EPA awards $286K remediation services contract to HELIOTECH for 4 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $286,548 ($286.5K)

Contractor: Heliotech

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-08-02

End Date: 2028-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,459 days

Daily Burn Rate: $196/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: AWARD TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $286,547.57 to HELIOTECH for work described as: AWARD TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of nearly 4 years indicates a significant, long-term need for these remediation services. 4. The awardee, HELIOTECH, is a new entity in federal contracting based on this award. 5. The NAICS code 562910 points to a specialized environmental remediation sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $286,547.57 over nearly four years appears modest for environmental remediation services. Without comparable contract data for similar scope and duration, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and do not escalate unexpectedly. Benchmarking against industry standards for remediation services would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive.

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, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, which could raise questions about the breadth of competition achieved. A limited competition might result in less aggressive pricing compared to a truly unrestricted full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. Further clarity on the exclusion rationale is needed to fully assess the impact on cost savings.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential remediation services. This contract supports environmental cleanup and restoration efforts, contributing to public health and safety. The services are likely to be performed within Illinois, based on the state code provided. The contract may indirectly support a specialized workforce in environmental remediation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not diligently managed.
Limited competition due to source exclusion may have impacted price competitiveness.
The awardee, HELIOTECH, is a new entrant, raising questions about their track record and capacity for this specific work.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating an effort to find qualified offerors.
The contract addresses a critical environmental need for the EPA.

Sector Analysis

Environmental remediation services fall under the broader environmental consulting and waste management sector. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and regulatory compliance requirements. The market size for federal environmental remediation is substantial, driven by ongoing cleanup mandates and infrastructure needs. This contract represents a small but specific engagement within that larger market, focusing on remediation tasks.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The awardee, HELIOTECH, is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless subcontracting opportunities arise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific details of performance and cost management may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Brownfields Program
Environmental Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Awardee's lack of established federal contracting history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $286,547.57 to HELIOTECH. AWARD TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELIOTECH.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $286,547.57.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-02. End: 2028-07-31.

What is HELIOTECH's prior experience and track record in federal environmental remediation?

Based on the provided data, HELIOTECH appears to be a new entrant to federal contracting, with this award being the primary indicator of their engagement. There is no readily available information in this dataset to suggest prior experience or a substantial track record with the federal government specifically for environmental remediation services. Further investigation into corporate registration, state-level contracts, or commercial projects would be necessary to build a comprehensive profile of their capabilities and past performance. The lack of a documented history with federal agencies necessitates careful monitoring of their performance on this contract to ensure successful delivery and adherence to EPA requirements.

How does the $286,547.57 contract value compare to similar environmental remediation contracts awarded by the EPA?

The contract value of $286,547.57 over a period of nearly four years is relatively modest for environmental remediation services. Federal contracts in this domain can range from tens of thousands for small, localized tasks to hundreds of millions for large-scale Superfund site cleanups. This particular award suggests a focused scope of work, possibly for a specific site assessment, minor cleanup, or specialized technical support. Without knowing the exact nature and complexity of the remediation required, a direct comparison is challenging. However, it is unlikely to represent a major, multi-site, or long-term extensive remediation effort, which typically command significantly higher budgets.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for environmental remediation services is the potential for cost escalation due to a lack of a fixed ceiling on labor hours and material costs. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements allow the contractor to bill for actual time spent and materials used. If not rigorously managed and monitored by the government, this can lead to the contractor extending timelines or increasing resource utilization beyond what is necessary, driving up the total cost. Effective oversight, detailed reporting, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for the bidding process and potential cost savings?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that the solicitation was initially intended for broad competition, but specific sources were subsequently excluded from consideration. The reasons for exclusion are not provided in this data snippet but could stem from various factors such as specific technical requirements, past performance issues with certain vendors, or strategic sourcing decisions. While it implies a competitive process was intended, the exclusion of sources may have narrowed the field of bidders, potentially limiting the number of proposals received. This could, in turn, reduce the downward pressure on pricing that a larger, more diverse pool of competitors might exert, potentially impacting the cost savings realized by the government compared to a truly unrestricted competition.

What is the typical duration and scale of remediation services contracts awarded by the EPA?

The duration and scale of environmental remediation contracts awarded by the EPA can vary dramatically depending on the nature and complexity of the environmental issue. Contracts can range from short-term, task-order based engagements for site assessments or emergency responses, lasting a few months, to multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts for large-scale cleanups at Superfund sites or long-term monitoring programs. The nearly four-year duration of this HELIOTECH contract suggests a need for ongoing or phased remediation activities rather than a single, short-term intervention. However, its total value of $286,547.57 positions it at the lower end of the scale for long-duration remediation projects.

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: 68HE0524R0022

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3201 C ST, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $286,548

Exercised Options: $286,548

Current Obligation: $286,548

Actual Outlays: $45,335

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0118D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline