Environmental services contract at Edwards AFB awarded to Environmental Quality Management, Inc. for $6.2M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,241,645 ($6.2M)

Contractor: Environmental Quality Management, Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-12-15

End Date: 2026-12-15

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FENCE TO FENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT EDWARDS AFB

Place of Performance

Location: JBSA LACKLAND, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78236

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6.2 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC for work described as: FENCE TO FENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT EDWARDS AFB Key points: 1. Contract focuses on remediation services, a critical environmental function. 2. Awarded via a GSA Federal Acquisition Service BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, shifting cost risk to the contractor. 4. Duration of 730 days suggests a medium-term service requirement. 5. The contractor has experience in environmental management. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.24 million over two years for environmental remediation services at Edwards AFB appears reasonable. While specific benchmarks for 'fence-to-fence' environmental services at military installations are not readily available, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and cost control. The award through a GSA BPA Call implies that pricing was likely benchmarked during the initial BPA competition, providing a degree of value assurance. Further analysis would require comparing the specific tasks and deliverables to similar contracts for environmental remediation at other federal sites.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, utilizing a GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This indicates that the underlying BPA was competed broadly, and this call order was placed against that established agreement. The presence of 4 bidders for this specific BPA call suggests a competitive environment, which generally aids in price discovery and ensures a reasonable selection of qualified contractors. The use of a BPA framework streamlines the procurement process while still allowing for competition at the call order level.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even through a BPA call, is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions, ultimately leading to better value for the government's investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Air Force at Edwards AFB, receiving essential environmental remediation services. Services delivered include 'fence-to-fence' environmental management, likely encompassing hazardous waste management, site cleanup, and compliance monitoring. The geographic impact is localized to Edwards AFB in Texas. The contract supports a workforce involved in environmental science, engineering, and hazardous material handling.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Scope creep potential in 'fence-to-fence' environmental services requires diligent oversight.
Reliance on a single BPA call could limit future competition if not managed strategically.
Environmental regulations are complex and subject to change, posing potential compliance risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Award through a GSA BPA suggests pre-qualification and potentially pre-negotiated rates.
Multiple bidders on the BPA call indicate a healthy level of contractor interest and capability.

Sector Analysis

The environmental services sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting agencies in managing compliance, remediation, and sustainability initiatives. This contract falls within the remediation services sub-sector (NAICS 562910). Federal spending in environmental services is driven by regulatory requirements, aging infrastructure, and the need to manage legacy contamination at government facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader environmental services contracts awarded to large federal agencies or through GSA schedules.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses indicated in the provided data. Environmental Quality Management, Inc. is likely a large business. The absence of set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are limited unless they are subcontractors to the prime awardee. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem for environmental services would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration team within the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Performance monitoring will be crucial, given the 'fence-to-fence' nature of the services. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet performance standards within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Base Operations Support Contracts
Hazardous Waste Management
GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Department of Defense Environmental Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen environmental conditions impacting scope and cost.
Complexity of 'fence-to-fence' environmental services requires robust oversight.
Reliance on BPA framework may limit future direct competition if not managed.
Changes in environmental regulations could necessitate contract modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6.2 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC. FENCE TO FENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT EDWARDS AFB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-15. End: 2026-12-15.

What is the track record of Environmental Quality Management, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in environmental services?

Environmental Quality Management, Inc. (EQM) has a significant history of performing federal contracts, primarily in environmental services. A review of federal procurement data indicates EQM has been awarded numerous contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and EPA. These contracts often involve hazardous waste management, site remediation, environmental consulting, and facility operations. Their experience spans a wide range of complexities, from routine compliance support to large-scale cleanup projects. The firm-fixed-price nature of the current award suggests a confidence in their ability to manage costs and performance within defined parameters, a capability likely honed through their extensive federal contracting background. Further due diligence would involve examining past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes on prior similar contracts.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar environmental remediation services at other federal installations?

Benchmarking the pricing for this $6.24 million, two-year 'fence-to-fence' environmental services contract at Edwards AFB against similar federal contracts is challenging without access to detailed task orders and specific service levels. However, the award through a GSA BPA Call suggests that pricing was vetted during the initial BPA competition, which typically involves market research and rate analysis. Firm-fixed-price contracts, while providing cost certainty, can sometimes be priced higher than cost-reimbursable contracts if significant risk is perceived. To conduct a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with comparable scopes (e.g., comprehensive environmental management at large military bases), contract types, and geographic locations, and then analyze the per-unit costs for specific services like waste disposal, monitoring, or spill response.

What are the primary risks associated with this 'fence-to-fence' environmental services contract?

The primary risks associated with this 'fence-to-fence' environmental services contract include the inherent complexity and potential unpredictability of environmental conditions. Unforeseen contamination discoveries could lead to scope expansion and cost increases, although the firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure aims to mitigate this by placing risk on the contractor. Regulatory changes or stricter enforcement could necessitate additional services or compliance measures not initially scoped. Contractor performance risk is also present; failure to meet stringent environmental standards could result in penalties, reputational damage, and potential contract termination. Furthermore, the 'fence-to-fence' scope implies a broad responsibility, increasing the potential for oversight gaps or missed issues if not managed meticulously by both the contractor and the government's technical representatives.

How effective is the GSA BPA Call mechanism for ensuring value in environmental services procurement?

The GSA BPA Call mechanism can be effective for ensuring value in environmental services procurement by leveraging pre-competed agreements. The initial BPA competition involves vetting multiple vendors on technical capabilities, pricing structures, and past performance, establishing a baseline for services. When a specific need arises, like this contract at Edwards AFB, agencies can issue a 'call' against the BPA. This process is faster than a full new procurement and often benefits from the pre-negotiated terms and rates. The inclusion of multiple bidders for the call order further enhances competition. However, the ultimate value depends on the rigor of the initial BPA competition and the clarity of the task requirements in the call order. If the BPA scope is too broad or the call requirements are poorly defined, the competitive advantage may be diminished.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental services at Edwards AFB or similar Air Force installations?

Historical spending patterns for environmental services at Edwards AFB and similar Air Force installations typically show consistent, significant investment driven by regulatory compliance (e.g., RCRA, CERCLA) and the management of legacy contamination. Air Force bases often have extensive operational histories, leading to a need for ongoing remediation, waste management, and environmental monitoring. Spending can fluctuate based on specific cleanup projects, new regulatory mandates, or shifts in environmental policy. Contracts for these services are often long-term and awarded through competitive processes, including GSA schedules, IDIQs, and BPAs. While specific dollar figures for Edwards AFB are not provided here, it's reasonable to assume that environmental services represent a substantial and recurring portion of the base's operational budget, likely in the millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale of active environmental programs.

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

Solicitation ID: 47QFWA24Q0019

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 CARILLION BLVD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45240

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,846,762

Exercised Options: $6,695,940

Current Obligation: $6,241,645

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $2,154,856

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFWA24A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline