EPA awards $11.7M contract for vivarium and veterinary services to MPF Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,678,756 ($11.7M)

Contractor: MPF Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-03-25

End Date: 2027-03-24

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE EPA RTP VIVARIUM AND VETERINARY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $11.7 million to MPF FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE EPA RTP VIVARIUM AND VETERINARY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential operational support for the EPA's Research Triangle Park vivarium. 2. MPF Federal, LLC, a relatively new entity, secured this significant award. 3. The contract duration of five years suggests a need for stable, long-term support. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful scope management. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 6. Geographic concentration in North Carolina may reflect the physical location of the vivarium.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without detailed service level agreements and performance metrics. The total award of $11.7 million over five years averages to approximately $2.34 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against the scale and complexity of the EPA RTP vivarium's operations. Given the specialized nature of vivarium and veterinary services, pricing can vary significantly based on facility size, animal populations, and the scope of research support. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services rendered and comparing them to industry standards for similar facilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the competition was broadly advertised, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of two bidders suggests a limited but present level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The limited number of bidders here warrants scrutiny to ensure the government received the best possible value.

Taxpayer Impact: While full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers, the limited number of bidders in this instance may have resulted in a less competitive price than could have been achieved with broader participation.

Public Impact

The EPA's Research Triangle Park (RTP) facility benefits from essential operational and veterinary support, ensuring the continuity of its research activities. Scientists and researchers at the EPA RTP site will have access to reliable vivarium and veterinary services, crucial for animal welfare and research integrity. The contract supports specialized jobs in animal care, veterinary services, and facility management within the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. The services provided are critical for the EPA's environmental research, potentially leading to advancements in environmental protection and public health.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition with only two bidders could indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market, possibly leading to higher costs.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition type requires further investigation to understand the rationale and its impact on market access.
As a definitive contract, the scope and pricing may be subject to adjustments, requiring diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting an effort to maximize vendor participation.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.
The five-year duration indicates a stable partnership, potentially fostering efficiency and expertise development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on veterinary services and laboratory support. The market for specialized vivarium and veterinary services is relatively niche, often dominated by firms with specific accreditations and expertise. The EPA's spending in this area is critical for its research mission. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other federal agencies or large research institutions that operate similar facilities, considering factors like size, animal species housed, and research intensity.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration for this award (ss: false, sb: false). MPF Federal, LLC's status as a small business is not explicitly provided in this data snippet. The contract does not appear to have specific subcontracting goals for small businesses mandated within its terms. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized services through competitive bidding, rather than explicitly promoting small business involvement in this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the RTP vivarium. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance standards and delivery requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise concerning the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

EPA Research Operations
Federal Laboratory Support Services
Veterinary Services Contracts
Vivarium Management Contracts
Scientific Research Support

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Cost Overruns
Contractor Performance Risk
Dependence on Single Vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $11.7 million to MPF FEDERAL, LLC. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE EPA RTP VIVARIUM AND VETERINARY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MPF FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-25. End: 2027-03-24.

What is the track record of MPF Federal, LLC in providing vivarium and veterinary services?

Information regarding MPF Federal, LLC's specific track record in providing vivarium and veterinary services is limited based on the provided data. As a relatively new entity, its history with large-scale government contracts, particularly in this specialized field, may not be extensive. Further due diligence would involve examining past performance on similar contracts, client references, and any publicly available performance evaluations. Understanding their experience with regulatory compliance, animal welfare standards (e.g., Animal Welfare Act), and the specific needs of a federal research vivarium is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this $11.7 million contract over five years.

How does the awarded price compare to similar contracts for vivarium and veterinary services?

Direct comparison of the awarded price of $11.7 million over five years (averaging $2.34 million annually) to similar contracts is difficult without access to detailed service scopes and performance metrics of comparable agreements. The market for specialized vivarium and veterinary services is niche, and pricing is highly dependent on factors such as facility size, the number and types of animals housed, the complexity of research protocols, and the specific veterinary care required. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar agencies (e.g., NIH, CDC, USDA) or large research institutions that operate comparable vivarium facilities and analyze their annual spending on operations, maintenance, and veterinary support, adjusting for scale and service intensity.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, MPF Federal, LLC, especially given its potentially limited track record in this highly specialized area. Scope creep or inadequate definition of services could lead to cost overruns, despite the firm fixed-price structure. Dependence on a single contractor for critical operational support creates a risk of service disruption if the contractor fails to perform. Furthermore, the limited competition (two bidders) raises concerns about the robustness of the price discovery process and the potential for suboptimal value for taxpayers. Ensuring strict adherence to animal welfare regulations and maintaining the integrity of research data are also critical risk areas.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for the EPA?

The competition level for this contract, described as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' with only two bidders, presents a mixed picture regarding value for the EPA. While the 'full and open' aspect suggests an attempt to solicit broad interest, the low number of actual bidders limits the pressure for aggressive pricing and innovation. A higher number of qualified bidders typically drives down costs and encourages more competitive proposals. The exclusion of sources, if significant, could further narrow the competitive field. Therefore, while competition existed, its effectiveness in maximizing value for the EPA may be questionable, necessitating diligent oversight to ensure the selected contractor provides services at a fair and reasonable price.

What is the historical spending pattern for EPA vivarium and veterinary services?

Historical spending patterns for EPA vivarium and veterinary services are not detailed in the provided data. To establish a baseline, one would need to analyze previous contracts awarded by the EPA for similar services at the Research Triangle Park or other facilities. This analysis should cover the preceding 5-10 years to identify trends in contract values, duration, awarded contractors, and competition levels. Understanding historical spending can reveal whether costs have been escalating, if the same contractors have consistently won awards, and how the current $11.7 million award compares to past investments in these essential research support functions.

What are the implications of the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause on this contract's competition?

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause within the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation indicates that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, specific potential bidders were intentionally excluded from participating. The reasons for such exclusions can vary, potentially including unmet pre-qualification criteria, past performance issues, or specific technical requirements that only a limited number of firms could satisfy. This clause can significantly impact the level of competition by reducing the pool of eligible offerors. If the exclusions were substantial or based on criteria that could be perceived as overly restrictive, it might limit the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially impacting the overall value achieved for the taxpayer.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC21R0086

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1500 MARKET ST FL 12, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19102

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,487,097

Exercised Options: $15,487,097

Current Obligation: $11,678,756

Actual Outlays: $9,035,657

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline