NASA awards $975K contract for PFAS waste management and site investigation services to Tetra Tech, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,752,184 ($9.8M)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2019-09-25
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,470 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES PRELIMINARY OR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT UNIT (SWMU) ASSESSMENT AND SITE INVESTIGATION OR CONFIRMATION SAMPLING AT VARIOUS NASA CENTERS OR FACILITIES
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $9.8 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES PRELIMINARY OR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT UNIT (SWMU) ASSESSMENT AND SITE INVESTIGATION OR CONFIRMATION SAMPLING AT VARIOUS NASA CENTERS OR FACILITIES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental compliance for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 2. Services include assessment, investigation, and sampling at various NASA facilities. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 5. Duration of approximately 2470 days indicates a long-term environmental management need. 6. Geographic scope includes Florida, highlighting regional environmental concerns.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $975,218 for a period of roughly 8 years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar PFAS assessment and site investigation contracts is challenging due to the niche nature of the work and varying site complexities. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor, Tetra Tech, Inc., has committed to delivering the defined scope within the allocated budget, which is a positive indicator of value.
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 specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency sought proposals from a wide range of qualified environmental consulting firms.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition allows taxpayers to benefit from potentially lower prices due to market forces and encourages a broader pool of contractors to compete, potentially leading to more innovative solutions.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA by ensuring compliance with environmental regulations regarding PFAS. Delivers essential services for assessing and managing hazardous waste at federal facilities. Impacts environmental health and safety at NASA centers, particularly in Florida. Supports a specialized workforce in environmental consulting and remediation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term environmental investigations.
- Complexity of PFAS contamination may exceed initial assessments.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical environmental services.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests competitive pricing.
- Long duration allows for comprehensive environmental management.
Sector Analysis
The environmental consulting sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and the need for specialized expertise in areas like hazardous waste management. Contracts for PFAS assessment and remediation are growing in importance due to increasing awareness and regulation of these persistent chemicals. This NASA contract fits within the broader environmental services industry, which includes firms specializing in site investigation, risk assessment, and compliance monitoring for government and commercial clients.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Tetra Tech, Inc., a large business, suggests that the scope and complexity of the work were deemed best suited for a larger firm with extensive resources and experience in environmental consulting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA's contracting officer and program managers, who are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the total cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Site Assessment and Investigation
- Chemical Contamination Services
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
- PFAS contamination can be complex and costly to fully assess and remediate.
- Firm Fixed Price contracts can be challenging if unforeseen issues arise.
Tags
environmental-consulting, nasa, pfas, waste-management, site-investigation, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, florida, environmental-services, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $9.8 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES PRELIMINARY OR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT UNIT (SWMU) ASSESSMENT AND SITE INVESTIGATION OR CONFIRMATION SAMPLING AT VARIOUS NASA CENTERS OR FACILITIES
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 $9.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-25. 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 government contractor with extensive experience in environmental services, including work for NASA and other federal agencies. They have a history of performing site investigations, remediation, and compliance monitoring. While specific past performance details for this exact type of PFAS work with NASA are not detailed in the provided data, their broad experience in environmental consulting suggests a capable contractor. Publicly available contract databases often show a history of awards to Tetra Tech across various agencies for similar environmental tasks, indicating a consistent presence and capability in the federal market.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar PFAS assessment contracts?
Direct comparison of this $975,218 contract value to similar PFAS assessment contracts is difficult without more specific data on the scope, duration, and complexity of other projects. PFAS investigations can vary significantly based on the size of the site, the extent of contamination, the number of sampling points, and the specific analytical methods required. However, for a multi-year assessment and investigation project at potentially multiple NASA facilities, this value appears within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting services. The firm-fixed-price structure also implies a defined scope that was priced competitively.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
The primary risks associated with this contract include the potential for unforeseen contamination complexities that could exceed the initial scope and budget, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Long-term environmental projects also carry risks related to evolving regulatory requirements for PFAS, which might necessitate changes in investigation or management approaches. Another risk is the potential for delays in site access or government-provided information, which could impact the project timeline. Finally, ensuring consistent quality of sampling and analysis over the contract's duration is crucial.
How effective is NASA's approach to managing PFAS contamination through such contracts?
NASA's approach to managing PFAS contamination through contracts like this one demonstrates a commitment to addressing a significant environmental challenge. By engaging specialized firms like Tetra Tech, NASA aims to leverage external expertise for thorough assessment and investigation. The effectiveness hinges on clear scope definition, robust oversight, and the contractor's ability to deliver accurate data and actionable recommendations. While this specific contract's effectiveness can only be fully assessed upon completion, the strategy of using competitive bidding for specialized environmental services is a standard and generally effective method for federal agencies to ensure compliance and environmental stewardship.
What are historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services at NASA?
Historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services at NASA, and across the federal government, show a consistent and often increasing trend, particularly in recent years due to heightened awareness and regulation of emerging contaminants like PFAS. Agencies like NASA regularly contract for services related to site assessments, hazardous waste management, environmental impact statements, and compliance monitoring. Spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain compliance with EPA regulations and manage legacy environmental issues at their facilities. While specific historical dollar amounts for NASA's PFAS-related spending are not provided here, the overall trend indicates a significant and ongoing investment in environmental services.
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: $9,752,184
Exercised Options: $9,752,184
Current Obligation: $9,752,184
Actual Outlays: $5,790,881
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: 2019-09-25
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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