EPA awards $20.2M task order for core response team services to Weston-Techlaw JV LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,217,679 ($20.2M)

Contractor: Weston-Techlaw JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-08-24

End Date: 2026-07-10

Contract Duration: 1,416 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS ACTION FUNDS A NEW TASK ORDER ON THE REAC CONTRACT, 68HE0321D001, FOR THE CORE RESPONSE TEAM (CRT). THERE IS NO SITE SPECIFIC ID OR SITE NAME. TOCOR/PO: SELLA BURCHETTE TOCOR FOR TO: SELLA BURCHETTE TO#:68HE0322F0065 FUNDING FOR THIS TO WI

Place of Performance

Location: EDISON, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08837

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $20.2 million to WESTON-TECHLAW JV LLC for work described as: THIS ACTION FUNDS A NEW TASK ORDER ON THE REAC CONTRACT, 68HE0321D001, FOR THE CORE RESPONSE TEAM (CRT). THERE IS NO SITE SPECIFIC ID OR SITE NAME. TOCOR/PO: SELLA BURCHETTE TOCOR FOR TO: SELLA BURCHETTE TO#:68HE0322F0065 FUNDING FOR THIS TO WI Key points: 1. This action represents a significant investment in environmental response capabilities. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. The duration of the task order indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The services provided fall under environmental consulting, a critical sector for regulatory compliance and disaster recovery. 6. The awardee is a joint venture, potentially indicating a specialized capability or a strategy to leverage diverse expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The task order value of $20.2 million for approximately four years of service appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting. Benchmarking against similar large-scale response team contracts would provide further insight into value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes contractor efficiency. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the scale suggests a substantial need.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive nature of this award, as it is expected to drive down costs and ensure the government secures services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from enhanced core response team capabilities. Services delivered include critical environmental consulting for response efforts. The contract has a geographic impact primarily in New Jersey, where the site is located. The contract supports specialized technical expertise within the environmental consulting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs despite firm-fixed-price.
Dependence on a single joint venture for critical response functions.
Limited transparency on the specific breakdown of costs within the $20.2M award.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type transfers risk to the contractor.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for these services.
Joint venture structure may bring specialized expertise to bear.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services are a vital component of the government's ability to manage environmental risks, respond to incidents, and ensure regulatory compliance. This sector includes a wide range of expertise from site assessment and remediation to emergency response planning. The EPA's spending in this area is crucial for fulfilling its mission. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale environmental support contracts awarded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large task order awarded to a joint venture, the primary focus is likely on the capabilities of the prime contractors. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order will likely fall under the EPA's contracting and program management offices. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by tying payment to performance. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance reports and cost breakdowns may be less publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Emergency Response
Environmental Remediation Services
Federal Environmental Consulting Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep despite firm-fixed-price.
Contractor performance risk if unforeseen issues arise.
Limited public data on specific performance metrics and cost breakdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $20.2 million to WESTON-TECHLAW JV LLC. THIS ACTION FUNDS A NEW TASK ORDER ON THE REAC CONTRACT, 68HE0321D001, FOR THE CORE RESPONSE TEAM (CRT). THERE IS NO SITE SPECIFIC ID OR SITE NAME. TOCOR/PO: SELLA BURCHETTE TOCOR FOR TO: SELLA BURCHETTE TO#:68HE0322F0065 FUNDING FOR THIS TO WI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTON-TECHLAW JV LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-24. End: 2026-07-10.

What is the track record of WESTON-TECHLAW JV LLC in performing similar environmental response services for the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of the joint venture WESTON-TECHLAW JV LLC is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of a significant task order by the EPA suggests that the joint venture partners possess the necessary qualifications and experience. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, any debriefings from previous solicitations, and potentially search for awards made to the individual entities that form the joint venture. A review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving emergency response or environmental consulting, would be crucial for understanding their reliability and effectiveness.

How does the $20.2 million value compare to similar EPA Core Response Team contracts or environmental consulting task orders?

The $20.2 million value for this task order, spanning approximately four years, represents a substantial investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against historical data for similar EPA Core Response Team (CRT) contracts or other large-scale environmental consulting task orders awarded by the EPA or other federal agencies. Factors such as the scope of services, geographic coverage, duration, and specific technical requirements would need to be considered for a meaningful comparison. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it is difficult to definitively state whether this represents a high, low, or average value. However, the scale suggests a significant and ongoing need for these specialized services.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price task order for environmental response services?

The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price task order revolve around potential scope creep and the contractor's ability to manage costs effectively within the fixed price. While the firm-fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor, there's a risk that unforeseen environmental conditions or evolving response requirements could lead to disputes over scope or requests for equitable adjustments. Another risk is the contractor's capacity to deliver the required services consistently over the contract's duration, especially if they encounter resource limitations or internal management challenges. Ensuring adequate government oversight to monitor performance and manage the contract scope is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized environmental consulting services like these?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing for specialized services. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive proposals. This process encourages vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. For specialized fields like environmental consulting, where expertise can vary significantly, open competition allows the government to solicit a wide range of capabilities and compare them on both technical merit and price. The ultimate effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the rigor of the evaluation process.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services by the EPA, and how does this award fit within them?

Historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services by the EPA typically show significant investment in areas such as Superfund site remediation, regulatory compliance support, research, and emergency response. Awards like this $20.2 million task order for a Core Response Team are consistent with the EPA's ongoing need for specialized expertise to manage environmental challenges. The EPA frequently utilizes task orders under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or recompetes specific service areas to ensure it has the necessary support. This award likely represents a continuation or enhancement of existing response capabilities, fitting within the agency's established budget and strategic priorities for environmental protection and incident management.

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: 14840 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,267,986

Exercised Options: $21,267,986

Current Obligation: $20,217,679

Actual Outlays: $17,530,814

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0321D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline