EPA awards $2.9M remediation contract to C M C, INC. for Alabama site cleanup

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,920,194 ($2.9M)

Contractor: C M C, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-12-17

End Date: 2023-09-20

Contract Duration: 642 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: 35TH AVE., BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON CO., AL: SITEID: B4M3.

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35207

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.9 million to C M C, INC. for work described as: 35TH AVE., BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON CO., AL: SITEID: B4M3. Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.9M for remediation services appears reasonable given the duration and scope. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type (Time and Materials) can present cost control challenges if not closely monitored. 4. Performance period of 642 days indicates a substantial, long-term remediation effort. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying potential for follow-on work. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 points to specialized hazardous waste treatment and disposal services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.9 million for remediation services over approximately 21 months (642 days) seems within a reasonable range for environmental cleanup projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar remediation contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the amount does not immediately suggest overpricing. The use of Time and Materials pricing, while flexible, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and reflect efficient service delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which indicates that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple firms to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value. The moderate number of bidders in this instance suggests a reasonably competitive environment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment of Birmingham, Alabama, through the cleanup of a hazardous site. Services delivered include remediation of contaminated land, likely involving hazardous waste treatment and disposal. The geographic impact is localized to the specific site in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for skilled environmental technicians and project managers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Limited number of bidders (3) may indicate less competitive pressure than a broader solicitation.
The contract is a delivery order, which could mean the underlying contract vehicle was not competed as broadly for this specific task.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible process.
The contractor, C M C, INC., was selected, implying they met the technical and cost requirements.
The contract addresses a critical environmental need for site remediation.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, which is driven by regulatory compliance and the need to address historical contamination. This contract falls under hazardous waste management and site cleanup services, a specialized niche within the industry. Market size for environmental remediation services in the U.S. is substantial, with government contracts forming a significant portion due to Superfund sites and other federal land management responsibilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or if C M C, INC. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses and the overall impact on the small business ecosystem within the environmental services sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officer and project officers. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to delivery schedules, and quality control of remediation activities. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Brownfields Program
Defense Environmental Remediation Program

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust oversight to ensure efficient service delivery.
Limited number of bidders may reduce competitive pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.9 million to C M C, INC.. 35TH AVE., BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON CO., AL: SITEID: B4M3.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is C M C, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-17. End: 2023-09-20.

What is the track record of C M C, INC. in performing environmental remediation contracts for the federal government?

A comprehensive review of C M C, INC.'s past performance would involve examining their contract history with federal agencies, particularly the EPA. This includes looking at the number and value of previous remediation contracts, their performance ratings (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or claims, and their experience with similar types of contamination and site conditions. Without specific historical data on C M C, INC.'s federal contract performance, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record. However, being awarded this contract suggests they met the agency's minimum requirements and were deemed capable of performing the work.

How does the $2.9 million contract value compare to similar environmental remediation projects managed by the EPA?

Benchmarking this $2.9 million contract against similar EPA remediation projects requires access to a database of comparable contracts, considering factors like site size, type of contamination, geographic location, and contract duration. Generally, environmental remediation projects can vary widely in cost. Smaller, localized cleanups might cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, while large-scale Superfund site cleanups can run into tens or hundreds of millions. A $2.9 million contract for a specific site remediation over approximately 21 months appears to be a mid-range value, suggesting a project of significant but not massive scale. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing the scope of work and specific remediation technologies employed in other EPA contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or percentage. This can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not properly managed. Mitigation strategies employed by the EPA would include establishing strong contract surveillance, setting Not-to-Exceed (NTE) limits for labor hours and total contract value, requiring detailed progress reports, and conducting thorough reviews of invoices. Defining clear work requirements and performance standards is also crucial to ensure the contractor is focused on efficient completion rather than simply maximizing billable hours.

What is the expected effectiveness of the remediation services to be performed under this contract?

The expected effectiveness of the remediation services hinges on the specific contaminants present at the site, the chosen remediation technologies, and the thoroughness of the contractor's execution and the EPA's oversight. The contract's objective is to reduce or eliminate environmental hazards, thereby protecting human health and ecological systems. Success will be measured against predefined cleanup standards and regulatory requirements. The EPA's role includes setting these standards, monitoring the contractor's progress, and verifying that the remediation goals are met through sampling, analysis, and site inspections. The effectiveness is ultimately determined by the post-remediation environmental quality of the site.

How does the historical spending on remediation services by the EPA compare to this specific contract award?

The EPA's historical spending on remediation services is substantial, reflecting its mandate to address environmental contamination across the nation. Annual spending can fluctuate based on the number and complexity of sites requiring cleanup, funding appropriations, and the initiation of new projects. The $2.9 million awarded to C M C, INC. represents a single project within the EPA's broader remediation portfolio. To assess its place in historical spending, one would need to compare it against the average cost of similar remediation delivery orders or projects awarded annually by the EPA. This single award is likely a small fraction of the EPA's total annual remediation budget, which often runs into billions of dollars when considering all programs like Superfund, RCRA, and others.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1151 JESSAMINE STATION PIKE, NICHOLASVILLE, KY, 40356

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,920,194

Exercised Options: $2,920,194

Current Obligation: $2,920,194

Actual Outlays: $2,920,194

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0421D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline