EPA awards $13.5M contract for Earth Mission Support to Eastern Research Group Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,463,203 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Eastern Research Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EARTH MISSION SUPPORT ADVANCING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR MATERIALS

Place of Performance

Location: CONCORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01742

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $13.5 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC for work described as: EARTH MISSION SUPPORT ADVANCING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR MATERIALS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advancing a circular economy for materials, aligning with EPA's environmental goals. 2. Eastern Research Group Inc. has secured this significant award, indicating a strong position in environmental consulting. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days suggests a need for sustained support in this specialized area. 4. Performance will be assessed over the contract period, with potential for future task orders. 5. The award falls under the Environmental Consulting Services NAICS code, a competitive sector. 6. This contract is part of broader EPA initiatives related to sustainability and resource management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.5 million over three years for environmental consulting services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for specialized consulting would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the award to a single contractor suggests a competitive process likely yielded a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders likely participated. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a wide range of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust solicitation process that aimed to maximize competition and identify the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing, which benefits taxpayers by ensuring federal funds are used efficiently. It also promotes a healthy market by allowing various firms to compete for government work.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its mission to promote environmental sustainability. The contract will deliver expert consulting services to advance the concept of a circular economy for materials. This initiative has a national geographic impact, influencing environmental policies and practices across the United States. The contract supports a specialized workforce in environmental consulting and research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if Time and Materials basis is not closely managed.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond the initial award amount.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical consulting services.
Ensuring the contractor's recommendations are actionable and lead to measurable environmental improvements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing structure.
Contract duration indicates a strategic, long-term commitment to environmental goals.
Focus on circular economy aligns with current environmental priorities and innovation.
Contractor's established presence likely brings significant expertise to the EPA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a segment of the broader professional services market. The market for environmental consulting is driven by regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and the increasing focus on resource management and the circular economy. The EPA is a major client in this sector, awarding numerous contracts for research, analysis, and policy development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EPA contracts for similar consulting services, particularly those focused on materials management and sustainability.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, Eastern Research Group Inc., may be a small or medium-sized business, the data does not specify. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses will have opportunities to participate in subcontracting roles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the EPA. Performance monitoring will be crucial, especially given the Time and Materials pricing structure, to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, but detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Consulting Services
EPA Sustainability Initiatives
Circular Economy Research Grants
Materials Management Programs
Environmental Policy Development

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and ensure efficiency.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical environmental initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $13.5 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC. EARTH MISSION SUPPORT ADVANCING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR MATERIALS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is Eastern Research Group Inc.'s track record with the EPA and similar federal agencies?

Eastern Research Group Inc. (ERG) has a significant history of contracting with federal agencies, including the EPA. A review of federal procurement data reveals numerous awards to ERG for a variety of environmental consulting and research services. They have been involved in projects related to climate change, energy, waste management, and environmental policy analysis. Their experience often includes supporting agency-wide initiatives and providing technical assistance. The EPA has been a consistent client, awarding contracts that span different program offices and require expertise in scientific research, data analysis, and strategic planning. This history suggests a strong understanding of federal contracting processes and EPA's mission objectives, positioning them as a reliable partner for complex environmental challenges.

How does the $13.5 million contract value compare to similar EPA environmental consulting contracts?

The $13.5 million contract value for Earth Mission Support over three years is within the typical range for significant environmental consulting engagements awarded by the EPA. Larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive research, policy development, or program support can easily reach or exceed this figure. For instance, contracts focused on developing national environmental standards, conducting large-scale impact assessments, or managing complex data repositories often fall into this spending bracket. Smaller, more focused consulting tasks might be in the hundreds of thousands or low millions. The 'circular economy for materials' focus suggests a specialized area, and the value reflects the depth of expertise and sustained effort required. Benchmarking against contracts with similar NAICS codes (541620) and project scopes would confirm if this represents a competitive price point for the services rendered.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract?

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fee. This structure can lead to unpredictable costs if the scope of work is not well-defined or if inefficiencies arise. Scope creep, where the project expands beyond its original objectives without a corresponding increase in the contract ceiling, is a significant concern. Additionally, ensuring the quality and efficiency of the labor billed is crucial. Without clear performance metrics and robust oversight, the government might end up paying more than the value received. The EPA will need strong project management to monitor hours, control scope, and ensure deliverables align with the funds expended.

How effective is the 'circular economy for materials' initiative likely to be under this contract?

The effectiveness of the 'circular economy for materials' initiative under this contract will largely depend on the specific tasks and deliverables outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW), which are not detailed here. However, the EPA's commitment to this area, evidenced by awarding a substantial contract, suggests a strategic focus on promoting sustainable resource management. The success will hinge on the quality of research, analysis, and recommendations provided by Eastern Research Group Inc. If the contract tasks include developing frameworks for material reuse, identifying policy levers to encourage recycling and remanufacturing, or assessing the economic viability of circular models, it could significantly advance the initiative. The EPA's ability to implement the contractor's findings and integrate them into broader policy and operational strategies will be key to realizing tangible environmental and economic benefits.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services at the EPA?

The EPA consistently allocates significant funding towards environmental consulting services, reflecting the agency's broad mandate and the complexity of environmental issues. Historical spending data shows a steady demand for expertise in areas such as regulatory analysis, scientific research, risk assessment, policy development, and program support. The annual spending on environmental consulting can fluctuate based on agency priorities, legislative mandates, and the initiation of new programs or research efforts. Contracts often range from small, task-order-level awards to large, multi-year prime contracts similar to this one. The trend generally indicates a sustained investment in external expertise to supplement in-house capabilities and address specialized environmental challenges across various media (air, water, land) and sectors.

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: 561 VIRGINIA RD, CONCORD, MA, 01742

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: $32,084,380

Exercised Options: $29,584,980

Current Obligation: $13,463,203

Actual Outlays: $5,472,997

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $2,091,547

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH22A0020

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline