EPA awards $2.2M contract for ordnance site remediation design and engineering services to AECOM Technical Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,221,998 ($2.2M)

Contractor: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-06-13

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,570 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DES - ORDNANCE PRODUCTS SUPERFUND SITE REMEDIAL ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK (RAF) DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DES)

Place of Performance

Location: CECILTON, CECIL County, MARYLAND, 21913

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.2 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: DES - ORDNANCE PRODUCTS SUPERFUND SITE REMEDIAL ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK (RAF) DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DES) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on design and engineering for ordnance products superfund site remediation. 2. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a significant project timeline. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility but requires careful cost monitoring. 5. The award was made under full and open competition. 6. The site is located in Maryland. 7. This award falls under Remediation Services NAICS code 562910.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.2 million for design and engineering services over a 4-year period appears reasonable for a Superfund site remediation project. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates close oversight to ensure costs remain within expected parameters while allowing for necessary design adjustments.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a single award does not necessarily indicate a lack of competition, as the most competitive offer may have been selected. Further details on the number of bids received would provide a clearer picture of the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public, through the remediation of a hazardous superfund site. The services delivered will include critical design and engineering plans necessary for the safe and effective cleanup of ordnance-contaminated land. The geographic impact is specific to the ordnance products superfund site located in Maryland. The contract supports specialized engineering and technical workforce within the environmental consulting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical remediation phase requires robust performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially robust bidding process.
Long-term contract duration suggests a commitment to addressing the superfund site comprehensively.
Focus on design and engineering is a crucial first step in effective remediation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation and Consulting Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental services industry. The market for Superfund site cleanup is driven by regulatory requirements and historical contamination. Spending in this sector is often project-specific and can involve significant long-term investments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed against other large-scale Superfund remediation projects managed by the EPA or state environmental agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., is a large business, and any subcontracting opportunities would be at their discretion.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, the EPA will be responsible for monitoring costs incurred by AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to ensure they align with the fixed fee and project scope. Transparency will be maintained through regular reporting requirements and performance reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Hazardous Waste Management
Engineering and Design Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
Long-term project duration increases exposure to potential scope changes or unforeseen issues.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical design phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.2 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. DES - ORDNANCE PRODUCTS SUPERFUND SITE REMEDIAL ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK (RAF) DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DES)

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 $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-13. End: 2028-09-30.

What is AECOM Technical Services, Inc.'s track record with the EPA on similar remediation projects?

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has a significant history of working with the EPA and other federal agencies on environmental remediation projects. They have been involved in various Superfund site cleanups, providing a range of services including design, engineering, and construction management. Their experience often includes complex sites with diverse contamination challenges. A detailed review of their past performance on contracts of similar scope and value would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and past success rates. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, and the successful completion of previous EPA-funded remediation efforts.

How does the $2.2 million contract value compare to similar ordnance site remediation design contracts?

The $2.2 million contract value for design and engineering services for an ordnance products superfund site appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature. Superfund site remediation projects are inherently complex and require specialized expertise, which can drive up costs. However, without specific details on the scope of work, the level of contamination, and the specific remediation technologies planned, a precise comparison is difficult. Benchmarking against other EPA-funded design contracts for similar ordnance or hazardous waste sites, considering factors like site size, complexity, and duration, would provide a more accurate assessment of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure also means the final cost could vary based on actual expenses incurred.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for the EPA?

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for the EPA is the potential for cost overruns. While the fee is fixed, the 'cost' portion is reimbursable, meaning the contractor is paid for incurred expenses. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates due to inefficiencies, scope creep, or unforeseen technical challenges, the total expenditure for the EPA could be higher than anticipated. Effective risk mitigation requires robust oversight, detailed cost tracking, regular audits, and clear communication channels to ensure that costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. The EPA must diligently monitor the contractor's spending and project progress to manage these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the design and engineering services in addressing the ordnance contamination?

The effectiveness of the design and engineering services will be critical to the overall success of the ordnance products superfund site remediation. These services are foundational, as they will define the specific cleanup strategies, technologies, and methodologies to be employed. High-quality design and engineering should ensure that the chosen remediation approach is technically sound, environmentally protective, cost-effective, and compliant with all relevant regulations. The EPA's review and approval process for these designs will be a key factor in ensuring their adequacy. The ultimate effectiveness will be realized during the subsequent remediation implementation phase, guided by these plans.

How has federal spending on environmental remediation services, particularly for superfund sites, trended in recent years?

Federal spending on environmental remediation services, especially for Superfund sites, has seen fluctuations influenced by budget appropriations, legislative priorities, and the identification of new contaminated sites. Historically, the Superfund program has faced funding challenges, but recent administrations and legislative actions, such as infrastructure bills, have aimed to increase investment in cleanup efforts. Spending trends often reflect a mix of ongoing long-term remediation projects and the initiation of new cleanup actions. The demand for design and engineering services, as seen in this contract, is a consistent component of these remediation efforts, reflecting the upfront planning required before physical cleanup can begin.

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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $4,180,893

Exercised Options: $4,180,893

Current Obligation: $2,221,998

Actual Outlays: $235,593

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $533,654

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