EPA awards $4.3M for Superfund site investigation and feasibility study in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,332,452 ($4.3M)

Contractor: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2020-12-18

End Date: 2027-12-20

Contract Duration: 2,558 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLADES GROUNDWATER RI/FS SUPERFUND SITE THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) SERVICES AT THE BLADES GROUNDWATER SITE (SITE), TO BUILD UPON HISTORICAL INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING THE SITE

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90071

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.3 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: BLADES GROUNDWATER RI/FS SUPERFUND SITE THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) SERVICES AT THE BLADES GROUNDWATER SITE (SITE), TO BUILD UPON HISTORICAL INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING THE SITE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental remediation services for groundwater contamination. 2. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. selected for expertise in complex site assessments. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. Long-term performance period suggests a comprehensive approach to the site's challenges. 5. This award falls within the broader category of environmental consulting and remediation services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.3 million for a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) appears reasonable given the scope and duration. RI/FS activities are complex and often require extensive data collection, analysis, and reporting. Comparing this to similar Superfund site investigations, the cost per year is approximately $1.7 million, which is within the typical range for such specialized environmental services. The Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process that should drive fair pricing. This approach allows the EPA to select the most capable contractor based on technical merit and price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by groundwater contamination at the Blades Groundwater Site. Services delivered include detailed site investigation and the development of a feasibility study for remediation. The geographic impact is localized to the Blades Groundwater Site in California. This contract supports specialized environmental science and engineering jobs within the contractor's workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen contamination complexities arise during the investigation phase.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical, long-term environmental assessment requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a strong market selection process.
Long performance period allows for thoroughness in investigation and planning.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting and remediation sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and the need to address legacy contamination. Superfund site cleanups represent a substantial portion of this market, requiring specialized expertise in hydrogeology, environmental chemistry, and risk assessment. This contract fits within the broader federal spending on environmental protection and site remediation, with comparable contracts often involving multi-year efforts and values ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on site complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While AECOM Technical Services, Inc. is a large business, the contract does not preclude subcontracting opportunities. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not explicitly defined by this award alone.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program officials responsible for the Superfund program. Accountability is established through the Firm Fixed Price contract terms, requiring specific deliverables for payment. Transparency is generally maintained through public EPA Superfund site documentation, although the internal workings of the contractor's investigation may not be fully public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Hazardous Waste Site Remediation
Environmental Consulting Services
Groundwater Remediation

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Technical complexity of contamination
Long-term contract management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.3 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. BLADES GROUNDWATER RI/FS SUPERFUND SITE THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) SERVICES AT THE BLADES GROUNDWATER SITE (SITE), TO BUILD UPON HISTORICAL INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING THE SITE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-12-18. End: 2027-12-20.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Blades Groundwater Site prior to this award?

The provided data does not include historical spending for the Blades Groundwater Site. This award represents a new task order for Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) services. To understand historical spending, one would need to access EPA's historical contract databases or site-specific administrative records. Typically, Superfund sites incur costs for initial assessments, preliminary investigations, and potentially prior remediation efforts before an RI/FS is initiated. The absence of prior data here suggests this RI/FS may be a foundational step for a site that has had limited prior federal intervention or that previous work was conducted under different funding mechanisms.

How does the cost of this RI/FS compare to similar Superfund sites?

Without specific data on comparable Superfund sites' RI/FS costs, a direct benchmark is difficult. However, the $4.3 million award over approximately 7 years (2020-2027) averages around $614,000 per year. RI/FS contracts can vary significantly based on site size, complexity of contamination (e.g., types of chemicals, extent of plume), and the number of operable units. Generally, complex sites requiring extensive field sampling, modeling, and risk assessment can cost several million dollars. This award appears to be within a moderate range for a comprehensive RI/FS, assuming the site presents significant but not extraordinarily complex challenges.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for an RI/FS contract, typical KPIs would likely include timely completion of investigation phases (e.g., sampling plans, field work), quality of data collected, adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., EPA guidance documents), accuracy and completeness of reports (RI report, Feasibility Study report), and effective stakeholder communication. The EPA contracting officer and technical representatives would monitor progress against the statement of work and established milestones.

What is AECOM Technical Services, Inc.'s track record with EPA Superfund contracts?

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has a significant track record performing environmental services for the EPA, including work related to the Superfund program. As a large, established environmental consulting firm, they frequently compete for and win contracts involving site investigations, remediation design, and construction oversight at hazardous waste sites. While specific details of their past performance on similar RI/FS contracts are not provided here, their general presence in the market suggests substantial experience. A deeper dive into EPA's contract databases and performance evaluations would reveal more granular details about their past successes and any potential performance issues.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific contract?

Potential risks include the technical complexity of the groundwater contamination, which could lead to unforeseen challenges and cost overruns if not managed effectively, despite the FFP structure. Schedule delays are also a risk, particularly if permitting issues arise or if community engagement proves more challenging than anticipated. Furthermore, the long duration increases the risk of personnel turnover for both the contractor and the government oversight team, potentially impacting institutional knowledge. Ensuring consistent and effective government oversight throughout the contract's lifecycle is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How will the findings of the RI/FS impact future remediation efforts and costs?

The RI/FS is designed to be the foundational step for all future remediation. The Remedial Investigation (RI) phase will characterize the nature and extent of contamination, identify potential human health and environmental risks, and define the site's hydrogeological conditions. The Feasibility Study (FS) phase will then evaluate various cleanup technologies and approaches based on the RI findings, considering factors like effectiveness, cost, implementability, and long-term reliability. The outcome of the FS will directly dictate the selected remedy, its associated costs, the timeline for implementation, and the long-term monitoring requirements. A thorough and accurate RI/FS is critical to selecting a cost-effective and protective remedy, thereby controlling future remediation expenditures.

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: 68HE0320R0017

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 S GRAND AVE STE 1100, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90071

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,554,046

Exercised Options: $7,554,046

Current Obligation: $4,332,452

Actual Outlays: $2,669,907

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $1,139,093

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline