EPA awards $225K R&D contract for biochar amendments at Superfund sites

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $224,993 ($225.0K)

Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-09-27

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,130 days

Daily Burn Rate: $199/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER: CSS(68HERC21D0024) / SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF BIOCHAR AND OTHER AMENDMENTS AT SUPERFUND HARDROCK MINING SITES TOCOR: MARK JOHNSON CL-COR: REENE' WATT CO: MARK CRANLEY R9 FCO: ANABEL YO-ECO FUNDING PROVIDED BY REGI

Place of Performance

Location: CORVALLIS, BENTON County, OREGON, 97333

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $224,992.62 to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER: CSS(68HERC21D0024) / SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF BIOCHAR AND OTHER AMENDMENTS AT SUPERFUND HARDROCK MINING SITES TOCOR: MARK JOHNSON CL-COR: REENE' WATT CO: MARK CRANLEY R9 FCO: ANABEL YO-ECO FUNDING PROVIDED BY REGI Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development for environmental remediation. 2. Utilizes a firm-fixed-price contract type, indicating defined scope and cost. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. 4. The contract duration is over three years, allowing for comprehensive research. 5. Funding is provided by the EPA's Region 9, indicating a specific geographic focus. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $224,992.62 for a three-year research and development effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for environmental remediation is challenging without more specific data on the scope and deliverables. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has a clear understanding of the expected costs.

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.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on certain criteria, or it could refer to a specific type of competitive procedure. The exact number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a competitive process was undertaken.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach aims to ensure that the government receives the best value by considering multiple qualified offerors, which is beneficial for taxpayer dollars.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from research to improve Superfund site cleanup. Services delivered include scientific research and development related to biochar and soil amendments. The geographic impact is likely focused on Superfund hardrock mining sites, particularly within EPA Region 9 (Oregon). The contract supports the scientific and technical workforce involved in environmental research and remediation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if research objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise in specialized R&D areas.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Longer contract duration allows for thorough research and analysis.
Focus on innovative solutions like biochar for environmental challenges.

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. The market for environmental remediation technologies is significant, driven by regulatory requirements and the need for sustainable cleanup solutions. This contract aligns with the EPA's mission to address environmental contamination at hazardous waste sites.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Given the specialized R&D nature, it's possible the primary contractor is a larger entity, but subcontracting opportunities for smaller, specialized firms could exist.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the EPA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the Technical COR. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of research findings and progress.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Research
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup
Biochar Research

Risk Flags

Potential for research outcomes to be inconclusive or not directly applicable to all Superfund sites.
Reliance on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $224,992.62 to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. NEW TASK ORDER: CSS(68HERC21D0024) / SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF BIOCHAR AND OTHER AMENDMENTS AT SUPERFUND HARDROCK MINING SITES TOCOR: MARK JOHNSON CL-COR: REENE' WATT CO: MARK CRANLEY R9 FCO: ANABEL YO-ECO FUNDING PROVIDED BY REGI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $224,992.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-27. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the specific scientific methodology proposed by Consolidated Safety Services Inc. for evaluating biochar and other amendments at Superfund hardrock mining sites?

The provided data does not detail the specific scientific methodology Consolidated Safety Services Inc. will employ. However, typical research in this area would involve laboratory-scale testing of various biochar types and amendment combinations under controlled conditions to assess their effectiveness in immobilizing or degrading contaminants. This would likely be followed by pilot-scale field studies at representative Superfund sites to validate laboratory findings. Key performance indicators would likely include contaminant reduction, soil stabilization, and potential ecological impacts. The research would need to address the unique challenges of hardrock mining sites, such as complex geochemistry and varying contaminant profiles.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar R&D efforts for environmental remediation technologies?

Direct cost comparison is difficult without specific details on the scope, duration, and deliverables of other R&D contracts. However, a $225,000 contract over three years for specialized research suggests a focused effort. Larger, multi-year R&D programs for environmental technologies can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and scale. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award implies a well-defined scope, which helps in cost control. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing the cost per research task or deliverable against similar projects funded by agencies like the EPA or Department of Energy.

What are the primary risks associated with this research and development contract?

Key risks include technical risks, such as the possibility that biochar and other amendments may not perform as expected in the complex environments of Superfund hardrock mining sites. There's also a risk of schedule delays if research encounters unforeseen challenges or if regulatory approvals for field testing are slow. Contractor performance risk exists, though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure. Furthermore, there's a risk related to the scalability and cost-effectiveness of any developed solutions for widespread application. Ensuring adequate oversight to manage these risks will be crucial.

What is the expected impact of this research on the effectiveness of Superfund site cleanups?

The expected impact is to provide the EPA with scientifically validated data on the efficacy of biochar and other amendments for remediating hardrock mining sites. If successful, this research could lead to the adoption of more cost-effective, sustainable, and potentially faster cleanup methods. Biochar, in particular, offers potential benefits in terms of contaminant sequestration and soil improvement. This could reduce the long-term environmental liability and health risks associated with these sites, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the Superfund program.

What has been the historical spending by the EPA on research and development related to biochar or soil amendments for site remediation?

Historical spending data specifically on biochar or soil amendments for site remediation by the EPA is not readily available in this dataset. However, the EPA consistently invests in R&D to improve cleanup technologies through various programs and grants. Research into innovative materials like biochar is a growing area of interest due to its potential environmental benefits and sustainability. Tracking specific funding allocations for such niche research requires detailed analysis of EPA's R&D budgets and specific project solicitations over time.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC23R0304

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 220, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $224,993

Exercised Options: $224,993

Current Obligation: $224,993

Actual Outlays: $160,640

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC21D0024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline