Interior Department awards $320K for Ironwood Buffelgrass Spray, with 3 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $320,122 ($320.1K)

Contractor: BP Livestock, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-08

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,088 days

Daily Burn Rate: $294/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IRONWOOD BUFFELGRASS SPRAY

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE HAVASU CITY, MOHAVE County, ARIZONA, 86403

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $320,122.3 to BP LIVESTOCK, INC. for work described as: IRONWOOD BUFFELGRASS SPRAY Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy level of interest with 3 bidders. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the firm fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is within support activities for forestry. 5. Sector positioning is in land management and vegetation control.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $320,122.30 over approximately three years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific per-unit cost data for the buffelgrass spray, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure generally provides cost certainty for the government. Comparing this to similar vegetation management contracts would offer further insight into its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely open to a broad range of potential bidders. The receipt of 3 bids suggests adequate competition for this type of requirement. The level of competition is generally sufficient to promote price discovery and ensure a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, as multiple vendors vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Arizona benefits from this contract. Services delivered include the provision of Ironwood Buffelgrass Spray for land management. Geographic impact is focused on Arizona, where buffelgrass is a known invasive species. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the contractor's supply chain and delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues if product quality is not maintained.
Dependence on a single product for a specific land management need.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Competition under SAP suggests a reasonable market approach.
Clear delivery period and defined product.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader environmental services and land management sector. The market for vegetation control products and services is significant, driven by federal, state, and private land management needs. This specific contract addresses a niche requirement for buffelgrass control, a known invasive species in arid regions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for herbicides and invasive species management across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP, which can include opportunities for small businesses. However, there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside for this particular award. Subcontracting implications are not detailed, but larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized services or material supply.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the agency that awarded the contract. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price purchase order, requiring delivery of the specified product. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or significant mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Invasive Species Management Programs
Forestry and Wildland Fire Management Support
Bureau of Land Management Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for product efficacy issues.
Reliance on a single vendor for a specific need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $320,122.3 to BP LIVESTOCK, INC.. IRONWOOD BUFFELGRASS SPRAY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BP LIVESTOCK, 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 $320,122.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-08. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of BP LIVESTOCK, INC. with federal contracts?

Information on BP LIVESTOCK, INC.'s federal contracting history is limited based on the provided data. The award number '115310' suggests this is a specific contract or order. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to identify past performance, contract types, agencies served, and any reported issues or successes. Without this broader context, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and experience beyond this single award.

How does the price compare to similar vegetation control contracts?

A direct price comparison is challenging without specific per-unit cost data for the Ironwood Buffelgrass Spray and details on the formulation or application method. The total award of $320,122.30 over nearly three years is a moderate sum. To benchmark, one would need to identify contracts for similar herbicides or invasive species control services awarded by agencies like the BLM, Forest Service, or Department of Defense, noting the quantity, duration, and specific pest targeted. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the actual 'value' depends on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the spray itself compared to alternatives.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks for this contract are relatively low due to its nature. The firm fixed-price structure shifts most financial risk to the contractor, BP LIVESTOCK, INC. Potential risks include the contractor's ability to consistently supply the specified product according to quality standards and delivery schedules. There's also a risk related to the product's effectiveness in controlling buffelgrass in Arizona's specific environmental conditions. Lastly, reliance on a single product for a specific invasive species could pose a risk if the product proves less effective than anticipated or if environmental regulations change.

How effective is Ironwood Buffelgrass Spray in managing invasive species?

The effectiveness of 'Ironwood Buffelgrass Spray' is a critical factor for the Bureau of Land Management's land management goals. Buffelgrass ( *Cenchrus echinatus* ) is an aggressive invasive grass that can outcompete native vegetation and alter fire regimes. The efficacy of any specific herbicide formulation, like the one provided by BP LIVESTOCK, INC., depends on its active ingredients, concentration, application timing, and environmental conditions. While specific product data isn't provided, the BLM's decision to procure this suggests it is considered a viable or preferred option for managing buffelgrass in their operational areas. Independent research or field trials would be needed to definitively assess its long-term impact and cost-effectiveness compared to other control methods.

What is the historical spending trend for buffelgrass control by the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending trends for buffelgrass control by the Department of the Interior (DOI) would require accessing procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This specific $320,122.30 award is a single data point. To identify trends, one would need to query databases for contracts related to 'buffelgrass,' 'invasive species control,' or specific herbicide types used by DOI agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or National Park Service. Understanding past spending levels, the number and value of similar contracts, and the geographic distribution of these efforts would reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in managing this invasive species.

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: 140L6423Q0022

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7024 N 3525 W, CEDAR CITY, UT, 84721

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Agricultural Cooperative, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $656,410

Exercised Options: $320,122

Current Obligation: $320,122

Actual Outlays: $156,897

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline