EPA Awards $6.1M to Tetra Tech for Lukachukai Mountains Mining District Environmental Study

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,096,625 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-08-16

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,233 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL (CSM), A REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION (RI), A RISK ASSESSMENT (RA), AND A FEASIBILITY STUDY (FS), COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS AN RI/FS, AT THE LUKACHUKAI MOUNTAINS MINING DIST

Place of Performance

Location: WINDOW ROCK, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86515

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $6.1 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL (CSM), A REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION (RI), A RISK ASSESSMENT (RA), AND A FEASIBILITY STUDY (FS), COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS AN RI/FS, AT THE LUKACHUKAI MOUNTAINS MINING DIST Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental assessment phases (CSM, RI, RA, FS). 2. Tetra Tech, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 3. Potential risks include scope creep and unforeseen site complexities. 4. Environmental Consulting Services sector sees significant federal investment for remediation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.1M for an RI/FS appears reasonable given the complexity of mining district environmental assessments. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation studies suggests this falls within expected cost ranges.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing for services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for a necessary environmental cleanup and assessment, aiming to mitigate long-term environmental damage and associated costs.

Public Impact

Protects public health and the environment by addressing potential contamination from historical mining activities. Supports regulatory compliance and informed decision-making for future land use and remediation. Contributes to the economic and ecological revitalization of the Lukachukai Mountains region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if site conditions are more complex than anticipated.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical RI/FS phases.
Timeliness of deliverables may be impacted by unforeseen environmental challenges.

Positive Signals

Addresses a significant environmental concern in a historically impacted area.
Utilizes a structured approach (CSM, RI, RA, FS) for thorough assessment.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, which is crucial for addressing legacy environmental issues from industrial and mining operations. Federal spending in this area is driven by regulatory mandates and public health concerns.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses. Larger environmental consulting firms typically possess the specialized expertise and resources required for complex RI/FS projects.

Oversight & Accountability

The EPA's oversight will be critical in managing the scope, schedule, and budget of this multi-year project. Clear performance metrics and regular progress reviews are essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep impacting budget and schedule.
Complexity of environmental conditions at a former mining district.
Reliance on 'Time and Materials' pricing structure.
Long duration of the contract (over 3 years).
Lack of specific small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $6.1 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL (CSM), A REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION (RI), A RISK ASSESSMENT (RA), AND A FEASIBILITY STUDY (FS), COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS AN RI/FS, AT THE LUKACHUKAI MOUNTAINS MINING DIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-16. End: 2026-12-31.

What are the specific criteria used to evaluate the proposals during the full and open competition for this RI/FS contract?

While the provided data confirms 'full and open competition,' it does not detail the specific evaluation criteria. Typically, such evaluations would consider technical approach, past performance, key personnel, management plan, and price. The EPA likely prioritized a contractor with proven experience in complex mining site investigations and remediation planning to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the RI/FS.

How will the EPA ensure that the 'Time and Materials' contract type does not lead to uncontrolled cost escalation for this RI/FS project?

The EPA will likely implement stringent oversight mechanisms, including detailed work scope definitions, regular reviews of labor hours and material costs, and potentially establishing cost ceilings or fixed-price milestones within the Time and Materials framework. Effective project management and clear communication with Tetra Tech will be crucial to control expenditures and ensure value for money.

What is the anticipated timeline for the completion of the Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS) phases, and what are the key milestones?

The contract end date is December 31, 2026, suggesting the RI/FS process will span approximately three years. Key milestones would typically include the completion and approval of the Conceptual Site Model (CSM), the Remedial Investigation Report, the Risk Assessment Report, and finally, the Feasibility Study Report. The EPA will likely establish specific interim deadlines for each phase.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting 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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1999 HARRISON ST STE 500, OAKLAND, CA, 94612

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,096,625

Exercised Options: $6,096,625

Current Obligation: $6,096,625

Actual Outlays: $4,952,423

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $1,389,907

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0923D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline