EPA awards $6.5M to Tetra Tech for Brownfields Assessment Program, extending services through July 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,557,616 ($6.6M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2020-01-23

End Date: 2026-07-14

Contract Duration: 2,364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: INITIATE NEW TASK ORDER UNDER START 5 CONTRACT 68HE0619D0006 (TETRA TECH)FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE TARGETED BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $6.6 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: INITIATE NEW TASK ORDER UNDER START 5 CONTRACT 68HE0619D0006 (TETRA TECH)FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE TARGETED BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. Tetra Tech, Inc. is the sole awardee for this task order. 4. The contract duration is 2364 days, indicating a long-term engagement for environmental consulting. 5. This award falls under a larger IDIQ contract (START 5), suggesting potential for future task orders. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541620 points to specialized environmental consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $6.56 million for environmental consulting services over approximately 6.5 years needs further benchmarking. Without specific deliverables or comparable task orders under the START 5 IDIQ, assessing value-for-money is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for evolving scopes, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and do not escalate beyond initial expectations. Comparing this to other EPA brownfields assessment contracts or similar environmental consulting services would provide a clearer picture of its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders for this particular task order is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment. This approach is generally favored as it allows the government to solicit proposals from the widest possible range of sources, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of securing the best value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by brownfields, receiving support for environmental assessment and cleanup planning. Services delivered include targeted brownfields assessments, aiding in the identification and characterization of contaminated sites. The contract has a geographic focus on Georgia (SN: GEORGIA), indicating direct impact within this state. The contract supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, contributing to environmental justice initiatives. Workforce implications may include employment for environmental scientists, engineers, and project managers involved in assessment activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored and managed.
The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued effectiveness and value.
Reliance on a single contractor (Tetra Tech) for this specific task order, despite being under a competitive IDIQ, warrants attention to ensure performance standards are met.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Tetra Tech is an established contractor with experience in environmental services, potentially bringing expertise to the program.
The contract supports a critical EPA program (Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program) aimed at environmental remediation and community revitalization.
The task order is part of a larger IDIQ contract (START 5), suggesting a strategic approach to managing multiple environmental support needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise in areas such as site assessment, remediation, regulatory compliance, and environmental planning. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements, corporate sustainability initiatives, and government programs like the EPA's Brownfields initiative. This contract represents a specific application of these services to address contaminated sites and promote redevelopment.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false) and does not appear to have specific small business subcontracting goals explicitly stated (SMB: false). While the primary award is to Tetra Tech, Inc., a large business, the overall IDIQ contract (START 5) may have provisions for small business participation in other task orders. Further analysis of the parent IDIQ contract would be needed to determine the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which issued the award. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous oversight of labor hours, rates, and direct costs will be crucial to ensure cost control and prevent overruns. The EPA's contracting officers and program managers will monitor performance against the Statement of Work. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Brownfields Program
Environmental Consulting Services
START 5 IDIQ Contract
Federal Environmental Remediation Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for diligent oversight to manage contractor performance and expenditures over the long contract duration.
Reliance on a single awardee for this specific task order requires close monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $6.6 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. INITIATE NEW TASK ORDER UNDER START 5 CONTRACT 68HE0619D0006 (TETRA TECH)FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE TARGETED BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-23. End: 2026-07-14.

What is Tetra Tech's track record with the EPA, particularly on similar environmental assessment contracts?

Tetra Tech, Inc. has a significant history of contracting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) across various environmental programs. They are a frequent awardee of contracts related to site assessment, remediation, technical assistance, and environmental consulting. Their involvement in EPA programs like Superfund and Brownfields is extensive. For instance, they have held multiple contracts under the EPA's Site والتchnical Assistance and Remediation (START) program, which this task order is a part of. Analyzing their past performance on similar task orders under the START 5 IDIQ or other related contracts would reveal their ability to meet deadlines, manage budgets, and deliver quality technical services. While specific performance metrics are often internal, their continued selection for such critical programs suggests a generally positive track record, though any contract carries inherent risks and potential for performance issues that require diligent oversight.

How does the $6.56 million award compare to other EPA Brownfields assessment contracts in terms of value and scope?

Benchmarking the $6.56 million award requires comparing it against similar task orders or contracts for the EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) Program or broader environmental consulting services. The value is spread over approximately 6.5 years, making the annual average around $1 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the specific scope of work, geographic area, and complexity of the sites to be assessed. Contracts for environmental consulting can vary widely based on the number of sites, the depth of assessment required (e.g., Phase I vs. Phase II ESAs), and the level of technical expertise needed. Without detailed scope information for this specific task order and comparable data points from other EPA TBA awards, it's difficult to definitively state if $6.56 million represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, given the long duration and the nature of brownfields work, this amount appears to be within a plausible range for supporting ongoing assessment activities.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for environmental consulting services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for environmental consulting services is the potential for cost escalation due to a lack of a fixed ceiling on the total expenditure. Unlike firm-fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials and other direct expenses. This structure can incentivize contractors to extend project timelines or increase labor hours if not managed with strict oversight. For the EPA, this means diligent monitoring of timesheets, labor categories, material costs, and overall project progress is essential. Without robust oversight, the total cost could significantly exceed initial estimates, diminishing the value for taxpayers. The success of a T&M contract hinges on the government's ability to effectively manage and control the contractor's effort and expenditures.

How effective is the EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program in facilitating site cleanup and redevelopment?

The EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) Program is generally considered effective in facilitating site cleanup and redevelopment by providing crucial early-stage assessment services. The program helps communities, particularly those with limited resources, to inventory potential brownfield sites, conduct preliminary assessments, and develop cleanup plans. By offering these services, the TBA Program helps to reduce uncertainty for property owners and developers, making sites more attractive for cleanup and subsequent reuse. This can lead to the revitalization of abandoned or underutilized properties, creation of jobs, and improvement of local environments. While the TBA Program itself focuses on assessment and planning, it serves as a critical catalyst for subsequent cleanup actions, often leveraging other EPA programs or state/local initiatives. Its effectiveness is measured not just by the number of assessments completed, but by the number of sites that subsequently move towards cleanup and redevelopment.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services by the EPA under similar IDIQ vehicles?

Historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services by the EPA under similar Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicles, such as the START (Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team) contracts, indicate a substantial and consistent investment. These IDIQ vehicles are designed to provide rapid response and ongoing technical support for a wide range of environmental assessment and remediation activities. Spending under these contracts can fluctuate annually based on program priorities, the number of sites requiring attention, and the availability of funding. However, the EPA consistently allocates significant resources to these types of services due to the ongoing need to manage contaminated sites across the nation. Analyzing past spending on the START 5 contract or its predecessors would reveal trends in award values, task order frequency, and the types of services most frequently procured, providing context for the current $6.56 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1955 EVERGREEN BLVD STE 300, DULUTH, GA, 30096

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,557,616

Exercised Options: $6,557,616

Current Obligation: $6,557,616

Actual Outlays: $3,877,890

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $94,400

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0519D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline