EPA awards $5.7M contract for emergency response equipment management to BASHA SERVICES, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,739,860 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Basha Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-12-17

End Date: 2026-12-19

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EPA REGION 4 ERTEM (EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT). MANAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES, AND WAREHOUSE SPACE.

Place of Performance

Location: NORCROSS, GWINNETT County, GEORGIA, 30071

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $5.7 million to BASHA SERVICES, LLC for work described as: EPA REGION 4 ERTEM (EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT). MANAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES, AND WAREHOUSE SPACE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on managing technical equipment, emergency response vehicles, and warehouse space. 2. BASHA SERVICES, LLC, a single awardee, will manage these critical assets. 3. The contract duration is approximately 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. This contract supports EPA Region 4's emergency response capabilities. 6. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs. 7. The contract value is $5,739,859.92.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.7 million over approximately five years for equipment and warehouse management appears reasonable for the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for emergency response logistics and equipment management is challenging without more specific details on the scale and type of equipment. However, the firm fixed price structure suggests an expectation of cost control by the EPA. The absence of multiple bids in the final award phase, despite initial full and open competition, warrants further scrutiny regarding the ultimate value achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which suggests an initial broad solicitation followed by a specific exclusion. The data indicates there were 4 bids received. While this indicates some level of competition, the 'exclusion of sources' clause implies that not all potential bidders were considered in the final award phase. This specific competition type can sometimes limit the range of pricing and innovation compared to a purely full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level, while not fully open, likely provided a reasonable basis for price discovery. However, the exclusion of certain sources may have prevented taxpayers from benefiting from potentially lower bids from a wider pool of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 by ensuring the readiness and management of critical emergency response assets. Services include the management of technical equipment, emergency response vehicles, and warehouse space, crucial for environmental disaster response. The geographic impact is primarily focused on EPA Region 4, which covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The contract supports the operational readiness of personnel involved in emergency response activities within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type raises questions about the extent of initial competition and potential missed opportunities for cost savings.
Limited information on the specific types and quantities of equipment managed makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
The single awardee structure, even after competition, concentrates risk with BASHA SERVICES, LLC.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the EPA.
The contract duration of nearly five years suggests a stable and reliable service provider is expected.
The award was made to a single entity, BASHA SERVICES, LLC, potentially simplifying management and oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on remediation and emergency response support. The market for such services is driven by government needs for specialized logistics, equipment management, and technical support during environmental incidents. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed service scope, but contracts involving fleet management, warehouse operations, and technical equipment maintenance for government agencies represent a significant portion of federal spending in this area.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The focus appears to be on securing the necessary services through the most competitive means available, regardless of business size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers responsible for Region 4's emergency response capabilities. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm fixed price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected.

Related Government Programs

EPA Emergency Response Programs
Environmental Remediation Services
Federal Logistics and Equipment Management
Disaster Preparedness and Response Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition transparency due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Potential for single-contractor dependency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $5.7 million to BASHA SERVICES, LLC. EPA REGION 4 ERTEM (EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT). MANAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES, AND WAREHOUSE SPACE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BASHA SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-17. End: 2026-12-19.

What specific types and quantities of technical equipment and emergency response vehicles are managed under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types or quantities of technical equipment and emergency response vehicles managed under this contract. The scope is described broadly as 'MANAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES, AND WAREHOUSE SPACE.' To provide a more detailed analysis of value for money and operational effectiveness, a breakdown of the inventory, including specialized response gear, monitoring devices, communication equipment, and the types of vehicles (e.g., spill containment units, mobile command centers), would be necessary. Understanding the complexity and criticality of these assets is key to assessing the appropriateness of the $5.7 million award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar EPA or other agency contracts for emergency response equipment management?

Direct price comparison is challenging without detailed service scope and performance metrics. However, the contract's firm fixed price structure for a nearly five-year term suggests a negotiated rate for comprehensive management services. If similar contracts exist within EPA Region 4 or other regions for managing comparable assets (e.g., HAZMAT response gear, mobile laboratories, specialized vehicles), a benchmark could be established. Factors like the number of items managed, frequency of deployment, maintenance requirements, and warehouse footprint would influence pricing. The $5.7 million total value, averaging over $1 million annually, needs to be evaluated against the scale and criticality of the assets managed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided summary data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to equipment readiness rates, response times for deployment, maintenance completion timelines, inventory accuracy, and warehouse operational efficiency. The effectiveness of BASHA SERVICES, LLC in fulfilling the contract's objectives would be measured against these KPIs/SLAs. Without this information, assessing the contractor's performance and the overall value delivered to the EPA is limited.

What is the track record of BASHA SERVICES, LLC in managing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of BASHA SERVICES, LLC in managing similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on contracts involving equipment management, logistics, and emergency response support, particularly for federal agencies. Key aspects to examine would include their history of meeting performance requirements, adherence to schedules and budgets, and any past performance issues or commendations. This information is crucial for understanding the contractor's capability and reliability in executing the current EPA contract.

What was the rationale behind the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process?

The rationale behind the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process for this EPA contract is not explicitly stated in the provided data. This procurement method, 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' typically means that after an initial broad solicitation, certain potential sources were excluded from further consideration, possibly due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or other pre-defined criteria. Understanding the exact reasons for exclusion is vital to determine if the competition was appropriately limited and if it potentially impacted the final price or the range of available solutions for the EPA.

How does this contract align with EPA's overall mission and strategic goals for emergency preparedness?

This contract directly aligns with the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, particularly concerning its role in emergency preparedness and response. By ensuring the effective management of technical equipment, vehicles, and warehouse space, the EPA Region 4 is better equipped to respond to environmental emergencies such as oil spills, chemical releases, and natural disasters. The contract supports the operational readiness of response teams, enabling quicker and more efficient deployment of necessary resources. This contributes to the agency's strategic goal of minimizing the impact of environmental incidents and safeguarding communities.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HE0421R0007

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2236 WISTERIA DR STE 510, SNELLVILLE, GA, 30078

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,168,386

Exercised Options: $6,481,381

Current Obligation: $5,739,860

Actual Outlays: $4,383,283

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline