EPA Awards $3.9M for AERMOD System Maintenance and Enhancements to WSP USA
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,934,637 ($3.9M)
Contractor: WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2020-09-01
End Date: 2026-03-05
Contract Duration: 2,011 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NEW AWARD MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (AMS/EPA) REGULATORY MODEL (AERMOD) MODELING SYSTEM (APP-OAR-20-00008)
Place of Performance
Location: BLUE BELL, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19422
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.9 million to WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC. for work described as: NEW AWARD MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (AMS/EPA) REGULATORY MODEL (AERMOD) MODELING SYSTEM (APP-OAR-20-00008) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on maintaining and enhancing the AERMOD modeling system, crucial for regulatory air quality assessments. 2. WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration extends to March 2026, indicating a need for ongoing support. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the agency.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $3.9M award for a 5.5-year period appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for software maintenance and enhancement would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the most capable and cost-effective provider. This method generally leads to better price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential environmental modeling support.
Public Impact
Ensures continued availability and accuracy of a key tool for environmental regulation. Supports EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment through air quality modeling. Provides stability for users relying on AERMOD for compliance and research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Firm fixed price contract
- Long-term need for system maintenance
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, supporting critical infrastructure for regulatory compliance. Spending in this area is driven by environmental protection mandates and the need for accurate modeling tools.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has established procurement processes. Oversight would focus on contract performance and adherence to the fixed-price terms.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in over the contract's duration.
- Reliance on a single large business for critical system maintenance.
- Need for ongoing monitoring to ensure enhancements meet evolving regulatory needs.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, environmental-protection-agency, pa, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.9 million to WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC.. NEW AWARD MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (AMS/EPA) REGULATORY MODEL (AERMOD) MODELING SYSTEM (APP-OAR-20-00008)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-01. End: 2026-03-05.
What is the historical performance of AERMOD and its importance in EPA's regulatory framework?
AERMOD is a widely used regulatory air dispersion model developed by the EPA. It is critical for estimating pollutant concentrations resulting from various sources, informing decisions on air quality standards, permitting, and environmental impact assessments. Its continued maintenance and enhancement are vital for ensuring its accuracy and relevance in a changing regulatory and scientific landscape.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for long-term maintenance of a critical modeling system?
Relying on a single vendor for extended periods can create vendor lock-in, potentially leading to reduced negotiation leverage and price increases over time. There's also a risk if the vendor experiences financial instability or significant staff turnover, impacting service continuity. However, the competitive initial award mitigates some of these risks by ensuring a fair starting point.
How will the enhancements to AERMOD under this contract improve its effectiveness for regulatory purposes?
Enhancements are expected to improve AERMOD's accuracy, incorporate new scientific understanding of atmospheric processes, and potentially expand its capabilities to model emerging pollutants or complex scenarios. This will lead to more reliable air quality predictions, better-informed regulatory decisions, and improved protection of public health and the environment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 751 ARBOR WAY, BLUE BELL, PA, 19422
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,141,107
Exercised Options: $5,141,107
Current Obligation: $3,934,637
Actual Outlays: $3,406,134
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F314CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-05
Potential End Date: 2026-03-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-24
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