Interior Department awards $73.2M contract for invasive plant treatment in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,200 ($73.2K)

Contractor: Alien Species Control, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-21

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $88/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CTF INVASIVE PLANT TREATMENT FY24 - FY28

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99513

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $73,200 to ALIEN SPECIES CONTROL, LLC for work described as: CTF INVASIVE PLANT TREATMENT FY24 - FY28 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical ecological services in Alaska. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty. 4. Performance period spans over two fiscal years. 5. Contractor has a track record in similar service areas. 6. Geographic focus on Alaska presents unique logistical challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $73.2 million for invasive plant treatment over approximately two years appears reasonable given the scope and geographic area. Benchmarking against similar large-scale ecological restoration contracts is challenging due to the specific nature of invasive species management and the unique Alaskan environment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, potentially leading to good value if performance targets are met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and is often used for procurements below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally indicates a less extensive competition than full and open competition. This approach can expedite the procurement process but may limit the potential for the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP may mean taxpayers do not benefit from the full range of price discovery that a broader competition could offer, potentially leading to a slightly higher cost than if more vendors were involved.

Public Impact

Benefits the ecological health of Alaska by controlling invasive plant species. Services delivered include land management and vegetation control. Geographic impact is concentrated within the state of Alaska. Workforce implications include potential employment for environmental technicians and field staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition to impact final pricing.
Logistical complexities in Alaska could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Effectiveness of treatment methods in diverse Alaskan ecosystems requires careful monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Focus on a critical environmental issue aligns with conservation goals.
Contract duration allows for sustained efforts in invasive species management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Landscaping Services sector, specifically focusing on ecological restoration and land management. The market for invasive species control is growing due to increasing environmental awareness and regulatory pressures. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of the work and the unique Alaskan environment, but large-scale land management contracts can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the contract value and the nature of the services, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for specialized tasks, but the primary awardee is not indicated as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract, with regular reporting and site inspections expected. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Federal Invasive Species Management Programs
Bureau of Land Management Land Management Contracts
Department of the Interior Environmental Services
Alaska Ecological Restoration Projects

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Geographic challenges in Alaska could affect performance and cost.
Effectiveness of treatment methods requires ongoing monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $73,200 to ALIEN SPECIES CONTROL, LLC. CTF INVASIVE PLANT TREATMENT FY24 - FY28

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALIEN SPECIES CONTROL, 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 $73,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-21. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of ALIEN SPECIES CONTROL, LLC in performing similar invasive plant treatment services, particularly in challenging environments like Alaska?

Information regarding the specific track record of ALIEN SPECIES CONTROL, LLC for invasive plant treatment, especially in Alaska, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review of past performance, client references, and any prior government contracts would be necessary to assess their capabilities and reliability. Their experience with similar ecological challenges, project scale, and geographic conditions would be key indicators of their suitability for this contract. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively evaluate their past performance in this specialized area.

How does the awarded price of $73.2 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this invasive plant treatment project?

The provided data indicates the award amount is $73.2 million, but it does not include the original estimated cost or the allocated budget for this invasive plant treatment project. To assess value for money, a comparison between the awarded price and the government's independent cost estimate would be crucial. If the award is significantly below the estimate, it could indicate strong competition or favorable market conditions. Conversely, if it's at or above the estimate, further scrutiny of pricing and scope might be warranted. Without the estimate, a direct comparison of value is not possible.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks for this contract include the logistical challenges of operating in Alaska, the effectiveness of invasive plant treatment methods in diverse and potentially harsh ecosystems, and potential cost overruns due to unforeseen environmental conditions or treatment failures. Mitigation strategies would typically involve detailed planning, robust monitoring of treatment efficacy, contingency planning for weather delays or access issues, and strong contract management by the Bureau of Land Management. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some cost risk to the contractor, but performance failures could still impact ecological outcomes.

How effective are the chosen invasive plant treatment methods likely to be in the Alaskan environment, and how will success be measured?

The effectiveness of the chosen treatment methods will depend heavily on the specific invasive species present, the Alaskan ecosystem characteristics (e.g., soil type, climate, native vegetation), and the application protocols. Success measurement will likely involve pre-treatment surveys, post-treatment monitoring of target species reduction, and assessment of native vegetation recovery. Key performance indicators (KPIs) within the contract would define acceptable levels of reduction and desired ecological outcomes. The Bureau of Land Management would be responsible for verifying that these metrics are met throughout the contract period.

What is the historical spending trend for invasive plant management by the Department of the Interior or the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska?

Historical spending data for invasive plant management by the Department of the Interior or the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska is not provided in this data snippet. To establish a trend, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for contracts related to vegetation management, ecological restoration, and invasive species control within Alaska awarded by these agencies. Understanding historical spending can help contextualize the current $73.2 million award and identify any significant increases or decreases in investment in this area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140L6324Q0019

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11361 MAEL ST, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99516

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $105,275

Exercised Options: $73,200

Current Obligation: $73,200

Actual Outlays: $46,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline