Nobis Engineering awarded $3.36M task order for Superfund site remediation services by EPA
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,362,175 ($3.4M)
Contractor: Nobis Engineering, Inc
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2021-04-07
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,094 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REMEDIAL ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK (RAF), DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DES). ISSUANCE OF TASK ORDER FOR THE MICROFAB SUPERFUND SITE.
Place of Performance
Location: AMESBURY, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01913
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.4 million to NOBIS ENGINEERING, INC for work described as: REMEDIAL ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK (RAF), DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DES). ISSUANCE OF TASK ORDER FOR THE MICROFAB SUPERFUND SITE. Key points: 1. Task order awarded under a broader Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF) for Design and Engineering Services (DES). 2. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can present cost control challenges. 3. The contract duration is substantial at 2094 days, indicating a long-term remediation effort. 4. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a key agency for environmental cleanup. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 points to Remediation Services. 6. The task order is for the Microfab Superfund Site, highlighting a specific environmental challenge.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and within expected parameters. While the total award is $3.36 million, the fixed fee component needs to be assessed against the scope of work and the contractor's performance. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for similar Superfund site remediation and engineering services is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment. Without specific cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar projects, it's difficult to definitively state value for money, but the CPFF structure warrants scrutiny.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this specific task order. While full and open competition is generally preferred for ensuring fair pricing and access to the best solutions, the actual level of competition can vary significantly depending on the complexity and specialized nature of the work.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment, which typically leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ultimately maximizing the value of federal dollars.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the communities impacted by the Microfab Superfund Site, receiving services aimed at environmental cleanup and restoration. The services delivered include design and engineering for the remediation of a contaminated site. The geographic impact is localized to the area surrounding the Microfab Superfund Site in Massachusetts. The contract supports specialized engineering and environmental science professionals, contributing to the workforce in these fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- Long contract duration (2094 days) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued performance and adherence to scope.
- Superfund site remediation can involve unforeseen complexities, potentially leading to scope changes and cost adjustments.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- The contractor, Nobis Engineering, Inc., is likely experienced in environmental remediation services.
- The task order is part of a broader Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF), suggesting a structured approach to environmental services.
Sector Analysis
The environmental remediation sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, which is driven by regulatory compliance and the need to address historical contamination. Superfund sites, managed under the EPA's program, represent some of the most complex and challenging cleanup projects. Spending in this sector is influenced by government funding priorities, regulatory changes, and the identification of new contaminated sites. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale Superfund remediation contracts awarded by the EPA or state environmental agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on large business prime contractors. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this task order. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Nobis Engineering, Inc. intends to subcontract portions of the work to smaller firms, which is a common practice in large federal contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be primarily managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the awarding agency. As a task order under a larger framework, it likely falls under existing oversight mechanisms for the Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF). Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, and milestone completion. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific project details and cost breakdowns may be less publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- Superfund Program
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Design and Engineering Services
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
- Long contract duration necessitates sustained performance monitoring.
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions in Superfund remediation.
Tags
environmental-protection, remediation-services, design-engineering, environmental-protection-agency, superfund, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, task-order, nobis-engineering, massachusetts, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.4 million to NOBIS ENGINEERING, INC. REMEDIAL ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK (RAF), DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DES). ISSUANCE OF TASK ORDER FOR THE MICROFAB SUPERFUND SITE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NOBIS ENGINEERING, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-04-07. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the specific scope of work for the Microfab Superfund Site remediation under this task order?
The task order is for Design and Engineering Services (DES) related to the Microfab Superfund Site. This typically involves detailed site investigations, risk assessments, development of remediation strategies, design of cleanup technologies, and preparation of construction documents. The specific contaminants and the required remediation approach would dictate the precise engineering tasks. Given it's a Superfund site, the work is likely complex, involving hazardous substances requiring specialized engineering solutions to mitigate environmental and health risks. The duration of the contract (2094 days) suggests a comprehensive and potentially multi-phase remediation design process.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar environmental remediation projects?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or involves significant uncertainties, common in complex environmental remediation. The contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, representing profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the government if the scope changes but can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly, as the contractor has less incentive to control costs beyond what's necessary to complete the work within the fee. Other types like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) can introduce performance incentives. For well-defined remediation tasks, FFP might be more cost-effective for taxpayers, but the inherent uncertainties in Superfund sites often lead agencies to favor CPFF or similar cost-reimbursement structures.
What is Nobis Engineering, Inc.'s track record with EPA and Superfund projects?
Nobis Engineering, Inc. is a recognized engineering firm specializing in environmental consulting and remediation. A review of federal contract databases and EPA's project history would reveal their past performance on similar contracts. Generally, firms awarded positions on Remedial Acquisition Frameworks (RAF) have demonstrated prior success and expertise in environmental services. Their experience with the EPA and specifically with Superfund sites would be a key factor in their selection. Without direct access to performance evaluations or a detailed project history for Nobis Engineering specifically on this task order, it's assumed their selection indicates a satisfactory track record, though past performance reviews are critical for a complete assessment.
What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract?
The 2094-day duration (approximately 5.7 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of contractor performance degradation over time if oversight is not consistent. Secondly, technological advancements in remediation could emerge during the contract period, potentially making the initially designed methods less optimal or efficient. Thirdly, changes in environmental regulations or scientific understanding of contaminants could necessitate scope adjustments, leading to potential cost increases or delays. Finally, key personnel turnover within the contractor's organization could impact project continuity and institutional knowledge. Robust contract management and regular performance reviews are essential to mitigate these long-term risks.
How does this $3.36 million award compare to overall EPA spending on Superfund remediation?
This $3.36 million task order represents a specific component of the EPA's broader Superfund program. The total annual budget for the Superfund program can fluctuate significantly but often runs into billions of dollars when considering all sites, cleanup activities, enforcement, and administrative costs. Individual task orders for design and engineering services, while substantial, are typically a fraction of the overall cost of remediation, which includes long-term operations and maintenance. Therefore, this award should be viewed as a specific investment in the planning and design phase for one particular site, rather than a measure of total Superfund spending. Benchmarking requires comparing it to other DES task orders within the RAF or similar EPA contracts.
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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 18 CHENELL DR, CONCORD, NH, 03301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,362,175
Exercised Options: $3,362,175
Current Obligation: $3,362,175
Actual Outlays: $3,069,837
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-20
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