EPA awards $29.3M contract for lead service line support, with General Dynamics IT leading

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,312,408 ($29.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-10-05

End Date: 2025-11-04

Contract Duration: 761 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPORT FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES & REPLACEMENT UNDER THE LEAD PIPE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $29.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: SUPPORT FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES & REPLACEMENT UNDER THE LEAD PIPE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental consulting for lead pipe identification and replacement. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of over two years indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting potential for future task orders. 5. This contract addresses a key public health and infrastructure challenge related to lead contamination. 6. The specific NAICS code (541620) points to specialized environmental consulting expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.3 million over approximately two years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for lead service line inventory and replacement programs is necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the nature of the work, involving complex data management and community assistance, suggests a significant investment is warranted to address public health risks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition is a positive signal for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities at risk of lead contamination in their drinking water infrastructure. Services delivered include technical assistance for identifying lead service lines and supporting replacement efforts. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, focusing on areas with aging water systems and identified lead risks. This contract supports the workforce involved in environmental consulting, data analysis, and community outreach related to water infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial inventory and replacement needs are underestimated.
Reliance on a single large prime contractor may limit flexibility in specialized task execution.
Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and support across diverse communities could be challenging.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical public health need with significant federal funding.
Leverages established expertise through a large, experienced contractor.
The delivery order structure allows for phased implementation and adaptation.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental consulting sector, a market driven by regulatory compliance, public health initiatives, and infrastructure investment. The federal government is a significant client in this space, particularly for programs addressing environmental hazards like lead contamination. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, with numerous firms competing for government contracts. This specific award aligns with broader federal efforts to modernize water infrastructure and mitigate health risks.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (SB set-aside and subcontracting) was not a primary focus for this specific award (SB=false, SS=false). While General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is a large prime contractor, the absence of explicit small business set-aside requirements means that opportunities for small businesses would likely be through subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting goals were established and met.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) necessitates careful monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Programs
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Water Investments
EPA Environmental Consulting Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to complexity of lead service line identification.
Ensuring equitable service delivery across diverse communities.
Contractor's ability to manage and analyze large, complex datasets.
Effectiveness of community engagement strategies for replacement programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $29.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. SUPPORT FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES & REPLACEMENT UNDER THE LEAD PIPE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-05. End: 2025-11-04.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. in delivering environmental consulting services, particularly for public health initiatives?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has a substantial track record in providing a wide range of IT and professional services to government agencies, including environmental consulting. Their experience spans areas such as data management, system integration, and technical support for complex programs. While GDIT is broadly known for IT solutions, they also engage in environmental services, often leveraging their technological capabilities to support environmental data analysis, regulatory compliance, and program management. For public health initiatives, GDIT has supported various health-related IT systems and data platforms. Specific to lead service line programs, their ability to manage large datasets, provide technical assistance, and coordinate with multiple stakeholders would be key performance indicators. A review of past performance on similar EPA contracts or other environmental projects would provide further insight into their specific expertise in this niche.

How does the awarded value of $29.3 million compare to similar federal contracts for lead service line inventory and replacement assistance?

Comparing the $29.3 million award to similar federal contracts requires access to a comprehensive database of environmental consulting awards. However, given the scope of supporting lead service line inventories and replacement efforts nationwide, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for a multi-year effort. Such contracts often involve extensive data collection, analysis, community engagement, and technical guidance, which are resource-intensive. The duration of the contract (over two years) also influences the total value. Contracts for similar, large-scale environmental remediation or infrastructure support programs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the specific objectives, geographic scope, and duration. The EPA's commitment to addressing lead in drinking water suggests that significant funding is allocated to these critical programs.

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

Key risks for this contract include the complexity of accurately identifying and mapping all lead service lines across diverse water systems, potential challenges in community engagement and participation for replacement programs, and the possibility of cost overruns if unforeseen technical or logistical issues arise. Another risk could be the contractor's ability to effectively manage the vast amounts of data generated. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by GDIT, clear performance metrics defined by the EPA, phased implementation allowing for adjustments, and strong oversight from the agency. The EPA's role in providing technical guidance, setting clear objectives, and monitoring progress is crucial for mitigating these risks and ensuring the program's success.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring cost-effectiveness for this environmental consulting service?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring cost-effectiveness in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing. This process encourages contractors to propose their best value offerings to win the contract. For environmental consulting services, where technical expertise and approach can vary significantly, open competition allows the EPA to evaluate not only price but also the technical merit and proposed methodology. While the specific number of bidders isn't detailed, the fact that it was competed openly suggests that multiple firms vied for the work, which inherently drives down costs compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

What is the historical spending pattern of the EPA on environmental consulting services related to water infrastructure and lead remediation?

The EPA has consistently allocated significant funding towards environmental consulting services, particularly concerning water infrastructure and lead remediation, driven by regulatory mandates and public health concerns. Historical spending patterns show a notable increase in contracts related to lead pipe identification, replacement, and water quality monitoring, especially following heightened awareness and legislative actions like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA utilizes various contract vehicles, including Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and specific task orders like this one, to procure these services. Annual spending on such services can fluctuate based on program priorities, available funding, and the initiation of new infrastructure projects. Analyzing past EPA budgets and contract awards related to the Lead and Copper Rule and infrastructure grants would reveal a trend of sustained and potentially growing investment in this area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR STE 100, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,417,953

Exercised Options: $45,417,953

Current Obligation: $29,312,408

Actual Outlays: $26,922,804

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 36

Total Subaward Amount: $34,512,275

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline