EPA awards $13.6M contract for Argonaut Mine Superfund site soil remediation in California
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,652,377 ($13.7M)
Contractor: Aptim HDR, LLC
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2026-01-16
End Date: 2028-01-15
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: RAF RES TO FOR ARGONAUT MINE SUPERFUND SITE REMEDIATION OF OU1 RESIDENTIAL SOILS
Place of Performance
Location: JACKSON, AMADOR County, CALIFORNIA, 95642
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $13.7 million to APTIM HDR, LLC for work described as: RAF RES TO FOR ARGONAUT MINE SUPERFUND SITE REMEDIATION OF OU1 RESIDENTIAL SOILS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on residential soil remediation at a critical Superfund site. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The contract duration is two years, indicating a focused scope of work. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 points to specialized remediation services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $13.6 million for two years of remediation services appears reasonable given the complexity of Superfund site cleanups. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation projects is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and the specific contaminants involved. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has negotiated a defined cost for the services, which is a positive indicator for value.
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 presence of two bidders (as indicated by 'no': 2) suggests a competitive environment, though a higher number of bidders would typically lead to more aggressive pricing. The agency's decision to use full and open competition is generally favorable for ensuring fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation among contractors.
Public Impact
Residents near the Argonaut Mine Superfund site in California will benefit from the cleanup of contaminated residential soils. The services delivered will directly address environmental hazards posed by the Superfund site. The geographic impact is localized to the area surrounding the Argonaut Mine Superfund site in California. The contract supports specialized environmental remediation jobs within the region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if unforeseen contamination is discovered.
- Dependence on contractor performance for timely and effective remediation.
- Environmental risks associated with handling and disposing of contaminated soil.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract duration and fixed-price terms provide cost certainty.
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
- EPA's oversight is expected to ensure adherence to environmental regulations and quality standards.
Sector Analysis
Environmental remediation services, particularly for Superfund sites, represent a specialized segment within the broader environmental services industry. This sector is characterized by stringent regulatory oversight and the need for highly technical expertise. The market size for Superfund remediation is substantial, driven by ongoing cleanup efforts across the nation. This contract fits within the EPA's mission to address hazardous waste sites and protect public health and the environment.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. Given the specialized nature and scale of Superfund site remediation, it is common for large, experienced firms to be awarded such contracts. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but this would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the specific needs of the project.
Oversight & Accountability
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, site inspections, and performance reviews to ensure compliance with contract terms, environmental regulations, and quality standards. The EPA's Superfund program has established procedures for managing and monitoring remediation projects, and Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.
Related Government Programs
- Superfund Program
- Hazardous Waste Site Remediation
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Remediation and Restoration Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions
- Environmental compliance risks
- Contractor performance dependency
Tags
environmental-remediation, superfund, epa, california, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, residential-soils, hazardous-waste, environmental-protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $13.7 million to APTIM HDR, LLC. RAF RES TO FOR ARGONAUT MINE SUPERFUND SITE REMEDIATION OF OU1 RESIDENTIAL SOILS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APTIM HDR, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-16. End: 2028-01-15.
What is the specific nature of the contamination at the Argonaut Mine Superfund site's OU1 residential soils?
The provided data does not specify the exact contaminants present in the OU1 residential soils at the Argonaut Mine Superfund site. However, Superfund sites often involve contamination from historical mining activities, industrial processes, or hazardous waste disposal. Common contaminants can include heavy metals (like lead, arsenic, mercury), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and petroleum hydrocarbons. A detailed site investigation report, typically available through the EPA's Superfund records, would provide precise information on the types and concentrations of contaminants, which informs the remediation strategy and associated costs.
How does the $13.6 million contract value compare to other Superfund site remediation efforts?
Comparing the $13.6 million contract value requires context regarding the scope and complexity of the remediation. Superfund site cleanups vary significantly in cost, ranging from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract specifically addresses residential soils at OU1, suggesting a focused, albeit potentially extensive, cleanup effort. Larger Superfund projects involving extensive soil excavation, groundwater treatment, or long-term monitoring can cost significantly more. Without detailed project plans, it's difficult to benchmark precisely, but $13.6 million for a defined phase of residential soil remediation at a Superfund site is within a plausible range for such specialized environmental work.
What are the primary risks associated with this specific remediation contract?
Key risks for this contract include technical challenges related to contaminant identification and removal, potential for unforeseen site conditions (e.g., buried utilities, unexpected contamination plumes), and environmental risks during handling and disposal of hazardous materials. Schedule delays could arise from weather, permitting issues, or contractor performance. Cost risks are somewhat mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure, but scope creep due to newly discovered contamination or changes in regulatory requirements could still impact the overall project. Ensuring effective community communication and managing public expectations are also crucial non-technical risks.
What is APTIM HDR, LLC's track record in handling Superfund site remediation projects?
APTIM HDR, LLC is a joint venture formed by two established companies with significant experience in environmental services and engineering. APTIM has a history of providing environmental, engineering, and technical services, including remediation. HDR is a well-known engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting firm with extensive experience in infrastructure, environmental management, and government projects. Together, their combined expertise suggests a strong capability to manage complex projects like Superfund site remediation. A deeper dive into their specific past performance on similar EPA contracts, available through federal procurement databases, would offer more granular insights into their success rates, project completions, and client satisfaction.
What does the 'delivery order' aspect of this contract imply for the overall program?
A 'delivery order' signifies that this contract is a task order issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. This means that APTIM HDR, LLC likely holds a larger IDIQ contract with the EPA, allowing the agency to issue multiple task orders for various projects or phases of work over a specified period. The $13.6 million represents the value allocated for this specific delivery order, covering the Argonaut Mine OU1 residential soil remediation. This approach provides the EPA with flexibility to procure services as needed while having pre-vetted contractors and established terms, streamlining the acquisition process for subsequent tasks.
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
Solicitation ID: 68HE0926R0001
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1725 DUKE ST STE 400, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,652,377
Exercised Options: $13,652,377
Current Obligation: $13,652,377
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HERH19D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-16
Current End Date: 2028-01-15
Potential End Date: 2028-01-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-16
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