NASA awards $2.68M contract for groundwater cleanup and monitoring at former Components Cleaning Facility
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,680,282 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2019-09-16
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,479 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GROUNDWATER INTERIM MEASURES AND CONTINUED OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING (OM&M)OF EXISTING AIR SPARGE SYSTEM TO PROTECT OUTSTANDING FLORIDA WATERS AND PREVENT THE EASTERN GROUNDWATER PLUME AT THE FORMER COMPONENTS CLEANING FACILITY (CCF EAST)
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.7 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: GROUNDWATER INTERIM MEASURES AND CONTINUED OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING (OM&M)OF EXISTING AIR SPARGE SYSTEM TO PROTECT OUTSTANDING FLORIDA WATERS AND PREVENT THE EASTERN GROUNDWATER PLUME AT THE FORMER COMPONENTS CLEANING FACILITY (CCF EAST) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on environmental remediation and long-term monitoring of groundwater contamination. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract aims to protect Florida waters and prevent plume migration. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is substantial, spanning nearly 2.5 years. 5. Tetra Tech, Inc. is the selected contractor for these environmental services. 6. The work is geographically focused on Florida, specifically the CCF East site.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.68 million for environmental consulting services over approximately two years appears reasonable given the scope of groundwater remediation and long-term monitoring. Benchmarking against similar environmental cleanup contracts managed by NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some risk to the contractor, which can be favorable for the government if managed effectively. The specific deliverables and complexity of the site's contamination will ultimately determine the true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests that multiple firms likely vied for the contract, allowing the agency to select the most advantageous offer based on technical merit and price.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best possible value for its investment in environmental cleanup.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the residents and ecosystems of Florida, protected from further groundwater contamination. Services include the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of an air sparge system. The geographic impact is localized to the former Components Cleaning Facility (CCF East) site and surrounding water bodies. The contract supports environmental consulting firms and their specialized workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, though mitigated by fixed-price structure.
- Dependence on contractor's expertise for effective long-term monitoring and system operation.
- Ensuring continued compliance with environmental regulations throughout the contract period.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective to protect Florida waters and prevent plume migration.
- Use of established air sparge system for remediation.
- Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Long-term monitoring plan indicates a commitment to sustained environmental protection.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical area for government agencies managing legacy contamination and ensuring regulatory compliance. The market for environmental remediation and monitoring is substantial, driven by federal and state regulations. NASA, like other agencies, frequently procures such services to address environmental liabilities at current and former facilities. This contract represents a specific instance of NASA's broader environmental stewardship spending.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, Tetra Tech, Inc. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Tetra Tech engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not explicitly detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and environmental program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to meet specific performance standards for operation, maintenance, and monitoring. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases and reporting requirements, though detailed operational reports may be internal.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Groundwater Monitoring Contracts
- Federal Facility Cleanup Programs
- NASA Environmental Management
Risk Flags
- Environmental Compliance Risk
- Long-Term Monitoring Effectiveness
- Contractor Performance Risk
Tags
environmental-consulting, groundwater-remediation, nasa, florida, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, operation-maintenance-monitoring, air-sparge-system, environmental-protection, federal-facility-cleanup
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.7 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. GROUNDWATER INTERIM MEASURES AND CONTINUED OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING (OM&M)OF EXISTING AIR SPARGE SYSTEM TO PROTECT OUTSTANDING FLORIDA WATERS AND PREVENT THE EASTERN GROUNDWATER PLUME AT THE FORMER COMPONENTS CLEANING FACILITY (CCF EAST)
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 $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-16. End: 2026-06-30.
What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar environmental contracts?
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large, well-established engineering and environmental consulting firm with extensive experience in federal contracting, including numerous awards from NASA and other agencies like the EPA and Department of Defense. Their track record typically involves a wide range of services, from site assessment and remediation design to construction management and long-term environmental monitoring. While specific performance details for this particular contract are not publicly detailed, Tetra Tech's general history suggests they possess the technical capabilities and experience necessary for complex environmental projects. A deeper dive into NASA's contract performance databases or IG reports could reveal specific past performance ratings or any issues encountered on previous NASA contracts.
How does the $2.68 million contract value compare to similar groundwater remediation projects?
Benchmarking the $2.68 million contract value requires comparing it to similar groundwater interim measures and ongoing OM&M contracts for air sparge systems at federal facilities. Factors influencing cost include the size and complexity of the contamination plume, the specific remediation technologies employed, the duration of the contract, and the geographic location. Contracts for large-scale, long-term remediation efforts can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars. Given this contract's duration of nearly 2.5 years and its focus on both interim measures and continued operation/monitoring, the value appears within a reasonable range for such specialized environmental services. However, without detailed site-specific data and scope comparisons, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being managed?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical challenges in effectively operating and maintaining the air sparge system, unforeseen geological or hydrological conditions impacting plume containment, and ensuring long-term compliance with evolving environmental regulations. The firm-fixed-price contract structure helps mitigate financial risks for the government by capping costs. Risk management is further addressed through the contractor's requirement to provide ongoing monitoring and reporting, allowing NASA to track performance and identify issues early. The contractor's expertise and established system are also risk-reduction factors. However, the long duration necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure sustained effectiveness and adherence to environmental standards.
How effective has the air sparge system been historically at this site, and what does this contract ensure?
The provided data does not detail the historical effectiveness of the air sparge system prior to this contract award. However, the contract's objective explicitly states the 'continued operation, maintenance and monitoring (OM&M) of existing air sparge system,' implying the system is already in place and operational. This contract ensures the ongoing functionality and maintenance of this existing system to protect Florida waters and prevent the eastern groundwater plume from spreading. It signifies a commitment to managing the contamination through established methods, focusing on reliable operation and data collection to verify containment and remediation progress over the contract period.
What is the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services at NASA's former CCF East facility?
The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending trends for environmental consulting services at the former CCF East facility. To determine historical spending, one would need to analyze NASA's procurement records for this specific site over multiple fiscal years. This would involve identifying previous contracts related to groundwater remediation, OM&M, and environmental monitoring at CCF East. Analyzing these past expenditures would reveal patterns, identify potential increases or decreases in spending, and provide context for the current $2.68 million award in relation to the site's long-term environmental management costs.
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: 1
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: $2,680,282
Exercised Options: $2,680,282
Current Obligation: $2,680,282
Actual Outlays: $2,680,282
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: 2019-09-16
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-20
More Contracts from Tetra Tech, Inc.
- Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement HAS a Humanitarian Demining Request for International Assistance to Ukraine/Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) — $218.6M (Department of State)
- Under This Task Order the Contractor Provides ALL Services, Equipment, and Supplies to Neutralize Unexploded and Abandoned Ordnance and Ieds Throughout Iraq — $138.3M (Department of State)
- Usaid Overseas Contract — $123.9M (Agency for International Development)
- Shared Early Warning Systems 3 (sews 3) — $66.9M (Department of Defense)
- Overseas Contract — $59.7M (Department of State)
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →