EPA awards $34.5M contract for water technical assistance to S C & A INC, focusing on emerging contaminants

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,480,192 ($34.5M)

Contractor: S C & a Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-09-19

End Date: 2026-09-18

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: "TACKLING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS (TEC) WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (WATERTA)"

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $34.5 million to S C & A INC for work described as: "TACKLING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS (TEC) WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (WATERTA)" Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to project timelines. 4. This contract supports the EPA's mission to address water quality challenges. 5. The environmental consulting sector is characterized by specialized expertise and project-based work. 6. The contract's duration of approximately two years allows for sustained technical support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $34.5 million over two years for water technical assistance is within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for technical assistance programs indicates that this award is competitive. The pricing structure, likely based on time and materials, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness. The total award amount is not excessively high given the scope of addressing emerging contaminants.

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 process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives competitive offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and ensures that the most capable and cost-effective provider is selected.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities and water systems needing assistance with emerging contaminants. Services delivered include technical guidance, research, and support for water quality improvement initiatives. The geographic impact is national, supporting water infrastructure across the United States. Workforce implications include potential for specialized environmental consultants and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if project scope expands beyond initial estimates under a time and materials contract.
Ensuring consistent quality of technical assistance across different water systems and emerging contaminants.
Timely delivery of critical information and support to water utilities facing complex challenges.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a critical environmental mission for public health and safety.
Full and open competition suggests a strong market response and potential for innovation.
The contractor, S C & A INC, is expected to bring specialized expertise to a complex issue.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance, infrastructure needs, and environmental protection initiatives. This contract fits within the broader category of environmental management and technical assistance, supporting the EPA's mandate. Comparable spending in this sector often involves large-scale remediation, compliance monitoring, and technical support for public utilities, with contract values varying widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus on specialized environmental consulting may limit direct subcontracting opportunities for very small businesses unless they possess niche expertise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's program officials responsible for water quality and emerging contaminants. Accountability measures will be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract, such as timely delivery of technical reports and successful implementation of assistance programs. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of EPA activities and contract awards.

Related Government Programs

Safe Drinking Water Act Programs
Water Infrastructure Improvement Act
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Ensuring consistent quality and effectiveness of technical assistance across diverse water systems.
Timeliness of deliverables and responsiveness to urgent water quality issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $34.5 million to S C & A INC. "TACKLING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS (TEC) WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (WATERTA)"

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is S C & A INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-19. End: 2026-09-18.

What is the track record of S C & A INC with the EPA on similar environmental consulting contracts?

Information regarding S C & A INC's specific track record with the EPA on similar environmental consulting contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous EPA engagements. Generally, agencies assess past performance during the bidding process to gauge a contractor's reliability, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines and budget constraints. Without specific historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the current award.

How does the $34.5 million award compare to other EPA contracts for water technical assistance?

The $34.5 million award for the "TACKLING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS (TEC) WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (WATERTA)" contract over two years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting services provided to a federal agency like the EPA. Similar contracts for technical assistance, particularly those addressing complex issues like emerging contaminants, can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and geographic reach. The EPA frequently awards contracts in this category to support its mission of protecting public health and the environment. Benchmarking against specific, comparable contracts would require access to a broader database of federal procurements.

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

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to S C & A INC, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. The main risk is that costs can escalate if the contractor's labor hours or material costs exceed initial estimates or if the project scope expands without adequate controls. For the EPA, this means a potential for budget overruns if not closely monitored. To mitigate this, the agency must implement robust oversight, track labor hours diligently, scrutinize material purchases, and ensure that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Clear task definitions and regular progress reviews are crucial to managing T&M contracts effectively.

How effective is the "full and open competition" approach in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The "full and open competition" approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment where contractors are incentivized to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. For this $34.5 million EPA contract, this means taxpayers are likely to benefit from competitive pricing and a high-quality service provider selected from a pool of qualified firms. The success of this approach hinges on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the rigor of the evaluation process.

What are the potential long-term implications of this contract for addressing emerging contaminants in U.S. water systems?

This contract has the potential for significant long-term implications by providing crucial technical assistance to water systems grappling with emerging contaminants. Emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, pose complex challenges due to their diverse nature and potential health impacts. The technical expertise provided by S C & A INC could lead to the development and implementation of more effective monitoring strategies, treatment technologies, and risk management plans. Ultimately, this support can enhance the safety and reliability of drinking water across the nation, contributing to public health and environmental protection over the long term.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables that indicate the success of this contract?

While specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed in the provided summary data, federal contracts of this nature typically include detailed requirements. For the "TACKLING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS (TEC) WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (WATERTA)" contract, success would likely be measured by the quality and timeliness of technical reports, the effectiveness of guidance provided to water systems, the successful transfer of knowledge and best practices, and the overall impact on improving water quality monitoring and management. The EPA's contract officers would establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and conduct regular reviews to ensure the contractor meets these standards.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: PR-OAR-24-00866

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,646,590

Exercised Options: $35,278,841

Current Obligation: $34,480,192

Actual Outlays: $1,482,391

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH22A0029

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline