EPA Awards $35M for Santa Susana Field Lab Radiological Study, Completed Under ARRA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,976,582 ($35.0M)

Contractor: Hydrogeologic, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2009-09-21

End Date: 2012-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,197 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::68 8195::TAS CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF AREA IV AND ADJACENT NORTHERN BUFFER ZONE OF SANTA SUSANA FIELD LABORATORY IN SIMI VALLEY, CA ARRA::YES::ARRA

Place of Performance

Location: SIMI VALLEY, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93062, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $35.0 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC. for work described as: TAS::68 8195::TAS CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF AREA IV AND ADJACENT NORTHERN BUFFER ZONE OF SANTA SUSANA FIELD LABORATORY IN SIMI VALLEY, CA ARRA::YES::ARRA Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $34.98 million, was awarded to Hydrogeologic, Inc. for radiological study services. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The project falls under Remediation Services, a critical sector for environmental cleanup and public safety. 4. The contract duration was 1197 days, indicating a significant, multi-year undertaking.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $34.98 million for a comprehensive radiological study over nearly four years appears reasonable given the scope and complexity of environmental remediation projects. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental studies would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This method implies that while competition was sought, specific criteria or circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for a critical environmental study, aiming to ensure public safety and environmental protection at a former research facility.

Public Impact

Ensures public safety by assessing radiological contamination in a populated area. Supports environmental cleanup efforts at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Provides crucial data for future remediation decisions and long-term land use planning. ARRA funding highlights a focus on economic stimulus and job creation alongside environmental goals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in complex environmental remediation projects.
Long project duration may indicate unforeseen challenges or scope creep.
Exclusion of sources in competition could limit optimal pricing.

Positive Signals

Awarded under ARRA, indicating a commitment to economic recovery and environmental stewardship.
Focus on a critical environmental study for public health and safety.
Contract completed within its duration, suggesting effective project management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, which involves assessing and cleaning up contaminated sites. Spending in this sector is often driven by regulatory requirements and historical industrial activity, with costs varying significantly based on the scale and type of contamination.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. The ARRA designation suggests a heightened level of scrutiny and reporting requirements to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Remediation Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in complex environmental projects.
Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Long project duration may indicate unforeseen complexities.
ARRA funding requires careful tracking of economic impact and accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $35.0 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC.. TAS::68 8195::TAS CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF AREA IV AND ADJACENT NORTHERN BUFFER ZONE OF SANTA SUSANA FIELD LABORATORY IN SIMI VALLEY, CA ARRA::YES::ARRA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-21. End: 2012-12-31.

What were the specific criteria that led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, and how did this impact the final contract price?

The exclusion of sources likely stemmed from specific technical expertise, prior experience with similar radiological studies, or unique qualifications required for the Santa Susana Field Laboratory's complex geological and historical context. While aiming for the best-qualified bidder, this narrowed competition might have resulted in a higher price than if a broader range of firms had been considered, though it could also ensure specialized capabilities were secured.

Given the project's focus on radiological study, what are the primary risks associated with the accuracy and completeness of the findings, and what mitigation strategies were in place?

Primary risks include potential underestimation of contamination levels, sampling errors, and inadequate analysis due to the complexity of radiological decay and environmental factors. Mitigation strategies likely involved rigorous quality assurance/quality control protocols, independent verification of data, adherence to strict scientific methodologies, and experienced personnel with specialized certifications in radiological assessment.

How effectively did this ARRA-funded project contribute to both environmental remediation goals and economic stimulus, as intended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act?

The project directly addressed environmental remediation goals by assessing contamination at a significant site. Its contribution to economic stimulus would depend on the number of jobs created, the extent of subcontracts awarded (particularly to small businesses), and the overall economic activity generated by the contractor and its suppliers during the project's lifecycle.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 HERNDON PKWY STE 900, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,976,582

Exercised Options: $34,976,582

Current Obligation: $34,976,582

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPS70505

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline