CDM Federal Programs Corporation awarded $2.1M EPA contract for groundwater remediation work in Missouri

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,128,815 ($2.1M)

Contractor: CDM Federal Programs Corporation

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-09-24

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,102 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: R7 DES ORONOGO-DUENWEG MINING BELT, OPERABLE UNIT 4, GROUNDWATER INVENTORY OF WELLS, SAMPLING, AND TECHNICAL IMPRACTICABILITY WAIVER WORKPLAN

Place of Performance

Location: WEBB CITY, JASPER County, MISSOURI, 64870

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.1 million to CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION for work described as: R7 DES ORONOGO-DUENWEG MINING BELT, OPERABLE UNIT 4, GROUNDWATER INVENTORY OF WELLS, SAMPLING, AND TECHNICAL IMPRACTICABILITY WAIVER WORKPLAN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on groundwater inventory, sampling, and technical impracticability waiver work. 2. Awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately three years allows for sustained remediation efforts. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure incentivizes efficient cost management by the contractor. 5. This contract supports the EPA's Superfund program objectives for environmental cleanup.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.13 million for approximately three years of work appears reasonable for specialized environmental remediation services. Benchmarking against similar EPA remediation contracts for groundwater cleanup in the Midwest would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common, requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and the fixed fee is justified by the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive environment is expected to drive favorable pricing and service quality. The number of bidders (4) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of environmental remediation service.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market that encourages competitive pricing and innovation, leading to potentially lower overall costs for government services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by contaminated groundwater, with the goal of improving environmental safety. Services delivered include detailed groundwater inventory, sampling, and technical assessments for remediation planning. The geographic impact is focused on Missouri, specifically addressing issues within Operable Unit 4. The contract supports environmental science and remediation professionals, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus contracts if not closely monitored.
Complexity of groundwater remediation can lead to unforeseen technical challenges and delays.
Ensuring consistent data quality across extensive sampling efforts requires robust QA/QC protocols.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market for these services.
The fixed fee component of the contract provides some cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, CDM Federal Programs Corporation, likely has relevant experience in environmental remediation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental consulting and engineering industry. This sector is characterized by specialized technical expertise, regulatory compliance, and significant government spending, particularly through agencies like the EPA. The market size for environmental remediation is substantial, driven by legacy contamination sites and ongoing industrial activity. This specific contract addresses groundwater contamination, a common and complex challenge within the sector.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Given the specialized nature of environmental remediation, it's possible that subcontracting opportunities may arise for smaller firms providing specific support services, but this is not explicitly detailed in the award information. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and technical representatives. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of expenditures and progress to ensure compliance with the contract terms and prevent cost overruns. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and public access to certain EPA contract data.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Defense Environmental Remediation Programs
Department of Energy Environmental Management

Risk Flags

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract requires diligent oversight.
Groundwater contamination can be complex and unpredictable.
Technical impracticability waivers may indicate challenges in achieving full cleanup.
Long-term monitoring and effectiveness assessment are crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.1 million to CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION. R7 DES ORONOGO-DUENWEG MINING BELT, OPERABLE UNIT 4, GROUNDWATER INVENTORY OF WELLS, SAMPLING, AND TECHNICAL IMPRACTICABILITY WAIVER WORKPLAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-24. End: 2028-09-30.

What is the track record of CDM Federal Programs Corporation in executing similar environmental remediation contracts for the EPA?

CDM Federal Programs Corporation has a significant history of performing environmental consulting and remediation services for various government agencies, including the EPA. They have been involved in numerous Superfund site cleanups and other environmental restoration projects. Their experience typically spans site investigation, risk assessment, remedial design, and construction management. Specific performance metrics and past performance evaluations from previous EPA contracts would provide a more detailed understanding of their capabilities and reliability for this particular groundwater remediation task. Reviewing their contract history for similar scope, complexity, and geographic location would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost for similar groundwater remediation projects of this scale?

Without specific cost breakdowns or detailed project scopes, a direct comparison of the $2.13 million award to similar projects is challenging. However, groundwater remediation projects can vary widely in cost depending on factors such as the type and extent of contamination, geological conditions, required treatment technologies, and the duration of the remediation effort. Projects involving complex plume delineation, long-term monitoring, and advanced treatment systems can easily run into millions of dollars. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests that the EPA has an estimate for the work, and the fixed fee represents the contractor's profit and indirect costs. Benchmarking against publicly available data for EPA remediation contracts in the Midwest or for similar operable units would be necessary for a robust comparison.

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

Key risks include technical uncertainties in characterizing the groundwater contamination plume, potential for encountering unexpected geological conditions, and the possibility of the contamination migrating beyond the initially defined boundaries. Regulatory changes or evolving scientific understanding of contaminant behavior could also impact the remediation strategy. Mitigation strategies likely involve thorough site investigations, robust sampling and analysis plans, contingency planning within the work scope, and close collaboration between the EPA technical representatives and CDM Federal Programs Corporation. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract structure also provides a framework for managing financial risks, provided that cost tracking and reporting are rigorous.

What is the expected effectiveness of the planned remediation activities in addressing the groundwater contamination at Operable Unit 4?

The effectiveness of the remediation activities will depend on the specific technologies and strategies employed, which are detailed in the workplan. The contract focuses on inventory, sampling, and technical impracticability waivers, which are foundational steps. Sampling provides critical data to understand the extent and nature of the contamination, informing the selection of appropriate remediation technologies. Technical impracticability waivers are sought when cleanup to a certain standard is technically infeasible. The ultimate effectiveness will be measured by the reduction in contaminant concentrations in groundwater and the protection of human health and the environment, as determined by long-term monitoring and EPA's assessment of cleanup goals.

How has EPA's spending on groundwater remediation services evolved over the past five years, and does this contract align with historical trends?

EPA's spending on environmental remediation, including groundwater cleanup, has historically been substantial, driven by programs like Superfund and RCRA. While specific figures for groundwater remediation alone fluctuate annually based on site needs and available appropriations, the overall trend reflects a continued commitment to addressing legacy contamination. This $2.13 million contract for Operable Unit 4 appears to be a typical investment for a specific site's remediation phase. Analyzing EPA's broader contract spending data for remediation services over the past five years would reveal overall budget trends and confirm if this award is consistent with the agency's ongoing priorities and resource allocation for environmental cleanup.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10560 ARROWHEAD DR STE 500, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,852,567

Exercised Options: $3,852,567

Current Obligation: $2,128,815

Actual Outlays: $83,197

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline