EPA awards $25.1M for Water Engineering Support, leveraging existing contract for efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,131,846 ($25.1M)

Contractor: THE Cadmus Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-06-24

End Date: 2026-06-23

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WATERTA ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OGWDW TASK ORDER UNDER CADMUS CONTRACT 68HERC23D0011

Place of Performance

Location: WALTHAM, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02451

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $25.1 million to THE CADMUS GROUP LLC for work described as: WATERTA ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OGWDW TASK ORDER UNDER CADMUS CONTRACT 68HERC23D0011 Key points: 1. Contract leverages an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, suggesting potential for streamlined acquisition. 2. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a broad market search and potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of approximately two years provides a defined period for service delivery. 5. Services are categorized under Environmental Consulting Services, aligning with EPA's core mission. 6. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract, implying a phased approach to service needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25.1 million for approximately two years of support appears reasonable for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts awarded by the EPA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The CPFF pricing structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their efforts without excessive profit.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the EPA sought proposals from all responsible sources. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The use of an existing IDIQ contract likely facilitated this broad competition by pre-qualifying vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for obtaining the best value through a wide range of offers, leading to more cost-effective service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW), which will receive essential engineering support. Services delivered will likely include technical assistance, research, policy development, and program support related to ground water and drinking water. The geographic impact is national, supporting EPA's regulatory and programmatic responsibilities across the United States. The contract supports a specialized workforce of engineers and technical experts, contributing to the federal government's capacity in environmental protection.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not rigorously managed.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a larger IDIQ may limit visibility into the overall performance of the prime contractor across all their awarded tasks.
The specific scope of work for this delivery order needs clear definition to prevent scope creep and ensure alignment with objectives.

Positive Signals

Leveraging an existing IDIQ contract streamlines the acquisition process, potentially reducing administrative costs and time to award.
Full and open competition suggests a robust vetting process and a commitment to achieving competitive pricing.
The defined contract period allows for focused execution and performance evaluation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical area for federal agencies like the EPA. The market for these services is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance, infrastructure needs, and environmental protection initiatives. The EPA is a major consumer of such services, often utilizing IDIQ vehicles to procure specialized expertise efficiently. This award represents a specific task order under a broader framework contract, indicating a strategic approach to managing ongoing support needs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false and there is no small business set-aside (ss) for this specific delivery order. This suggests that the competition was likely geared towards larger, established firms capable of handling the scope and complexity of the work. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist at the discretion of the prime contractor, The Cadmus Group LLC, but are not explicitly mandated by this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a delivery order under an existing IDIQ, the prime contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. The CPFF structure requires diligent financial oversight to monitor costs and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

EPA Water Programs
Environmental Consulting Services IDIQs
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) Support
Federal Environmental Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Potential
Performance Monitoring Complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $25.1 million to THE CADMUS GROUP LLC. WATERTA ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OGWDW TASK ORDER UNDER CADMUS CONTRACT 68HERC23D0011

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE CADMUS GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-24. End: 2026-06-23.

What is the track record of The Cadmus Group LLC with the EPA on similar environmental consulting contracts?

The Cadmus Group LLC has a significant history of contracting with the EPA, often in areas related to environmental science, engineering, and policy. They frequently hold positions on large IDIQ vehicles that allow agencies to issue task orders for specific needs. Analyzing their past performance on similar task orders, particularly those under the same or comparable IDIQ contracts, would reveal their ability to deliver on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the agency. Specific metrics such as past performance ratings, any contract disputes, or modifications would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Their experience with the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) specifically would be a strong indicator of their suitability for this particular task order.

How does the estimated value of this delivery order compare to the overall value of the parent contract?

The parent contract, 68HERC23D0011, is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which means it does not have a guaranteed total value but rather a ceiling. The value of this specific delivery order is $25,131,846. To compare this to the parent contract's overall value, one would need to know the total ceiling amount established for contract 68HERC23D0011 and the total amount already obligated or awarded under it prior to this delivery order. If this delivery order represents a substantial portion of the parent contract's ceiling or previously awarded value, it suggests this is a significant undertaking. Conversely, if the parent contract has a very high ceiling and this is one of many orders, it might be considered a more routine task.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for these services?

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the total cost is not, meaning the government bears the risk if costs exceed initial estimates. This can lead to the contract exceeding its allocated budget if not managed diligently. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating costs to ensure the fixed fee is sufficient compensation. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear definition of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate these risks for the government.

What is the typical duration and value range for similar environmental consulting services contracts awarded by the EPA?

Environmental consulting services contracts awarded by the EPA can vary significantly in duration and value, depending on the scope and complexity of the work. Contracts can range from short-term, specialized studies lasting a few months and valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to large, multi-year IDIQ vehicles with multi-million dollar ceilings supporting broad agency needs. For specific task orders like this one, which provides engineering support for water programs, durations of 1-3 years and values from $5 million to $50 million are not uncommon, especially when addressing complex regulatory or technical challenges. The $25.1 million value and 2-year duration for this delivery order appear to be within a typical range for substantial EPA consulting needs.

How does the use of an existing IDIQ contract impact the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this award?

The use of an existing Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract, such as the one under which this delivery order was issued (CADMUS CONTRACT 68HERC23D0011), generally enhances efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Pre-competition and pre-qualification of contractors under the IDIQ vehicle streamline the process for awarding individual task orders. This reduces the time and resources required for acquisition compared to a standalone solicitation. Furthermore, the existence of established contract terms and conditions, including pricing structures and performance standards, simplifies the negotiation and oversight of subsequent task orders. This approach allows agencies like the EPA to procure specialized services more rapidly and often at more competitive rates due to the pre-established framework.

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

Solicitation ID: 68HERC24R0020

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 410 TOTTEN POND ROAD, WALTHAM, MA, 02451

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,961,380

Exercised Options: $26,961,380

Current Obligation: $25,131,846

Actual Outlays: $8,248,410

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline