EPA awards $2.24M contract for chemical speciation analysis of PM filter samples to University of California, Davis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,240,861 ($2.2M)

Contractor: University of California, Davis

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-08-07

End Date: 2024-08-06

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILTER HANDLING, SHIPPING, AND GRAVIMETRIC MASS ANALYSIS SUPPORT & ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF PM FILTER SAMPLES

Place of Performance

Location: DAVIS, YOLO County, CALIFORNIA, 95618

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS for work described as: FILTER HANDLING, SHIPPING, AND GRAVIMETRIC MASS ANALYSIS SUPPORT & ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF PM FILTER SAMPLES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental analysis for air quality monitoring. 2. Value for money assessed against specialized laboratory services. 3. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 4. Risk indicators include reliance on a single academic institution for specialized expertise. 5. Performance context is tied to ongoing EPA air quality research and regulatory needs. 6. Sector positioning within environmental testing and analytical services. 7. Contract duration of one year aligns with project-specific analytical needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.24 million for one year of specialized analytical services appears reasonable given the niche expertise required for gravimetric mass analysis and chemical speciation of PM filter samples. Benchmarking against similar contracts for highly specialized environmental laboratory support is challenging due to the specific nature of the work. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the EPA, assuming the scope of work is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The 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 EPA's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the availability of multiple sources for these specialized analytical services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for specialized environmental testing services, potentially leading to lower costs than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits through enhanced capabilities in air quality monitoring and analysis. Services delivered include critical laboratory support for determining the chemical composition of particulate matter. Geographic impact is national, supporting EPA's regulatory and research efforts across the United States. Workforce implications include support for scientific and technical personnel at the University of California, Davis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition in future procurements if specialized expertise becomes concentrated.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical analytical function could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable academic institution with established research capabilities.
Full and open competition suggests a robust initial bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting and Laboratory Services sector, a critical component of environmental protection and regulatory compliance. The market for specialized analytical services like chemical speciation is often characterized by a few highly qualified firms and academic institutions. Spending in this area supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment through scientific research and data analysis. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly specific nature of the analytical work required.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. The award to the University of California, Davis, a large research institution, suggests that the primary focus was on specialized technical capability rather than small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers responsible for air quality research. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified analytical services. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

EPA Air Quality Monitoring Programs
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Research
Environmental Analytical Laboratory Services
Particulate Matter Research

Risk Flags

Specialized Expertise Dependency
Potential for Performance Issues
Limited Publicly Available Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS. FILTER HANDLING, SHIPPING, AND GRAVIMETRIC MASS ANALYSIS SUPPORT & ANALYTICAL LABORATORY SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF PM FILTER SAMPLES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-07. End: 2024-08-06.

What is the track record of the University of California, Davis in performing similar environmental analytical services for federal agencies?

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a major research university with extensive experience in environmental science and engineering. While specific contract history with federal agencies for 'gravimetric mass analysis and chemical speciation of PM filter samples' is not detailed in the provided data, UC Davis's Bodega Marine Laboratory and Air Quality Research Center are well-regarded for their environmental research and analytical capabilities. They have a history of receiving federal grants and contracts for environmental studies, including air quality research. Their expertise in analytical chemistry and environmental monitoring suggests a strong capability to perform the services required under this EPA contract. Further investigation into their specific federal contract awards and performance reviews would provide a more precise assessment of their track record for this particular service.

How does the awarded amount compare to typical costs for specialized environmental laboratory analysis?

The awarded amount of $2.24 million for a one-year contract for specialized analytical laboratory support for chemical speciation of PM filter samples is substantial, reflecting the high degree of technical expertise and specialized equipment required. Direct cost comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact volume of samples, the complexity of the analyses, and the specific methodologies employed. However, specialized environmental testing services, particularly those involving advanced chemical analysis and research-grade instrumentation, are inherently costly. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract suggests that the EPA has negotiated a price based on a defined scope of work. Benchmarking against similar, highly specialized analytical contracts within EPA or other federal agencies would be necessary for a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the figure is not immediately indicative of overpricing given the niche nature of the service.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues from the contractor (UC Davis), reliance on specialized expertise that might be difficult to replicate quickly, and potential scope creep if the analytical requirements evolve. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes UC Davis to manage costs effectively. The EPA's oversight, through contract managers and technical points of contact, allows for monitoring of progress and quality. The full and open competition initially suggests that multiple capable entities could perform the work, providing some assurance of contractor capability. However, the long-term risk of dependency on a single awardee for such specialized work remains a consideration for future planning.

What is the expected effectiveness of these analytical services in supporting EPA's mission?

The effectiveness of these analytical services is expected to be high, directly supporting the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment. Chemical speciation of particulate matter (PM) filters provides crucial data on the composition and sources of air pollution. This information is vital for understanding the health impacts of different PM components, developing effective air quality regulations (such as National Ambient Air Quality Standards - NAAQS), and evaluating the success of pollution control strategies. By outsourcing this specialized laboratory work to an institution like UC Davis, the EPA leverages advanced scientific capabilities to generate reliable data, which forms the foundation for informed policy decisions and environmental protection efforts.

How does this contract align with historical EPA spending on air quality research and analysis?

This contract aligns with historical EPA spending patterns that prioritize robust scientific research and data collection to support its regulatory and environmental protection mandates. The EPA consistently invests in understanding air quality, including the composition and sources of particulate matter, which is a key environmental concern. Contracts for specialized laboratory analysis, such as chemical speciation, are a recurring component of this spending. While the specific amount of $2.24 million is subject to annual budget allocations and research priorities, it represents a significant but not necessarily anomalous investment in critical scientific support services. Historical data would show similar, albeit potentially varying in scale, expenditures on analytical services to maintain and improve air quality monitoring and research capabilities.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300, DAVIS, CA, 95618

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veterinary College

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,240,861

Exercised Options: $2,240,861

Current Obligation: $2,240,861

Actual Outlays: $2,240,861

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH23D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline