EPA awards $6.6M for RadNet maintenance, with initial $384K for BPA call order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,583,766 ($6.6M)

Contractor: S C & a Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-08-19

End Date: 2026-08-18

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: INITIAL FUNDING FOR BPA 68HERH21A0021 BASE PERIOD CALL ORDER UNDER GSA GS-10-0093K RADNET MAINTENANCE CONTRACT $384,479.67

Place of Performance

Location: MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY County, ALABAMA, 36115

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $6.6 million to S C & A INC for work described as: INITIAL FUNDING FOR BPA 68HERH21A0021 BASE PERIOD CALL ORDER UNDER GSA GS-10-0093K RADNET MAINTENANCE CONTRACT $384,479.67 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and specialized nature of environmental consulting. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear statement of work and established contractor. 4. Performance context is a maintenance contract, implying ongoing operational needs rather than new development. 5. Sector positioning is within environmental consulting services, a critical area for regulatory compliance and public health. 6. The contract type (Time and Materials) can pose cost control challenges if not closely managed.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $6.6 million over five years for environmental consulting services, specifically for the RadNet maintenance contract, appears to be within a reasonable range. While a direct comparison to identical contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of RadNet, the pricing seems competitive given the scope. The initial call order of $384,479.67 represents a typical initial funding amount for such a contract, allowing for immediate operational needs. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts suggests that the overall value is fair, assuming the services delivered meet the required quality standards.

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 vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust market for environmental consulting services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government can select from a range of capable providers, potentially leading to better value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a wider pool of innovative solutions. This process helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment among contractors.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits directly through the maintenance of the RadNet system, crucial for environmental monitoring. The services delivered ensure the continued operation and upkeep of a national radiation monitoring network. The geographic impact is national, as RadNet monitors radiation levels across the United States. Workforce implications include the need for specialized environmental consultants and technicians to perform maintenance and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type could lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical national system requires robust performance monitoring.
Potential for scope creep if the maintenance requirements are not clearly defined and controlled.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially good value.
Established contractor (S C & A INC) likely has experience with this type of work.
Long-term contract (5 years) provides stability for essential service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant part of the professional services market, supporting government agencies in regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring, and remediation. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local environmental mandates. This contract fits within the broader category of government support services, specifically focusing on environmental monitoring infrastructure maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are often tied to the scale and complexity of the monitoring systems being maintained.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, S C & A INC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific prime contract is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. The Inspector General's office for the EPA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Programs
National Radiation Detection Systems
GSA Schedule Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services
Federal BPA Call Orders

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure contractor performance and value.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical national infrastructure maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $6.6 million to S C & A INC. INITIAL FUNDING FOR BPA 68HERH21A0021 BASE PERIOD CALL ORDER UNDER GSA GS-10-0093K RADNET MAINTENANCE CONTRACT $384,479.67

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is S C & A INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-19. End: 2026-08-18.

What is the track record of S C & A INC with the EPA and similar federal agencies?

S C & A INC has a history of contracting with federal agencies, including the EPA. Their involvement in contracts related to environmental services and consulting is evident. While specific details on past performance metrics for this contractor are not provided in this data snippet, their ability to secure this BPA call order under full and open competition suggests a satisfactory track record. Further investigation into their past performance ratings on federal contract databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and quality of service delivery on previous engagements.

How does the total contract value of $6.6 million compare to similar environmental monitoring maintenance contracts?

Benchmarking the $6.6 million total contract value requires comparing it to similar contracts for the maintenance of national environmental monitoring systems. The RadNet system is a specialized network, making direct comparisons challenging. However, considering the 5-year duration and the need for specialized technical expertise, the annual average of approximately $1.32 million appears reasonable for maintaining a critical national infrastructure. Contracts for large-scale sensor network maintenance or environmental data management systems often fall within this range or higher, depending on the complexity and geographic coverage.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for environmental consulting and maintenance 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 scope of work is not well-defined, or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than anticipated, leading to a higher final price. For the EPA's RadNet maintenance, this risk necessitates rigorous oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours, and strict controls on material procurement to ensure value for money.

How effective is the RadNet system in fulfilling its environmental monitoring objectives?

The RadNet system, managed by the EPA, is designed to monitor ambient environmental radiation levels across the United States. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to provide near real-time data on gamma radiation, which is crucial for public health and environmental safety. The system's continuous operation and maintenance, facilitated by contracts like this one, ensure the integrity and reliability of the data collected. This data is vital for assessing potential radiological threats, understanding background radiation, and informing emergency response efforts. The effectiveness is directly tied to the system's uptime and the accuracy of its measurements, which this maintenance contract aims to uphold.

What has been the historical spending trend for RadNet maintenance or similar EPA environmental monitoring contracts?

Historical spending data for RadNet maintenance specifically is not detailed in the provided information. However, federal spending on environmental monitoring and consulting services is generally consistent, driven by ongoing regulatory requirements and the need to maintain critical infrastructure. The EPA's budget typically allocates significant resources to environmental monitoring programs. Analyzing past EPA contracts for similar maintenance or operational support of environmental systems would reveal trends in spending levels, contract durations, and the types of services procured, providing context for the current $6.6 million award.

What are the implications of awarding this contract under 'full and open competition' for future procurements?

Awarding this contract under 'full and open competition' signals to the market that the EPA is committed to leveraging competitive processes for its environmental consulting needs. This can encourage more vendors to participate in future solicitations, fostering a more dynamic and competitive marketplace. It also sets a precedent for transparency and fairness in the procurement process. For taxpayers, it reinforces the expectation that the government will seek the best value through competitive bidding, potentially leading to cost savings on subsequent contracts for similar services or related environmental projects.

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

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 WILSON BLVD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,934,960

Exercised Options: $9,934,960

Current Obligation: $6,583,766

Actual Outlays: $5,697,536

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH21A0021

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline