EPA awards $3.2M for PFAS site remediation enforcement, with CDM Federal Programs Corporation selected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,241,080 ($3.2M)

Contractor: CDM Federal Programs Corporation

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-05-05

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 513 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PSC F115 - CALL ORDER FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) SITE REMEDIATION ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA, A.K.A. SUPERFUND) AND THE RESOU

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.2 million to CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION for work described as: PSC F115 - CALL ORDER FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) SITE REMEDIATION ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA, A.K.A. SUPERFUND) AND THE RESOU Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental enforcement for PFAS contamination under CERCLA. 2. CDM Federal Programs Corporation, a known entity in environmental services, is the awardee. 3. The contract duration is over a year, indicating a sustained need for these services. 4. This award falls under the broader category of environmental consulting services. 5. The use of Time and Materials pricing suggests potential for scope adjustments. 6. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's part of a larger pre-negotiated agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $3.2 million for approximately 513 days of service appears reasonable for specialized environmental enforcement consulting. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for Superfund site remediation and enforcement support would provide a more precise value assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for consulting, warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without direct cost comparisons for similar PFAS enforcement services, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent value, but it falls within expected ranges for complex environmental legal and technical support.

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 firms had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive process aimed at securing the best value. This approach generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The BPA Call mechanism indicates that the underlying Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) was likely competed, further reinforcing the competitive nature of this award.

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

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by PFAS contamination, through enhanced enforcement actions. Services delivered include critical legal and technical support for enforcing environmental laws. Geographic impact is nationwide, focusing on sites requiring CERCLA enforcement actions. Workforce implications include specialized legal and environmental science professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The specific scope of 'enforcement services' needs clear definition to avoid ambiguity.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical function may limit future flexibility.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
CDM Federal Programs Corporation has a demonstrated track record in environmental services.
The contract supports critical environmental protection and public health initiatives.
The BPA Call structure suggests a pre-vetted and potentially streamlined procurement process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on regulatory compliance and enforcement. The market for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and the need for remediation of contaminated sites. PFAS remediation and enforcement is a growing niche within this sector, requiring specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other EPA contracts related to Superfund site management, hazardous waste cleanup, and environmental litigation support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a full and open competition award to CDM Federal Programs Corporation, it is unlikely to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless CDM proactively engages them. This contract's focus on specialized enforcement services may not align with typical small business capabilities in this niche.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are recorded. The Inspector General's office of the EPA may conduct audits or investigations into contract performance and financial management.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
CERCLA Enforcement
Hazardous Waste Site Remediation
Environmental Consulting Services
PFAS Remediation Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Need for stringent oversight to manage scope and prevent inefficiencies.
Complexity of PFAS regulations and remediation technologies requires specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.2 million to CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION. PSC F115 - CALL ORDER FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) SITE REMEDIATION ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA, A.K.A. SUPERFUND) AND THE RESOU

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-05. End: 2026-09-30.

What is CDM Federal Programs Corporation's track record with the EPA on similar environmental enforcement contracts?

CDM Federal Programs Corporation has a significant history of working with the EPA and other federal agencies on environmental projects, including those related to Superfund sites and hazardous waste management. Their expertise often lies in providing technical and management support for complex environmental programs. While specific details on past PFAS enforcement contracts are not provided in this data, their general experience in environmental consulting and remediation suggests a strong capability to handle such requirements. A deeper dive into their contract history with the EPA would reveal the scale and nature of their previous involvement in enforcement-related activities, including litigation support, risk assessment, and remediation planning.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value of similar PFAS enforcement contracts?

The awarded amount of $3.2 million for approximately 513 days of service (roughly 1.4 years) for PFAS site remediation enforcement services provides a baseline for comparison. However, direct comparisons are challenging due to the specialized nature of PFAS enforcement and the variability in site complexity, legal challenges, and required technical analyses. Similar contracts might involve extensive scientific investigation, legal support for litigation, and development of remediation strategies. Without access to a broader dataset of recent PFAS enforcement contract awards, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this specific award. Generally, complex environmental consulting and enforcement support contracts can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the scope and duration.

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

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for PFAS enforcement is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not tightly defined and managed. T&M contracts allow the contractor to bill for actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If the complexity of the PFAS contamination or the enforcement actions proves greater than initially anticipated, or if the project timeline extends significantly, costs can escalate beyond the initial award amount. This necessitates robust oversight from the EPA to monitor hours, control scope, and ensure efficient resource utilization. Another risk is potential scope creep, where tasks not originally envisioned are added, driving up costs without a corresponding increase in the contract value or a formal modification.

How effective are EPA's oversight mechanisms for ensuring value and performance on environmental consulting contracts like this one?

The EPA employs several oversight mechanisms to ensure value and performance on environmental consulting contracts. These typically include the appointment of Contracting Officers' Representatives (CORs) who are responsible for technical oversight and monitoring contractor performance against contract requirements. Regular progress reports, site visits, and performance reviews are standard. For T&M contracts, close monitoring of labor hours and direct costs is crucial. The EPA also utilizes performance metrics and award-fee structures in some contracts to incentivize high performance. Furthermore, the agency's Inspector General provides an independent layer of oversight, conducting audits and investigations to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

What is the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services related to hazardous waste and enforcement at the EPA?

The EPA has consistently allocated significant funding towards environmental consulting services, particularly for hazardous waste site remediation and enforcement under programs like Superfund (CERCLA). Historical spending trends show a sustained and often increasing investment in these areas due to ongoing cleanup needs, evolving regulations, and the complexity of environmental challenges. Spending on enforcement-related services, including legal support, technical investigations, and compliance monitoring, is a critical component of these programs. While specific figures for PFAS enforcement alone are a more recent development, the overall budget for environmental consulting related to hazardous materials and regulatory compliance has remained a substantial portion of the EPA's operational expenditures over the past decade.

What are the potential implications of this contract award on the broader PFAS remediation market?

This contract award signifies the EPA's continued commitment to addressing PFAS contamination through enforcement actions, which can stimulate activity and investment within the PFAS remediation market. By engaging specialized firms like CDM Federal Programs Corporation, the EPA signals the importance and complexity of these issues, potentially encouraging other firms to develop or enhance their PFAS-specific expertise. Such government contracts can also validate the market for PFAS services, attracting further private sector investment and innovation. Furthermore, the enforcement actions initiated under this contract could lead to the identification of more contaminated sites, thereby increasing the demand for remediation technologies and services across the board.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERC25Q0025

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10306 EATON PL STE 220, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,611,885

Exercised Options: $3,611,885

Current Obligation: $3,241,080

Actual Outlays: $1,851,710

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $439,387

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC24A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline