NASA awards $9.8M contract for PFAS site assessment and mitigation at Kennedy Space Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,830,662 ($9.8M)
Contractor: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-08-30
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,765 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PERFLUOROALKYL (PER)- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES SITE ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA
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 AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: PERFLUOROALKYL (PER)- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES SITE ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on environmental consulting services for PFAS contamination. 2. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. secured the award. 3. The contract duration is over 4.8 years. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 6. The geographic focus is Florida.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $9.8 million for environmental consulting services over nearly five years appears reasonable given the scope of PFAS site assessment and mitigation. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for NASA, although it places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the selection of a capable contractor. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized environmental services.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the environment at Kennedy Space Center. Services include assessment and mitigation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The geographic impact is localized to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This contract supports environmental compliance and remediation efforts at a critical federal facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- PFAS contamination is a persistent environmental challenge with long-term remediation costs.
- The complexity of PFAS chemistry and remediation can lead to unforeseen technical challenges.
- Long contract durations can sometimes mask inefficiencies if not actively managed.
Positive Signals
- Award to a single contractor for a defined scope provides clear accountability.
- Firm-fixed-price contract offers budget predictability for NASA.
- Environmental consulting services are crucial for regulatory compliance and risk reduction.
Sector Analysis
The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and corporate responsibility. This contract falls within the broader environmental services industry, which includes site assessment, remediation, and compliance. Spending in this area is often driven by federal mandates and the need to address legacy contamination at government facilities. Comparable contracts often involve complex site investigations and the development of long-term management plans.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large business (AECOM Technical Services, Inc.). There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise, and the scale of the work may have been better suited for larger firms.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a firm-fixed-price contract, NASA's primary oversight will focus on ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope of work, timelines, and quality standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and the Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Chemical Contamination Cleanup
- Federal Facility Cleanup Programs
- Department of Defense Environmental Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for unforeseen contamination complexities
- Long-term effectiveness of chosen remediation technologies
- Cost escalation risks inherent in environmental projects
Tags
environmental-consulting, nasa, florida, pfas, site-assessment, mitigation, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, large-business
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $9.8 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. PERFLUOROALKYL (PER)- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES SITE ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, 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: 2021-08-30. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the historical spending by NASA on PFAS-related environmental services?
Historical spending data specifically for PFAS-related environmental services by NASA is not readily available in the provided data. However, federal agencies, including NASA, have been increasing their focus and allocation of resources towards addressing PFAS contamination due to growing scientific understanding and regulatory pressure. This contract represents a significant, specific investment in PFAS assessment and mitigation at a key NASA facility. Broader environmental consulting spending by NASA can be tracked through federal procurement databases, but isolating PFAS-specific expenditures requires detailed analysis of contract descriptions and task orders over time.
How does the cost per year of this contract compare to similar PFAS remediation projects at other federal sites?
The approximate annual cost for this contract is roughly $2.05 million ($9.8M / 4.8 years). Comparing this to similar PFAS remediation projects at other federal sites is challenging without specific benchmark data for comparable projects. Factors such as site complexity, the extent of contamination, specific remediation technologies required, and local labor costs can significantly influence pricing. Generally, large-scale environmental remediation projects involving complex contaminants like PFAS can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and phase of work (assessment vs. active remediation). This contract appears to be in the mid-to-high range for an assessment and initial mitigation phase.
What are the key risks associated with PFAS site assessment and mitigation, and how are they addressed in this contract?
Key risks in PFAS site assessment and mitigation include the complex and evolving nature of PFAS chemistry, the difficulty in detecting and quantifying all PFAS compounds, the high cost and technical challenges of effective remediation technologies, and potential long-term environmental and health liabilities. This contract addresses these risks through a firm-fixed-price structure, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, and by specifying environmental consulting services, implying a focus on expert assessment and planning. The contract duration allows for phased approaches to assessment and mitigation. However, unforeseen contamination levels or the need for novel remediation techniques could still pose challenges.
What is AECOM Technical Services, Inc.'s track record with NASA and environmental consulting contracts?
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. is a large, established firm with extensive experience in environmental consulting and engineering services, including work for government agencies. While specific details of their past performance with NASA are not provided in this data snippet, AECOM has a broad portfolio of federal contracts, including significant environmental remediation and site assessment projects for various agencies like the Department of Defense and the EPA. Their experience in handling complex environmental challenges suggests a strong capability to execute this NASA contract effectively. A deeper dive into NASA's contractor performance databases would reveal specific past performance ratings.
What is the potential long-term environmental impact of PFAS contamination at Kennedy Space Center if not adequately addressed?
The long-term environmental impact of inadequately addressed PFAS contamination at Kennedy Space Center could be severe and far-reaching. PFAS are persistent in the environment, meaning they do not break down easily and can accumulate in soil, groundwater, and surface water. This can lead to widespread contamination plumes that migrate off-site, potentially impacting drinking water sources for surrounding communities. Furthermore, PFAS have been linked to various adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. Without effective assessment and mitigation, KSC could face ongoing environmental degradation, regulatory non-compliance, significant future cleanup costs, and potential legal liabilities.
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: 300 S GRAND AVE STE 1100, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90071
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,830,662
Exercised Options: $9,830,662
Current Obligation: $9,830,662
Actual Outlays: $7,986,911
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 15
Total Subaward Amount: $5,742,203
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC019D0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-08-30
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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