EPA awards $2.6M contract for Superfund analytical chemistry support to SERCO INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,630,537 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Serco Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-04-07

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,880 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: US EPA REGION 6 - ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TEAM (ESAT) - SUPERFUND (SF) ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (AC) SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77099

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.6 million to SERCO INC for work described as: US EPA REGION 6 - ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TEAM (ESAT) - SUPERFUND (SF) ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (AC) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for analytical chemistry support related to Superfund sites, indicating a focus on environmental remediation. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration extends over several years, implying a need for sustained support. 5. The awardee, SERCO INC, is a known entity in government contracting. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.6 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized analytical chemistry support services. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for Superfund site support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the award amount seems aligned with the nature of environmental analytical services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies that the EPA sought the best value through an open process, rather than restricting it to a pre-qualified list or specific small businesses.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace that drives down prices and encourages innovation, ensuring the government receives the most cost-effective solution for essential services like Superfund site analysis.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from this contract by securing essential analytical chemistry support for its Superfund program. This contract supports the remediation and cleanup of hazardous waste sites across the nation, contributing to environmental protection and public health. The services delivered are critical for identifying contaminants, monitoring site conditions, and ensuring the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. While the specific geographic impact is not detailed, Superfund sites are located nationwide, suggesting a broad potential benefit to communities affected by environmental contamination. The contract supports specialized scientific and technical workforce needs within the environmental services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
The duration of the contract (ending in 2026) means that performance and value will need to be continuously monitored.
The specific scope of 'analytical chemistry support' is broad and could encompass a wide range of services, requiring clear performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen complexities arise at Superfund sites, despite the firm-fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a commitment to leveraging market competition for best value.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports critical environmental protection activities under the Superfund program.
The awardee, SERCO INC, likely has relevant experience in providing such services.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

The environmental services sector, particularly analytical testing and laboratory services, is crucial for regulatory compliance and environmental management. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) covers this contract. The EPA's Superfund program relies heavily on accurate and timely analytical data to assess site contamination and guide remediation strategies. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements and the ongoing need to address legacy pollution sites. Comparable contracts often involve extensive laboratory analysis, field sampling, and data interpretation for various environmental media.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses (SS=false, SB=false). As a full and open competition, it allows large businesses like SERCO INC to compete. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract may be limited unless they are part of SERCO INC's subcontracting team.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the program offices responsible for the Superfund program and contract administration. The contract's performance will likely be monitored through regular progress reports, site inspections, and quality assurance reviews. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Analytical Laboratory Services
EPA Contract Vehicles
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup

Risk Flags

Potential for data quality issues if contractor's QA/QC is insufficient.
Risk of schedule delays impacting Superfund site remediation timelines.
Contract performance monitoring is crucial due to the critical nature of analytical data.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate environmental assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.6 million to SERCO INC. US EPA REGION 6 - ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TEAM (ESAT) - SUPERFUND (SF) ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (AC) SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SERCO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-07. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of SERCO INC in providing environmental analytical services to the EPA or other federal agencies?

SERCO INC has a history of performing various services for government agencies, including those related to environmental support. While specific details on their track record for Superfund analytical chemistry support require a deeper dive into contract databases, their presence as a contractor suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Federal procurement data would reveal the extent and success of their past performance, including any awards, past performance evaluations, and potential past issues. It is crucial to review their history with the EPA specifically to understand their capabilities and reliability in this specialized domain.

How does the awarded amount of $2.6 million compare to similar EPA contracts for Superfund analytical chemistry support?

The $2.6 million award for approximately five years of analytical chemistry support for Superfund sites appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized services. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with similar scopes of work, geographic coverage, and complexity. Factors like the number of samples, types of analyses required (e.g., organic, inorganic, radiological), and reporting requirements significantly influence contract value. Without access to detailed scope-of-work documents and a broader dataset of comparable EPA contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value. Generally, the EPA procures these services through competitive processes to ensure fair market pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential scope creep if the complexity of Superfund sites is underestimated, delays in sample analysis impacting remediation timelines, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of critical data. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear definition of tasks and deliverables in the contract, robust quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols for laboratory analysis, and performance monitoring by the EPA. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively, but requires careful oversight to prevent quality compromises. Unforeseen site conditions at Superfund locations could also pose risks to schedule and cost.

How effective is the EPA's Superfund program in achieving its environmental cleanup goals, and how does this contract contribute?

The effectiveness of the EPA's Superfund program is a complex and often debated topic, with successes in cleaning up many hazardous sites but also facing challenges related to funding, pace, and long-term monitoring. This contract directly contributes to the program's effectiveness by providing essential analytical chemistry support. Accurate data on contaminants is fundamental for proper site assessment, risk evaluation, and the selection and implementation of appropriate cleanup technologies. Without reliable analytical services, the program's ability to make informed decisions and achieve its environmental remediation goals would be severely hampered. Therefore, this contract is a critical enabler for the Superfund program's operational success.

What are the historical spending patterns for analytical chemistry support within the EPA's Superfund program?

Historical spending on analytical chemistry support for the EPA's Superfund program has been substantial, reflecting the ongoing need for scientific data to manage hazardous waste sites. Annual expenditures can fluctuate based on the number of active sites, the stage of cleanup activities (investigation, remediation, post-closure), and available appropriations. Federal procurement data indicates consistent investment in laboratory services, field sampling, and data management over many years. This specific contract, valued at $2.6 million over its period, represents a portion of the broader EPA budget allocated to ensuring the scientific integrity of Superfund operations.

What is the typical duration and value range for similar EPA Superfund analytical support contracts?

Contracts for EPA Superfund analytical support services typically range from one to five years in duration, with values varying significantly based on the scope and complexity of the work. Smaller, task-order-based contracts might be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, while larger, comprehensive support contracts can reach tens of millions of dollars over their lifespan. This $2.6 million contract, spanning approximately five years, falls within a moderate range, suggesting a defined but significant scope of analytical services required for specific Superfund-related activities. The use of delivery orders implies it might be part of a larger IDIQ vehicle, which allows for flexibility in tasking and value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12930 WORLDGATE DR STE 600, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,604,816

Exercised Options: $3,604,816

Current Obligation: $2,630,537

Actual Outlays: $2,375,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0121D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline