EPA awards $2M for infrastructure funding at Pike and Mulberry site, utilizing BIL funds

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,000,000 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Environmental Restoration LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-08-12

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,510 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/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: PR-R5-22-00514: TASK ORDER INITIATION/INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR 68HE0422D0004 (ER) ERRS VIMS INSTALLATION AT THE PIKE AND MULBERRY SITE B57N FOR $2,000,000 "BIL FUNDS"

Place of Performance

Location: MARTINSVILLE, MORGAN County, INDIANA, 46151

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.0 million to ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION LLC for work described as: PR-R5-22-00514: TASK ORDER INITIATION/INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR 68HE0422D0004 (ER) ERRS VIMS INSTALLATION AT THE PIKE AND MULBERRY SITE B57N FOR $2,000,000 "BIL FUNDS" Key points: 1. Contract leverages significant federal infrastructure investment for environmental remediation. 2. Focus on VIMS installation suggests a need for enhanced environmental monitoring capabilities. 3. The contract duration of over four years indicates a substantial, long-term project. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing introduces potential cost variability. 5. Indiana location highlights regional focus for environmental restoration efforts. 6. Contractor Environmental Restoration LLC has a role in this specific remediation task.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2,000,000 for VIMS installation and infrastructure funding appears reasonable for a multi-year project of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of work, the exact number of VIMS units, or the complexity of the infrastructure involved, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar environmental monitoring system installations would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to 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, certain sources were excluded, suggesting a potential limitation in the bidding pool. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, which makes it difficult to fully assess the breadth of competition. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a truly full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most competitive pricing achievable through a wider bidding process.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from enhanced environmental monitoring capabilities. The project delivers infrastructure improvements and VIMS installation at the Pike and Mulberry site. The geographic impact is localized to Indiana, specifically the Pike and Mulberry site. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for skilled labor in environmental remediation and installation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition may have restricted price discovery.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes precise value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Leverages significant federal infrastructure funding (BIL funds).
Addresses environmental restoration needs.
Long-term contract duration suggests commitment to project completion.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental services industry. The industry is driven by regulatory compliance, government funding for infrastructure and cleanup projects, and private sector environmental management needs. The use of Infrastructure Funding and specifically 'BIL Funds' (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) highlights a significant government push in this area. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale environmental cleanup and monitoring projects, often awarded by agencies like the EPA, Department of Defense, or Department of Energy.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific task order. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized services for the VIMS installation and infrastructure funding. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses, which could limit opportunities for smaller firms to participate in this particular project. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), given it is their contract. The Inspector General's office of the EPA would likely have jurisdiction for audits and investigations related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed project progress reports and specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data. Accountability rests with Environmental Restoration LLC to perform the work according to the contract terms and with the EPA to manage and monitor the contract effectively.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Infrastructure Funding
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Projects
Environmental Monitoring Systems
EPA Superfund Sites

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Limited competition may impact price discovery
Lack of detailed scope of work hinders full value assessment
Long contract duration increases risk exposure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.0 million to ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION LLC. PR-R5-22-00514: TASK ORDER INITIATION/INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR 68HE0422D0004 (ER) ERRS VIMS INSTALLATION AT THE PIKE AND MULBERRY SITE B57N FOR $2,000,000 "BIL FUNDS"

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-12. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific scope of work for the VIMS installation and infrastructure funding at the Pike and Mulberry site?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'TASK ORDER INITIATION/INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR 68HE0422D0004 (ER) ERRS VIMS INSTALLATION AT THE PIKE AND MULBERRY SITE B57N'. While it specifies VIMS (likely Vehicle/Vessel Identification Management System or a similar environmental monitoring system) installation and infrastructure funding, the exact scope, including the number of VIMS units, the type and extent of infrastructure improvements, and the specific environmental restoration activities (ERRS), is not detailed. This level of detail is typically found in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) associated with the base contract (68HE0422D0004) and this specific task order. Further analysis would require accessing these underlying documents to understand the precise deliverables and technical requirements.

How does the $2,000,000 award compare to typical costs for similar VIMS installation and environmental remediation projects?

Benchmarking the $2,000,000 award requires more granular data on the project's scope. VIMS installation costs can vary significantly based on the technology used, the number of sensors or units deployed, the complexity of data integration, and the required environmental conditions. Similarly, infrastructure funding for environmental remediation can range widely depending on the site's contamination levels, the type of remediation needed (e.g., soil, groundwater), and the scale of the cleanup. Without knowing the specifics of the VIMS technology, the extent of infrastructure work, and the remediation goals, a direct comparison to similar projects is difficult. However, for a multi-year project involving significant infrastructure and specialized monitoring equipment, $2 million is within a plausible range, particularly when funded by federal infrastructure initiatives.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this project?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this project is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயம். If the project scope expands, if inefficiencies arise in labor or material usage, or if unforeseen technical challenges emerge, the total cost to the government can increase significantly beyond initial estimates. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and materials, and robust change management processes are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the project stays within budget. The long duration of the contract (over four years) amplifies this risk.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply about the competition level and its impact on pricing?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests a nuanced approach to competition. It implies that the initial solicitation was intended to be open to all responsible sources. However, specific sources were subsequently excluded. The reasons for exclusion are not provided in the summary data but could range from failure to meet minimum qualifications, non-responsiveness to the solicitation, or specific agency decisions based on past performance or other criteria. While it's more competitive than a sole-source award, the exclusion of certain bidders inherently limits the competitive pool. This reduced competition may lead to less downward pressure on pricing compared to a scenario where all potential bidders were allowed to compete without exclusion, potentially resulting in a higher cost for taxpayers.

What is the track record of Environmental Restoration LLC in handling EPA contracts, particularly those involving VIMS or similar environmental monitoring systems?

The provided data identifies Environmental Restoration LLC as the contractor for this task order. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts, particularly with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and specifically for projects involving VIMS or other environmental monitoring systems and infrastructure funding. This would involve reviewing contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any documented issues or successes. Without access to this historical performance data, it's impossible to definitively state their track record. However, their selection for this task order suggests they met the qualification criteria set forth by the EPA for this specific requirement.

How does the use of 'BIL FUNDS' (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds) influence the oversight and reporting requirements for this contract?

The use of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds often comes with enhanced oversight, reporting, and accountability requirements to ensure taxpayer money is used effectively and transparently. Agencies receiving BIL funds are typically expected to track project progress, economic impacts (including job creation), and adherence to specific program goals. This may involve more frequent reporting from the contractor, increased audits by the agency or its Inspector General, and public-facing dashboards or reports detailing how the funds are being utilized. While the specific reporting mandates for this $2 million task order are not detailed here, the source of funding suggests a heightened level of scrutiny compared to standard appropriations, aiming to maximize the impact of the federal infrastructure investment.

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: 1666 FABICK DR, FENTON, MO, 63026

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,000,000

Exercised Options: $2,000,000

Current Obligation: $2,000,000

Actual Outlays: $1,039,531

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0422D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline