EPA Awards Battelle Memorial Institute $2.48M for Lead Water Sampling Task Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,477,443 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2026-11-15

Contract Duration: 779 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NEW STREAMS IV TASK ORDER FOR LEAD WATER SAMPLING AND COORDINATION

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.5 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: NEW STREAMS IV TASK ORDER FOR LEAD WATER SAMPLING AND COORDINATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute for lead water sampling and coordination. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 779 days, ending in November 2026. 4. This task order falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. The award amount is $2,477,443.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a delivery order under an existing task order, making direct pricing comparisons difficult. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure is common for R&D services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental monitoring and coordination related to lead in water, a critical public health issue.

Public Impact

Enhances public health by addressing lead contamination in water sources. Supports environmental protection efforts through scientific research and coordination. Provides valuable data for policy development and infrastructure improvements. Ensures compliance with environmental regulations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contracts if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single vendor for this specific task order.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical public health and environmental concern.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process.
Awarded to a reputable research institute.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the R&D sector, specifically focusing on environmental science and engineering. Spending in this area is crucial for addressing public health and safety challenges, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded via full and open competition, but the data does not indicate if small businesses participated or were subcontracted. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the awarding and contracting agency. Oversight will involve monitoring the contractor's performance against the task order requirements and ensuring adherence to the Time and Materials pricing structure.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing.
Limited visibility into small business participation.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial award.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for critical sampling and coordination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.5 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. NEW STREAMS IV TASK ORDER FOR LEAD WATER SAMPLING AND COORDINATION

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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2026-11-15.

What specific lead water sampling and coordination activities are included in this task order, and how do they align with EPA's broader environmental goals?

This task order likely involves field sampling, laboratory analysis, data management, and reporting related to lead levels in water systems. It aligns with EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment by identifying and mitigating lead exposure risks, supporting regulatory compliance, and informing public health advisories.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for lead water sampling, and how can they be mitigated?

Risks include potential cost overruns if work is not efficiently managed or if unforeseen complexities arise. Mitigation strategies involve establishing clear scope definitions, setting cost ceilings, implementing robust progress tracking, and requiring detailed reporting of labor hours and material costs.

How will the data generated from this task order be used to assess the effectiveness of lead mitigation strategies or inform future policy decisions?

The data will provide crucial insights into the prevalence and severity of lead contamination in specific water systems. This information can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing mitigation efforts, identify areas requiring targeted interventions, and inform the development of new regulations, guidelines, or funding priorities for lead abatement programs.

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: 68HERC24R0165

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: $2,477,443

Exercised Options: $2,477,443

Current Obligation: $2,477,443

Actual Outlays: $543,045

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $132,000

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