforce, potentially through Summitt Forests, Inc.'s employment of skilled personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Scope of 'Support Activities for Forestry' is broad and requires clear definition to ensure effective service delivery.
Performance metrics and quality control for forestry support services need to be robustly defined and monitored.
Potential for environmental impacts associated with forestry support activities requires careful management and mitigation.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a fair market approach to contractor selection.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract duration allows for sustained support activities in the specified region.

Sector Analysis

The forestry sector within federal contracting encompasses a range of services from timber management to ecological restoration and support activities. This contract for 'Support Activities for Forestry' fits within the broader landscape of natural resource management. While specific market size data for this niche is not readily available, federal spending on land management and conservation is substantial, with agencies like the Department of the Interior playing a significant role. This contract represents a small but specific investment in maintaining forest health and operational support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The competition was open to all eligible firms, meaning small businesses could have participated if they met the qualifications. The absence of a set-aside suggests that the scope of work or the nature of the services did not lend itself to a specific small business solicitation, or that larger firms were deemed more capable or competitive for this particular requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature provides some accountability for cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified within the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Forestry and Wildland Fire Management
Natural Resource Management Services
Land and Resource Conservation

Risk Flags

Scope Definition Risk
Performance Monitoring Challenges
Environmental Condition Variability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $166,352.99 to SUMMITT FORESTS, INC.. BIG HOLLOW AND ROCKY FORD LOP AND SCATTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUMMITT FORESTS, INC..

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 $166,352.99.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-29. End: 2026-04-15.

What specific 'Support Activities for Forestry' are included in this contract, and how do they align with the Bureau of Land Management's strategic goals for Utah?

The contract details for 'Support Activities for Forestry' are not fully elaborated in the provided data. However, such activities typically encompass a range of tasks essential for forest health and management. This could include, but is not limited to, vegetation monitoring, invasive species control, trail maintenance, fire fuel reduction preparation, and administrative support for forestry programs. These activities are crucial for the BLM's mandate to manage public lands sustainably, which in Utah involves balancing resource utilization with conservation. Aligning with strategic goals would mean these activities contribute to wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem resilience, and the preservation of forest resources for recreational and ecological purposes. A more detailed statement of work would be necessary to confirm the precise alignment.

How does the $166,352.99 contract value compare to similar 'Support Activities for Forestry' contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or other agencies?

The contract value of $166,352.99 is relatively modest for a federal contract, especially one spanning nearly two years (594 days). Benchmarking this specific award requires comparing it to contracts with similar scopes of work, such as 'Support Activities for Forestry' or closely related natural resource management services. Federal contracts for forestry services can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scale, complexity, and duration. For instance, larger contracts might involve extensive reforestation projects, large-scale timber stand improvement, or comprehensive forest health assessments across vast areas. Given its value, this contract likely represents a localized or specialized support function rather than a large-scale operational undertaking. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts with detailed scopes, a precise comparison is difficult, but it appears to be on the smaller end for federal forestry support.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of Summitt Forests, Inc. under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for evaluating Summitt Forests, Inc.'s performance. However, for a contract involving 'Support Activities for Forestry,' typical KPIs would likely focus on the timely and effective completion of assigned tasks, adherence to environmental regulations and best practices, quality of work (e.g., accuracy of monitoring, effectiveness of treatments), and compliance with safety protocols. For instance, if the contract involves vegetation monitoring, KPIs might include the percentage of area surveyed, the accuracy of species identification, and the timeliness of reporting. If it involves fuel reduction preparation, KPIs could relate to the area treated, the volume of material removed, and adherence to prescribed burn plans or safety guidelines. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these aspects throughout the contract period.

What is the track record of Summitt Forests, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of the Interior or for forestry-related services?

The provided data indicates that Summitt Forests, Inc. is the awardee of this specific contract. However, it does not offer details about their historical performance or track record with federal contracts. To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this additional information, it is difficult to ascertain their experience level and past success in delivering similar forestry support services to the Department of the Interior or other federal agencies. This contract represents an opportunity to establish or build upon their federal contracting history.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method impact the potential for cost savings or value for taxpayers compared to a standard 'Full and Open Competition'?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FOA) method is a variation of full and open competition. Standard full and open competition requires that all responsible sources be permitted to submit a bid or proposal. In contrast, FOA allows for the exclusion of certain sources initially, but then proceeds with full and open competition among the remaining eligible sources. This might occur if certain sources are deemed unqualified or if there's a specific justification for limiting the initial pool. For taxpayers, the impact on cost savings and value is generally positive, as it still aims to leverage competition. However, if the exclusion of sources was not well-justified or inadvertently limited the competitive pool too much, it could potentially reduce the number of competitive bids received, possibly leading to less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The key is whether the exclusion was necessary and did not stifle robust competition.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for forestry support services, and how might they be mitigated?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts place the majority of the risk on the contractor, as they are obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. For forestry support services, potential risks for the contractor could include unforeseen environmental conditions (e.g., extreme weather impacting work schedules, unexpected terrain challenges), fluctuations in the cost of materials or labor, or scope creep if the definition of 'support activities' is not precisely defined. If the contractor underestimates costs or encounters significant unforeseen issues, they could incur losses. Mitigation strategies for the government include a very clear and detailed Statement of Work (SOW) to minimize ambiguity and scope creep, thorough pre-award research into potential contractor capabilities and cost structures, and robust oversight to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and effectively. For the contractor, mitigation involves accurate cost estimation, contingency planning, and proactive risk management throughout the contract performance period.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140L5724Q0061

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2305-C ASHLAND ST #432, ASHLAND, OR, 97520

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $166,353

Exercised Options: $166,353

Current Obligation: $166,353

Actual Outlays: $20,431

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140L0620D0034

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline