EPA awards $3.99M for water contaminant removal research, supporting Bipartisan Infrastructure Law efforts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,992,475 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Aptim Federal Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-04-22

End Date: 2028-04-21

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: R499 - LONG-TERM FIELD STUDIES AND PILOTING FOR REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM POTABLE WATER AND WATER TREATMENT WASTE STREAMS IN SUPPORT OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW EMERGING CONTAMINANT AND PFAS TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45204

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.0 million to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: R499 - LONG-TERM FIELD STUDIES AND PILOTING FOR REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM POTABLE WATER AND WATER TREATMENT WASTE STREAMS IN SUPPORT OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW EMERGING CONTAMINANT AND PFAS TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract supports critical research for emerging contaminants and PFAS, aligning with national infrastructure priorities. 2. The contract duration of 1095 days allows for comprehensive long-term field studies and piloting. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a key area for technological advancement. 4. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating a phased approach to project execution. 5. The contractor, APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC, has experience in environmental services. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not closely managed.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $3.99 million for a three-year research project appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes long-term field studies and piloting for contaminant removal. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for environmental remediation and water treatment technologies would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type introduces inherent risk for cost overruns, necessitating robust oversight to ensure value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process generally leads to better pricing and innovation. This approach allows the agency to select the most capable contractor at a competitive price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the public, through improved drinking water safety and reduced environmental contamination. The services delivered include critical research and development for removing emerging contaminants and PFAS from water. The geographic impact is national, as the research findings will inform water treatment strategies across the United States. The contract supports the goals of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, specifically addressing water quality and infrastructure resilience.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost escalation if not closely monitored.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables for the long-term studies need rigorous tracking to ensure project success.
Potential for scope creep given the research and development nature of the work.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Supports a critical national priority (emerging contaminants and PFAS) aligned with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Contractor has experience in federal environmental services.
Long contract duration allows for thorough research and validation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on environmental science and engineering. The market for environmental consulting and R&D services supporting water treatment is substantial, driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and public demand for safe drinking water. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts awarded by the EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies addressing water quality and infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for specialized services as part of their project execution, though this is not a requirement of the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be primarily managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and technical monitors. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and material costs to ensure adherence to the award ceiling. Transparency will be maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and the EPA's Office of Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations as deemed necessary.

Related Government Programs

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Emerging Contaminant and PFAS Technical Support
EPA Water Quality Research Programs
Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants
Environmental Remediation Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Complexity of R&D may lead to unforeseen challenges.
Ensuring effective knowledge transfer from research to practical application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.0 million to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC. R499 - LONG-TERM FIELD STUDIES AND PILOTING FOR REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM POTABLE WATER AND WATER TREATMENT WASTE STREAMS IN SUPPORT OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW EMERGING CONTAMINANT AND PFAS TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-22. End: 2028-04-21.

What is APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC's track record with the EPA on similar environmental research contracts?

APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC has a history of performing environmental services for various federal agencies, including the EPA. While specific details on their past performance on R&D contracts directly related to emerging contaminants and PFAS removal are not detailed in this award notice, their general experience in environmental remediation, consulting, and engineering suggests a foundational capability. A deeper dive into their contract history with the EPA, including past performance evaluations and any prior awards for water treatment research or piloting, would provide a clearer picture of their specific expertise and reliability for this particular project. Reviewing their performance on similar-sized and scoped contracts would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the $3.99 million award compare to other EPA contracts for similar water contaminant research?

The $3.99 million award for a three-year research project on long-term field studies and piloting for contaminant removal appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized environmental R&D. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the exact scope, complexity, and duration of other similar contracts. Contracts focused on PFAS and emerging contaminants are increasingly common due to regulatory drivers. The value should be assessed against the specific technical challenges, the novelty of the research, and the expected impact on water treatment technologies. Benchmarking against contracts for pilot-scale demonstrations or advanced research in water purification would offer more context.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this project?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for a research and development project like this is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the project scope is not tightly defined, or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than initially anticipated, leading to the total cost exceeding the ceiling amount. Effective risk mitigation requires diligent oversight from the EPA, including close monitoring of labor effort, material usage, and regular reviews of progress against milestones to ensure the contractor is working efficiently and that costs remain controlled.

How will the effectiveness of the research and pilot studies be measured?

The effectiveness of the research and pilot studies will be measured through a combination of technical performance metrics and project milestones defined in the contract. Key performance indicators (KPIs) will likely focus on the successful development and validation of removal technologies, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these methods, and the generation of actionable data for broader implementation. The contract will specify deliverables such as research reports, pilot study results, data analysis, and potentially recommendations for full-scale application. Regular progress reviews, technical evaluations of findings, and adherence to the project schedule will all contribute to assessing the overall effectiveness and value of the research conducted.

What is the historical spending trend for EPA R&D related to water treatment and contaminant removal?

Historical spending by the EPA on Research and Development (R&D) related to water treatment and contaminant removal has generally been significant and has seen an upward trend, particularly in recent years. This increase is driven by evolving environmental regulations, the identification of new contaminants of concern (like PFAS), and the mandates from legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding allocations often fluctuate based on national priorities and emerging threats. While specific year-over-year figures for this precise sub-category require detailed budget analysis, the overall investment in water quality research and infrastructure support by the EPA has been a consistent priority, reflecting the agency's mission to protect public health and the environment.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.

Address: 1200 BRICKYARD LN STE 202, BATON ROUGE, LA, 70802

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,983,321

Exercised Options: $3,992,475

Current Obligation: $3,992,475

Actual Outlays: $325,487

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC24D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline