EPA awards $2.3M for Superfund support, with SERCO INC. to provide environmental lab services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,296,545 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Serco Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-03-29

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,950 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REGION 7 LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TEAMS (ESAT) SUPERFUND PROGRAM SUPPORT PER THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, WYANDOTTE County, KANSAS, 66101

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.3 million to SERCO INC for work described as: REGION 7 LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TEAMS (ESAT) SUPERFUND PROGRAM SUPPORT PER THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized environmental laboratory support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include performance deviations and scope creep over the contract duration. 4. This contract supports the critical Superfund program, indicating a focus on environmental remediation. 5. The services are essential for assessing and managing hazardous waste sites. 6. Contract duration of nearly 5 years allows for sustained support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.3 million over its 5-year term is modest for specialized environmental laboratory services supporting a national program like Superfund. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting and laboratory analysis suggests this pricing is within a competitive range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, though it places performance risk on the contractor. Without detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process implies a degree of price efficiency.

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 approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competition that should lead to a fair market price and a selection based on merit.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives high-quality services at a reasonable price. It reduces the risk of overpayment and promotes efficiency.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from enhanced laboratory support for its Superfund program. Services delivered include critical testing and analysis for hazardous waste site assessments. The geographic impact is national, supporting the EPA's mandate across the United States. The contract supports a specialized workforce in environmental science and laboratory analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues impacting Superfund site assessments.
Risk of cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond the initial SOW.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical laboratory services over a long period.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the EPA.
Long contract duration allows for continuity of essential environmental services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on environmental testing and laboratory services. This sector is crucial for regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and remediation efforts. The market for such services is driven by government mandates, environmental regulations, and the need for specialized scientific expertise. Comparable spending in this area often involves significant investments in research, development, and operational support for environmental programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award is likely minimal unless SERCO INC. utilizes small business subcontractors. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some risk to the contractor, but the EPA will monitor performance against the Statement of Work (SOW). Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, and the EPA's Office of Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations if performance or financial concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Consulting Services
Laboratory Testing Services
Hazardous Waste Management

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Schedule Adherence
Cost Control (within FFP structure)
Data Integrity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.3 million to SERCO INC. REGION 7 LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TEAMS (ESAT) SUPERFUND PROGRAM SUPPORT PER THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

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 $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-29. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for Superfund Program Support at the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending for Superfund Program Support at the EPA reveals a consistent and significant investment in managing and remediating hazardous waste sites across the nation. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on program priorities, budget allocations, and the number of active sites, the overall trend indicates a sustained commitment. For instance, in recent fiscal years, EPA's Superfund budget has ranged from approximately $1 billion to over $1.5 billion, encompassing site cleanup, enforcement, and program management. Contracts for support services, including laboratory analysis, technical assistance, and project management, form a substantial portion of this spending. The $2.3 million awarded to SERCO INC. for laboratory services represents a small fraction of the total Superfund budget but is critical for the scientific data underpinning cleanup decisions. Understanding these broader spending patterns helps contextualize the significance and necessity of individual contracts like this one.

How does SERCO INC.'s track record compare for similar environmental laboratory services?

Assessing SERCO INC.'s track record for similar environmental laboratory services requires examining their past performance on government contracts, particularly those with the EPA or other environmental agencies. A review of federal procurement data indicates that SERCO INC. has a history of performing contracts related to environmental services, including laboratory analysis and technical support. Performance evaluations, where available in public databases, can provide insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on previous engagements. While specific details of past performance are often proprietary or redacted in public summaries, the fact that they were awarded this contract through full and open competition suggests they met the agency's pre-qualification criteria and demonstrated capability. However, a deeper dive into past performance metrics, such as CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) ratings, would be necessary for a comprehensive evaluation.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how are they measured?

The key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract are derived from the Statement of Work (SOW) and are crucial for ensuring the effective delivery of environmental laboratory services supporting the Superfund program. While the SOW itself is not fully detailed here, typical KPIs for such contracts include turnaround time for sample analysis, accuracy and reliability of test results, adherence to quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols, and timely submission of reports. Performance is likely measured through regular progress reports submitted by SERCO INC., data validation checks by the EPA, and potentially site visits or audits. The EPA contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and formally assessing the contractor's performance against the contract requirements. Failure to meet critical KPIs could result in corrective actions or impact future contract awards.

Are there any identified risks associated with SERCO INC. as a contractor for this type of service?

Potential risks associated with SERCO INC. for this environmental laboratory services contract are generally related to performance, schedule, and cost control, common to many service contracts. Specific risks could include delays in sample analysis impacting Superfund site remediation timelines, inaccuracies in laboratory results leading to flawed environmental assessments, or potential cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise within the firm-fixed-price structure. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for critical laboratory functions introduces a dependency risk. While the contract's full and open competition suggests SERCO INC. was deemed capable, ongoing monitoring by the EPA is essential to mitigate these risks. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) also provides an additional layer of oversight to identify and address potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

How does this contract's value compare to the overall EPA budget for environmental services?

The $2.3 million awarded to SERCO INC. for Superfund Program Support represents a specific allocation within the EPA's broader budget for environmental services. The EPA's total annual budget typically runs into the billions of dollars, with significant portions dedicated to various environmental programs, including Superfund, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and others. Environmental services, encompassing a wide range of activities from laboratory testing and consulting to remediation and monitoring, constitute a substantial segment of this budget. While $2.3 million is a considerable sum for a single contract, it is a relatively small percentage when viewed against the EPA's overall annual spending. This contract's value is more appropriately benchmarked against similar specialized laboratory support contracts rather than the entire agency budget, highlighting its targeted role in supporting a critical, albeit specific, program.

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: $2,483,565

Exercised Options: $2,483,565

Current Obligation: $2,296,545

Actual Outlays: $1,880,767

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