EPA awards $4.5M task order for electronics support, extending contract through December 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $450,253 ($450.3K)

Contractor: Specpro Sustainment and Environmental, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-12-23

End Date: 2026-12-22

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $618/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER UNDER EXISTING IDIQ CONTRACT 68HERC25D0004 TITLED "ELECTRONICS SUPPORT TASK ORDER"

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78248

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $450,253 to SPECPRO SUSTAINMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER UNDER EXISTING IDIQ CONTRACT 68HERC25D0004 TITLED "ELECTRONICS SUPPORT TASK ORDER" Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment for specialized electronics support services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the agency. 4. The duration of the task order is two years, aligning with typical project lifecycles. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code indicates a focus on R&D services. 6. The contractor, SPECPRO SUSTAINMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC, is a single awardee for this task order.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.5 million for a two-year period appears reasonable for specialized electronics support, particularly within the R&D sector. Benchmarking against similar task orders for electronics support services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the award seems aligned with typical government procurement for such services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential bidders were considered. The specific details of the exclusion of sources are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition and its impact on pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best terms and pricing to secure the contract.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from this contract by securing necessary electronics support services. The services delivered are crucial for the agency's research and development activities in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract is geographically focused on Texas, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the contractor's organization, potentially impacting the workforce in the electronics support and R&D fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires further scrutiny to ensure full transparency in the competitive process.
Limited information on the specific nature of the 'electronics support' could obscure potential risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency.
The task order duration of two years allows for sustained support of EPA's R&D initiatives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized technical expertise. The contract's value of $4.5 million is moderate for this sector, and it supports the EPA's mission-critical R&D functions. Comparable spending in this area often involves significant investment in equipment, personnel, and intellectual property, making efficient procurement crucial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The focus remains on larger, potentially more specialized firms capable of meeting the R&D requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. As a task order under an existing IDIQ contract, the overarching contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Protection Agency Research and Development Contracts
Electronics Support Services Contracts
IDIQ Contract Task Orders
Federal Research and Development Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Reliance on contractor's specialized technical expertise.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $450,253 to SPECPRO SUSTAINMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC. TASK ORDER UNDER EXISTING IDIQ CONTRACT 68HERC25D0004 TITLED "ELECTRONICS SUPPORT TASK ORDER"

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPECPRO SUSTAINMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $450,253.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-23. End: 2026-12-22.

What is the track record of SPECPRO SUSTAINMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC with the federal government, particularly with the EPA?

A review of federal procurement data is necessary to fully assess SPECPRO SUSTAINMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC's track record. While this specific award is for $4.5 million, understanding their past performance, including the number and value of previous contracts, their performance ratings, and any past issues or disputes, is crucial. Examining their history with the EPA specifically would reveal their familiarity with the agency's processes and requirements. A lack of extensive federal contracting history might indicate a higher risk, whereas a strong, consistent record suggests reliability and competence. Further investigation into their contract completion success and client satisfaction would provide a more comprehensive picture of their capabilities and trustworthiness as a government contractor.

How does the $4.5 million value compare to similar electronics support task orders issued by the EPA or other agencies?

To benchmark the $4.5 million value, a comparative analysis of similar electronics support task orders is required. This would involve identifying contracts with comparable scopes of work, durations, and service requirements across different federal agencies, particularly those with significant R&D functions like the EPA. Factors such as the complexity of the electronics, the level of technical expertise required, and the specific deliverables will influence cost. If this task order's value is significantly higher or lower than comparable awards, it warrants further investigation into the reasons, which could include unique technical requirements, market fluctuations, or differences in competition levels. A detailed cost breakdown from the contractor would also aid in this comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific task order, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this task order could include technical performance issues, schedule delays, or potential cost overruns, although the firm fixed-price structure mitigates the latter. Given the R&D context, the risk of research outcomes not meeting expectations is inherent. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the EPA, clear performance standards, regular progress reviews, and defined deliverables. The contractor's technical expertise and past performance are also key risk mitigation factors. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method, while potentially limiting, might also indicate a need for highly specialized capabilities that fewer firms possess, thus introducing a risk of limited vendor pool if issues arise.

What is the expected program effectiveness or impact of these electronics support services on the EPA's R&D initiatives?

The expected program effectiveness hinges on the reliability and quality of the electronics support provided. These services are critical for ensuring that the EPA's research and development equipment functions optimally, thereby enabling uninterrupted scientific inquiry and data collection. Effective support can lead to more accurate research findings, faster project completion, and the successful development of new environmental technologies or policies. Conversely, inadequate support could result in equipment downtime, compromised research integrity, and delays in critical environmental assessments. The specific impact will be measured by the contractor's ability to meet performance standards, maintain equipment uptime, and contribute to the overall success of the EPA's scientific objectives.

What are the historical spending patterns for electronics support services at the EPA, and how does this award fit in?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for electronics support at the EPA requires accessing and reviewing past contract data. This would involve looking at the total amount spent on similar services over several fiscal years, the number of contracts awarded, and the primary contractors. Understanding these patterns helps determine if the current $4.5 million award is consistent with previous investments, represents an increase or decrease in spending, or signifies a shift in procurement strategy. It also helps identify trends in the types of services procured and the market's responsiveness. This specific award, being a task order under an IDIQ, suggests a pre-established framework for ongoing needs, fitting into a potentially continuous spending pattern for such support.

What does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' designation imply for the procurement process and potential outcomes?

The designation 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates that while the procurement was intended to be competitive, certain potential sources were deliberately excluded from the bidding process. This typically occurs when specific capabilities, certifications, or past performance are required that only a subset of the market possesses. While it aims to ensure qualified vendors are considered, the exclusion of sources can limit the breadth of competition compared to a purely 'full and open' process. The justification for exclusion must be documented and legally sound. For taxpayers, this could mean potentially higher prices if the excluded sources could have offered more competitive bids, or it could ensure a higher quality of service by focusing on proven specialists, thus potentially reducing long-term costs associated with poor performance.

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: 68HERC25R0078

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1826 N LOOP 1604 W, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78248

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $687,734

Exercised Options: $450,253

Current Obligation: $450,253

Actual Outlays: $221,108

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC25D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline