EPA's $3.5M Superfund Technical Writing Contract Awarded to SKEO Solutions Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $354,375 ($354.4K)

Contractor: Skeo Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-11-30

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,704 days

Daily Burn Rate: $208/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPERFUND REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (SRI) AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES CONTRACT (TASC) CALL ORDER: 13.0.0 R4 - SEMD TECHNICAL WRITING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CHARLOTTESVILLE, CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22902

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $354,375 to SKEO SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: SUPERFUND REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (SRI) AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES CONTRACT (TASC) CALL ORDER: 13.0.0 R4 - SEMD TECHNICAL WRITING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to SKEO SOLUTIONS, INC for technical writing support related to the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative. 2. The contract has a duration of 1704 days, ending in July 2026. 3. Awarded under a Full and Open Competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The primary service is Environmental Consulting Services, with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 541620. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award, which is generally favorable for cost control. Without specific per-unit data or comparison to similar technical writing services, a precise value assessment is difficult, but the total value appears reasonable for the scope and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to result in fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds spent on essential environmental consulting services.

Public Impact

Supports the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative, crucial for environmental cleanup and community revitalization. Ensures clear and accurate documentation for complex environmental projects, aiding public understanding and agency operations. Technical writing services are vital for disseminating information about hazardous site remediation and redevelopment efforts. The contract's duration suggests a long-term need for specialized environmental communication expertise. Transparency in documentation can build public trust in EPA's environmental protection efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and Open Competition
Firm Fixed Price contract type
Supports critical environmental initiative (Superfund)

Sector Analysis

The Environmental Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541620) is characterized by firms providing expertise in environmental science and management. Spending in this sector often supports regulatory compliance, remediation, and sustainability initiatives. This contract aligns with typical government needs for specialized environmental expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee, SKEO SOLUTIONS, INC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in this record. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation, if any, as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms for its procurements. The use of a BPA Call Order suggests an existing framework is being utilized, which can streamline oversight. However, specific oversight activities are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep impacting fixed price
Limited insight into specific performance metrics
No explicit mention of small business participation goals
Contract duration is lengthy, requiring sustained oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $354,375 to SKEO SOLUTIONS, INC. SUPERFUND REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (SRI) AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES CONTRACT (TASC) CALL ORDER: 13.0.0 R4 - SEMD TECHNICAL WRITING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKEO SOLUTIONS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $354,375.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-30. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific scope of 'SEMD Technical Writing Support' and how does it contribute to the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative's goals?

SEMD likely refers to Site Evaluation and Management Division or a similar internal EPA structure. The technical writing support would involve creating, editing, and managing documents related to Superfund sites, including reports, fact sheets, public notices, and guidance documents. This ensures clear communication of technical information to stakeholders, aids in regulatory compliance, and supports the redevelopment planning process for contaminated sites, ultimately contributing to the SRI's goal of transforming former hazardous sites into community assets.

Given the Firm Fixed Price structure, what are the potential risks if the scope of technical writing needs significantly expands beyond initial estimates?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract locks in the price, which is beneficial if the scope remains stable. However, if the scope of technical writing needs expands significantly beyond what was anticipated during the bidding process, the contractor (SKEO Solutions) might face reduced profit margins or seek contract modifications. The government risks potential disputes over scope creep or the need for costly contract amendments if the initial estimates were inaccurate or unforeseen complexities arise in the Superfund projects.

How effectively does this contract leverage competition to ensure cost-efficiency for technical writing services in the environmental consulting sector?

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' which is a strong indicator of leveraging competition. This process allows any qualified vendor to bid, fostering a competitive environment that typically drives down prices and improves service quality. The effectiveness is further supported by the Firm Fixed Price structure, which provides cost certainty. While the specific number of bids isn't provided, the method itself is designed to ensure cost-efficiency and value for taxpayer money in procuring specialized environmental consulting services.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 10TH ST NE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, 22902

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $401,100

Exercised Options: $401,100

Current Obligation: $354,375

Actual Outlays: $339,230

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH21A0018

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline