EPA awards $2.66M contract for CCR rule requirements maintenance and development to Industrial Economics Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,657,923 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Industrial Economics Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-11-18

End Date: 2026-09-02

Contract Duration: 1,749 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ASSIST IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF MAINTAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CCR RULE REQUIREMENTS

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 $2.7 million to INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC for work described as: ASSIST IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF MAINTAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CCR RULE REQUIREMENTS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential environmental regulatory support, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 2. The firm fixed-price structure suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Competition was full and open, implying a robust bidding process. 4. The contract duration of nearly five years allows for sustained support. 5. This award falls within the environmental consulting services sector, a critical area for regulatory compliance. 6. The contract value is modest, suggesting it addresses a specific, defined scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.66 million over approximately 4.8 years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for regulatory support and development would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price type helps control costs, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value judgment challenging without further context on the scope and deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This suggests a competitive environment that should theoretically drive down prices and encourage innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives competitive pricing and the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public, through the maintenance and development of Clean Water Act (CWA) regulations. Services delivered include expert analysis and support for the CCR (Coal Combustion Residuals) rule requirements. The geographic impact is national, as EPA regulations affect the entire United States. Workforce implications include the need for specialized environmental scientists, engineers, and policy analysts within Industrial Economics Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical regulatory development could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services.
Long contract duration allows for continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, which is a subset of professional, scientific, and technical services. This sector is crucial for government agencies needing specialized expertise to develop, implement, and enforce environmental regulations. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance needs across various industries. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other EPA contracts for similar regulatory development and support services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact is on larger, established firms capable of competing for and executing such specialized environmental consulting work. There are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mentioned in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the EPA contracting officer and program managers responsible for the CCR rule. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Clean Water Act (CWA) Rulemaking
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulatory Support
Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Regulations
Environmental Consulting Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for regulatory complexity impacting scope.
Need for sustained, specialized expertise over contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.7 million to INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC. ASSIST IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF MAINTAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CCR RULE REQUIREMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-18. End: 2026-09-02.

What is the specific scope of work for Industrial Economics Inc. regarding the CCR rule requirements?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ASSIST IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF MAINTAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CCR RULE REQUIREMENTS.' This suggests Industrial Economics Inc. will provide expert support to the EPA in managing existing regulations related to Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) and potentially contributing to the development of new or updated requirements. This could involve technical analysis, regulatory drafting assistance, stakeholder engagement support, and impact assessments. A detailed scope of work would be outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS), which is not included in the provided data but would specify deliverables, timelines, and performance standards.

How does the $2.66 million contract value compare to historical EPA spending on similar environmental consulting services?

Without specific historical spending data for comparable EPA contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $2.66 million over nearly five years ($554,000 annually on average) for specialized regulatory support suggests a focused engagement rather than a broad, agency-wide consulting effort. The EPA procures a wide range of environmental consulting services, with contract values varying significantly based on scope, duration, and complexity. This particular award appears to be for a niche but critical area of environmental regulation, implying that its value is justified by the specialized expertise required for the CCR rule.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, for a contract focused on 'maintaining and development of CCR rule requirements,' KPIs might include timely submission of technical reports, accuracy of regulatory analysis, successful development of draft rule language, and effective support for EPA decision-making. Deliverables would likely encompass reports, analyses, recommendations, and potentially draft regulatory text. These would be formally defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS).

What is Industrial Economics Inc.'s track record with the EPA or similar agencies for environmental regulatory work?

Industrial Economics Inc. (IEc) has a history of providing environmental consulting services to government agencies, including the EPA. Their website and past contract awards suggest expertise in areas such as regulatory impact analysis, environmental economics, and policy development. While specific details on their performance for this particular CCR rule contract are not available in the provided data, their established presence in the environmental consulting field indicates they possess relevant experience. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal the extent and nature of their past work with the EPA and other agencies.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as contractor performance or technical challenges?

Potential risks associated with this contract could include the complexity of the CCR regulations themselves, which may present technical and scientific challenges. Contractor performance risk is always present, though mitigated by the firm fixed-price structure and EPA oversight. If Industrial Economics Inc. lacks the specific, up-to-date expertise required for evolving CCR regulations, or if there are communication breakdowns with the EPA, performance could be impacted. The long duration also means that changes in regulatory priorities or scientific understanding could necessitate adjustments, posing a risk if the contract is not flexible enough.

How does this contract fit into the EPA's broader strategy for managing environmental regulations and compliance?

This contract directly supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the effective maintenance and development of the CCR rule. The CCR rule is a significant component of the EPA's efforts to manage waste from coal-fired power plants, addressing potential environmental and health hazards. By engaging specialized expertise, the EPA aims to ensure these regulations are scientifically sound, legally defensible, and effectively implemented. This contract signifies the ongoing importance the EPA places on robust regulatory frameworks for managing industrial byproducts and their environmental impact.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2067 MASS AVE STE 4, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02140

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,657,923

Exercised Options: $2,657,923

Current Obligation: $2,657,923

Actual Outlays: $2,423,880

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $1,061,764

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH21D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline