EPA awards $7.87M contract for PFAS research on contaminated sediment sites, focusing on innovative characterization and control

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,867,896 ($7.9M)

Contractor: EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR LAB AND FIELD STUDY SUPPORT RELATED TO PFAS RESEARCH OF INNOVATIVE MEASURES FOR CHARACTERIZING CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT SITES; IDENTIFYING, TRACKING, AND CONTROLLING SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION, AND DEVELOPING TREATMENT APPROACHES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNT VALLEY, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21031

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $7.9 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR LAB AND FIELD STUDY SUPPORT RELATED TO PFAS RESEARCH OF INNOVATIVE MEASURES FOR CHARACTERIZING CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT SITES; IDENTIFYING, TRACKING, AND CONTROLLING SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION, AND DEVELOPING TREATMENT APPROACHES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental research for PFAS contamination, a growing national concern. 2. The task order supports the development of innovative methods for identifying, tracking, and controlling PFAS sources. 3. Research aims to advance treatment approaches for contaminated sediment sites, a challenging environmental remediation area. 4. The contract duration of five years allows for comprehensive study and development of solutions. 5. This award falls under R&D spending, contributing to scientific advancement in environmental protection.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.87 million over five years for specialized R&D in PFAS research appears reasonable given the complexity and national importance of the issue. Benchmarking against similar environmental research contracts for specialized studies suggests this is within a typical range. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while providing a defined profit margin for the contractor, which can be efficient for research where exact costs are difficult to predict.

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,' indicating a competitive process where multiple qualified sources were considered. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages a range of technical approaches. The exclusion of sources suggests a specific justification was made, but the overall 'full and open' nature implies a broad search for the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the most effective and cost-efficient research services for addressing PFAS contamination.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies and researchers seeking advanced methods to manage PFAS contamination. Services delivered include lab and field studies, data analysis, and development of innovative characterization and control techniques. The geographic impact is national, addressing a widespread environmental challenge across the United States. Workforce implications include supporting specialized scientific and technical roles in environmental engineering and research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Complexity of PFAS research may lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
Reliance on fixed-fee component requires careful scope definition to avoid scope creep.
Effectiveness of developed treatment approaches will require rigorous validation.

Positive Signals

Focus on innovative measures suggests potential for significant advancements in environmental remediation.
Long-term contract duration allows for thorough research and development.
Award to a PBC (Public Benefit Corporation) may indicate a commitment to public good in research outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services and Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on environmental consulting and scientific research related to emerging contaminants. The market for PFAS remediation and research is growing rapidly due to increasing regulatory scrutiny and public awareness. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of the research, but significant federal investment is being directed towards understanding and mitigating PFAS impacts.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation is not a primary focus for this specific task order, as the awardee is EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC, a larger entity. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. This suggests that opportunities for small businesses may be limited on this particular contract, though they might participate in broader PFAS research initiatives or as subcontractors to larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program officials responsible for PFAS research. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, which requires detailed reporting and justification of costs against a fixed fee. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases and public reporting of research findings, though specific oversight mechanisms like Inspector General involvement would depend on any identified risks or performance issues.

Related Government Programs

PFAS Research and Development Programs
Environmental Remediation Services
Contaminated Site Cleanup
Water Quality Research
Environmental Monitoring and Analysis

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in R&D
Effectiveness of developed treatment approaches requires validation
Complexity of PFAS contamination challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $7.9 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC. TASK ORDER FOR LAB AND FIELD STUDY SUPPORT RELATED TO PFAS RESEARCH OF INNOVATIVE MEASURES FOR CHARACTERIZING CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT SITES; IDENTIFYING, TRACKING, AND CONTROLLING SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION, AND DEVELOPING TREATMENT APPROACHES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC with the EPA on similar environmental research contracts?

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC (EA) has a history of working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on various environmental projects, including research, consulting, and remediation services. While specific details on past PFAS-related research contracts with the EPA are not provided in this data, EA's profile as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) specializing in environmental solutions suggests a strong alignment with the EPA's mission. Their experience likely encompasses laboratory analysis, field studies, and the development of technical approaches for environmental characterization and management. A deeper dive into EPA's contract databases and EA's past performance reviews would provide a more granular understanding of their specific track record and success rates on comparable EPA contracts.

How does the $7.87 million contract value compare to other federal investments in PFAS research?

The $7.87 million awarded to EA Engineering for this specific task order represents a significant, but not unprecedented, investment in PFAS research. Federal agencies, including the EPA, Department of Defense, and others, collectively allocate hundreds of millions of dollars annually towards understanding, monitoring, and remediating PFAS contamination. This contract is likely one component of a broader federal strategy. For instance, the Department of Defense has numerous contracts related to PFAS cleanup at military installations, often involving substantial sums for site investigation and remediation. The EPA's own research budget includes various initiatives. Therefore, while $7.87 million is a substantial amount for a single task order, it aligns with the scale of federal commitment required to address the pervasive and complex challenges posed by PFAS.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract revolve around the inherent uncertainties in scientific research and development. These include technical risks, such as the possibility that the innovative measures developed may not be as effective as anticipated or may prove difficult to implement in the field. There are also cost risks; while the fee is fixed, the underlying costs of research can escalate due to unforeseen challenges or the need for additional testing. Schedule risks are also present, as R&D projects can encounter delays. Mitigation strategies likely include rigorous project management, phased research approaches with clear milestones, regular technical reviews by EPA experts, and robust reporting requirements from the contractor to ensure progress and identify issues early. The CPFF structure itself provides some mitigation by defining the contractor's profit margin, incentivizing efficient cost management.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring value for taxpayers in this R&D context?

The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific technical requirements. In an R&D context like PFAS research, where specialized expertise is crucial, excluding certain sources might be justified if only a limited number of entities possess the unique capabilities or proprietary knowledge required. However, the 'full and open' aspect means that within the defined scope, all responsible sources were solicited. This method can ensure value by allowing a wide range of qualified offerors to compete, driving innovation and potentially better pricing than a sole-source award. The effectiveness hinges on the justification for excluding sources and the rigor of the evaluation process to select the offeror providing the best technical approach and value for the taxpayer's investment in critical research.

What are the long-term implications of this contract for federal efforts to manage PFAS contamination?

This contract has significant long-term implications for federal PFAS management by directly contributing to the scientific knowledge base and technological capabilities needed for effective remediation. The development of innovative methods for characterizing contaminated sediment sites, identifying sources, and creating treatment approaches can lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound cleanup strategies nationwide. Successful outcomes from this research could inform future regulatory standards, guide cleanup decisions at numerous federal and private sites, and potentially reduce the long-term liability and environmental burden associated with PFAS. It supports the federal government's commitment to addressing a persistent environmental threat and protecting public health and ecosystems.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERC21R0122

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 SCHILLING CIRCLE, HUNT VALLEY, MD, 21031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,467,951

Exercised Options: $34,467,951

Current Obligation: $7,867,896

Actual Outlays: $5,713,416

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 42

Total Subaward Amount: $4,667,432

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D4032

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline