EPA awards $3.2M contract for Tijuana River wastewater mitigation, highlighting cross-border environmental challenges

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,201,599 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Eastern Research Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2020-08-14

End Date: 2024-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,325 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: USMCA MITIGATION OF TRANSBOUNDARY WASTEWATER FLOWS IN THE TIJUANA RIVER WATERSHED

Place of Performance

Location: LEXINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02421

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.2 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC for work described as: USMCA MITIGATION OF TRANSBOUNDARY WASTEWATER FLOWS IN THE TIJUANA RIVER WATERSHED Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental infrastructure, addressing transboundary pollution. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of 1325 days indicates a significant, long-term commitment. 4. The service category, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is broad, requiring specific performance metrics for evaluation. 5. This award falls under a larger framework agreement, potentially indicating streamlined procurement for related services. 6. The contract's success hinges on effective collaboration and technical expertise in environmental science and engineering.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.2 million over approximately 3.6 years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for transboundary pollution mitigation is difficult due to the unique nature of the Tijuana River watershed. However, the pricing structure (Time and Materials) can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Further analysis of the specific labor rates and hours billed would be necessary to fully assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a wider range of innovative solutions. It ensures that the government is not locked into a single provider, promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Benefits residents and ecosystems in the Tijuana River watershed by addressing pollution. Delivers technical services for wastewater flow mitigation and environmental monitoring. Geographic impact is concentrated along the US-Mexico border, specifically in California and Baja California. Supports a workforce of environmental scientists, engineers, and technical specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation under Time and Materials contract if not rigorously monitored.
Complexity of transboundary environmental issues may pose technical execution risks.
Dependence on inter-agency and international cooperation for full mitigation success.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing and vendor selection.
Addresses a critical and long-standing environmental issue with significant public health implications.
Contract duration allows for sustained effort and potential for long-term impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on environmental consulting. The market for such services is driven by regulatory compliance, infrastructure needs, and environmental protection initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique cross-border nature of the Tijuana River watershed issue, but federal spending on environmental remediation and consulting is substantial across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary awardee, Eastern Research Group Inc., is a mid-sized company, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further investigation into the subcontracting goals and performance would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program office responsible for border environmental issues. Accountability measures would be tied to contract deliverables, performance milestones, and adherence to the Time and Materials pricing structure. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific performance reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

US-Mexico Border Environmental Program
Clean Water Act Enforcement
Environmental Protection Agency Grants and Cooperative Agreements
International Environmental Agreements

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Complexity of international coordination and regulatory environments.
Long-term nature of environmental remediation projects introduces performance uncertainty.
Dependence on external factors (weather, infrastructure) impacting wastewater flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.2 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC. USMCA MITIGATION OF TRANSBOUNDARY WASTEWATER FLOWS IN THE TIJUANA RIVER WATERSHED

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-14. End: 2024-03-31.

What is the track record of Eastern Research Group Inc. in managing similar environmental mitigation contracts, particularly those involving international cooperation?

Eastern Research Group Inc. (ERG) has a significant history of performing environmental consulting services for federal agencies, including the EPA. Their contract portfolio often includes work related to environmental regulations, data management, and technical assistance. While ERG has experience with complex environmental projects, specific details regarding their past performance on transboundary wastewater mitigation projects of the Tijuana River's scale and complexity would require a deeper dive into their contract history and performance evaluations. Information on their success in managing international cooperation aspects of such projects is crucial for assessing their suitability for this specific award.

How does the $3.2 million contract value compare to other federal efforts addressing wastewater issues in the Tijuana River watershed?

The $3.2 million awarded to Eastern Research Group Inc. represents a specific task order under a larger contract vehicle, likely a Master Services Agreement or similar. To compare this value effectively, one must consider the total federal investment in the Tijuana River watershed, which includes numerous projects, grants, and initiatives funded by various agencies (EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, etc.) over many years. This $3.2 million likely funds a specific phase or set of services, such as technical analysis, planning, or monitoring, rather than the entire physical infrastructure solution. Therefore, it should be viewed as a component of a broader, multi-faceted, and likely much larger overall federal commitment to addressing the watershed's challenges.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include the inherent complexity of transboundary environmental issues, which require coordination between the US and Mexico, potentially leading to delays or disagreements. Technical risks involve accurately assessing and mitigating wastewater flows, which can be influenced by unpredictable rainfall and infrastructure failures. Furthermore, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure presents a risk of cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored by the EPA. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by ERG, clear performance metrics and reporting requirements mandated by the EPA, and ongoing communication protocols with relevant stakeholders on both sides of the border. The EPA's contract oversight will be critical in managing these risks.

How effective has the EPA been in managing previous contracts related to the Tijuana River watershed?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the EPA's management of previous contracts for the Tijuana River watershed requires a comprehensive review of past project outcomes, contract performance evaluations, and any Inspector General reports. Historically, efforts to address the Tijuana River's pollution have faced significant challenges, including funding limitations, complex binational coordination, and the sheer scale of the environmental problem. While specific contract management effectiveness data isn't readily available in this summary, the ongoing nature of the problem suggests that while individual contracts may have achieved their stated objectives, the broader challenge requires sustained and potentially enhanced management strategies and funding.

What is the historical spending pattern for USMCA mitigation of transboundary wastewater flows in the Tijuana River watershed, and how does this award fit in?

Historical spending on USMCA (now USMCA) related mitigation efforts for the Tijuana River watershed has been ongoing for years, reflecting the persistent nature of the pollution problem. This specific $3.2 million award to Eastern Research Group Inc. appears to be a component of these continuing efforts, likely funding specific technical services or studies. Without access to detailed historical spending data broken down by specific projects and fiscal years, it's difficult to pinpoint exact patterns. However, it's reasonable to assume that federal spending in this area fluctuates based on funding appropriations, identified needs, and the initiation of new phases of mitigation or infrastructure projects. This award represents a current investment within that broader historical context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

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: 110 HARTWELL AVE STE 1, LEXINGTON, MA, 02421

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,321,169

Exercised Options: $3,253,401

Current Obligation: $3,201,599

Actual Outlays: $1,637,389

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $1,533,701

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH19D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline