EPA awards $1.05M for emergency response at EMCO site, with Environmental Quality Management, Inc. as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,050,000 ($1.1M)

Contractor: Environmental Quality Management, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-12-17

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 410 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/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: REGION 5, (ERRS V); TASK ORDER FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT EMCO SITE SSID (D530) FOR $250,000.00.

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.1 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC for work described as: REGION 5, (ERRS V); TASK ORDER FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT EMCO SITE SSID (D530) FOR $250,000.00. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate procurement strategy. 2. The contract duration of 410 days suggests a focused, short-term response effort. 3. The task order is for remediation services, a critical environmental function. 4. The prime contractor, Environmental Quality Management, Inc., has secured this award. 5. The contract is structured as Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. The award is for a specific emergency response at the EMCO site, highlighting its urgent nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $1,050,000 for remediation services appears to be a reasonable estimate for an emergency response task order. Without specific details on the scope of work and the nature of the emergency, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent overruns. The duration of the contract (410 days) suggests a significant, but contained, remediation effort.

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 broad, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific qualifications or prior involvement. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion suggests a targeted approach to selecting qualified contractors for this specialized emergency response.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method, while aiming for competition, may limit the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the most competitive pricing for taxpayers. The exclusion of sources requires careful justification to ensure fairness and optimal value.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from securing a contractor for critical emergency environmental response. The public benefits from the remediation of environmental hazards at the EMCO site, improving safety and ecological health. Services delivered include emergency response and remediation, addressing immediate environmental threats. The geographic impact is localized to the EMCO site in Illinois, specifically within Region 5. Workforce implications include employment for skilled personnel in environmental remediation and emergency response.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost uncertainty if not closely managed.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method requires scrutiny to ensure it was fully justified and did not unduly limit competition.
The emergency nature of the contract may necessitate rapid deployment, potentially increasing initial costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency, a key federal agency for environmental protection.
The contract addresses an emergency response, indicating a critical need being met.
The task order is for remediation services, contributing to environmental cleanup efforts.

Sector Analysis

The remediation services sector is a vital part of the environmental industry, focusing on cleaning up contaminated sites and responding to environmental emergencies. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category, specifically NAICS code 562910 (Remediation Services). Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements, environmental incidents, and ongoing cleanup efforts at federal facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other EPA remediation contracts or similar emergency response awards across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests the award was likely made based on technical qualifications and competitive pricing among larger, specialized firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity for engaging the small business ecosystem in specialized remediation work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through its regional offices and program managers responsible for emergency response and site remediation. Accountability measures would include adherence to the contract's terms, performance standards, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific details of the emergency response activities may be limited due to security or ongoing investigation protocols. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Emergency Response Program
Hazardous Waste Remediation Contracts
Environmental Cleanup Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition due to exclusion of sources requires justification.
Scope definition for emergency response can be challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.1 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC. REGION 5, (ERRS V); TASK ORDER FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT EMCO SITE SSID (D530) FOR $250,000.00.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-17. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the specific nature of the emergency at the EMCO site that necessitated this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the emergency at the EMCO site. However, given the contract is for 'Remediation Services' and awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under an 'Emergency Response' designation, it likely involves a release or threat of release of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. This could range from chemical spills, uncontrolled hazardous waste, or other environmental incidents requiring immediate containment, cleanup, and restoration efforts to protect public health and the environment. Further details would typically be found in the task order's statement of work or associated incident reports.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other remediation contracts for similar emergency responses?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used for emergency response or when the scope of work is uncertain, allowing for flexibility. However, they can be less cost-predictable than fixed-price contracts. For similar emergency remediation efforts, agencies often prefer T&M for initial response phases due to the unpredictable nature of contamination and cleanup needs. As the scope becomes clearer, agencies may transition to more defined pricing or cost-plus-award-fee structures. The key to value with T&M lies in robust oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, and clear ceiling limitations to prevent cost overruns. Benchmarking T&M rates against industry standards for remediation specialists and equipment is crucial for ensuring fair pricing.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method for this contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method implies that the agency initially considered all responsible sources but then excluded some before soliciting proposals. The primary risk is that this exclusion, if not adequately justified and documented, could limit the pool of qualified bidders, potentially leading to higher prices or reduced innovation. It could also raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity among potential contractors. To mitigate these risks, the agency must have a clear, documented rationale for the exclusion, demonstrating that it was necessary for technical reasons, security, or to ensure the best value for the government. Transparency in the justification is key to assuring taxpayers that the competition, though limited, was appropriate for the specific circumstances.

What is the track record of Environmental Quality Management, Inc. in handling emergency environmental response contracts for the EPA?

Environmental Quality Management, Inc. (EQM) has a history of performing environmental services, including remediation and emergency response, for various federal agencies, including the EPA. Their experience often involves managing hazardous materials, site cleanup, and compliance with environmental regulations. To assess their specific track record for EPA emergency response contracts, one would typically review past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract history databases for similar awards, and any publicly available project case studies. A strong track record would indicate successful project completion, adherence to safety protocols, timely delivery, and effective cost management on previous emergency response tasks.

How does the $1,050,000 award amount compare to historical EPA spending on emergency remediation services?

The $1,050,000 award for this specific emergency response task order represents a moderate investment within the EPA's broader portfolio of environmental cleanup and emergency response activities. The EPA manages numerous contracts annually for Superfund site cleanups, hazardous waste management, and immediate response to environmental incidents, with individual contract values ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. This particular award appears to be for a focused, short-term emergency intervention rather than a large-scale, long-term remediation project. Historical spending patterns show significant annual outlays for remediation services, driven by regulatory mandates and the need to address legacy contamination and new environmental threats.

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: 1800 CARILLON BLVD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45240

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,362,280

Exercised Options: $1,362,280

Current Obligation: $1,050,000

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $75,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0422D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline