DoD's $16.8M environmental remediation contract with Weston Solutions Inc. shows fair value over 6 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,857,731 ($16.9M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-04-20
End Date: 2013-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,355 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: OPTION PERIOD 4
Place of Performance
Location: VALLEJO, SOLANO County, CALIFORNIA, 94592
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.9 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: OPTION PERIOD 4 Key points: 1. The contract demonstrates a commitment to environmental cleanup services, aligning with federal mandates. 2. Weston Solutions Inc. has a long-standing relationship with the Department of Defense for remediation. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a predictable cost environment for the government. 4. Performance context indicates a multi-year engagement, allowing for sustained environmental management. 5. The contract's sector positioning is within environmental services, a critical area for government operations. 6. Competition dynamics were robust, with three bidders vying for this significant contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $16.8 million over approximately six years suggests a reasonable annual expenditure for environmental remediation services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental cleanup contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be advantageous for the government if managed effectively. The duration of the contract also allows for economies of scale and consistent service delivery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bidders participating, the competition level appears adequate, suggesting that the government received multiple proposals and had a choice among qualified contractors. This level of competition generally helps in achieving fair market prices and encourages contractors to offer their best terms.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process 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 through the effective cleanup and management of environmental hazards at its facilities. Environmental remediation services are delivered, contributing to regulatory compliance and ecological restoration. The contract's geographic impact is focused on California, where the remediation activities are likely concentrated. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for environmental scientists, engineers, and technicians involved in the cleanup process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen environmental conditions arise, despite the firm-fixed-price structure.
- Long-term environmental liabilities could extend beyond the contract period, requiring ongoing monitoring.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical environmental service could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Demonstrated experience of Weston Solutions Inc. in large-scale environmental remediation projects.
- The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Successful completion of previous phases or similar contracts by the incumbent contractor.
- The competitive bidding process suggests a fair market price was established.
Sector Analysis
The environmental remediation sector is a critical component of government contracting, particularly for agencies managing large land holdings and historical facilities. This contract falls within the broader environmental services industry, which includes site assessment, cleanup, waste management, and compliance consulting. The market is characterized by specialized firms capable of handling complex environmental challenges. Spending in this sector is often driven by regulatory requirements and the need to address legacy contamination.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Weston Solutions Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or materials, depending on their own procurement strategies and the specific needs of the remediation projects.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration team within the Department of the Navy. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance checks are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Department of Defense Contracts
- Navy Environmental Programs
- Site Cleanup Contracts
- Federal Environmental Compliance
Risk Flags
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
- Long-term environmental monitoring requirements.
- Dependence on contractor performance for critical cleanup operations.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, environmental-remediation, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, california, large-contract, remediation-services, weston-solutions-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.9 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. OPTION PERIOD 4
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-04-20. End: 2013-09-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for environmental remediation services by the Department of the Navy in California?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for environmental remediation by the Department of the Navy in California requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. While this specific contract award is for $16.8 million, understanding the broader trend involves looking at multiple contracts over several fiscal years. Factors influencing spending include the number of sites requiring remediation, the complexity of contamination, regulatory changes, and budget allocations. Historically, the Navy has significant environmental cleanup obligations due to its extensive coastal bases and industrial activities. Spending can fluctuate annually based on project phasing and available funding. A comprehensive analysis would involve aggregating data from similar contracts to identify average annual expenditures, common service providers, and the types of remediation activities most frequently contracted.
How does the per-unit cost of this remediation contract compare to similar projects nationwide?
Determining the per-unit cost for this remediation contract and comparing it to national benchmarks is challenging without specific details on the scope of work and the units of measure (e.g., per cubic yard of soil remediated, per acre cleaned, per gallon of water treated). The total award of $16.8 million covers a duration of approximately six years. To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify comparable contracts with similar contamination types, site conditions, and remediation technologies. Factors such as labor costs, material availability, regulatory requirements, and the specific geographic location significantly influence per-unit costs. A preliminary assessment suggests the annual average of roughly $2.8 million is substantial, indicating a large-scale or complex project, but without granular data, a definitive value-for-money judgment based on per-unit cost is difficult.
What is Weston Solutions Inc.'s track record with federal environmental remediation contracts?
Weston Solutions Inc. has a substantial track record with federal environmental remediation contracts, particularly with agencies like the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency. They have been involved in numerous projects addressing a wide range of environmental challenges, including hazardous waste site cleanup, munitions response, and infrastructure support. Their experience often involves complex, large-scale operations requiring expertise in engineering, environmental science, and project management. Reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability. Their longevity in the federal contracting space suggests a consistent ability to meet government requirements.
What are the primary risks associated with this type of environmental remediation contract?
The primary risks associated with this type of environmental remediation contract include unforeseen site conditions, which can significantly increase costs and extend project timelines, even under a firm-fixed-price contract. Regulatory changes or evolving environmental standards could necessitate modifications to the cleanup approach. Contractor performance issues, such as delays, quality deficiencies, or safety incidents, pose another risk. Furthermore, long-term monitoring and maintenance requirements may extend beyond the contract's scope, creating potential future liabilities. The potential for environmental accidents or spills during remediation activities also represents a significant risk that requires robust safety protocols and contingency planning.
How effective have similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts been in achieving cleanup goals?
The effectiveness of large-scale environmental remediation contracts can vary widely depending on project specifics, contractor performance, regulatory oversight, and the complexity of the contamination. Many such contracts have successfully addressed significant environmental issues, leading to improved ecological conditions and compliance with environmental laws. However, challenges such as cost overruns, schedule delays, and incomplete cleanup have also been documented in some cases. Success is often measured by the achievement of cleanup standards, long-term protectiveness of human health and the environment, and adherence to budget and schedule. Continuous monitoring, adaptive management strategies, and strong government oversight are crucial for maximizing effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118341234)
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 19380
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,857,731
Exercised Options: $16,857,731
Current Obligation: $16,857,731
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N6871101D6010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-04-20
Current End Date: 2013-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-08-05
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