DOT awards $7.5M contract for environmental remediation services in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,549,794 ($7.5M)

Contractor: Brice Environmental Services Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2019-06-06

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,490 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE CONTRACTOR MUST PERFORM REMEDIAL ACTIONS AT VARIOUS AREAS OF CONCERN ON HOG, UMNAK AND CATON ISLANDS IN ALASKA, PER THE SOW AND TERMS&CONDITIONS OF SOLICITATION 697DCK-19-R-00312.

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $7.5 million to BRICE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE CONTRACTOR MUST PERFORM REMEDIAL ACTIONS AT VARIOUS AREAS OF CONCERN ON HOG, UMNAK AND CATON ISLANDS IN ALASKA, PER THE SOW AND TERMS&CONDITIONS OF SOLICITATION 697DCK-19-R-00312. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental cleanup at remote Alaskan islands. 2. Services include remedial actions at multiple sites, indicating complex logistical needs. 3. The contract duration of approximately 2490 days suggests a long-term commitment to site restoration. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 6. The contractor, Brice Environmental Services Corporation, will be responsible for significant environmental restoration efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.5 million for environmental remediation over nearly 7 years appears reasonable given the scope of work and the challenging remote locations in Alaska. While specific cost breakdowns are not provided, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental cleanup contracts in remote or environmentally sensitive areas would provide further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The specific exclusion of sources might relate to unique capabilities or prior performance requirements, but the overall approach suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the environmental ecosystems of Umnak, Hog, and Caton Islands, which will undergo necessary cleanup. The services delivered will involve complex environmental remediation techniques to address identified areas of concern. The geographic impact is concentrated in remote island locations within Alaska, requiring specialized logistical support. The contract may indirectly support local economies through potential subcontracting opportunities or the need for specialized labor in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Logistical challenges in remote Alaskan locations could lead to unforeseen costs or delays.
Environmental remediation projects can be complex, with potential for unexpected site conditions impacting scope and cost.
Ensuring long-term effectiveness of remediation actions requires careful monitoring and validation.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment.
The contract duration allows for thorough execution and monitoring of remediation efforts.

Sector Analysis

Environmental remediation services fall within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves government contracts for cleanup, restoration, and compliance. The market size for environmental remediation is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and the need to address historical contamination. This contract fits within the government's ongoing efforts to manage and mitigate environmental impacts from federal activities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'ss' and 'sb' fields are false, indicating no explicit small business set-aside. This suggests that the scale and nature of the work likely favored larger, specialized environmental firms. There is no direct information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity for broader economic impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through contract officers and technical representatives. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency will depend on public reporting requirements and the agency's willingness to share non-sensitive project details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Cleanup Contracts
Federal Aviation Administration Contracts
Department of Transportation Contracts
Alaska Federal Projects
Remediation Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Logistical Complexity
Remote Location Challenges
Environmental Risk
Long-Term Project Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $7.5 million to BRICE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF THE CONTRACTOR MUST PERFORM REMEDIAL ACTIONS AT VARIOUS AREAS OF CONCERN ON HOG, UMNAK AND CATON ISLANDS IN ALASKA, PER THE SOW AND TERMS&CONDITIONS OF SOLICITATION 697DCK-19-R-00312.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRICE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-06. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Brice Environmental Services Corporation in handling similar large-scale environmental remediation projects, particularly in remote or challenging environments?

Brice Environmental Services Corporation has a history of performing environmental services for government agencies. While specific details on past projects of this exact scale and complexity are not immediately available within this data snippet, their ability to win a full and open competition contract of this magnitude suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Further investigation into their past performance reports, client testimonials, and project portfolios would be required to fully assess their track record in similar challenging environments. Government contract databases and agency performance evaluations are key resources for this type of analysis.

How does the awarded amount of $7.5 million compare to the estimated costs for similar environmental remediation projects in remote Alaskan locations?

Benchmarking the $7.5 million award against similar projects is challenging without more specific data on the scope, duration, and exact locations of comparable contracts. Environmental remediation in remote Alaska is inherently more expensive due to logistical complexities, specialized equipment needs, and potential environmental sensitivities. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract implies that Brice Environmental Services Corporation has factored these costs into their bid. A detailed comparison would require analyzing the specific types of contaminants, the volume of material to be remediated, and the accessibility of each site, alongside data from other government contracts for similar services in comparable regions.

What are the primary environmental risks being addressed by this contract, and what are the potential long-term implications if remediation is unsuccessful?

The contract specifies 'remedial actions at various areas of concern' without detailing the specific contaminants or risks. These could range from hazardous material spills, historical industrial waste, or unexploded ordnance, common in remote or historically utilized federal lands. The long-term implications of unsuccessful remediation could include continued environmental degradation, potential harm to wildlife and ecosystems, contamination of water sources, and ongoing liability for the government. Successful remediation is crucial for ecological restoration, public health, and fulfilling federal environmental stewardship responsibilities.

What oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure the contractor meets performance standards and environmental compliance throughout the contract duration?

Oversight for this contract will likely involve a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This individual is responsible for monitoring the contractor's progress, ensuring adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW), and verifying the quality of work performed. Regular progress reports, site inspections, and performance reviews are standard oversight tools. The firm-fixed-price contract incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently, but robust oversight is still critical to ensure environmental standards and regulatory compliance are met throughout the contract's multi-year duration.

How has federal spending on environmental remediation services in Alaska trended over the past five years, and does this contract represent a significant shift?

Analyzing historical federal spending on environmental remediation in Alaska requires access to comprehensive government spending databases. Generally, federal spending in this area is driven by regulatory mandates (like CERCLA/Superfund), agency-specific cleanup programs (e.g., EPA, DoD, DoT), and the identification of new or ongoing environmental concerns. This $7.5 million contract for a multi-year project is a significant award, but whether it represents a 'shift' depends on the overall historical spending patterns for environmental remediation in Alaska. It likely reflects the ongoing commitment to addressing environmental liabilities at federal sites, particularly in sensitive and remote regions like Alaska.

What are the potential economic impacts, both positive and negative, on local Alaskan communities or indigenous groups due to this contract?

The positive economic impacts could include job creation, either directly by Brice Environmental Services Corporation or through subcontracting opportunities for local businesses. The need for specialized services and logistical support in remote areas might also stimulate local economies. However, potential negative impacts could arise if the remediation activities disrupt traditional land uses or if environmental concerns are not adequately addressed, affecting natural resources that local communities depend on. The specific impact will depend on the proximity of the work sites to communities and the nature of the remediation activities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-19-R-00312

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Calista Corp

Address: 301 CUSHMAN ST, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99701

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,549,794

Exercised Options: $7,549,794

Current Obligation: $7,549,794

Actual Outlays: $925,615

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline