Army contract for environmental services awarded to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC for over $28.6 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,637,663 ($28.6M)

Contractor: Aptim Federal Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 1999-07-29

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 5,542 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 199910!2100!1018!CA01 !USA ENGINEER DISTRICT, MOBILE !DACA2196D0018 !A!*!CK10 !19990729!20010330!048985691!028655181!106521081!N!8X202!I T CORPORATION !312 DIRECTORS DR !KNOXVILLE !TN!37923!27544!015!01!FORT MCCLELLAN !CALHOUN !ALABAMA !0001!+000008366215!N!N!000000000000!F999!OTHER ENVIRON SVCS, STUDIES, & ANALYTICAL SUPPORT !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !1ZBC!BASE REALIGN & CLOS (BRAC) ENV!8744!5!B!S!*!B!A!*!A !N!U!2!002!B!* !C!Y!Z!* !* !N!C!*!Z!Z!A!A!A!*!* !*!N!A!C!N!*!*!*!*!*!

Place of Performance

Location: ANNISTON, CALHOUN County, ALABAMA, 36205

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.6 million to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: 199910!2100!1018!CA01 !USA ENGINEER DISTRICT, MOBILE !DACA2196D0018 !A!*!CK10 !19990729!20010330!048985691!028655181!106521081!N!8X202!I T CORPORATION !312 DIRECTORS DR !KNOXVILLE !TN!37923!27544!015!01!FORT MCCLELLAN !CALHOU… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for environmental services, including studies and analytical support, related to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). 2. The contract was competed fully and openly, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration spans over 15 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract, implying it's part of a broader procurement strategy. 5. The primary service category is construction, with a specific focus on BRAC environmental initiatives. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $28.6 million over a period of approximately 15 years suggests a significant investment in environmental services. Benchmarking this against similar BRAC-related environmental remediation or support contracts would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. Given the long duration and the nature of environmental services, which can be subject to unforeseen complexities, the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) warrants scrutiny to ensure cost containment and efficiency.

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 a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the designation implies a competitive process was intended. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition suggests that taxpayers benefit from potentially lower prices due to multiple companies vying for the contract, leading to a more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military installations undergoing Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), ensuring environmental compliance and remediation. Services delivered include environmental studies, analytical support, and potentially construction-related activities for BRAC sites. The geographic impact is concentrated in areas affected by BRAC, specifically Fort McClellan in Alabama, and potentially other BRAC sites. The contract supports a workforce involved in environmental consulting, engineering, and construction services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 15 years) could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the 'full and open' competition makes it hard to assess the true competitiveness.
The specific nature of environmental services can be prone to scope creep and unforeseen issues, impacting final costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Long-term contract indicates a sustained commitment to addressing environmental needs at BRAC sites.
Focus on environmental services aligns with regulatory requirements and responsible stewardship.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Environmental Services, Studies, & Analytical Support' category, which is a significant segment of the federal contracting market. The specific focus on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) environmental initiatives places it within a niche but critical area of defense infrastructure management. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other BRAC-related environmental contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other agencies managing large-scale facility closures and cleanups.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for small businesses, particularly in specialized environmental services or support roles. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army, likely managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) given the contract's origin (DACA prefix). Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to environmental regulations and project milestones. Transparency would be facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Department of Defense Environmental Contracts
Army Corps of Engineers Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing
Environmental services complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.6 million to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC. 199910!2100!1018!CA01 !USA ENGINEER DISTRICT, MOBILE !DACA2196D0018 !A!*!CK10 !19990729!20010330!048985691!028655181!106521081!N!8X202!I T CORPORATION !312 DIRECTORS DR !KNOXVILLE !TN!37923!27544!015!01!FORT MCCLELLAN !CALHOUN !ALABAMA !0001!+000008366215!N!N!000000000000!F999!OTHER ENVIRON SVCS, STUDIES, & ANALYTICAL SUPPORT !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !1ZBC!BASE REALIGN & CLOS (BRAC) ENV!8744!5!B!S!*!B!A!*!A !N!U!2!0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1999-07-29. End: 2014-09-30.

What was the specific nature of the environmental services provided under this contract?

The contract, identified as DACA2196D0018, was for 'OTHER ENVIRONMENTS SVCS, STUDIES, & ANALYTICAL SUPPORT' and was associated with the 'BASE REALIGN & CLOS (BRAC) ENV' initiative. This suggests the services likely encompassed a range of activities necessary for managing environmental aspects of military base closures. These could include environmental assessments, site investigations, hazardous material surveys, remediation planning, compliance monitoring, and potentially the execution of cleanup actions or infrastructure modifications to meet environmental standards at BRAC-affected installations. The 'CONSTRUCTION' classification further indicates that physical work or modifications may have been part of the scope.

How does the $28.6 million award compare to other environmental services contracts for BRAC initiatives?

The $28.6 million total award for this contract represents a substantial investment. To benchmark it effectively against other BRAC environmental contracts, one would need to analyze similar awards made by the Department of Defense, particularly by the Army Corps of Engineers, during the peak BRAC years. Factors such as the specific scope of work (e.g., remediation vs. studies), the duration of the contract, and the geographic location of the BRAC sites would influence comparability. Without a broader dataset of BRAC environmental contract values, it's difficult to definitively state if $28.6 million is high or low, but it indicates a significant commitment to addressing environmental responsibilities during base closures.

What are the key risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for environmental services over a long duration?

A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for environmental services over a long duration presents several risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs, as the fee is fixed regardless of the actual expenses incurred (within allowable costs). This can lead to cost overruns if the contractor's efficiency is low or if unforeseen issues drive up expenses significantly. For the contractor, risks include underestimating the complexity and cost of environmental work, potentially leading to a lower-than-expected profit margin if costs exceed projections significantly. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and robust performance management are crucial to mitigate these risks for both parties.

What was the historical spending trend for this specific contract vehicle or for similar environmental services at Fort McClellan?

The provided data pertains to a single delivery order (DACA2196D0018) awarded in 1999 with an end date in 2014, totaling $28,637,662.51. This suggests it was a significant, long-term engagement for environmental services related to BRAC at Fort McClellan. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to examine prior contracts awarded for environmental work at Fort McClellan, especially during its closure process, and potentially subsequent contracts if environmental issues persisted beyond 2014. Analyzing the annual expenditure patterns within this specific contract would also reveal spending trends over its 15-year lifespan.

How did the contractor, APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC, perform on this contract, and were there any performance issues?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or details regarding contractor performance issues for this contract. APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC (or its predecessor entities) was awarded this significant delivery order. Assessing performance would require reviewing contract performance reports, inspection records, and any documented disputes or corrective actions. Given the long duration and the nature of environmental work, performance can be complex to evaluate, encompassing technical execution, adherence to schedules, regulatory compliance, and cost management. Without access to these detailed records, a definitive assessment of APTIM's performance on this specific contract is not possible from the given data.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Peraton Technology Services Inc.

Address: 4171 ESSEN LN, BATON ROUGE, LA, 70809

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DACA2196D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline