EPA awards $5M+ for remediation services, with TETRA TECH, INC. securing a delivery order under a firm-fixed-price contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,002,098 ($5.0M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2020-06-05

End Date: 2026-12-06

Contract Duration: 2,375 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 0354 HAVERTOWN PCP SITE DES SUITE

Place of Performance

Location: HAVERTOWN, DELAWARE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19083

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $5.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: 0354 HAVERTOWN PCP SITE DES SUITE Key points: 1. The contract value of over $5 million for remediation services suggests a significant undertaking, requiring robust oversight. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the duration of the contract warrants monitoring for potential scope creep. 3. Competition dynamics are crucial for ensuring value; a full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. 4. The specific remediation services and location (Pennsylvania) will influence the complexity and cost-effectiveness of the work. 5. Performance metrics and quality control will be key to assessing the success of this contract. 6. The contractor, TETRA TECH, INC., has a substantial presence in government contracting, indicating experience but also potential for concentrated risk.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5,007,097.72 for remediation services appears reasonable given the potential scope of environmental cleanup. Benchmarking against similar large-scale remediation contracts would provide further context on value for money. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) award type suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and aims to control costs, which is a positive sign for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, leading to better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition itself suggests a healthy market for these services.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best possible price and quality for the required remediation services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the communities and ecosystems impacted by environmental contamination, through the cleanup of hazardous sites. The services delivered involve environmental remediation, addressing pollution and restoring affected areas. The geographic impact is focused on Pennsylvania, as indicated by the 'SN' field. Workforce implications could include the creation of jobs for environmental scientists, engineers, technicians, and laborers involved in the remediation process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of remediation is underestimated, despite the FFP contract.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant duration could pose risks if performance issues arise.
The complexity of environmental remediation can lead to unforeseen challenges impacting timelines and costs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contractor, TETRA TECH, INC., is an established entity with experience in government contracts.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, driven by regulatory compliance and the need to address historical contamination. Spending in this sector is often influenced by government policies and enforcement actions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale EPA or Department of Defense remediation contracts.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature and potential scale of environmental remediation projects, it is common for prime contracts to be awarded to larger firms. However, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to TETRA TECH, INC., depending on the project's specific needs and subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through its regional offices and program managers responsible for Superfund or other remediation initiatives. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement, milestones, and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting on environmental cleanup progress.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Brownfields Program
Defense Environmental Remediation

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Scope Definition
Performance Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $5.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. 0354 HAVERTOWN PCP SITE DES SUITE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-05. End: 2026-12-06.

What is the historical spending pattern of TETRA TECH, INC. with the EPA for remediation services?

Analyzing the historical spending of TETRA TECH, INC. with the EPA for remediation services would involve reviewing past contract awards, delivery orders, and task orders issued to the company. This would help establish a baseline for their involvement in similar projects, identify trends in contract values, and assess their performance history. A significant and consistent award history could indicate strong performance and a trusted relationship, but it also warrants scrutiny to ensure continued competitiveness and value for money. Conversely, a sudden increase or decrease in awards might signal shifts in EPA priorities or contractor capacity. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide a precise pattern, but a review of federal procurement databases like FPDS or USASpending would be necessary.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or ceiling of the parent contract under which this delivery order was issued?

This delivery order has an award amount of $5,007,097.72. To assess how this compares to the parent contract's estimated value or ceiling, one would need to access the details of the underlying indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or basic ordering agreement (BOA) from which this delivery order was placed. Often, delivery orders represent a portion of a larger contract's total authorized value. If this delivery order represents a substantial portion of the parent contract's ceiling, it might indicate a significant project or a concentration of work. Conversely, if the parent contract has a much higher ceiling, this delivery order would be considered a smaller task within a broader framework. The relationship between the delivery order value and the parent contract's ceiling is crucial for understanding the overall scale and commitment of federal funds.

What are the specific remediation activities covered by this contract and their associated risks?

The contract is for 'Remediation Services' (NAICS code 562910), which is a broad category. Specific activities could include site investigation, risk assessment, soil and groundwater remediation, hazardous waste removal, demolition, and long-term monitoring. The risks associated with these activities are multifaceted. Technical risks involve the effectiveness of chosen remediation technologies, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., buried utilities, complex geology), and potential for secondary contamination. Schedule risks arise from permitting delays, weather impacts, and contractor performance. Cost risks are present if the scope is underestimated or if unexpected technical challenges emerge, even under a firm-fixed-price contract, particularly if change orders become necessary. Environmental risks include potential releases during cleanup operations and ensuring complete site restoration.

What performance metrics are typically used to evaluate remediation services contracts of this nature?

Performance metrics for remediation services contracts typically focus on several key areas. These include adherence to schedule, with metrics measuring on-time completion of milestones and overall project delivery. Cost control is also critical, evaluating whether the project stays within the firm-fixed-price budget and managing any necessary change orders effectively. Technical performance is assessed based on the effectiveness of the remediation techniques employed, meeting cleanup standards, and achieving site closure goals. Quality of work is paramount, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, safety standards, and contract specifications. Finally, contractor responsiveness and communication are often evaluated, looking at how well the contractor addresses issues, provides reports, and collaborates with government oversight personnel.

What is the typical duration and cost range for similar environmental remediation contracts awarded by the EPA?

Environmental remediation contracts awarded by the EPA can vary significantly in duration and cost depending on the scale and complexity of the contamination. Projects can range from a few months for smaller, less complex sites to several years for large, multi-phase Superfund sites. Similarly, costs can range from tens of thousands of dollars for minor cleanup actions to hundreds of millions or even billions for extensive, long-term remediation efforts. A contract valued at approximately $5 million with a duration of over six years (June 2020 to December 2026) suggests a moderately sized project with ongoing or phased remediation activities, potentially involving multiple stages of assessment, cleanup, and monitoring.

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

Solicitation ID: 68HE0320R0007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 234 MALL BOULEVARD STE 260, KING OF PRUSSIA, PA, 19406

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,002,098

Exercised Options: $5,002,098

Current Obligation: $5,002,098

Actual Outlays: $2,726,303

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline