EPA's $34.3M Remediation Services Contract with Weston Solutions Inc. Awarded in 2006, Ended 2014

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,329,789 ($34.3M)

Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2006-09-28

End Date: 2014-10-10

Contract Duration: 2,934 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PERFORMANCE BASED SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WEST CHESTER, CHESTER County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19380

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $34.3 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: PERFORMANCE BASED SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focused on performance-based remediation services, indicating a results-oriented approach. 2. The contract utilized a Time and Materials pricing structure, which can pose risks if not closely managed. 3. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), suggesting a focus on environmental cleanup and compliance. 4. The contract duration was substantial, spanning over 8 years, allowing for long-term project execution. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 points to a specialized environmental remediation sector. 6. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $34.3 million contract is challenging without specific performance metrics and comparison to similar remediation projects. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for evolving scopes, can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored. The long duration suggests significant work was performed, but the overall value-for-money depends heavily on the effectiveness and efficiency of the remediation services delivered. Without detailed performance reports or cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of value is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition level for this specific delivery order is not detailed in the provided data. It is possible that the underlying IDIQ contract had a competitive process, but the award of individual delivery orders might have had different competition dynamics. Without knowing if this was competed among multiple awardees of the IDIQ or if it was a sole-source task order, it's difficult to assess the impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. More robust competition generally leads to better pricing and more innovative solutions, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. Limited or unknown competition can result in higher costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely communities affected by environmental contamination, receiving services aimed at site cleanup and restoration. Services delivered include environmental remediation, addressing hazardous waste and pollution. The contract was awarded to a vendor operating in Pennsylvania, suggesting potential geographic impact within that state or region. The contract supported specialized environmental engineering and technical workforce roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost escalation without strict oversight.
Long contract duration may indicate complex or protracted remediation efforts, requiring sustained management.
Lack of detailed competition data makes it hard to assess optimal pricing and efficiency.

Positive Signals

Performance-based services indicate a focus on achieving defined outcomes.
The substantial contract value suggests significant environmental challenges were addressed.
Awarded by a key environmental regulatory agency (EPA) implies adherence to important standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a specialized area of the broader environmental services industry. This sector involves cleaning up contaminated sites, managing hazardous waste, and restoring environmental conditions. The market is driven by regulatory requirements, historical industrial activity, and ongoing environmental protection efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within EPA's Superfund program or similar state-level environmental cleanup initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Typically, large contracts may have provisions for small business participation to ensure broader economic benefits.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a federal contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. Inspector General audits and program reviews are potential accountability measures, though specific details on IG involvement are not provided. Transparency would depend on the EPA's public reporting practices for contracts of this nature.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Brownfields Program
Defense Environmental Restoration Program

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Ambiguity in performance metrics for 'Performance Based Services' in complex environmental scenarios.
Lack of detailed competition data for the specific delivery order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $34.3 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. PERFORMANCE BASED SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-28. End: 2014-10-10.

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

The contract, identified by NAICS code 562910, focused on Remediation Services. This generally involves the cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater, and surface water, as well as the management and disposal of hazardous materials. Specific activities could include site assessment, feasibility studies, design of cleanup technologies, implementation of remediation systems (e.g., excavation, in-situ treatment, containment), and long-term monitoring to ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance. The 'Performance Based Services' designation suggests the contract likely outlined specific environmental quality targets or cleanup goals to be achieved by Weston Solutions Inc.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for environmental remediation?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to change significantly. For environmental remediation, where unforeseen site conditions are common, T&M can offer flexibility. However, it carries a higher risk of cost escalation for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs. Effective T&M contracts require rigorous monitoring of labor hours, material usage, and justification for changes to ensure fair pricing and prevent contractor inefficiency. Other common structures include Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) for well-defined scopes or Cost-Plus contracts for research and development.

What is the typical duration for environmental remediation contracts of this magnitude?

Environmental remediation projects can vary significantly in duration depending on the complexity of contamination, the size of the site, the chosen remediation technologies, and regulatory requirements. Contracts in the tens of millions of dollars, like this $34.3 million EPA contract, often span multiple years. An 8-year duration (September 2006 to October 2014) is substantial but not unusual for large-scale or long-term cleanup efforts, especially those involving complex sites or requiring phased remediation and monitoring. Shorter contracts might focus on specific tasks like site assessment or removal actions, while longer ones encompass full site closure.

What does the NAICS code 562910 specifically encompass within the environmental services industry?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910, 'Remediation Services,' specifically covers establishments primarily engaged in cleaning up sites contaminated with pollution or other hazardous materials. This includes activities such as site remediation, hazardous waste site cleanup, asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, underground storage tank cleanup, and site closure. Establishments primarily engaged in operating landfills or providing waste management services are classified under different NAICS codes. This code signifies a specialized focus on the active cleanup and restoration of environmentally impacted locations.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Performance Based Services' contract in environmental remediation?

While 'Performance Based Services' (PBS) aims to align contractor efforts with desired outcomes, risks can still exist in environmental remediation. Defining clear, measurable, and achievable performance standards for complex environmental cleanup can be challenging. If performance metrics are poorly defined or too easily met without achieving true environmental restoration, the government might pay for services that don't fully resolve the contamination issue. Conversely, overly stringent or unrealistic metrics could lead to disputes or contractor failure. Effective PBS requires robust government oversight to ensure the defined performance outcomes truly equate to successful remediation and environmental protection.

How does the EPA typically manage large environmental remediation contracts?

The EPA manages large environmental remediation contracts through a structured process involving program offices, contracting officers, and technical experts. For contracts like this, the EPA would likely establish clear statements of work, performance work statements (PWS), and detailed technical specifications. Contract administration involves regular progress reviews, monitoring of expenditures (especially for T&M contracts), ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards, and verifying that performance objectives are met. The EPA also utilizes contract officers' representatives (CORs) to provide day-to-day technical oversight and ensure the contractor is performing as required.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118341234)

Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 19380

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,329,789

Exercised Options: $34,329,789

Current Obligation: $34,329,789

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPS50604

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline