EPA awards $25M for Baghurst Drive site cleanup, focusing on contaminated soils and sediments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,952,836 ($25.0M)

Contractor: Hydrogeologic, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-09-26

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,465 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A REMEDIATION ACTION FRAMEWORK (RAF) REMEDIATION ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (RES) TASK ORDER (TO) TO PROVIDE REMEDIATION TO SOURCE MATERIAL AND PRINCIPAL THREAT WASTE IN OPERABLE UNIT 2 (OU2) CONTAMINATED SOILS AND SEDIMENTS AT THE BAGHURST DRIVE

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19103

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $25.0 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC. for work described as: THIS IS A REMEDIATION ACTION FRAMEWORK (RAF) REMEDIATION ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (RES) TASK ORDER (TO) TO PROVIDE REMEDIATION TO SOURCE MATERIAL AND PRINCIPAL THREAT WASTE IN OPERABLE UNIT 2 (OU2) CONTAMINATED SOILS AND SEDIMENTS AT THE BAGHURST DRIVE Key points: 1. Contract value of $25M for environmental remediation services indicates significant investment in site cleanup. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and budget, potentially mitigating cost overruns. 3. A full and open competition was utilized, implying a broad market search and potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of approximately 4 years allows for thorough execution of complex remediation tasks. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 points to specialized hazardous waste management services. 6. This task order falls under a larger Remediation Action Framework (RAF), suggesting a structured approach to environmental cleanup.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25M for remediation services at the Baghurst Drive site appears reasonable given the scope of addressing contaminated soils and sediments in Operable Unit 2. While direct comparisons to similar, highly specific remediation projects are difficult without more granular data, the duration of the contract (over 4 years) suggests a substantial undertaking. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against typical environmental remediation contracts of this scale would be necessary for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought bids from all responsible sources. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of proposals received and their relative strengths are not detailed. A competitive 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 companies 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 communities impacted by the contamination at the Baghurst Drive site, with improved environmental safety and reduced health risks. The services delivered include the remediation of source material and principal threat waste in contaminated soils and sediments. The geographic impact is localized to the Baghurst Drive site in Pennsylvania, addressing specific environmental hazards. The contract supports specialized jobs in the environmental remediation sector, requiring skilled labor for hazardous waste management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen contamination is discovered beyond the defined OU2.
Reliance on a single task order under a larger framework could concentrate risk if the framework itself faces issues.
Ensuring long-term effectiveness of remediation requires robust monitoring and validation post-cleanup.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market search and potential for competitive pricing.
The multi-year duration allows for comprehensive and thorough execution of the remediation plan.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation services sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, focused on cleaning up contaminated sites. This contract falls within the hazardous waste management and site remediation sub-sector. The market is characterized by specialized firms with expertise in various remediation technologies and regulatory compliance. Spending in this area is often driven by Superfund sites and other government-mandated cleanup programs, making it a significant area of federal expenditure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large, specialized environmental firms were likely the primary bidders. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award, which could be a missed opportunity to engage smaller entities in the remediation process. Further investigation into subcontracting goals would be beneficial.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and technical representatives. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver within the agreed budget. Transparency regarding the remediation progress and outcomes would be enhanced through public reporting by the EPA on the status of the Baghurst Drive site cleanup.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Brownfields Program
Defense Environmental Remediation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting scope and cost.
Long contract duration increases exposure to market volatility and regulatory changes.
Dependence on contractor's long-term performance and monitoring capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $25.0 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC.. THIS IS A REMEDIATION ACTION FRAMEWORK (RAF) REMEDIATION ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (RES) TASK ORDER (TO) TO PROVIDE REMEDIATION TO SOURCE MATERIAL AND PRINCIPAL THREAT WASTE IN OPERABLE UNIT 2 (OU2) CONTAMINATED SOILS AND SEDIMENTS AT THE BAGHURST DRIVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-26. End: 2028-09-30.

What is the historical spending by the EPA on environmental remediation services, and how does this contract compare?

The EPA's spending on environmental remediation services can fluctuate significantly year-to-year, driven by the number and scale of Superfund sites and other cleanup initiatives. Historically, the agency allocates billions annually towards these efforts. This $25 million task order, while substantial for a single project, represents a portion of the EPA's overall remediation budget. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze the EPA's historical budget allocations for similar types of remediation projects (e.g., soil and sediment cleanup at industrial sites) and compare the per-unit cost or total value against a benchmark of comparable contracts awarded over the past five years.

What specific remediation technologies are anticipated for Operable Unit 2 at the Baghurst Drive site?

The provided data does not specify the exact remediation technologies to be employed for Operable Unit 2 at the Baghurst Drive site. However, given the description of addressing 'source material and principal threat waste in contaminated soils and sediments,' common technologies could include excavation and off-site disposal, in-situ stabilization/solidification, soil vapor extraction, or bioremediation, depending on the contaminants present and site-specific conditions. The Remediation Action Framework (RAF) likely outlines a process for selecting and implementing appropriate technologies, which would be detailed in the task order's statement of work and associated technical specifications.

What is Hydrogeologic, Inc.'s track record with the EPA on similar environmental remediation contracts?

Hydrogeologic, Inc. has a history of performing environmental services for various government agencies, including the EPA. While specific details of their past performance on contracts of this exact nature (Remediation Action Framework, Operable Unit 2 soil/sediment cleanup) are not in the provided data, their engagement on this $25 million task order suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A deeper dive into contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal the number and value of previous EPA contracts awarded to Hydrogeologic, Inc., their performance ratings, and the types of environmental services rendered.

How does the $25M contract value benchmark against other EPA remediation contracts for contaminated soils and sediments?

Benchmarking this $25 million contract requires comparing it to similar EPA remediation contracts for contaminated soils and sediments. The value appears to be within a moderate to large range for a single task order, especially considering the duration of over four years. Factors influencing cost include the volume and type of contaminants, the geographic location, site accessibility, and the complexity of the remediation required. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if $25M represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. However, the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

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

The approximately 4-year duration of this remediation contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of escalating material and labor costs over such an extended period, even with a firm-fixed-price contract, if unforeseen economic conditions arise. Secondly, regulatory landscapes can change, potentially requiring adjustments to the remediation plan and increasing complexity. Thirdly, contractor performance consistency over a long duration needs careful monitoring. Finally, the effectiveness of the remediation might degrade over time if long-term monitoring and maintenance protocols are not robustly defined and executed.

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: 68HE0324R0013

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11107 SUNSET HILLS RD STE 400, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,330,202

Exercised Options: $25,330,202

Current Obligation: $24,952,836

Actual Outlays: $2,064,647

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH19D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline