EPA awards $8.3M remedial assessment contract to Tetra Tech, Inc. for environmental consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,320,948 ($8.3M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2020-08-06

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,154 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER #05 - REMEDIAL ASSESSMENT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19103

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $8.3 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER #05 - REMEDIAL ASSESSMENT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. Duration of over 2000 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541620 points to specialized environmental consulting. 5. The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger award, implying it's part of an existing framework agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.3 million over approximately 6 years for remedial assessment support activities appears reasonable given the scope of environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar long-term environmental assessment contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government in managing cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The EPA's use of this procurement method suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, potentially reducing overall program costs.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical support for its environmental assessment programs. Services include remedial assessment activities, which are vital for identifying and addressing environmental contamination. The contract's geographic focus is Pennsylvania (PA), indicating a specific regional need for these environmental services. The contract supports the environmental consulting sector, potentially involving specialized scientific and technical personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial remedial assessments uncover unforeseen complexities requiring extensive follow-on work.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration could limit flexibility if needs change substantially.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
Long contract duration allows for sustained support and potential for building contractor expertise.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance, remediation needs, and infrastructure development. This contract falls within the environmental assessment and remediation sub-sector, which is characterized by specialized expertise in areas like site investigation, risk assessment, and regulatory support. Spending in this area is often tied to federal and state environmental mandates.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific award. The primary contractor, Tetra Tech, Inc., is a large business, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting and program management offices. As a task order under a larger award, existing oversight mechanisms for the parent contract would likely apply. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and reporting details may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) cleanups
Brownfields Program
Environmental Remediation Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Contractor performance risk on long-term, complex environmental projects.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical assessment activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $8.3 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. TASK ORDER #05 - REMEDIAL ASSESSMENT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

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 $8.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-06. End: 2026-06-30.

What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with the EPA on similar environmental consulting contracts?

Tetra Tech, Inc. has a substantial history of contracting with the EPA and other federal agencies for environmental services. Their portfolio includes work on Superfund sites, hazardous waste management, and environmental assessments. Analyzing past performance on similar delivery orders or task orders would reveal their success in meeting deadlines, budget adherence, and technical requirements. Publicly available contract databases often contain performance ratings and past performance information, which can be reviewed to gauge their reliability and expertise in executing complex environmental projects for the government.

How does the $8.3 million value compare to similar EPA remedial assessment contracts awarded over the past five years?

The $8.3 million value for approximately 6 years of remedial assessment support activities needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. Factors such as the specific scope of work (e.g., number of sites, complexity of contamination, required analyses), duration, and geographic region influence contract value. Contracts for similar services, especially those awarded under full and open competition, can provide a basis for comparison. If this contract's value per year or per site is significantly higher or lower than similar EPA contracts, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract for remedial assessment?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, especially for complex environmental work like remedial assessment, is the potential for the contractor to underbid the actual costs. If Tetra Tech, Inc. encounters unforeseen site conditions, complex contamination, or regulatory changes that significantly increase their costs beyond what was anticipated, they bear the financial burden. This could lead to pressure to cut corners on quality, delays, or even contractor default. Conversely, the government benefits from cost certainty, but must ensure the scope of work is well-defined to prevent disputes over additional costs.

How effective are EPA's remedial assessment programs in addressing environmental contamination in Pennsylvania?

The effectiveness of EPA's remedial assessment programs, supported by contracts like this one, is measured by their ability to accurately identify, characterize, and prioritize environmental contamination for cleanup. In Pennsylvania, these programs are crucial given the state's industrial history. Success is typically gauged by the number of sites assessed, the accuracy of the risk assessments, and the subsequent progression of sites to the remedial design and cleanup phases. Data on cleanup progress, reduction in environmental hazards, and community impact assessments related to EPA's work in Pennsylvania would provide insights into program effectiveness.

What has been the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services by the EPA?

The EPA's historical spending on environmental consulting services has generally trended upwards, driven by ongoing regulatory requirements, the need to manage legacy contamination (e.g., Superfund sites), and new environmental challenges. Analyzing annual spending reports and contract databases reveals consistent investment in areas like site assessment, remediation design, environmental monitoring, and technical support. This specific contract aligns with that trend, reflecting a sustained commitment to environmental protection and compliance activities across the agency.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 S WACKER DR STE 3700, CHICAGO, IL, 60606

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,320,948

Exercised Options: $8,320,948

Current Obligation: $8,320,948

Actual Outlays: $6,170,149

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 17

Total Subaward Amount: $2,816,897

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0320D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline