EPA's $16.3M Remediation Services contract with Weston Solutions Inc. shows extended performance duration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,342,151 ($16.3M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2006-07-20
End Date: 2017-03-22
Contract Duration: 3,898 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES
Place of Performance
Location: WEST CHESTER, CHESTER County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19380
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $16.3 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES Key points: 1. Contract performance extended significantly beyond initial estimates, suggesting potential scope creep or unforeseen complexities. 2. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, indicating a pre-existing relationship or framework. 3. The use of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can introduce cost uncertainty if not closely managed. 4. The relatively small number of delivery orders (2) might suggest a focused scope or a phased approach to the work. 5. The contract's duration and value warrant scrutiny for efficiency and cost-effectiveness over its lifecycle.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $16.3 million for remediation services over nearly a decade suggests a moderate level of spending. Benchmarking against similar EPA remediation contracts would be necessary to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not rigorously monitored for labor hours and material markups compared to fixed-price contracts. The extended period of performance also raises questions about the initial cost estimations and potential for cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The provided data indicates this was a 'DELIVERY ORDER' (aw), which typically implies it was issued under a pre-existing contract vehicle. The competition level for the original IDIQ contract is not specified here, nor is the specific competition for this particular delivery order. If the original IDIQ was competed broadly, this delivery order might have benefited from that competition. However, without details on the bidding process for this specific order, it's difficult to assess the extent of competition and its impact on pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition for this delivery order directly impacts taxpayer value. Limited competition could lead to higher prices, while robust competition generally drives down costs and encourages more efficient service delivery.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the environmental remediation efforts managed by the EPA, contributing to cleaner environments. Services delivered include assessment and inspection activities, crucial for identifying and addressing environmental hazards. The contract's geographic impact is specified as Pennsylvania (SN: PENNSYLVANIA), indicating a focus on environmental issues within that state. Workforce implications would involve specialized environmental technicians, scientists, and project managers employed by Weston Solutions Inc. and potentially subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Extended performance duration raises concerns about initial cost estimation accuracy and potential for scope creep.
- The use of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing introduces inherent cost uncertainty and requires diligent oversight to prevent overruns.
- Lack of specific competition details for this delivery order makes it difficult to assess optimal price discovery for taxpayers.
Positive Signals
- The contract addresses critical environmental assessment and inspection activities, aligning with the EPA's core mission.
- Weston Solutions Inc. is a known entity in the environmental services sector, suggesting a degree of established capability.
- The contract was awarded under a larger framework, potentially indicating a streamlined procurement process for essential services.
Sector Analysis
The environmental remediation services sector is a critical component of the broader environmental services industry, which is driven by regulatory compliance, cleanup mandates, and infrastructure development. This contract falls under the 'Remediation Services' NAICS code (562910). Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on government priorities, Superfund site activity, and disaster response needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EPA contracts for similar remediation projects, considering factors like site complexity, duration, and specific services required.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. This suggests the contract was likely awarded based on technical capability and price, rather than a specific mandate to support small businesses. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized services, but this contract's structure doesn't explicitly indicate such a focus.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the awarding and servicing agency. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would likely be integrated into the management of the parent IDIQ. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but detailed performance reports and specific oversight actions are not publicly detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- EPA Superfund Program
- EPA Brownfields Program
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Site Assessment and Remediation Contracts
Risk Flags
- Extended Performance Duration
- Time and Materials Pricing
- Potential for Scope Creep
- Limited Competition Information
Tags
environmental-services, remediation, assessment, inspection, epa, weston-solutions-inc, delivery-order, time-and-materials, pennsylvania, long-duration-contract, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $16.3 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES
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 $16.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-07-20. End: 2017-03-22.
What was the original scope of work for this contract, and how did it evolve over its extended performance period?
The provided data indicates the contract's purpose was 'ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES' (d) within the 'Remediation Services' (nd) sector. The initial scope likely involved identifying and evaluating environmental conditions at specific sites in Pennsylvania. However, the extended duration from July 20, 2006, to March 22, 2017 (nearly 11 years), strongly suggests that the scope evolved significantly. This evolution could be due to unforeseen site complexities, the discovery of additional contamination, changes in regulatory requirements, or a phased approach to remediation that expanded over time. Without access to the contract modifications and delivery orders, the precise nature and drivers of scope evolution remain unclear, but the duration itself is a key indicator of significant change or complexity.
How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other remediation contracts awarded by the EPA during the same period?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility but can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs, often with markups. During the period this contract was active (2006-2017), the EPA utilized various contract types for remediation services, including firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and T&M. T&M contracts were often used when the scope of work was not well-defined at the outset or was expected to change. To benchmark, one would need to compare the effective hourly rates, material overhead, and total project costs for this $16.3 million contract against similar EPA remediation projects of comparable complexity and duration that used different contract types. A higher-than-average effective hourly rate or a significant increase in estimated costs over time for this T&M contract would indicate potential value-for-money concerns.
What specific remediation activities were undertaken, and what were the measurable environmental outcomes?
The contract description specifies 'ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES' (d). This typically involves site investigations, sampling (soil, water, air), risk assessments, and feasibility studies to determine the nature and extent of contamination and to evaluate potential cleanup strategies. The measurable environmental outcomes would ideally include quantifiable reductions in pollutant levels, containment of hazardous substances, restoration of affected ecosystems, or compliance with regulatory standards. However, the provided data does not detail the specific sites, the types of contaminants addressed, or the achieved environmental improvements. Such outcomes are usually documented in detailed EPA project reports and site completion records, which are beyond the scope of this summary data.
What is the track record of Weston Solutions Inc. in performing similar environmental remediation contracts for the federal government?
Weston Solutions Inc. is a well-established environmental services firm that has historically held numerous contracts with federal agencies, including the EPA, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. Their track record generally includes a wide range of services such as site investigation, remediation design and construction, environmental compliance, and emergency response. While this specific $16.3 million contract with the EPA for assessment and inspection activities in Pennsylvania ran for an extended period, it represents one project within their broader portfolio. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), examining the number and value of contracts awarded, and looking for any significant performance issues or disputes on similar projects.
How does the total contract value of $16.3 million compare to the average cost of similar EPA remediation projects in Pennsylvania?
The total award value of $16.3 million for assessment and inspection activities over nearly 11 years provides a baseline for comparison. However, 'average cost' for remediation projects can vary dramatically based on numerous factors: the type and extent of contamination (e.g., industrial solvents vs. petroleum products), the size and complexity of the site, the specific remediation technologies employed, and the regulatory environment. Pennsylvania has numerous sites requiring environmental attention, ranging from former industrial facilities to legacy contamination issues. To establish a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify EPA remediation projects in Pennsylvania with similar characteristics (e.g., similar contaminants, site size, scope of assessment/inspection) and compare their total contract values and durations. Without such granular data, $16.3 million is difficult to contextualize as high or low in absolute terms.
Were there any performance issues or contract disputes associated with this delivery order during its long performance period?
The provided summary data does not contain information regarding performance issues, disputes, or contract modifications beyond the basic award details. Contracts, especially those with long durations like this one (nearly 11 years), often undergo modifications to adjust scope, funding, or timelines. The absence of readily available information on disputes does not necessarily mean there were none; it could indicate that issues were resolved internally, were minor, or that detailed performance records are not publicly accessible through this data source. A thorough review of contract files, modification history, and any available performance reports (like CPARS) would be necessary to ascertain the presence or absence of significant performance issues or disputes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings Inc
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 19380
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,342,151
Exercised Options: $16,342,151
Current Obligation: $16,342,151
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EPW06042
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-07-20
Current End Date: 2017-03-22
Potential End Date: 2025-08-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-28
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