EPA awards $20.8M for State Road 114 cleanup, extending remediation services through 2021

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,846,670 ($20.8M)

Contractor: EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2011-05-05

End Date: 2021-05-21

Contract Duration: 3,669 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: STATE ROAD 114 LONG TERM REMEDIAL ACTION INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR NEW TASK ORDER UNDER CONTRACT NO. EP-W-06-004-EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY,INC.

Place of Performance

Location: LEWISVILLE, DENTON County, TEXAS, 75067

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $20.8 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC for work described as: STATE ROAD 114 LONG TERM REMEDIAL ACTION INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR NEW TASK ORDER UNDER CONTRACT NO. EP-W-06-004-EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY,INC. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $20.8 million for long-term remedial action indicates a significant investment in environmental cleanup. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were 'full and open after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a potentially complex procurement process. 3. The extended duration of 3669 days points to the long-term nature of environmental remediation projects. 4. The contract type, 'Time and Materials,' can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 5. The primary contractor, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC, is positioned to deliver specialized environmental services. 6. The remediation services sector is critical for addressing legacy environmental issues and ensuring public health. 7. The award to a single entity suggests a focus on specialized expertise required for this specific remedial action.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $20.8 million award for remedial action services appears substantial, but without specific benchmarks for the State Road 114 site, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The 'Time and Materials' contract type, while flexible, carries inherent risks of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar long-term environmental remediation projects of comparable scope and complexity would be necessary to definitively assess pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This designation implies that while the competition was generally open, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons, potentially related to specialized capabilities or prior involvement. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests a nuanced competitive landscape rather than a completely unrestricted bid process.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'full and open' aspect is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it aims to solicit the widest possible range of offers, potentially driving down costs. However, the 'exclusion of sources' element warrants further scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and lead to a higher price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by the environmental contamination at the State Road 114 site, receiving improved environmental conditions. The services delivered include long-term remedial action, crucial for mitigating environmental hazards and protecting public health. The geographic impact is localized to the State Road 114 site and its surrounding areas in Texas. The contract supports specialized jobs in environmental engineering, science, and technology, contributing to the skilled workforce in the remediation sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Time and Materials' contract type can lead to cost uncertainty and potential overruns if not rigorously monitored.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process could limit the range of potential bidders and impact price discovery.
The long duration of the contract (3669 days) increases the risk of scope creep or changes in environmental regulations impacting project costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics or outcome-based measures in the provided data makes it difficult to assess effectiveness beyond completion.
The absence of small business subcontracting information raises questions about broader economic impact and opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

The award to a specialized firm like EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC, suggests access to necessary expertise for complex remediation.
The 'full and open' competition, even with exclusions, aims to ensure a level of market engagement and potential for competitive pricing.
The long-term nature of the contract indicates a commitment to addressing a significant environmental issue comprehensively.
The focus on remedial action directly addresses environmental protection and public health concerns, a critical government function.
The contract's incremental funding structure allows for phased execution and potential adjustments based on project progress.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation services sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, focusing on cleaning up contaminated sites. This contract falls within the remediation sub-sector, which involves a range of activities from site assessment to long-term monitoring and cleanup. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, historical industrial activity, and government initiatives for environmental protection. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per unit of contaminant removed or per acre remediated for similar Superfund or hazardous waste sites.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scope and complexity of the work likely required specialized capabilities typically found in larger firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, which makes it difficult to assess the extent to which small businesses might be involved in supporting the prime contractor. Further investigation into subcontracting goals and achievements would be needed to understand the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), given its role as the awarding agency. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would likely have jurisdiction for audits and investigations into potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency would be facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG and agency reporting requirements. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones, subject to ongoing EPA program management oversight.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Remedial Action
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup
Environmental Consulting Services
Defense Environmental Restoration Program
Department of Energy Environmental Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders and specific exclusions in the competition.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals or reporting.
Need for detailed benchmarking to assess value for money.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope changes and cost escalation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $20.8 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC. STATE ROAD 114 LONG TERM REMEDIAL ACTION INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR NEW TASK ORDER UNDER CONTRACT NO. EP-W-06-004-EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY,INC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-05-05. End: 2021-05-21.

What is the track record of EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC with the EPA on similar remediation contracts?

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC has a history of working with the Environmental Protection Agency on various environmental projects. Their portfolio often includes site investigation, remediation design, and construction oversight for hazardous waste sites. Analyzing their past performance on EPA contracts, particularly those involving long-term remedial actions and similar contaminants, would provide insight into their capabilities, cost control, and adherence to schedules. Specific contract performance evaluations and any past performance issues or commendations would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and effectiveness in executing this current award.

How does the $20.8 million cost compare to similar long-term remedial action projects managed by the EPA?

Benchmarking the $20.8 million cost requires comparing it to similar long-term remedial action projects undertaken by the EPA. Key comparison factors include the size and complexity of the contaminated site, the type and concentration of contaminants, the chosen remediation technologies, and the duration of the project. Without specific details on these factors for the State Road 114 site, a direct comparison is difficult. However, large-scale, multi-year remediation projects for complex hazardous waste sites can easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. The cost-effectiveness would also depend on the achieved environmental outcomes and the long-term liability reduction.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' contract for environmental remediation?

The primary risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract for environmental remediation revolve around cost control and predictability. In a T&M structure, the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or profit. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work expands unexpectedly, if contractor efficiency is low, or if materials become more expensive than anticipated. Unlike fixed-price contracts, there is less incentive for the contractor to control costs aggressively. Robust oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, and clear definitions of 'materials' and 'labor' are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure fair pricing for the government.

What does 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' imply for this contract's procurement and pricing?

The procurement term 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests a competitive process that was initially broad but narrowed based on specific criteria. This typically means that while the solicitation was publicly advertised, certain potential offerors were excluded due to reasons such as lacking specific security clearances, possessing proprietary technology essential for the task, or having prior involvement that created a conflict of interest. While aiming for broad competition, the exclusion of sources could potentially limit the number of viable bidders, which might impact the degree of price competition achieved. The justification for excluding sources would need to be robust to ensure it did not unduly restrict competition and lead to suboptimal pricing for the taxpayer.

How has EPA spending on remediation services evolved over the past five years?

EPA spending on remediation services has generally remained a significant component of its environmental program budget, driven by mandates under laws like CERCLA (Superfund) and RCRA. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate based on site needs, funding appropriations, and the lifecycle stage of various cleanup projects, there has been a consistent need for these services. Factors influencing spending include the number of sites requiring cleanup, the complexity of contamination, technological advancements in remediation, and policy priorities. Analyzing historical EPA budget documents and contract databases would reveal trends in obligated amounts for remediation services, highlighting any increases or decreases in investment in this critical area.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11019 MCCORMICK ROAD, HUNT VALLEY, MD, 21031

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,846,670

Exercised Options: $20,846,670

Current Obligation: $20,846,670

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $7,471,994

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPW06004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline