Interior Department awards $4.7M for environmental consulting, focusing on Colorado's VRSMP project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,720,507 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Environmental Management & Planning Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2027-12-30

Contract Duration: 1,551 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FEASIBILITY REPORT AND EIS - VRSMP

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.7 million to ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & PLANNING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: FEASIBILITY REPORT AND EIS - VRSMP Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year environmental impact study. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The contract duration aligns with the scope of an EIS and feasibility study. 5. Environmental consulting services are critical for infrastructure and resource management projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4.7 million for a feasibility report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) over nearly four years appears to be within a reasonable range for such complex environmental assessments. Benchmarking against similar EIS contracts for large infrastructure or resource management projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, shifting cost risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition suggests a robust market for environmental consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, who will receive crucial environmental data for the VRSMP project. The services delivered include a feasibility report and a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement. The geographic impact is focused on Colorado, where the VRSMP project is located. This contract supports specialized environmental consulting jobs within the sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if project requirements evolve significantly during the EIS process.
Timeliness of deliverables is crucial; delays could impact the overall project schedule.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market, likely leading to better pricing.
The contractor, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & PLANNING SOLUTIONS LLC, has experience in environmental services.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is vital for government agencies undertaking large-scale projects that require environmental impact assessments and feasibility studies. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Spending in this area is often tied to infrastructure development, resource management, and regulatory compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EIS contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar project scopes and durations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract may be limited unless the prime contractor engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Bureau of Reclamation contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific internal review processes are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Impact Statements
Feasibility Studies
Bureau of Reclamation Projects
Department of the Interior Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays impacting downstream project phases.
Scope definition clarity is critical for fixed-price contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.7 million to ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & PLANNING SOLUTIONS LLC. FEASIBILITY REPORT AND EIS - VRSMP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & PLANNING SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2027-12-30.

What is the track record of ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & PLANNING SOLUTIONS LLC with federal contracts, particularly for EIS and feasibility studies?

Environmental Management & Planning Solutions LLC (EMPS) has a history of performing environmental consulting services for federal agencies. While specific details on their track record for EIS and feasibility studies within the provided data are limited, their award for this significant contract by the Department of the Interior suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and the complexity of previously completed EIS projects, would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering such critical environmental assessments.

How does the $4.7 million contract value compare to similar EIS and feasibility study contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or other agencies?

The $4.7 million contract value for a multi-year EIS and feasibility study is within a typical range for such comprehensive environmental assessments, especially for projects with significant scope like the VRSMP. However, without specific benchmarking data for comparable projects (e.g., size, complexity, duration, geographic region), it's challenging to definitively assess if this represents excellent, good, or fair value. Factors such as the specific environmental challenges, the level of detail required, and the number of alternatives analyzed can significantly influence costs. A comparative analysis with other EIS contracts awarded by agencies like the EPA or Army Corps of Engineers for similar infrastructure or resource management initiatives would provide a more robust benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential scope creep, where project requirements may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost and schedule overruns. Delays in delivering the feasibility report or EIS could also impact the overall timeline of the VRSMP project. The primary mitigation strategy employed here is the firm-fixed-price contract type, which shifts the financial risk of cost overruns to the contractor. Additionally, the full and open competition process aims to select a contractor with a proven ability to manage such projects effectively. Clear contract management and communication protocols between the Bureau of Reclamation and the contractor are also crucial for risk mitigation.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for this type of environmental consulting service?

The full and open competition process is generally considered a highly effective mechanism for ensuring value for money in the procurement of specialized services like environmental consulting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment that encourages contractors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. This broad competition increases the likelihood that the government will select a contractor capable of delivering high-quality services at a fair and reasonable price. While the number of bidders isn't specified, the method itself suggests a market where multiple firms are capable and willing to compete, which is a positive indicator for taxpayer value.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services by the Department of the Interior, and how does this contract fit within that pattern?

Historical spending data for environmental consulting services by the Department of the Interior would reveal trends in contract awards, typical values, and the types of services most frequently procured. This $4.7 million contract for an EIS and feasibility study appears to be a significant, but not necessarily outlier, investment typical for major resource management or infrastructure projects overseen by the Department. Understanding the frequency and scale of past EIS awards would help contextualize this contract's value and duration within the Department's broader environmental stewardship and project development activities. Analyzing trends could also indicate shifts in environmental policy or project priorities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140R3023R0027

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM

Address: 3005 CENTER GREEN DR, BOULDER, CO, 80301

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,720,507

Exercised Options: $4,720,507

Current Obligation: $4,720,507

Actual Outlays: $1,170,621

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA23D0018

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline