NASA awards $2M environmental remediation contract to Tetra Tech, Inc. for Goddard Space Flight Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,002,381 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-09-22
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,592 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TCE PLUME ENVIRONMENTAL AND REMEDIATION SERVICES AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER - GREENBELT, MARYLAND.
Place of Performance
Location: WALLOPS ISLAND, ACCOMACK County, VIRGINIA, 23337
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: TCE PLUME ENVIRONMENTAL AND REMEDIATION SERVICES AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER - GREENBELT, MARYLAND. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of approximately 4 years indicates a medium-term commitment for environmental services. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government, but could limit flexibility. 4. The agency's selection of a single contractor for this specific task suggests specialized expertise is required. 5. Environmental consulting services are crucial for maintaining compliance and operational integrity at federal facilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2,002,381.09 for environmental consulting services over nearly four years appears reasonable for a federal agency like NASA. Benchmarking against similar environmental remediation contracts at large federal installations would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of environmental services and the fixed-price structure, the pricing is likely competitive. The contract's scope, focusing on remediation at a specific NASA center, suggests a targeted and potentially cost-effective approach to addressing environmental needs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific environmental consulting service. While two bidders is better than a sole-source award, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, even with two bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, leading to a more cost-effective outcome.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its Goddard Space Flight Center, ensuring environmental compliance and safe operations. Services delivered include environmental consulting and remediation, addressing potential contamination and ensuring regulatory adherence. The geographic impact is localized to Greenbelt, Maryland, where the Goddard Space Flight Center is located. The contract supports specialized environmental science and engineering jobs within the contractor's workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition if only two bids were received, which could impact long-term cost savings.
- Fixed-price contracts can sometimes lead to scope creep issues if not managed carefully.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a specific remediation project might pose risks if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing the pool of potential offerors.
- Fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty for the agency.
- The contract addresses critical environmental compliance and remediation needs for a key federal facility.
Sector Analysis
The environmental consulting and remediation sector is a significant market supporting federal agencies in managing their environmental liabilities and ensuring compliance with regulations like the EPA's. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure, address legacy contamination, and implement new environmental standards. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services, specifically environmental engineering and remediation, which is a specialized niche within the larger government contracting landscape.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officers and program managers at Goddard Space Flight Center. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Environmental Compliance and Management
- EPA Superfund Remediation Projects
- Department of Defense Environmental Services Contracts
- Federal Facility Cleanup Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition
- Potential for Unforeseen Site Conditions
- Fixed-Price Contract Risks
Tags
environmental-remediation, environmental-consulting, nasa, goddard-space-flight-center, maryland, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, professional-services, tetra-tech-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. TCE PLUME ENVIRONMENTAL AND REMEDIATION SERVICES AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER - GREENBELT, MARYLAND.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-22. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the track record of Tetra Tech, Inc. in performing similar environmental remediation services for federal agencies?
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a well-established global provider of consulting and engineering services, including extensive experience in environmental remediation for federal agencies. They have a history of supporting various government entities, such as the EPA, DoD, and other civilian agencies, on complex cleanup projects. Their portfolio often includes site assessment, remediation design, construction management, and long-term monitoring. While specific performance metrics for this NASA contract are not detailed here, Tetra Tech's broad experience suggests a strong capability to handle environmental challenges. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations and contract awards for similar projects would offer more granular insights into their specific track record with federal clients.
How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or budget for this type of environmental remediation service at NASA Goddard?
The awarded amount of $2,002,381.09 represents the total contract value for environmental consulting and remediation services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Without access to NASA's internal budget estimates or pre-solicitation cost analyses for this specific requirement, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the contract was awarded under full and open competition with two bidders, suggesting that the pricing was considered competitive by the agency. The fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the agency aimed for cost certainty. To provide a more definitive comparison, one would need to analyze historical spending on similar services at Goddard or benchmark against industry cost data for comparable remediation scopes.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, unforeseen site conditions requiring additional remediation efforts beyond the initial scope, and contractor performance issues. Scope creep is mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to adhere to the defined scope. Unforeseen site conditions are a common challenge in remediation; mitigation often involves robust initial site assessments and contingency planning within the contract, though the fixed-price nature might limit flexibility if significant new issues arise. Contractor performance is managed through standard government oversight, performance monitoring, and contractual remedies. The limited competition (two bidders) could also be seen as a risk if it leads to less competitive pricing over time or limits options if the current contractor underperforms.
What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract in addressing environmental issues at NASA Goddard?
The effectiveness of the services hinges on the thoroughness of the environmental consulting and the successful execution of the remediation plan. Assuming Tetra Tech, Inc. possesses the requisite expertise and adheres to best practices, the contract should effectively address identified environmental issues, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This includes mitigating potential hazards, restoring affected areas, and preventing future contamination. The long-term effectiveness will also depend on NASA's ongoing monitoring and maintenance protocols post-remediation. The contract's success will be measured by the achievement of specific environmental cleanup goals and the sustained compliance of the facility.
How has NASA's spending on environmental consulting and remediation services evolved over the past five years, and does this contract align with historical patterns?
Analyzing NASA's historical spending on environmental consulting and remediation requires access to detailed procurement data over the past five years. Generally, federal agencies like NASA face consistent needs for environmental services due to the operation of complex facilities and adherence to stringent regulations. Spending can fluctuate based on specific cleanup initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, or changes in environmental policy. This $2 million contract for a specific remediation task at Goddard appears to be a targeted investment. Without historical data, it's difficult to say if it aligns perfectly, but it represents a typical expenditure for addressing environmental needs at a major federal installation. Trends might show increased focus on sustainability, climate resilience, or specific types of contamination.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 661 ANDERSEN DR STE 11, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15220
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,002,381
Exercised Options: $2,002,381
Current Obligation: $2,002,381
Actual Outlays: $1,873,389
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC019D0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-22
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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