EPA awards $6.38M for Hockessin Groundwater Superfund Site RI/FS, with 4-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,383,603 ($6.4M)

Contractor: EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-01-14

End Date: 2026-07-17

Contract Duration: 1,645 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOCKESSIN GROUNDWATER SUPERFUND SITE THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT NEEDED TO ASSIST EPA IN A FUND LEAD REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) OF GROUNDWATER, SURFACEWATER, SEDIMENT AND SOILS TO DETERMIN

Place of Performance

Location: HUNT VALLEY, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21031

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $6.4 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC for work described as: HOCKESSIN GROUNDWATER SUPERFUND SITE THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT NEEDED TO ASSIST EPA IN A FUND LEAD REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) OF GROUNDWATER, SURFACEWATER, SEDIMENT AND SOILS TO DETERMIN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental investigation and feasibility study for a Superfund site. 2. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the EPA. 3. Competition level indicates a potentially competitive market for remediation services. 4. Performance period spans over four years, suggesting a complex and lengthy remediation process. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, potentially limiting SMB participation. 6. Geographic focus is Maryland, indicating localized environmental impact and response.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.38 million for a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) appears reasonable given the scope and duration. RI/FS activities for Superfund sites are inherently complex and can span several years. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for RI/FS at complex sites would provide a more precise value assessment, but the initial figure does not raise immediate red flags. The firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests the contractor has a clear understanding of the project's requirements and associated costs.

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 offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests a healthy market for environmental remediation services. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple firms to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment in environmental cleanup.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the communities affected by the Hockessin Groundwater contamination, who will see progress towards site cleanup. The contract delivers essential services for a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS), a critical step in the Superfund process. The geographic impact is localized to the Hockessin area in Maryland, addressing specific environmental concerns. The contract supports a specialized workforce in environmental engineering, science, and technology, contributing to the local and national environmental sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex RI/FS projects if not managed tightly.
Long performance period could introduce risks related to changing environmental regulations or scientific understanding.
Reliance on a single contractor for a multi-year, critical environmental study requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the EPA.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
Award to an established firm (EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC) may indicate a track record of successful project execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services sector, specifically focusing on remediation and site cleanup under the EPA's Superfund program. The market for environmental consulting and remediation services is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and ongoing industrial activity. Comparable spending benchmarks for RI/FS at Superfund sites vary widely based on site complexity, but this contract's value is within a typical range for such investigations. The EPA's Superfund program is a significant area of federal spending dedicated to addressing hazardous waste sites.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that larger, established firms were likely the primary bidders. While this can lead to efficient execution, it may limit opportunities for small businesses to participate directly in this specific federal contract, though they might be involved as subcontractors to the prime. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting plans exist.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through designated contracting officers and technical representatives. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified scope within budget. Transparency regarding the progress of the RI/FS may be available through EPA public dockets and reports related to the Hockessin Groundwater Superfund Site. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup
Feasibility Studies
Groundwater Contamination Remediation

Risk Flags

Long performance period may increase risk of scope creep or regulatory changes.
Lack of specific small business subcontracting goals could limit SMB participation.
Complexity of RI/FS requires robust technical oversight from EPA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $6.4 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC. HOCKESSIN GROUNDWATER SUPERFUND SITE THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT NEEDED TO ASSIST EPA IN A FUND LEAD REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) OF GROUNDWATER, SURFACEWATER, SEDIMENT AND SOILS TO DETERMIN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-01-14. End: 2026-07-17.

What is the historical spending by the EPA on the Hockessin Groundwater Superfund Site prior to this award?

Historical spending data specifically for the Hockessin Groundwater Superfund Site prior to this task order award is not directly available in the provided data. However, the EPA's Superfund program generally involves significant investment over the lifecycle of a site, encompassing initial assessments, investigations, feasibility studies, and long-term remediation. The current award of $6.38 million for the RI/FS phase indicates a substantial commitment to addressing the site's complexities. To understand the full historical context, one would need to consult EPA's Superfund financial management system or site-specific dockets which may contain records of prior site work, including preliminary assessments, site inspections, and any previous remedial actions or studies.

How does the cost per year of this contract compare to similar RI/FS contracts for Superfund sites?

The total contract value is $6.38 million over a period of approximately 4 years (January 2022 to July 2026), equating to roughly $1.595 million per year. Comparing this to similar Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) contracts for Superfund sites requires access to a benchmark database of federal contracts. However, RI/FS projects are highly variable in cost due to site complexity, contaminant types, and geographic factors. For a complex groundwater contamination site, this annual cost appears within a reasonable range, reflecting the intensive scientific and technical work involved. Without specific comparable contract data, a definitive benchmark is difficult, but the cost per year is not immediately indicative of overpricing for a multi-year, complex environmental investigation.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that the EPA will use to evaluate EA Engineering's performance on this task order?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided contract abstract, typical KPIs for an RI/FS contract of this nature would likely include adherence to project schedules, quality of scientific data collected and analyzed, accuracy and completeness of reports (e.g., RI report, FS report), compliance with environmental regulations and EPA guidance, effective management of subcontractors (if any), and overall cost control within the firm fixed-price structure. The EPA's technical representatives would monitor progress against the work plan and milestones, ensuring that the investigation thoroughly characterizes the nature and extent of contamination and that the feasibility study evaluates appropriate remedial alternatives.

What is EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC's track record with the EPA and similar environmental contracts?

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC is a known entity in the environmental consulting and engineering space. While the provided data doesn't detail their specific track record with the EPA or on similar Superfund RI/FS contracts, their existence as a public benefit corporation (PBC) and their engagement in this type of work suggests they possess relevant experience. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations in federal procurement databases (like CPARS), their portfolio of completed Superfund projects, and any history of contract awards or disputes with the EPA or other federal agencies. Their ability to win a full and open competition award for a significant RI/FS task order implies a level of demonstrated capability and competitiveness.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration (over 4 years) of this contract?

The long duration of this contract (over 4 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of 'scope creep' if the investigation uncovers unforeseen complexities or additional contamination pathways that necessitate modifications to the original work plan, potentially impacting cost and schedule if not managed contractually. Secondly, scientific understanding and environmental regulations can evolve over a four-year period, requiring the contractor to adapt methodologies or approaches, which could introduce complexities. Thirdly, maintaining consistent project focus and team expertise over such an extended period can be challenging. Finally, long-term contracts can be susceptible to shifts in agency priorities or budget constraints, although the firm fixed-price nature provides some protection against cost overruns for the government.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 SCHILLING CIR STE 400, HUNT VALLEY, MD, 21031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,501,365

Exercised Options: $6,501,365

Current Obligation: $6,383,603

Actual Outlays: $1,333,390

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $892,532

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline