EPA awards $169K for biochar research to revegetate mine sites, with Consolidated Safety Services Inc. selected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $169,020 ($169.0K)

Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-04-16

End Date: 2027-04-15

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $232/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AJ11 - GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF BIOCHAR AND OTHER AMENDMENTS TO REVEGETATE THE KLAU AND BUENA VISTA MINE SITES.

Place of Performance

Location: CORVALLIS, BENTON County, OREGON, 97333

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $169,019.97 to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: AJ11 - GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF BIOCHAR AND OTHER AMENDMENTS TO REVEGETATE THE KLAU AND BUENA VISTA MINE SITES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on scientific research for mine site reclamation using biochar. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract. 3. The contract duration is approximately two years. 4. The procurement method was full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. The contractor, Consolidated Safety Services Inc., will provide research and development services. 6. The scientific classification is R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $169,019.97 appears to be for a specific research project. Benchmarking this against similar R&D contracts for environmental remediation is difficult without more data on the scope and deliverables. The fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, but the value-for-money assessment hinges on the successful application of biochar and amendments for revegetation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on certain criteria, which warrants further investigation. The number of bidders is not provided, making it difficult to assess the intensity of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'full and open' aspect suggests a broad search for qualified contractors, which can lead to competitive pricing. However, the exclusion of sources requires scrutiny to ensure it did not limit taxpayer value.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from research to improve mine site reclamation. The public benefits from efforts to restore damaged ecosystems and potentially improve land use. The services delivered are scientific research and development related to biochar and soil amendments. The geographic impact is focused on the Klau and Buena Vista mine sites, with potential for broader application. The contract supports scientific expertise in environmental restoration and sustainable land management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The exclusion of sources in an otherwise 'full and open' competition needs clarification to ensure fairness and optimal pricing.
Lack of detail on the number of bidders limits the assessment of competitive pressure on pricing.
The effectiveness of biochar and amendments for revegetation at these specific mine sites is a key performance indicator.

Positive Signals

The contract utilizes a firm fixed-price structure, which transfers risk to the contractor and provides cost certainty.
The research aims to address environmental remediation challenges, aligning with public interest goals.
The contract duration of approximately two years allows for a reasonable period to conduct and evaluate research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader sector of environmental consulting and R&D services. The market for environmental remediation and reclamation is significant, driven by regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability initiatives. Spending in this area often involves specialized scientific expertise, similar to the R&D focus here. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and complexity of the specific mine sites and the proposed remediation techniques.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract appears minimal, though the prime contractor's own subcontracting practices are not detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a delivery order under a larger contract, existing oversight mechanisms for the parent contract likely apply. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed project-specific progress reports and Inspector General involvement would depend on the EPA's internal procedures and any identified performance issues.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Research and Development in Environmental Science
Mine Reclamation Projects
Soil Amendment Technologies

Risk Flags

Potential limited competition due to source exclusion.
Need for verification of contractor's specific expertise in biochar and mine reclamation R&D.
Effectiveness of proposed biochar/amendment strategy requires validation through research outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $169,019.97 to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. AJ11 - GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE USE OF BIOCHAR AND OTHER AMENDMENTS TO REVEGETATE THE KLAU AND BUENA VISTA MINE SITES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $169,019.97.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-16. End: 2027-04-15.

What is the specific scientific rationale and expected outcome for using biochar and other amendments at the Klau and Buena Vista mine sites?

The specific scientific rationale for using biochar and other amendments at the Klau and Buena Vista mine sites likely stems from their known properties to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, while potentially immobilizing contaminants. Biochar, a charcoal-like substance produced from biomass pyrolysis, can enhance soil microbial activity and provide a stable carbon source. Amendments aim to address specific deficiencies or toxicities in the mine-soiled land. The expected outcome is the successful revegetation of these disturbed areas, leading to ecological restoration, erosion control, and potentially improved aesthetic and functional land use. This research will likely involve laboratory analysis, field trials, and monitoring of plant growth and soil conditions to validate the effectiveness of the chosen amendments under the specific environmental conditions of these mine sites.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar R&D efforts for mine site reclamation?

Directly comparing the $169,019.97 cost of this specific delivery order to similar R&D efforts for mine site reclamation is challenging without detailed scope and deliverable information. R&D contracts can vary significantly in price based on the complexity of the research, the number of variables tested, the duration of field studies, and the required analytical rigor. Smaller, focused research projects like this one might range from tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand dollars. Larger, multi-year, multi-site reclamation R&D programs could easily run into millions. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar objectives (e.g., revegetation using novel soil treatments), similar geographic or geological contexts, and comparable research methodologies. The EPA's contract database and other federal procurement portals would be the primary sources for such comparative data.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Consolidated Safety Services Inc. under this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Consolidated Safety Services Inc. under this contract would likely focus on the scientific and technical aspects of the research and development services. These could include the successful characterization of soil conditions at the Klau and Buena Vista mine sites, the efficacy of selected biochar and amendment treatments in laboratory and field settings, measurable improvements in soil health metrics (e.g., pH, organic matter content, water holding capacity), and demonstrable success in plant establishment and growth rates. Other KPIs might involve timely delivery of research reports, adherence to scientific protocols, and the generation of data that supports evidence-based recommendations for full-scale mine site reclamation. The contract's firm fixed-price nature implies that meeting these technical and scientific objectives within the allocated budget and timeline is paramount.

What is the track record of Consolidated Safety Services Inc. in environmental R&D or mine reclamation projects?

Assessing the track record of Consolidated Safety Services Inc. in environmental R&D or mine reclamation projects requires a review of their past performance on similar federal or private contracts. Information on their specific experience in biochar application, soil amendment research, or direct mine site revegetation would be crucial. Federal procurement data, such as past performance evaluations and contract histories, can provide insights into their capabilities and reliability. If their primary expertise lies in safety services, as the name might suggest, their capacity in specialized environmental R&D would need careful vetting. A lack of direct, extensive experience in this niche area might represent a higher risk, whereas a history of successful, relevant projects would indicate a lower risk and higher likelihood of successful outcomes.

How has EPA's spending on R&D for environmental remediation evolved over the past five years?

To analyze the evolution of EPA's spending on R&D for environmental remediation over the past five years, one would need to examine historical federal procurement data. This would involve querying databases like USAspending.gov or FPDS-NG for contracts awarded by the EPA with relevant North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes related to environmental R&D, remediation, and consulting. Trends could indicate an increase or decrease in funding allocated to these areas, potentially influenced by new environmental challenges, legislative priorities, or shifts in agency focus. For instance, increased emphasis on climate change adaptation, sustainable land use, or emerging contaminants could drive higher R&D spending. Conversely, budget constraints or a focus on implementing existing technologies might lead to stable or reduced R&D investment. This specific $169K contract represents a small component of the EPA's overall R&D budget.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 220, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $169,020

Exercised Options: $169,020

Current Obligation: $169,020

Actual Outlays: $61,492

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC21D0024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline