EPA awards $3.29M contract for Moody Landfill fire emergency response in Trussville, AL

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,287,284 ($3.3M)

Contractor: C M C, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-01-25

End Date: 2025-09-12

Contract Duration: 961 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MOODY LANDFILL FIRE, TRUSSVILLE, AL 35173 SITE IDC4Q6

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.3 million to C M C, INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MOODY LANDFILL FIRE, TRUSSVILLE, AL 35173 SITE IDC4Q6 Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical environmental hazard with a significant funding allocation. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate procurement approach. 3. Performance period extends over 1.5 years, indicating a substantial scope of work. 4. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The remediation services sector is vital for environmental protection and public safety.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.29 million for emergency landfill fire response appears reasonable given the nature of environmental remediation. However, without specific details on the scope of work, the exact remediation techniques, and the duration of the emergency, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Comparing this to similar emergency response contracts for hazardous material incidents would provide better context. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible for unforeseen circumstances, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not closely managed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded for justifiable reasons, or the initial solicitation might have had limitations. The fact that it was not a completely unrestricted full and open competition suggests potential reasons for limited bidder participation, which could impact the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not fully unrestricted, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause implies an effort to ensure fair opportunity. Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure necessary services, but the exclusion of certain sources warrants scrutiny to ensure no potential cost savings were foregone.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in Trussville, Alabama, benefit from the mitigation of environmental hazards posed by the Moody Landfill fire. The contract delivers essential remediation services to address the immediate and ongoing impacts of the fire. Geographic impact is localized to the Trussville, AL area, specifically the Moody Landfill site. The contract supports specialized environmental cleanup workforce, including remediation technicians and project managers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type increases risk of cost escalation if not rigorously monitored.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method requires further investigation to ensure optimal pricing.
Emergency response contracts can be subject to unforeseen complexities impacting budget adherence.

Positive Signals

Award addresses a critical environmental emergency, prioritizing public health and safety.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is overseeing the contract, indicating a high level of regulatory oversight.
The contract duration allows for comprehensive remediation efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental services industry. This sector addresses the cleanup of contaminated sites, hazardous waste management, and emergency response to environmental incidents. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, environmental disasters, and industrial cleanup needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing costs for similar-scale hazardous material incident responses or landfill remediation projects.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus or requirement for this specific contract award. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. This suggests that the prime contractor, C M C, INC., is likely a larger entity, and the contract's nature may not have lent itself to significant small business involvement in the prime role. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the awarding agency. As an emergency response contract, it likely falls under the EPA's established oversight mechanisms for environmental cleanup operations. Accountability measures would include performance monitoring, adherence to remediation plans, and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details might be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Remedial Actions
Hazardous Waste Management
Emergency Environmental Response
Site Remediation Contracts
Environmental Cleanup Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' requires justification.
Complexity of emergency response may lead to unforeseen challenges and costs.
Need for robust oversight to manage T&M contract effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.3 million to C M C, INC.. EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MOODY LANDFILL FIRE, TRUSSVILLE, AL 35173 SITE IDC4Q6

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 $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-25. End: 2025-09-12.

What specific remediation activities are included under this contract?

The contract is for 'EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MOODY LANDFILL FIRE, TRUSSVILLE, AL 35173 SITE.' While specific details are not fully elaborated in the provided data, typical activities for such an emergency response would include immediate containment of hazardous materials, air quality monitoring, water runoff control, fire suppression, debris removal, and initial site stabilization. The subsequent phases under the contract, extending to September 2025, would likely involve more detailed site assessment, soil and groundwater remediation, and long-term monitoring to ensure the site is no longer a threat to public health or the environment. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract suggests that the exact scope and duration of these activities might evolve based on site conditions discovered during the response.

How does the $3.29 million cost compare to similar emergency landfill fire responses?

Benchmarking the $3.29 million cost requires comparison with similar emergency responses to landfill fires or significant hazardous material incidents. Factors influencing cost include the size of the affected area, the type and quantity of hazardous materials involved, the duration of the emergency, and the complexity of the remediation required. Without access to a database of comparable emergency response contracts with detailed cost breakdowns, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a significant environmental emergency requiring extended remediation efforts, a multi-million dollar budget is not uncommon. The Time and Materials pricing structure means the final cost could deviate from the initial award amount based on actual labor and material usage.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for emergency response?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially for an emergency response, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual hours worked and materials used. If the scope of work is not well-defined or if unforeseen complexities arise (common in emergency situations), the contractor may incur higher labor hours or require more materials than initially anticipated, leading to a final cost exceeding the estimated award amount. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure cost-effectiveness for the government.

What is the significance of the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method?

The procurement method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that the agency intended to solicit offers from all responsible sources, but specific sources were excluded. This exclusion must be justified, often due to reasons like national security, proprietary information, or specific capabilities required that only certain entities possess. While it aims for broad competition, the exclusion implies that the pool of potential bidders was narrower than in a completely unrestricted full and open competition. This could potentially impact the level of price competition achieved. The agency must have documented a rationale for excluding specific sources to ensure the procurement remained fair and compliant with federal acquisition regulations.

What is the track record of C M C, INC. in handling similar environmental emergency response contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of C M C, INC. in handling similar environmental emergency response contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their capabilities and past performance, one would typically consult contract performance reports (CPARS), past performance questionnaires, and potentially conduct market research on the company's history with federal agencies, particularly the EPA. A thorough review would examine their experience with landfill fires, hazardous material containment, and large-scale remediation projects, looking for indicators of successful project completion, adherence to budget and schedule, and overall client satisfaction. Without this external data, assessing their specific suitability for this critical emergency response is limited.

How does this contract fit into the EPA's broader environmental protection mission?

This contract directly aligns with the EPA's core mission of protecting human health and the environment. Emergency response to environmental incidents like the Moody Landfill fire is a critical function, preventing further contamination and mitigating immediate risks to surrounding communities. By awarding this contract, the EPA is deploying resources to address a pressing environmental hazard, ensuring that cleanup operations are conducted effectively and according to regulatory standards. This action demonstrates the EPA's commitment to responding to environmental emergencies and fulfilling its mandate to safeguard public welfare and ecological integrity.

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: 1

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: $3,287,284

Exercised Options: $3,287,284

Current Obligation: $3,287,284

Actual Outlays: $3,287,284

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0421D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline