EPA awards $18.4M contract for safety services, extending existing support through 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,403,031 ($18.4M)

Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-03-02

End Date: 2026-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS ACTION FORMALLY EXECUTES THE VERBAL TASK ORDER ISSUED ON 3/2/2021 UNDER THIS CONTRACT AND THE SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS, ISSUED ON 3/17/2021 AND 3/26/2021 IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT CLAUSES EPAAR 1552.216-72 ORDERING-BY DESIGNATED ORDERING OFFIC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $18.4 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: THIS ACTION FORMALLY EXECUTES THE VERBAL TASK ORDER ISSUED ON 3/2/2021 UNDER THIS CONTRACT AND THE SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS, ISSUED ON 3/17/2021 AND 3/26/2021 IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT CLAUSES EPAAR 1552.216-72 ORDERING-BY DESIGNATED ORDERING OFFIC Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in essential safety services. 2. The award follows a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar contracts for safety and testing services. 5. The agency's consistent use of this contractor suggests satisfaction with past performance. 6. The contract type (Time and Materials) requires careful monitoring of labor hours and rates.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $18.4 million award for safety services appears reasonable given the 5-year duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for testing laboratories and services (NAICS 541380) would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with market rates and actual effort expended. Without specific per-unit cost data, a definitive assessment of pricing efficiency is challenging, but the overall award size is within expected ranges for comprehensive safety support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency's choice to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide the required services at a fair price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is designed to yield the best value and prevent inflated pricing. Full and open competition increases the likelihood that the government secures services at a reasonable cost.

Public Impact

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) facilities and personnel benefit from enhanced safety protocols and services. The contract supports the delivery of critical testing and laboratory services essential for regulatory compliance and operational safety. Services are primarily delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting the immediate operational environment of the EPA. The contract likely supports a workforce of specialized safety professionals and technicians.

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, as it is based on actual labor hours and material costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics or outcome-based measures in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services delivered.
The contract's duration of five years, while indicating long-term need, also means potential for price increases over time if not adequately controlled.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The agency has a clear, stated need for these safety services, indicating strategic alignment.
The contract execution follows a verbal task order, implying an established working relationship and potentially efficient transition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' sector (NAICS 541380), a critical component of environmental regulation and compliance. The market for these services is driven by government mandates and industry standards for safety and environmental protection. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term contracts due to the specialized nature of the work and the need for consistent support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar safety, environmental testing, and laboratory services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this information is not detailed in the award data. The absence of a small business set-aside means the opportunity was open to all qualified large and small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates vigilant monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs to ensure compliance with contract terms and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms, and accountability is maintained through performance reviews and adherence to contract clauses. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if specific concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Services Contracts
Federal Safety and Health Services
Government Laboratory and Testing Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Limited insight into the number of bidders in the full and open competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $18.4 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. THIS ACTION FORMALLY EXECUTES THE VERBAL TASK ORDER ISSUED ON 3/2/2021 UNDER THIS CONTRACT AND THE SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS, ISSUED ON 3/17/2021 AND 3/26/2021 IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT CLAUSES EPAAR 1552.216-72 ORDERING-BY DESIGNATED ORDERING OFFIC

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 $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-02. End: 2026-03-01.

What is the historical spending pattern for Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated with the EPA under this contract vehicle?

The provided data indicates this action formally executes a verbal task order issued on 3/2/2021, with subsequent modifications on 3/17/2021 and 3/26/2021, under an existing contract. The award amount of $18,403,030.80 represents the total value for the period of performance from 2021-03-02 to 2026-03-01, a duration of 1825 days. Without access to the full contract history and prior task orders or modifications, it's difficult to establish a detailed historical spending pattern. However, this specific award signifies a substantial commitment by the EPA to Consolidated Safety Services for safety services over a five-year period. Future spending will depend on the utilization of the contract and any subsequent modifications or renewals.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar safety services contracts awarded by the EPA or other federal agencies?

The $18.4 million award over five years for safety services, averaging approximately $3.68 million per year, appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive support to a federal agency like the EPA. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurement awards for NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) or related safety and environmental consulting services. Factors such as the scope of work, geographic coverage, and specific services required (e.g., industrial hygiene, environmental monitoring, safety training) significantly influence contract values. Given the agency's mission and the critical nature of safety services, this investment is likely commensurate with the expected deliverables.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific metrics used to evaluate Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated's performance under this contract. Typically, contracts of this nature would include performance standards related to response times, accuracy of testing, compliance with safety regulations, reporting timeliness, and overall client satisfaction. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract suggests that performance evaluation might also focus on the efficient use of labor hours and resources. The EPA's contracting officer and relevant program managers are responsible for monitoring adherence to the statement of work and assessing the quality and timeliness of deliverables against any established performance requirements.

What is the risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, such as this one, is the potential for cost overruns if not rigorously managed. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or higher labor rates if oversight is insufficient. For the EPA, risks include paying for inefficient work, inflated material costs, or labor rates that exceed market value. Mitigating these risks requires robust oversight, including detailed review of timesheets, verification of material invoices, and comparison of labor rates against industry standards.

Has Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated had previous performance issues or contract disputes with the federal government?

Based solely on the provided data, there is no information available regarding previous performance issues or contract disputes involving Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated with the federal government. The data indicates this is an execution of a task order under an existing contract, suggesting a potentially ongoing or established relationship. A comprehensive assessment of contractor risk would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any history of claims or litigation, and the contractor's overall track record on similar federal contracts. Without this additional context, it is assumed the contractor is in good standing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HE0S18R0005

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10301 DEMOCRACY LN STE 300, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,961,591

Exercised Options: $19,961,591

Current Obligation: $18,403,031

Actual Outlays: $15,841,924

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH21D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline