EPA awards $5.7M for Gastonia Superfund site cleanup, focusing on TCE contamination

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,667,984 ($5.7M)

Contractor: EQ & CH Remediation

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-09-27

End Date: 2028-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,287 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RAF/RES TASK ORDER FOR REMEDIAL ACTION ACTIVITIES FOR HEMPHILL ROAD TCE SUPERFUND SITE (SITE), LOCATED IN GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA.

Place of Performance

Location: GASTONIA, GASTON County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28056

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $5.7 million to EQ & CH REMEDIATION for work described as: RAF/RES TASK ORDER FOR REMEDIAL ACTION ACTIVITIES FOR HEMPHILL ROAD TCE SUPERFUND SITE (SITE), LOCATED IN GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year environmental remediation project of this scope. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Project duration of nearly 4 years indicates a complex and long-term cleanup effort. 4. Focus on TCE contamination highlights a specific environmental hazard requiring specialized expertise. 5. The contract is positioned within the broader environmental services sector, crucial for Superfund site management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5.7 million for a Superfund site remediation over nearly four years appears to be within a reasonable range for such complex environmental projects. Benchmarking against similar EPA remediation contracts for sites with comparable contamination levels and geographic scope would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for cost reimbursement with a negotiated fixed fee, which can be effective for projects with uncertain scope but requires careful oversight to manage costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions for the government. The open competition suggests that the EPA sought the most capable and cost-effective provider for the complex remediation tasks.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring the most efficient use of public funds for environmental cleanup.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment of Gastonia, North Carolina, through the cleanup of hazardous TCE contamination. Services delivered include remedial action activities essential for mitigating environmental and health risks. The geographic impact is localized to the Hemphill Road Superfund Site in Gastonia, NC. The contract supports specialized jobs in environmental engineering, remediation, and site management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contracts if not closely monitored.
Complexity of Superfund site remediation can lead to unforeseen challenges and schedule delays.
Ensuring long-term effectiveness of remediation activities requires robust monitoring and adaptive management.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Contract addresses a critical environmental hazard (TCE contamination) at a designated Superfund site.
Clear performance period with defined end date provides a framework for project completion.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental consulting and engineering industry. The market for Superfund site cleanups is specialized, involving firms with expertise in hazardous waste management, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. Spending in this sector is driven by federal and state environmental regulations, particularly the EPA's Superfund program, which addresses the nation's most contaminated sites.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. While the primary contractor is EQ & CH REMEDIATION, the potential for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in specialized areas like environmental monitoring, waste disposal, or equipment rental exists. Further analysis of the subcontracting plan would be needed to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through contract officers and technical representatives who monitor performance, costs, and adherence to the remediation plan. The CPFF contract type necessitates rigorous financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is generally maintained through public Superfund site information portals, though specific contract performance details may be less accessible.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
Hazardous Waste Remediation Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Site Remediation Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contracts.
Complexity and duration of Superfund site remediation.
Need for detailed assessment of contractor's past performance on similar sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $5.7 million to EQ & CH REMEDIATION. RAF/RES TASK ORDER FOR REMEDIAL ACTION ACTIVITIES FOR HEMPHILL ROAD TCE SUPERFUND SITE (SITE), LOCATED IN GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EQ & CH REMEDIATION.

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: 2022-09-27. End: 2028-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for remedial action activities at the Hemphill Road TCE Superfund Site?

Historical spending data specifically for remedial action activities at the Hemphill Road TCE Superfund Site prior to this award is not provided in the given data. However, the total award amount of $5,667,983.79 suggests a significant investment in addressing the contamination. To understand historical patterns, one would need to access EPA's historical contract databases or Superfund program reports for this specific site. This would reveal if previous contracts were awarded for site investigation, feasibility studies, or earlier phases of remedial action, and their respective costs and durations. Analyzing these patterns would help contextualize the current award and assess trends in cleanup costs and timelines at this location.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other contract types for Superfund site remediation in terms of cost efficiency?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are often used for complex projects like Superfund site remediation where the scope of work can be difficult to define precisely at the outset. While CPFF allows for flexibility and ensures contractors are willing to undertake uncertain work, it carries a risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF can be less cost-efficient for the government if the contractor's costs escalate significantly beyond initial estimates, as the government bears the risk of increased costs. However, FFP contracts might deter bidders for highly uncertain projects or lead to inflated initial bids to account for risk. Best value often lies in a well-managed CPFF or a hybrid approach, balancing flexibility with cost control through strong government oversight and clear performance metrics.

What are the specific remediation technologies anticipated for the TCE contamination at the Hemphill Road site?

The provided data does not specify the exact remediation technologies to be employed for the TCE (Trichloroethylene) contamination at the Hemphill Road Superfund Site. Remedial action activities for TCE typically involve a range of technologies, which could include in-situ or ex-situ methods. Examples might encompass soil vapor extraction (SVE), air sparging, pump-and-treat systems, chemical oxidation/reduction, or bioremediation. The selection of specific technologies would depend on factors such as the concentration and distribution of TCE in soil and groundwater, site geology, hydrogeology, and regulatory requirements. The EPA, in consultation with the selected contractor, would finalize the remediation approach based on detailed site assessments and feasibility studies.

What is the track record of EQ & CH REMEDIATION in handling similar Superfund site cleanups?

Information regarding the specific track record of EQ & CH REMEDIATION in handling similar Superfund site cleanups is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their capabilities, one would need to research their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving hazardous waste remediation and Superfund sites. Key indicators would include their experience with similar contaminants (like TCE), the scale and complexity of previously managed sites, project completion timeliness, cost performance, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. A thorough review of their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and project portfolio would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding of their suitability for this task.

What are the potential long-term environmental monitoring requirements post-remediation at this site?

Long-term environmental monitoring requirements post-remediation at the Hemphill Road Superfund Site would be determined by the EPA based on the effectiveness of the chosen cleanup technologies and the residual contamination levels. Typically, this involves periodic sampling and analysis of groundwater, surface water, and potentially soil or air to ensure that contaminant concentrations remain below regulatory standards and that the remediation goals are sustained. The duration of post-remediation monitoring can range from a few years to several decades, depending on the nature of the contamination and the site's specific conditions. This monitoring ensures the long-term protectiveness of the remedy and compliance with environmental regulations.

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: 68HE0422R0029

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 CARILLON BLVD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45240

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,676,115

Exercised Options: $5,672,799

Current Obligation: $5,667,984

Actual Outlays: $3,654,436

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 14

Total Subaward Amount: $2,332,395

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH19D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline