Purchase Order 140F0S23P0018

Garcia Forest Service LLC, a minority-owned and Hispanic American-owned small business based in Rockingham, North Carolina, was awarded a $1.1 million firm fixed-price contract by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior) on August 7, 2023, to establish and maintain fire breaks at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. The contract, issued as a small business set-aside purchase order, requires the contractor to establish eight new fire breaks totaling approximately 438 acres using specialized equipment including amphibious excavators and low ground pressure tracked machines. The work scope encompasses fire break establishment and maintenance services performed in accordance with detailed statement of work requirements, with particular emphasis on environmental and cultural resource protection throughout the project execution.

The ultimate completion date was originally scheduled for September 2024; however, Modification 3 extended the period of performance to January 31, 2026, to accommodate unforeseen circumstances including contractor equipment issues and adverse weather conditions. Garcia Forest Service LLC brings substantial relevant experience to this engagement, having established itself as a key regional contractor for vegetation management, ecosystem restoration, and land management services across southeastern national forests and wildlife refuges. The company holds multiple blanket purchase agreements totaling over $33 million with federal agencies, demonstrating its capability to deliver specialized forestry and habitat preservation services that support critical Fish and Wildlife Service objectives.