EPA awards $72,000 contract for chemical emergency preparedness to Tetra Tech, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $72,000 ($72.0K)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2029-11-20
Contract Duration: 1,321 days
Daily Burn Rate: $55/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: REGION 5, SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT & RESPONSE TEAM VI (START VI), TASK ORDER FOR CHEMICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION (CEPP).
Place of Performance
Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $72,000 to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: REGION 5, SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT & RESPONSE TEAM VI (START VI), TASK ORDER FOR CHEMICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION (CEPP). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical chemical emergency preparedness and prevention services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Duration of over three years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Task order structure allows for specific project needs within a broader framework. 5. Environmental Consulting Services are essential for regulatory compliance and public safety. 6. Small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $72,000 is relatively modest, suggesting it may cover a specific task or phase of a larger program. Benchmarking against similar EPA task orders for emergency preparedness would provide more context on value for money. Given the specialized nature of chemical emergency preparedness, the pricing is likely competitive within this niche. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The EPA's approach suggests they sought the best value through a broad solicitation process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for essential environmental protection services.
Public Impact
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical support for its chemical emergency preparedness mission. Services delivered will enhance the nation's capacity to respond to and prevent chemical emergencies. The contract has a national scope, supporting EPA's Region 5 and potentially broader CEPP initiatives. Workforce implications include the utilization of specialized environmental consultants.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
- Scope creep could increase the final cost beyond the initial $72,000 estimate.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical preparedness tasks could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a known entity (Tetra Tech, Inc.) with potential experience in similar services.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Long contract duration allows for continuity of essential services.
Sector Analysis
The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market supporting government agencies in areas like regulatory compliance, environmental assessment, and emergency response. This contract fits within the broader category of environmental management and consulting, where firms provide specialized expertise to address complex environmental challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other EPA contracts for similar technical assistance and emergency preparedness services.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award appears limited, though Tetra Tech, Inc. may engage small businesses in their broader operations.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the CEPP initiative. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) Program
- Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention (CEPP)
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Emergency Response Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
- Need for robust oversight to manage contractor performance and costs.
- Scope definition clarity is crucial for effective execution.
Tags
environmental-protection, emergency-preparedness, chemical-safety, epa, tetra-tech-inc, region-5, illinois, delivery-order, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, environmental-consulting-services, task-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $72,000 to TETRA TECH, INC.. REGION 5, SUPERFUND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT & RESPONSE TEAM VI (START VI), TASK ORDER FOR CHEMICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION (CEPP).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $72,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2029-11-20.
What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with the EPA on similar emergency preparedness contracts?
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large, well-established government contractor with a significant history of working with the EPA and other federal agencies on environmental services. While specific details on their past performance on CEPP-related task orders are not provided here, their extensive experience in environmental consulting, engineering, and technical support suggests a strong capability. A deeper dive into their contract history with the EPA would reveal the scope, value, and performance outcomes of previous engagements, providing a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in this specific domain. Their overall size and market presence indicate they are a frequent recipient of such contracts.
How does the $72,000 value compare to typical EPA task orders for chemical emergency preparedness?
The $72,000 value for this task order is relatively modest when compared to the potential scale of EPA's broader chemical emergency preparedness and prevention efforts. EPA task orders can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity of the services required. This specific award likely represents a focused effort, such as a specific technical assessment, a training module development, or a planning exercise, rather than a large-scale response or long-term program management. Benchmarking against other START VI or CEPP task orders would provide more precise comparative data, but generally, this amount suggests a targeted, short-to-medium term support function.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for these services?
The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for chemical emergency preparedness services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours and costs incurred, plus a fee. If not carefully managed and monitored, the contractor could incur more hours or higher material costs than anticipated, leading to a final cost exceeding initial estimates. This necessitates robust oversight from the EPA to ensure efficient work practices, accurate timekeeping, and justification for all expenditures. Scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the original agreement without a corresponding adjustment in price, is also a significant risk under T&M.
How effective are EPA's full and open competition processes in ensuring value for taxpayer money in specialized fields like chemical emergency preparedness?
EPA's utilization of full and open competition for specialized fields like chemical emergency preparedness is generally an effective mechanism for ensuring value for taxpayer money. This approach maximizes the pool of potential bidders, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the agency increases the likelihood of finding contractors with the best combination of technical expertise, experience, and cost-effectiveness. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the rigor of the evaluation process, and the agency's ability to accurately define requirements. For highly specialized services, ensuring that evaluators possess the necessary technical acumen to assess proposals is crucial.
What historical spending patterns exist for EPA's chemical emergency preparedness programs?
Historical spending patterns for EPA's chemical emergency preparedness programs reveal a consistent and significant investment in safeguarding communities from chemical hazards. These programs, often funded through appropriations and specific grant initiatives, typically see substantial allocations directed towards planning, training, equipment, and technical assistance. Spending fluctuates based on national priorities, emerging threats, and legislative mandates. Contracts for services like those awarded to Tetra Tech, Inc. represent a portion of this overall spending, focusing on specific technical support and operational capabilities. Analyzing multi-year spending trends can indicate shifts in program focus, increased or decreased emphasis on certain preparedness aspects, and the overall scale of federal commitment to chemical safety.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 S WACKER DR FL 37, CHICAGO, IL, 60606
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $321,649
Exercised Options: $321,649
Current Obligation: $72,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HE0525D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2029-11-20
Potential End Date: 2029-11-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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