TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC awarded $247.6M EPA contract for Remediation Services, utilizing Time and Materials

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $247,640 ($247.6K)

Contractor: Techlaw Consultants Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-06-12

End Date: 2028-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,510 days

Daily Burn Rate: $164/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: TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $247,640.24 to TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract value of $247.6M over approximately 4 years suggests significant long-term service needs. 2. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure warrants close monitoring for cost efficiency and scope creep. 3. Competition was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a potentially narrowed but still competitive field. 4. The contract falls under Remediation Services, a critical area for environmental protection. 5. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighting its importance to the agency's mission. 6. The duration of 1510 days (approx. 4 years) indicates a substantial and ongoing requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $247.6 million over roughly four years is substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar remediation services contracts from the EPA or other agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as it pays for labor hours and materials directly. Benchmarking against industry standards for remediation services, particularly for the specific types of environmental issues addressed, would be necessary to fully assess pricing fairness and overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was generally open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria before the final bidding process. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method suggests a deliberate effort to ensure a competitive environment while potentially focusing on qualified entities. The level of competition achieved under this specific exclusion process will influence price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach aims to balance broad market access with the need for specialized capabilities, potentially leading to competitive pricing for taxpayers while ensuring the government secures necessary expertise.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public, through the remediation of environmental hazards. Services delivered will focus on environmental remediation, addressing pollution and contamination. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the regions where the EPA identifies and manages environmental cleanup sites. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for environmental scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff involved in remediation projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Time and Materials' contract type can lead to cost overruns if not strictly managed and monitored for efficiency.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition process might limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting the lowest price.
The long duration of the contract (over 4 years) increases the risk of changing environmental regulations or technological advancements impacting the project's scope or cost-effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded by the EPA, indicating a focus on critical environmental protection missions.
The contract is for Remediation Services, addressing essential environmental cleanup needs.
The 'Full and Open Competition' aspect, even with exclusions, suggests an effort to engage qualified providers.

Sector Analysis

The Remediation Services sector is a critical component of the environmental services industry, focused on cleaning up contaminated sites and mitigating environmental damage. This market is driven by regulatory requirements, historical industrial activity, and ongoing environmental concerns. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on government funding priorities and the identification of new cleanup needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within EPA's historical contract data for similar remediation projects and across other federal agencies managing environmental liabilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract award. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized remediation services from larger, potentially more experienced contractors. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in supporting these critical environmental efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is responsible for managing and monitoring the contractor's performance. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Brownfields Program
Department of Defense Environmental Remediation
Department of Energy Environmental Cleanup
Hazardous Waste Management Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Exclusion of sources in competition may limit price discovery.
Long contract duration increases exposure to changing conditions.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $247,640.24 to TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC. TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $247,640.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-12. End: 2028-07-31.

What is the historical performance record of TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC with the EPA and other federal agencies, particularly on remediation contracts?

A thorough review of TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC's past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their contract history with the EPA and other federal entities, looking for any past performance evaluations, awards, or disputes. Specifically, assessing their track record on similar remediation projects, including their ability to meet deadlines, stay within budget, and adhere to quality standards, would provide insight into their reliability and capability for this significant contract. Information on any past performance issues or successes would directly inform the risk assessment for this current award.

How does the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure compare to fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts for similar EPA remediation services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are generally used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. For remediation services, where unforeseen conditions can arise, T&M might seem appropriate. However, it shifts much of the cost risk to the government compared to fixed-price contracts. Compared to cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF), T&M typically has a higher potential for cost escalation if labor hours and material usage are not rigorously controlled. While CPFF includes a negotiated profit fee, T&M's profit is built into the hourly rates and material markups. The EPA often prefers more defined contract types to ensure better cost predictability, making the choice of T&M here noteworthy and requiring stringent oversight.

What specific types of environmental remediation are covered under this contract, and are there any known high-risk contaminants or sites involved?

The contract is broadly categorized under 'Remediation Services' (NAICS 562910). Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the specific types of remediation. This could range from soil and groundwater cleanup to hazardous waste disposal and site restoration. If the contract involves known high-risk contaminants (e.g., PFAS, heavy metals, radioactive materials) or complex Superfund sites, the associated risks, costs, and technical challenges would be significantly higher. Understanding the specific environmental challenges the contractor will address is key to assessing the contract's complexity and potential risks.

What is the EPA's historical spending trend for Remediation Services, and how does this $247.6M award fit within that trend?

Analyzing the EPA's historical spending on Remediation Services provides context for the significance of this award. If the EPA's spending in this area has been steadily increasing due to new regulations or aging infrastructure, this contract aligns with that trend. Conversely, if spending has been declining, a large award like this might indicate a strategic shift or a particularly pressing need. Benchmarking this $247.6M against average annual or multi-year spending on remediation services by the EPA would reveal whether this represents a typical, above-average, or below-average investment in this category.

What are the potential implications of the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause on the overall competitiveness and final pricing of this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause means that while the competition was open, the EPA pre-selected a pool of eligible contractors, excluding others. This can be done for various reasons, such as ensuring specific technical capabilities or past performance. While it aims to streamline the process and ensure qualified bidders, it inherently limits the number of potential offerors. If the excluded sources represented significant competition, this clause could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The effectiveness of this clause in balancing competition and qualification is a key analytical point.

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

Solicitation ID: 68HE0524R0019

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14840 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $247,640

Exercised Options: $247,640

Current Obligation: $247,640

Actual Outlays: $20,253

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0118D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline