EPA awards $3.7M for environmental consulting services to Tetra Tech, Inc. for cleanup verification

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,692,684 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-09-18

End Date: 2026-08-01

Contract Duration: 1,048 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR PLANNING & CONDUCTING CLEANUP VERIFICATION OF, TCRA, PILOT STUDIES, OR REQUIREMENTS AT TRONOX COVE TRANSFER STATION COMPLETE (CTS), ACCESS ROADS IN NN UNDER THE RAES 2 CONTRACT #68HE0923D0002

Place of Performance

Location: RED VALLEY, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86544

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.7 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR PLANNING & CONDUCTING CLEANUP VERIFICATION OF, TCRA, PILOT STUDIES, OR REQUIREMENTS AT TRONOX COVE TRANSFER STATION COMPLETE (CTS), ACCESS ROADS IN NN UNDER THE RAES 2 CONTRACT #68HE0923D0002 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting and verification services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Contract duration of nearly three years indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The services are critical for ensuring environmental compliance and safety at a specific Superfund site. 5. This contract falls within the broader category of environmental remediation and consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.7 million for technical design and cleanup verification services seems aligned with industry standards for complex environmental projects. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for Superfund site remediation and verification tasks would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of the work and the duration, the award amount does not appear excessive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive pricing to win the award. The EPA's use of this method suggests a commitment to obtaining the best value through a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at a fair market price, reducing the risk of overpayment for essential environmental cleanup verification.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public, through the assurance of proper cleanup verification at the TronoX Cove Transfer Station. Services delivered include technical design, planning, and conducting cleanup verification for pilot studies and requirements at the specified site. The geographic impact is focused on the TronoX Cove Transfer Station and surrounding access roads in Arizona. This contract supports specialized environmental consulting roles, potentially involving engineers, scientists, and technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial cleanup verification reveals unforeseen complexities requiring extensive additional design work.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical verification tasks could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed and monitored for efficiency.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a thorough vetting of potential contractors.
The contractor, Tetra Tech, Inc., is a well-established firm with significant experience in environmental services.
The contract has a defined period of performance, providing a clear timeframe for service delivery and oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental services industry. This sector includes firms that provide expert advice and technical services related to environmental assessment, remediation, compliance, and management. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, corporate sustainability initiatives, and government contracts for environmental cleanup and protection. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EPA contracts for Superfund site management and verification services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal unless Tetra Tech, Inc. engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the awarding agency. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) nature necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and costs to ensure efficiency and prevent overruns. Transparency is expected through regular reporting from the contractor on progress and deliverables. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Environmental Consulting Contracts
EPA Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Reliance on contractor performance for critical verification tasks.
Complexity of environmental cleanup verification may lead to unforeseen challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.7 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR PLANNING & CONDUCTING CLEANUP VERIFICATION OF, TCRA, PILOT STUDIES, OR REQUIREMENTS AT TRONOX COVE TRANSFER STATION COMPLETE (CTS), ACCESS ROADS IN NN UNDER THE RAES 2 CONTRACT #68HE0923D0002

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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-18. End: 2026-08-01.

What is Tetra Tech's track record with the EPA on similar environmental consulting contracts?

Tetra Tech, Inc. has a substantial history of working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on various environmental projects, including those related to Superfund sites and hazardous waste management. Their portfolio often includes technical design, site assessment, remediation support, and compliance services. Analyzing their past performance on similar EPA contracts, specifically regarding adherence to schedules, budget management, and the quality of deliverables, would provide insight into their reliability for this current contract. Historical data from contract databases and EPA performance reviews, where available, can illuminate their strengths and any past challenges encountered on similar engagements.

How does the $3.7 million contract value compare to similar EPA cleanup verification contracts?

The $3.7 million contract value for technical design and cleanup verification services at the TronoX Cove Transfer Station appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting projects of this scope and duration (nearly three years). To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to compare it against contracts awarded by the EPA for similar services at other Superfund sites or complex remediation projects. Factors such as the specific contaminants, site complexity, required level of verification, and the duration of services significantly influence pricing. Without direct comparable data, it's assessed as 'good' based on the specialized nature and multi-year commitment.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as this one, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fee. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated costs if the project scope expands, inefficiencies arise, or if the contractor does not manage their resources effectively. For the EPA, this necessitates robust oversight, including detailed tracking of hours, verification of materials, and regular reviews of progress against the statement of work to ensure that costs remain reasonable and aligned with the project's objectives.

How effective are EPA's oversight mechanisms for ensuring successful cleanup verification?

The EPA employs a multi-layered approach to oversee environmental contracts, aiming to ensure successful cleanup verification. This typically involves Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) who monitor contractor performance, review deliverables, and manage day-to-day contract activities. For T&M contracts, oversight is particularly critical, focusing on the reasonableness of labor rates, the necessity of hours expended, and the appropriateness of materials used. Regular progress reports, site inspections, and milestone reviews are standard. Furthermore, the EPA often utilizes independent technical reviews and engages with stakeholders to validate findings. The effectiveness hinges on the diligence of the COR, the clarity of the contract requirements, and the contractor's commitment to transparency and quality.

What is the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services by the EPA?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consistently allocates significant funding towards environmental consulting services, driven by its mandate to protect human health and the environment. Historical spending trends show a substantial and often increasing investment in areas such as Superfund site remediation, hazardous waste management, regulatory compliance support, and environmental impact assessments. Factors influencing these trends include evolving environmental regulations, the discovery of new contaminated sites, and national priorities related to climate change and pollution control. The EPA's budget allocations reflect a sustained commitment to addressing complex environmental challenges, making environmental consulting a critical and ongoing expenditure category.

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: $3,692,684

Exercised Options: $3,692,684

Current Obligation: $3,692,684

Actual Outlays: $3,615,723

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 17

Total Subaward Amount: $1,740,304

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