EPA awards $400K for emergency response at Illinois site, highlighting remediation needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $400,000 ($400.0K)

Contractor: Environmental Quality Management, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2026-02-06

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 359 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/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 CONN BAND INSTRUMENTS SITE: (D581) FOR $25,000.00.

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $400,000 to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC for work described as: REGION 5, (ERRS V); TASK ORDER FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT CONN BAND INSTRUMENTS SITE: (D581) FOR $25,000.00. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical environmental cleanup needs at a specific site. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract is approximately one year, indicating a focused scope of work. 4. The task order is for emergency response, implying a need for rapid and specialized services. 5. The contractor, Environmental Quality Management, Inc., has secured this award. 6. The contract falls under remediation services, a key area for environmental protection.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $400,000 for emergency response remediation services over approximately one year appears reasonable given the nature of emergency environmental work. Without specific details on the site's contamination levels or the scope of remediation, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the pricing structure (Time and Materials) allows for flexibility, which can be beneficial in emergency situations where the full scope may not be immediately clear. Further analysis would require benchmarking against typical costs for similar emergency response actions in the region.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which indicates that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests multiple interested parties could have participated. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery, though the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the rationale.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. Ensuring a broad base of potential bidders, even with exclusions, helps secure a fair market price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment surrounding the Conn Band Instruments site, through the mitigation of potential hazards. The service delivered is emergency response and remediation, crucial for environmental cleanup. The geographic impact is localized to the specific site in Illinois where the emergency response is required. This contract supports specialized environmental remediation workforces, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the full and open competition requires scrutiny to ensure it was justified and did not unduly limit competition.
The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, especially in emergency response scenarios.
Lack of specific details on the nature and extent of the emergency response needed makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.

Positive Signals

The award was made under a full and open competition, indicating a commitment to leveraging market forces.
The contract addresses an emergency situation, demonstrating the agency's responsiveness to critical environmental issues.
The contract duration is clearly defined, providing a timeframe for the remediation efforts.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation services sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, which is driven by regulatory compliance and the need to address historical contamination. This contract fits within the remediation sub-sector, focusing on emergency response. Comparable spending benchmarks for emergency environmental cleanup can vary significantly based on the type and scale of contamination, but federal agencies like the EPA regularly award contracts in this space to manage environmental risks.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of emergency environmental response, it is possible that larger, more experienced firms are typically awarded such contracts. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), potentially through its regional offices and contracting officers. The Inspector General's office of the EPA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed operational oversight specifics are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Action
Brownfields Program
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing in an emergency context.
Lack of specific details on the emergency nature and scope of work.
Justification for exclusion of sources in a 'full and open' competition needs review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $400,000 to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC. REGION 5, (ERRS V); TASK ORDER FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT CONN BAND INSTRUMENTS SITE: (D581) FOR $25,000.00.

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 $400,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-06. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the specific nature of the emergency at the Conn Band Instruments site requiring remediation?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT CONN BAND INSTRUMENTS SITE'. However, the specific nature of the emergency, such as a chemical spill, hazardous material release, or other environmental threat, is not detailed. This information is crucial for understanding the scope of work, the risks involved, and the justification for the emergency designation. Without this context, it is difficult to fully assess the necessity and appropriateness of the awarded services and their associated costs. Further details would likely be found in internal EPA documentation or site-specific reports related to the incident.

How does the $400,000 contract value compare to typical emergency environmental remediation costs for similar incidents?

Benchmarking the $400,000 contract value against similar emergency environmental remediation contracts requires detailed information on the specific contaminants, the extent of the affected area, and the required cleanup actions. Emergency response costs can fluctuate significantly based on these factors, as well as the urgency and required personnel/equipment. While $400,000 may seem substantial, it could be cost-effective if it addresses a significant environmental threat promptly. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing historical EPA contracts for similar emergency responses in the region or for comparable types of incidents, considering factors like response time, personnel hours, and specialized equipment usage.

What criteria were used to exclude specific sources under the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies that while the competition was generally open, certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded. The criteria for exclusion are not specified in the provided data but typically relate to factors such as a firm's past performance, technical capabilities, security clearances, or specific certifications required for the emergency response. The agency must have a documented and justifiable reason for excluding any sources to ensure fairness and compliance with procurement regulations. Understanding these criteria is essential to assess whether the exclusion unduly limited competition or was necessary for ensuring the successful execution of the emergency response.

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

Environmental Quality Management, Inc. (EQM) is a known entity in the environmental services sector. To assess their track record specifically for emergency response contracts, one would need to review their past performance on similar federal or state contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. EQM's experience with hazardous material handling, site remediation, and rapid deployment capabilities would be key indicators of their suitability for this emergency task order. Without specific performance data for this contractor on similar emergency response actions, a definitive assessment of their track record is not possible from the given information.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this emergency response contract?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this emergency response contract presents several potential risks. Primarily, T&M contracts can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if work hours and material usage are not rigorously monitored and controlled. In an emergency situation, the exact duration and resource needs can be unpredictable, making T&M a flexible but potentially expensive option. For taxpayers, the risk lies in paying for potentially inefficient labor or unnecessary materials if strong oversight and accountability measures are not in place. The EPA must ensure robust project management and auditing to mitigate these risks and ensure the $400,000 ceiling is not exceeded without clear justification.

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: $400,000

Exercised Options: $400,000

Current Obligation: $400,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0422D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline