DoD's $24.6M AFFF Remediation Contract Awarded to WSP USA for Worldwide Environmental Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,579,670 ($24.6M)

Contractor: WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-07-08

End Date: 2019-07-07

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING (A-E) SERVICES TO SUPPORT SITE INSPECTION OF AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF)RELEASE AREAS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS WORLDWIDE (PFC)

Place of Performance

Location: LUKE AFB, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85309

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.6 million to WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING (A-E) SERVICES TO SUPPORT SITE INSPECTION OF AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF)RELEASE AREAS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS WORLDWIDE (PFC) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental remediation for Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) releases, addressing a significant environmental concern. 2. The award utilized full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized environmental services. 3. A fixed fee contract type indicates that contractor profit is capped, potentially offering cost control. 4. The contract duration of approximately three years (1094 days) allows for sustained support on complex environmental projects. 5. Geographic scope includes worldwide support, highlighting the global nature of environmental challenges and DoD's commitment to addressing them. 6. The contract's value is substantial, reflecting the complexity and scale of AFFF remediation efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $24.6 million over three years for worldwide environmental services related to AFFF remediation appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work and the global scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts is challenging due to the specific focus on AFFF and the broad geographic coverage. However, the fixed fee structure provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 9 bidders suggests a competitive market for these specialized environmental engineering and remediation services. A competitive process generally leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves service quality.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from specialized expertise in managing and remediating environmental contamination caused by AFFF. Services delivered include site inspection and remediation support for AFFF release areas, crucial for environmental protection. The geographic impact is worldwide, addressing environmental concerns across various DoD installations globally. This contract supports a specialized workforce of environmental engineers, scientists, and remediation technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen remediation challenges arise beyond the scope of the fixed fee.
Ensuring consistent quality of service across diverse worldwide locations can be a challenge.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical, long-term environmental issue requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
The fixed fee structure provides a degree of cost control and predictability for the government.
The contract duration allows for sustained focus and expertise development on AFFF remediation.

Sector Analysis

The environmental services sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and the need for specialized remediation expertise. Contracts like this, supporting large government agencies such as the Department of Defense, represent a substantial portion of this market. The focus on AFFF remediation addresses a growing environmental concern related to firefighting foams, which are subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny and cleanup requirements worldwide. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint due to the niche nature of AFFF, but large-scale environmental remediation projects for government entities can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. While WSP USA is a large business, the competitive nature of the award may still create opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, particularly in specialized areas of environmental assessment and remediation. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on WSP USA's strategy and the specific requirements of the task orders issued under this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and financial oversight are standard mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Site Remediation
Hazardous Waste Management
Environmental Consulting Services
Department of Defense Environmental Programs
AFFF Contamination Cleanup

Risk Flags

Potential for cost growth beyond fixed fee if unforeseen conditions arise.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance across worldwide locations.
Long-term environmental liability management.
Dependence on contractor expertise for complex remediation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.6 million to WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC.. IGF::OT::IGF ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING (A-E) SERVICES TO SUPPORT SITE INSPECTION OF AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF)RELEASE AREAS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS WORLDWIDE (PFC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-07-08. End: 2019-07-07.

What is the track record of WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. in handling large-scale environmental remediation contracts for the federal government?

WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. has a significant track record in providing environmental consulting and engineering services to various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. They are involved in a wide range of projects, from site assessments and remediation design to construction management and environmental compliance. Their experience often includes complex projects involving hazardous materials and large geographical areas. While specific details on past AFFF-related contracts of this exact scale are not readily available in public summaries, their general expertise in environmental engineering and remediation suggests a capability to manage such a contract. Further analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations and any publicly available project reports to assess their success in meeting cost, schedule, and technical objectives on similar federal contracts.

How does the awarded value of $24.6 million compare to similar AFFF remediation contracts or large environmental remediation efforts by the DoD?

Direct comparisons for AFFF remediation contracts of this specific scope and global reach are challenging due to the specialized nature of the contaminant and the broad geographic coverage. However, large-scale environmental remediation projects undertaken by the Department of Defense can often range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity, size of the affected area, and the specific remediation technologies required. The $24.6 million for approximately three years of worldwide support for AFFF site inspection and remediation suggests a significant but potentially moderate investment relative to the most extensive environmental cleanup operations. It indicates a focused effort on addressing AFFF contamination across multiple DoD sites globally, rather than a single, massive cleanup operation.

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

Primary risks include potential cost overruns if unforeseen environmental conditions or remediation challenges arise, schedule delays due to logistical complexities in worldwide operations or regulatory hurdles, and performance risks related to ensuring consistent quality of service across diverse global locations. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, detailed site assessments, contingency planning for unexpected findings, strong contract oversight by the COR, and clear performance metrics. The fixed-fee structure itself acts as a risk mitigation tool for the government by capping contractor profit. Furthermore, the full and open competition process helps mitigate risks by selecting a contractor with demonstrated capabilities and potentially competitive pricing.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for money for this specific type of environmental service?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered highly effective in ensuring value for money, especially for specialized services like AFFF remediation. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For this contract, the fact that 9 bidders participated suggests a healthy market and provides the Department of the Air Force with a range of technical solutions and price points to choose from. This competition helps prevent price gouging and ensures that the government secures services at a rate reflective of market conditions. The selection process would then focus on the best value, considering both technical merit and cost, to maximize the return on taxpayer investment.

What are the historical spending patterns for AFFF remediation or similar environmental services within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending patterns for AFFF remediation within the Department of Defense have been increasing significantly over the past decade as awareness of its environmental impact and regulatory requirements have grown. The DoD has been a major user of AFFF, leading to widespread contamination at military installations. Consequently, spending on assessment, cleanup, and alternative firefighting foam development has escalated. While specific aggregate figures for AFFF remediation alone are not always easily isolated from broader environmental cleanup budgets, the DoD's overall environmental restoration program accounts for billions of dollars annually. Contracts for site investigations, remediation design, and long-term cleanup actions are common, with values varying widely based on the scale and complexity of the contamination at each site. This $24.6 million contract represents one component of the DoD's ongoing commitment to addressing AFFF contamination.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 751 ARBOR WAY, BLUE BELL, PA, 19422

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,579,670

Exercised Options: $24,579,670

Current Obligation: $24,579,670

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA890316D0027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline