EPA awards $795,704 contract for drinking water contaminant health effects analysis to ICF Incorporated
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $795,704 ($795.7K)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2026-01-10
End Date: 2027-11-09
Contract Duration: 668 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PSC R499 - SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, DATA ANALYSIS, AND DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT THE EVALUATION OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS AND DERIVATION OF HEALTH-BASED VALUES FOR DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS COST-PLUS FIXED-FEE TASK ORDER (12-MONTH BASE PERIOD AND
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $795,704 to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: PSC R499 - SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, DATA ANALYSIS, AND DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT THE EVALUATION OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS AND DERIVATION OF HEALTH-BASED VALUES FOR DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS COST-PLUS FIXED-FEE TASK ORDER (12-MONTH BASE PERIOD AND Key points: 1. Contract focuses on systematic review and data analysis for human health effects of drinking water contaminants. 2. Analysis aims to derive health-based values for these contaminants. 3. The contract is a cost-plus fixed-fee task order with a 12-month base period. 4. ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is the selected contractor. 5. The contract falls under the Environmental Consulting Services NAICS code. 6. This award supports the EPA's mission to protect public health and the environment.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $795,704 for a 12-month base period appears reasonable for specialized scientific analysis and data development. Benchmarking against similar contracts for health-based value derivation for environmental contaminants would provide a more precise assessment. However, given the complexity of evaluating human health effects and deriving scientific values, the cost seems aligned with expert services in this niche field.
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. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a contractor with the best technical capabilities. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust selection process.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation, leading to better value for public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the public, through improved understanding and management of drinking water safety. The services delivered will include systematic review of scientific literature, data analysis, and development of health-based values. The geographic impact is national, as the findings will inform EPA's drinking water standards and guidance across the United States. Workforce implications include the need for specialized scientists, toxicologists, and data analysts within ICF Incorporated.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in complex scientific reviews.
- Reliance on the quality and availability of existing scientific data.
- Ensuring timely delivery of critical health-based values.
Positive Signals
- Contractor has experience in environmental consulting and data analysis.
- Full and open competition suggests a well-defined requirement and competitive pricing.
- Task order structure allows for focused execution on specific objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical area for government agencies tasked with environmental protection and public health. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements and the need for scientific expertise to interpret complex data and inform policy. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other EPA contracts for similar scientific assessments and data analysis projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus on specialized scientific services may limit opportunities for broad small business participation unless specific expertise is required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through a designated contracting officer's representative (COR). Accountability measures will be tied to the successful completion of task order deliverables and adherence to the cost-plus fixed-fee structure. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though the detailed scientific methodologies and findings may be subject to internal review before public release.
Related Government Programs
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) implementation
- EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluations
- Public Health and Environmental Hazard Assessments
Risk Flags
- Potential for scientific uncertainty in health-based value derivation.
- Dependence on external data sources and peer-reviewed literature.
- Complexity of toxicological assessments requires specialized expertise.
Tags
environmental-consulting, environmental-protection-agency, drinking-water, health-effects-analysis, data-analysis, scientific-review, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, icf-incorporated, virginia, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $795,704 to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. PSC R499 - SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, DATA ANALYSIS, AND DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT THE EVALUATION OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS AND DERIVATION OF HEALTH-BASED VALUES FOR DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS COST-PLUS FIXED-FEE TASK ORDER (12-MONTH BASE PERIOD AND
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $795,704.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-10. End: 2027-11-09.
What is ICF Incorporated's track record with the EPA on similar health effects analysis contracts?
ICF Incorporated has a significant history of contracting with the EPA and other federal agencies for environmental consulting services, including risk assessment and data analysis. While specific details on past contracts for drinking water contaminant health effects analysis are not provided in this data snippet, ICF's general expertise in toxicology, environmental science, and regulatory support suggests a strong capability. A deeper dive into their contract history with the EPA would reveal the scope, value, and performance outcomes of previous related projects, offering insight into their reliability and effectiveness in delivering similar scientific analyses.
How does the $795,704 cost compare to similar contracts for deriving health-based values for drinking water contaminants?
The $795,704 cost for a 12-month base period for systematic review, data analysis, and derivation of health-based values for drinking water contaminants is a moderate figure for specialized scientific work. Without direct comparative data on similar contracts, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark. However, contracts involving complex toxicological reviews, epidemiological data analysis, and the establishment of scientifically defensible health guidelines often require significant expert labor hours. Factors influencing cost include the number of contaminants studied, the depth of literature review, the complexity of the scientific models used, and the required stakeholder engagement. This amount suggests a focused effort on a defined set of contaminants or a specific phase of a larger program.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include the potential for delays in data acquisition or analysis, the emergence of new scientific information that could alter findings, and challenges in interpreting complex toxicological data. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, clear communication protocols with the EPA, adherence to established scientific methodologies, and contingency planning for unforeseen scientific or data-related issues. The cost-plus fixed-fee structure also introduces a risk related to cost overruns if not managed carefully, necessitating strong financial oversight from the EPA.
How effective is the EPA in utilizing such contracts to inform its drinking water regulations?
Contracts like this are crucial for the EPA's ability to develop and update its drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act. They provide the scientific foundation necessary to set legally defensible and health-protective Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and other standards. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of the scientific analysis, the clarity of the derived health-based values, and how well this information is integrated into the EPA's regulatory decision-making processes. The systematic review and data analysis approach ensures that regulatory decisions are based on the best available science.
What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services by the EPA in this specific area?
The EPA consistently allocates significant funding towards environmental consulting services, particularly for scientific assessments, risk evaluations, and data analysis related to public health and environmental protection. Spending in areas like drinking water contaminant analysis has historically been substantial, driven by the mandates of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the need to address emerging contaminants. While specific historical figures for this precise task (systematic review for health-based values) are not detailed here, the EPA's budget reflects a continuous investment in scientific research and technical support to fulfill its mission. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 68HERW26R0002
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,048,118
Exercised Options: $1,499,824
Current Obligation: $795,704
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-10
Current End Date: 2027-11-09
Potential End Date: 2027-11-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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