EPA Awards $2.74M Contract for Superfund Site Investigation in Missouri

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,742,995 ($2.7M)

Contractor: CH2M Hill, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-09-23

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,564 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Environmental

Official Description: MADISON COUNTY MINES SUPERFUND SITE, OPERABLE UNIT 1 (OU1), REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION / FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) RAF/DES

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICKTOWN, MADISON County, MISSOURI, 63645

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.7 million to CH2M HILL, INC for work described as: MADISON COUNTY MINES SUPERFUND SITE, OPERABLE UNIT 1 (OU1), REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION / FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) RAF/DES Key points: 1. The contract focuses on the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for Operable Unit 1 (OU1) at the Madison County Mines Superfund Site. 2. CH2M HILL, INC. secured the award, indicating potential competition among environmental consulting firms. 3. The primary risk lies in the complexity and potential unknowns of environmental remediation, which can lead to cost overruns. 4. This falls under the Environmental Protection Agency's broader mission of addressing hazardous waste sites.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can sometimes lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar RI/FS contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the direct cost of the contract, $2.74 million, for essential environmental cleanup activities.

Public Impact

Protects public health and the environment by addressing a Superfund site. Ensures thorough investigation and planning for future remediation efforts. Supports local community by addressing environmental concerns. Provides transparency through the competitive bidding process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex environmental investigations.
Cost overruns common in remediation projects.
Long project duration increases risk exposure.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear objective for site investigation.
Experienced contractor likely involved.

Sector Analysis

Environmental remediation services are crucial for addressing legacy contamination. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements and the need to protect public health and ecosystems. Benchmarks vary widely based on site complexity and scope.

Small Business Impact

While the prime contractor is CH2M HILL, INC., there is no explicit information on small business subcontracting in the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. The agency's oversight is critical to ensure the investigation is conducted effectively and within budget, with standard reporting mechanisms in place.

Related Government Programs

Remediation Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Complexity of environmental investigations can lead to schedule delays.
Long-term effectiveness of chosen remediation strategy is dependent on thorough RI/FS.
Contract type (CPFF) may offer less incentive for contractor cost control compared to fixed-price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.7 million to CH2M HILL, INC. MADISON COUNTY MINES SUPERFUND SITE, OPERABLE UNIT 1 (OU1), REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION / FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) RAF/DES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CH2M HILL, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-23. End: 2028-09-30.

What is the estimated total cost for the entire remediation project, beyond this initial RI/FS phase?

This contract specifically covers the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) phase, which is foundational for determining future remediation needs and costs. The total cost for the entire project, including subsequent cleanup actions, is not provided here and would likely be significantly higher, depending on the findings of this study.

What are the specific environmental risks associated with Operable Unit 1 at the Madison County Mines Superfund Site?

The provided data does not detail the specific environmental risks of OU1. The RI/FS contract's purpose is to thoroughly investigate and characterize these risks, including potential contamination of soil, groundwater, or air, and their impact on human health and the environment.

How effectively will the RI/FS phase inform the subsequent remediation strategy and ensure cost-effectiveness?

An effective RI/FS is critical for developing a sound remediation strategy. It identifies the nature and extent of contamination, evaluates potential cleanup technologies, and assesses risks. A well-executed study should provide the necessary data to select the most technically feasible and cost-effective long-term cleanup approach.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HE0721R0022

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9191 S JAMAICA ST, ENGLEWOOD, CO, 80112

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,822,103

Exercised Options: $2,767,913

Current Obligation: $2,742,995

Actual Outlays: $2,398,290

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $825,807

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline