EPA's Superfund Technical Assessment contract awarded to Tetra Tech, Inc. for $2.9M, spanning 7 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,909,339 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2019-07-15

End Date: 2026-07-14

Contract Duration: 2,556 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT&RESPONSE TEAM (START), REGION 4, PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS: CONTRACT TASKS, RESPONSE AND READINESS TASKS.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.9 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT&RESPONSE TEAM (START), REGION 4, PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS: CONTRACT TASKS, RESPONSE AND READINESS TASKS. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical and administrative support for EPA Region 4's Superfund program. 2. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 3. A full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 4. The contract duration of seven years allows for sustained program support and planning. 5. This award is part of broader EPA efforts to manage hazardous waste sites nationwide.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed-price nature, combined with a seven-year duration, suggests a structured approach to managing costs for long-term environmental response. Benchmarking against similar EPA Superfund support contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money, but the competitive award mechanism is a positive indicator. The total award amount of $2.9 million over seven years averages approximately $415,000 annually, which appears reasonable for specialized technical consulting services supporting a major federal environmental program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition process generally fosters price discovery and encourages multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. This approach is designed to ensure the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at the most competitive prices, thereby maximizing the efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by hazardous waste sites within EPA Region 4, which includes Georgia. The contract supports critical services such as technical assessments, response actions, and readiness tasks for the Superfund program. Geographic impact is focused on Region 4, covering states within its jurisdiction, with a specific mention of Georgia. Workforce implications include the employment of specialized environmental scientists, engineers, and technical staff by Tetra Tech, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial assessments lead to extensive, unplanned response actions.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical, long-term support could pose risks if performance degrades.
The fixed-price nature might incentivize cost-cutting that could impact the thoroughness of assessments if not carefully monitored.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award through full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The long duration allows for continuity of essential environmental services.
Tetra Tech's established presence in environmental consulting indicates potential for reliable performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental services industry. This sector supports government agencies in managing environmental regulations, remediation, and compliance. The market for such services is driven by federal and state environmental mandates, including programs like Superfund. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EPA contracts for similar technical support services across different regions or for other environmental programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Tetra Tech, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors based on their own procurement strategies and the specific needs of the tasks outlined in the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the office that awarded the contract. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting of federal spending. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Region 4 Environmental Services
Hazardous Waste Site Remediation Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Response Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to unforeseen site conditions.
Contractor performance risk over a long duration.
Adequacy of fixed-price structure for complex environmental tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.9 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT&RESPONSE TEAM (START), REGION 4, PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS: CONTRACT TASKS, RESPONSE AND READINESS TASKS.

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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-15. End: 2026-07-14.

What is the historical spending pattern for EPA Region 4's Superfund technical assessment and response support?

Analyzing historical spending for EPA Region 4's Superfund technical assessment and response support requires access to detailed historical contract data. While this specific contract award is for $2.9 million over seven years, previous contracts for similar services in Region 4 would reveal trends in funding levels, contractor choices, and the types of services procured. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly smaller or larger, or awarded to different firms, it could indicate shifts in program needs, budget allocations, or market competition. Understanding these patterns is crucial for assessing the current contract's scale and value in a long-term context and for forecasting future budgetary requirements for Superfund operations in the region.

How does Tetra Tech, Inc.'s performance on similar EPA contracts compare to industry benchmarks?

Evaluating Tetra Tech, Inc.'s performance on similar EPA contracts against industry benchmarks involves reviewing past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any documented disputes or awards. Data sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) can provide insights into their track record. Benchmarking would involve comparing their on-time delivery rates, cost control adherence, quality of work, and overall customer satisfaction scores against averages for environmental consulting firms of similar size and scope working on federal contracts. A strong historical performance record with the EPA would suggest a lower risk for this new contract, while a pattern of issues might raise concerns about potential performance shortfalls or cost overruns.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this Superfund technical assessment contract?

The key performance indicators (KPIs) for this Superfund Technical Assessment & Response Team (START) contract are likely defined within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and performance work statement (PWS). These typically include metrics related to the timeliness and accuracy of technical assessments, the effectiveness of response actions undertaken, the readiness of response teams, and the quality of administrative and programmatic support provided. For example, KPIs might track the number of sites assessed within a specified timeframe, the successful completion of emergency response actions, adherence to safety protocols during site work, and the efficiency of reporting and documentation. The EPA's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) would monitor these KPIs to ensure Tetra Tech, Inc. meets its contractual obligations and delivers value.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the remediation of specific Superfund sites in EPA Region 4?

This contract directly supports the EPA's ability to manage and remediate Superfund sites within Region 4. The 'SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT & RESPONSE TEAM (START), REGION 4, PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS: CONTRACT TASKS, RESPONSE AND READINESS TASKS' indicates that Tetra Tech, Inc. will provide crucial expertise for site investigations, feasibility studies, remedial design, and oversight of cleanup activities. By ensuring timely technical assessments and maintaining readiness for response actions, this contract helps accelerate the cleanup process, mitigate environmental risks, and protect public health in communities affected by hazardous substances. The specific impact on individual sites will depend on which sites are prioritized and the nature of the work required under the contract's tasks.

Are there any identified risks associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for these environmental services?

While firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for providing cost certainty, they can introduce risks for complex environmental services like Superfund technical assessments. If the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen site conditions arise, the contractor might face financial strain attempting to complete the work within the fixed price. This could potentially lead to pressure to cut corners, impacting the quality or thoroughness of assessments, or result in requests for change orders and contract modifications, negating the initial cost certainty. Conversely, the government bears the risk if the actual costs exceed the fixed price. Effective management and clear definition of the SOW are critical to mitigating these risks.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $2,909,339

Exercised Options: $2,909,339

Current Obligation: $2,909,339

Actual Outlays: $1,835,654

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $4,000,000

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