NASA awards $2.5M for PFAS site-wide support at Langley, with Tetra Tech Inc. as prime
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,506,271 ($2.5M)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-23
End Date: 2027-09-22
Contract Duration: 1,094 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/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 (PFAS) SITE-WIDE-PROGRAM-SUPPORT FOR LANGLEY
Place of Performance
Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23681
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.5 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: PER-AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) SITE-WIDE-PROGRAM-SUPPORT FOR LANGLEY Key points: 1. Contract focuses on environmental consulting for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at Langley. 2. The contract duration is 1094 days, ending in September 2027. 3. This is a Firm Fixed Price contract, indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. The award was made under full and open competition. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541620, Environmental Consulting Services. 6. The contract is a Delivery Order under an existing contract. 7. The prime contractor is Tetra Tech, Inc.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.5 million for 1094 days of environmental consulting services for PFAS site-wide support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts for large federal facilities suggests that pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for NASA. Further analysis would require detailed task orders and comparison to specific service rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 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 contractor offering the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust selection process.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA's Langley Research Center, which will receive essential environmental support. Services delivered include consulting related to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) management and remediation. The geographic impact is localized to the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The contract supports specialized environmental science and consulting roles, potentially impacting the local workforce in these fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if PFAS contamination is more extensive than initially assessed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical environmental support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- Long-term effectiveness of PFAS remediation strategies will require ongoing monitoring and potential future investment.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Award under full and open competition suggests a competitive and potentially cost-effective selection.
- Specialized expertise in PFAS is crucial for environmental compliance and risk mitigation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional services market supporting government operations. The market for PFAS-related environmental services has grown significantly due to increasing regulatory scrutiny and public awareness. Comparable spending benchmarks for environmental support at large federal research facilities can vary widely based on the scope of contamination and required services, but this $2.5 million award for a three-year period appears aligned with industry standards for comprehensive site-wide support.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false and the contract is not a small business set-aside. This suggests that the prime contract was not specifically reserved for small businesses. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award, which would be a key area for further investigation to understand the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Chemical and Biological Cleanup
- Federal Facility Environmental Management
- Site Assessment and Monitoring
- Hazardous Waste Management
Risk Flags
- Environmental Risk
- Regulatory Compliance
- Contract Performance
- Cost Management
Tags
environmental-consulting, pfas, nasa, langley-research-center, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, tetra-tech-inc, virginia, naics-541620
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.5 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. PER-AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) SITE-WIDE-PROGRAM-SUPPORT FOR LANGLEY
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 $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2027-09-22.
What is the track record of Tetra Tech, Inc. in performing similar environmental consulting services for federal agencies, particularly regarding PFAS?
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a well-established global provider of consulting and engineering services, with a significant presence in environmental management. They have a history of working with various federal agencies, including the EPA and DoD, on complex environmental projects. Their expertise in PFAS is recognized, and they have been involved in numerous projects related to PFAS site investigation, risk assessment, and remediation strategy development. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not yet available as it is newly awarded, Tetra Tech's extensive experience and broad capabilities suggest a strong capacity to meet the requirements for PFAS site-wide support at NASA Langley. Reviewing past performance evaluations on similar federal contracts would provide a more granular understanding of their historical success rates and client satisfaction.
How does the $2.5 million contract value compare to other federal contracts for PFAS site-wide support at similar research facilities?
The $2.5 million contract value for three years of PFAS site-wide support at NASA Langley is within a reasonable range when compared to similar federal contracts. The cost of environmental consulting, especially for complex contaminants like PFAS, can vary significantly based on the size of the facility, the extent of contamination, the specific services required (e.g., investigation, monitoring, remediation planning), and the duration of the contract. Larger, more contaminated sites or those requiring extensive remediation design and oversight could easily exceed this amount. Conversely, smaller or less complex sites might be addressed with smaller contracts. Given that this is for site-wide support at a research center, the value suggests a comprehensive but not necessarily large-scale remediation effort, aligning with typical spending for such specialized environmental services at federal installations.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underestimation of the scope of PFAS contamination, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays if the firm-fixed-price contract is not carefully managed. Another risk is the evolving regulatory landscape for PFAS, which could necessitate changes in approach or scope. Performance risk, where the contractor may not deliver services to the required standard, is also present. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by NASA, including clear performance standards, regular progress reviews, and change order procedures. The firm-fixed-price nature itself incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and scope effectively. NASA's technical representatives will monitor progress and ensure adherence to environmental regulations and project objectives. Proactive engagement with regulatory bodies can also help manage the risk of changing requirements.
What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of this contract on NASA Langley's environmental compliance and operations?
The expected program effectiveness of this contract is to ensure NASA Langley's compliance with federal and state regulations concerning Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). By providing comprehensive site-wide support, the contract aims to identify, assess, and manage PFAS contamination, thereby mitigating environmental risks and protecting human health and natural resources. The impact on operations should be positive, as effective environmental management reduces the likelihood of costly enforcement actions, operational disruptions due to environmental issues, and reputational damage. It allows NASA Langley to focus on its core research and development mission with greater confidence in its environmental stewardship. Successful execution will contribute to a cleaner site and demonstrate NASA's commitment to environmental responsibility.
How has federal spending on environmental consulting services, particularly for PFAS, trended in recent years?
Federal spending on environmental consulting services, especially concerning PFAS, has seen a significant upward trend in recent years. This surge is driven by increased regulatory attention from agencies like the EPA, heightened public awareness of PFAS health risks, and the identification of these 'forever chemicals' at numerous federal facilities, military bases, and airports. Consequently, agencies across the Department of Defense, NASA, Department of the Interior, and others have increased their budgets for PFAS-related activities, including site investigations, risk assessments, monitoring, and the development of remediation strategies. This trend is expected to continue as more sites are identified and regulatory standards become more stringent, making PFAS-specific environmental consulting a rapidly growing segment of the federal contracting market.
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 200, 400, 500, 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: $2,506,271
Exercised Options: $2,506,271
Current Obligation: $2,506,271
Actual Outlays: $806,484
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC024DA005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-23
Current End Date: 2027-09-22
Potential End Date: 2027-09-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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 →