EPA Awards $10.9M for Newton County Mine Tailings Superfund Site Remediation to EQM Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,911,731 ($10.9M)
Contractor: EQM Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2024-05-01
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 852 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Environmental
Official Description: R7: NEWTON COUNTY MINE TAILINGS SUPERFUND SITE (SITE), OPERABLE UNIT# 01 AND 02 (OU1 AND OU2).
Place of Performance
Location: IOLA, ALLEN County, KANSAS, 66749
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $10.9 million to EQM SERVICES, LLC for work described as: R7: NEWTON COUNTY MINE TAILINGS SUPERFUND SITE (SITE), OPERABLE UNIT# 01 AND 02 (OU1 AND OU2). Key points: 1. EQM Services, LLC secured a significant contract for Superfund site cleanup. 2. The contract is not available for competition, raising questions about price discovery. 3. The fixed-price contract aims to manage remediation costs for OU1 and OU2. 4. This award falls within the Environmental Protection Agency's broader cleanup mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value is $10.9 million. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar remediation contracts. Benchmarking is needed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been fully competed.
Public Impact
Environmental cleanup of a Superfund site in Kansas. Potential long-term health and environmental benefits for the local community. Government contract awarded to a specific company, EQM Services, LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical environmental remediation need
- Fixed-price contract structure
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Remediation Services, a critical component of environmental protection. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements and the need to address hazardous sites.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Further investigation is needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability will depend on the EPA's contract management and performance monitoring processes.
Related Government Programs
- Remediation Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Lack of transparency in award justification
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years
Tags
remediation-services, environmental-protection-agency, ks, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $10.9 million to EQM SERVICES, LLC. R7: NEWTON COUNTY MINE TAILINGS SUPERFUND SITE (SITE), OPERABLE UNIT# 01 AND 02 (OU1 AND OU2).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EQM SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis, and what steps are being taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for limited competition needs to be clearly documented by the EPA. Without this documentation, it's impossible to assess the rationale. To ensure fair pricing, the EPA should conduct robust market research and potentially engage independent cost estimators to validate EQM Services, LLC's proposed costs against industry benchmarks.
What are the specific risks associated with the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation for this Superfund site remediation?
The primary risk is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive bidding. This could lead to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Additionally, a lack of competition might reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or optimize the remediation process, potentially impacting the overall effectiveness and timeline of the cleanup.
How will the effectiveness of the remediation services provided by EQM Services, LLC be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness will be measured through adherence to the contract's performance work statement, which should include specific technical requirements and measurable outcomes for the remediation of Operable Units 1 and 2. The EPA will likely conduct regular site inspections, review progress reports, and potentially utilize third-party environmental consultants to verify the quality and completeness of the cleanup activities.
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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 68HE0724R0013
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1800 CARILLION BLVD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45240
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,648,675
Exercised Options: $10,911,731
Current Obligation: $10,911,731
Actual Outlays: $6,693,988
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $819,190
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HE0724D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-01
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2028-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-28
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