EPA awards $2.1M for technical support to environmental monitoring center, Battelle Memorial Institute to lead

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,136,622 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-10-27

End Date: 2026-10-27

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NEW STREAMS IV TASK ORDER TITLED: TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND MONITORING TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER (SCMTSC) TOCOR TERRY BURTON, CO CLARE HINGSBERGEN ORIGINAL FUNDING FOR NEW AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.1 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: NEW STREAMS IV TASK ORDER TITLED: TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND MONITORING TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER (SCMTSC) TOCOR TERRY BURTON, CO CLARE HINGSBERGEN ORIGINAL FUNDING FOR NEW AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for technical support services, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 3. The duration of the contract is approximately five years, suggesting a long-term need. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 5. The awarding agency is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), focusing on environmental monitoring. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 7. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.14 million over five years for technical support to an environmental monitoring center appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar technical support contracts within the EPA or comparable agencies, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate due to inefficiencies or scope creep. Further analysis of the labor categories and rates billed against this contract would be necessary for a more robust valuation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment. Full and open competition is generally expected to drive better pricing and innovation by allowing multiple companies to vie for the contract. This approach helps ensure that the government selects the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and higher quality services due to the pressure of multiple bidders. This process aims to prevent inflated costs and ensure efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the EPA's environmental monitoring programs, which will receive enhanced technical support. Services delivered include technical support for the Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center (SCMTSC). The contract is geographically focused on Ohio, where the SCMTSC is likely located or supported from. The contract supports specialized technical roles, potentially impacting the workforce in environmental science and engineering fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not diligently managed and monitored for efficiency.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition makes it difficult to fully assess the competitive intensity.
The contract's duration of five years requires ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
The contract supports a critical function for the EPA's environmental monitoring efforts.
The contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, is a reputable organization with experience in research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is crucial for advancing scientific understanding and developing new technologies. The contract's focus on technical support for an environmental monitoring center aligns with broader government investments in environmental science and data analysis. Comparable spending in this sector often involves significant investment in specialized expertise and analytical capabilities to address complex scientific challenges.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this specific award. This suggests that the contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses detailed in this award notice. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract is likely minimal, unless Battelle Memorial Institute voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing the Time and Materials aspect to control costs. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) may also conduct audits or investigations into the contract's execution if specific concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Monitoring Programs
Environmental Science Research Contracts
Technical Support Services for Government Agencies
Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure efficient performance and value.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.1 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. NEW STREAMS IV TASK ORDER TITLED: TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND MONITORING TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER (SCMTSC) TOCOR TERRY BURTON, CO CLARE HINGSBERGEN ORIGINAL FUNDING FOR NEW AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-27. End: 2026-10-27.

What is Battelle Memorial Institute's track record with the EPA on similar technical support contracts?

Battelle Memorial Institute has a significant history of working with government agencies, including the EPA, on research, development, and technical support initiatives. While specific details on past EPA contracts for 'Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center' services are not provided in this data, Battelle's broad experience in environmental science, engineering, and R&D suggests a strong capability. A deeper dive into historical EPA contract databases would reveal the extent and nature of their previous engagements, including performance ratings, value, and duration. This would allow for a more precise assessment of their reliability and expertise specifically for this type of task.

How does the $2.14 million contract value compare to similar EPA technical support contracts?

Benchmarking the $2.14 million contract value requires comparing it to similar technical support contracts awarded by the EPA for environmental monitoring or site characterization functions. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a five-year duration, this value suggests a moderate-sized contract, likely supporting a dedicated team or specialized services rather than a large-scale program. Factors such as the scope of work, required expertise, and the number of personnel involved would influence the cost. If similar contracts for comparable services over similar periods are significantly higher or lower, it could indicate potential issues with pricing or scope definition.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for this type of service?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially for technical support services, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not rigorously managed. For the EPA's SCMTSC support, risks include scope creep (uncontrolled expansion of work), inefficient labor utilization, and inflated material costs. Effective oversight, detailed task tracking, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How effective is the EPA's oversight for Time and Materials contracts like this one?

The effectiveness of the EPA's oversight for T&M contracts varies depending on the specific contracting office, program managers, and the resources allocated to contract administration. Agencies are expected to have robust processes for monitoring T&M contracts, including reviewing timesheets, verifying labor categories and rates, approving material costs, and ensuring work is performed efficiently and within scope. The EPA has established policies and procedures for contract oversight, and its Office of Inspector General provides an additional layer of accountability. However, the sheer volume of contracts and the complexity of technical services can challenge even diligent oversight efforts, making continuous vigilance essential.

What is the historical spending trend for technical support services within the EPA's environmental monitoring domain?

Analyzing historical spending trends for technical support services within the EPA's environmental monitoring domain would require examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This contract, valued at approximately $2.14 million over five years, represents a portion of the EPA's overall expenditure in this area. Trends might indicate increasing or decreasing reliance on external technical support, shifts in the types of services procured (e.g., data analysis, modeling, field support), or changes in average contract values. Such analysis could reveal whether this award is consistent with past spending patterns or represents a new direction or investment in environmental monitoring capabilities.

What does the NAICS code 541715 imply about the nature of the services being procured?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' indicates that the services procured are fundamentally rooted in scientific and technical research and development. This suggests the contract is not for routine administrative tasks but for specialized expertise involving investigation, experimentation, and analysis within scientific disciplines. For the EPA's Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center, this likely translates to services such as developing new monitoring methodologies, analyzing complex environmental data, conducting feasibility studies for remediation technologies, or providing expert scientific consultation on environmental challenges.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC21R0223

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,132,931

Exercised Options: $3,132,931

Current Obligation: $2,136,622

Actual Outlays: $1,741,001

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $301,561

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC21D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline