EPA awards $20.55M for Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site sediment removal, focusing on Shasta County, California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,692,769 ($20.7M)

Contractor: CH2M Hill, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2009-04-13

End Date: 2010-03-31

Contract Duration: 352 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::68 8195::TAS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO OBLIGATE $20,550,000.00 FOR REMEDIAL ACTION (SEDIMENT REMOVAL, YEAR 2-PHASE) AT IRON MOUNTAIN MINE SUPERFUND SITE, SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM 13 APRIL 2009 THROUGH 31 JANUARY 2010. THIS WORK IS TO IMPLEMENT AND SUPPORT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF REMEDIAL ACTION (RA) SELECTED IN SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 RECORD OF DECISION (ROD5) FOR THE IRON MOUNTAIN MINE (IMM) SUPERFUND SITE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REMEDIAL DESIGN (RD) TO DREDGE CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS FROM THE SPRING CREEK ARM OF KESWICK RESERVOIR (SCAKR). INCLUDED IN THE ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS TASK ORDER WILL BE THE COMPLETION OF THE DISPOSAL CELL (EXCEPT FOR CLOSURE ACTIVITIES), PURCHASE OF LONG-LEAD EQUIPMENT, AND PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF ALL PIPING, PUMP STATION AND TREATMENT SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO START PHASE III IN FALL 2009. THE TASK ORDER HAS BEEN ISSUED UNDER REMEDIAL ACTION CONTRACT II (RACII) ON 13 APRIL 2009. FOR INTERNAL TRACKING PURPOSES, THE TASK ORDER TITLE WILL BE 045-RARA-0917. ARRA::YES::ARRA

Place of Performance

Location: REDDING, SHASTA County, CALIFORNIA, 96001

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $20.7 million to CH2M HILL, INC for work described as: TAS::68 8195::TAS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO OBLIGATE $20,550,000.00 FOR REMEDIAL ACTION (SEDIMENT REMOVAL, YEAR 2-PHASE) AT IRON MOUNTAIN MINE SUPERFUND SITE, SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM 13 APRIL 2009 THROUGH 31 JANUARY 2010. THIS WO… Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical sediment removal at a Superfund site, indicating a focus on environmental remediation. 2. The task order is part of a larger, long-term cleanup effort initiated by a 2004 Record of Decision. 3. Performance period of approximately 9 months suggests a focused, phased approach to the remedial action. 4. The work includes disposal cell completion and equipment procurement, vital for ongoing site management. 5. Contract awarded to CH2M HILL, INC., a known entity in environmental engineering and remediation services. 6. The competitive nature of the award suggests potential for price discovery and value for taxpayer funds.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The awarded amount of $20.55 million for a 9-month remedial action phase appears reasonable given the scope of sediment removal at a Superfund site. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental cleanup contracts is challenging due to site-specific complexities and varying remediation technologies. However, the task order's focus on a specific phase (Year 2-Phase) suggests a structured approach to managing costs over the project lifecycle. The inclusion of disposal cell completion and long-lead equipment procurement indicates a comprehensive plan to advance the remediation goals.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The full and open competition suggests a robust process for selecting the most qualified and cost-effective provider. The presence of competition is generally expected to drive down prices and ensure that the government receives fair market value for the services rendered. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation implies a level of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition for this significant environmental remediation contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it fosters a competitive environment that can lead to more efficient resource allocation and potentially lower overall project costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment of Shasta County, California, through the cleanup of a contaminated Superfund site. Services delivered include the removal of contaminated sediments from the Spring Creek Arm of Keswick Reservoir. The geographic impact is localized to the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund Site and surrounding Keswick Reservoir area. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for environmental engineers, technicians, and laborers involved in the remediation process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions are encountered during sediment removal.
Dependence on specialized equipment and logistical challenges associated with hazardous material disposal.
The long-term effectiveness of the remedial action will require ongoing monitoring and potential future phases.

Positive Signals

Clear definition of scope for this phase of the remedial action, reducing ambiguity.
Award to an experienced contractor (CH2M HILL, INC.) with a track record in environmental remediation.
The contract is part of a well-defined Superfund cleanup process with a Record of Decision in place.
Competitive award process suggests a focus on achieving value for money.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation sector is characterized by complex regulatory frameworks, specialized technical expertise, and significant government investment, particularly through programs like Superfund. This contract fits within the broader market for hazardous waste management and site cleanup services. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of each Superfund site, but large-scale remediation projects can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. The market includes large engineering firms and specialized environmental contractors.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific delivery order was not detailed in the provided data. However, large-scale environmental remediation contracts often include provisions for small business participation, either through direct set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The extent of small business involvement would depend on the specific requirements outlined in the solicitation and the capabilities of available small businesses in the region.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the Superfund program. The EPA is responsible for ensuring that the remedial actions are conducted in accordance with the Record of Decision and all applicable environmental regulations. Accountability measures are typically embedded in contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through public dockets for Superfund sites, which include decision documents and progress reports.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Hazardous Waste Remediation
Environmental Cleanup Contracts
Waterway Sediment Remediation

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and cost.
Long-term effectiveness and monitoring requirements for the disposal cell.
Complexity of managing hazardous waste disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $20.7 million to CH2M HILL, INC. TAS::68 8195::TAS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO OBLIGATE $20,550,000.00 FOR REMEDIAL ACTION (SEDIMENT REMOVAL, YEAR 2-PHASE) AT IRON MOUNTAIN MINE SUPERFUND SITE, SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM 13 APRIL 2009 THROUGH 31 JANUARY 2010. THIS WORK IS TO IMPLEMENT AND SUPPORT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF REMEDIAL ACTION (RA) SELECTED IN SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 RECORD OF DECISION (ROD5) FOR THE IRON MOUNTAIN MINE (IMM) SUPERFUND SITE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REMEDIAL DESIGN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CH2M HILL, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-13. End: 2010-03-31.

What is the historical spending by the EPA on the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site?

The Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site has a long history of environmental challenges and associated cleanup costs. While specific historical spending figures for the entire site are not provided in this data snippet, the fact that this is 'Year 2-Phase' of a remedial action initiated by a 2004 Record of Decision indicates substantial prior investment in investigation, design, and potentially earlier cleanup phases. Superfund sites, in general, can incur hundreds of millions of dollars in cleanup costs over decades. To ascertain the full historical spending, one would need to consult EPA's Superfund financial management records and site-specific documentation, which would detail obligations and expenditures across various contracts and fiscal years leading up to this $20.55 million task order.

How does the cost per unit of sediment removed compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining a precise cost per unit of sediment removed is complex without detailed information on the volume of sediment targeted, the type of contaminants, and the specific removal and disposal methods employed. This task order focuses on 'sediment removal (Year 2-Phase)' and includes disposal cell completion and equipment purchase, making a simple per-unit cost calculation difficult. Industry benchmarks for sediment remediation vary widely based on these factors. For instance, dredging costs can range significantly depending on material consistency, depth, and distance to disposal. Without specific metrics on the volume and type of sediment being addressed, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks for cost per cubic yard or ton is not feasible with the provided data.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this remedial action phase?

Key performance indicators for this remedial action phase would likely focus on the successful and timely execution of the planned activities, adherence to environmental safety standards, and effective management of the disposal cell. Specific KPIs could include: 1) Volume of contaminated sediment successfully removed and disposed of within the designated cell, meeting regulatory requirements. 2) Completion of the disposal cell construction and closure activities by the specified deadlines. 3) Successful procurement and installation of all required long-lead equipment and piping. 4) Compliance with all environmental health and safety protocols during operations. 5) Adherence to budget, with expenditures tracking against planned costs for the phase. 6) Meeting the quality standards for the remedial action as defined in the Record of Decision and Remedial Design documents.

What is CH2M HILL, INC.'s track record with EPA Superfund projects?

CH2M HILL, INC. (now Jacobs Engineering Group after acquisition) has a long and extensive history of working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Superfund sites and other complex environmental remediation projects across the United States. They are a well-established engineering and construction firm with significant expertise in hazardous waste management, site cleanup, and environmental engineering. Their involvement in Superfund projects typically spans remedial investigation, feasibility studies, remedial design, and remedial action (construction) phases. Given their size and specialization, it is highly probable they have managed numerous similar sediment removal and site closure contracts for the EPA, indicating a strong track record relevant to this task order.

What are the potential risks associated with the disposal cell construction and operation?

Potential risks associated with the disposal cell construction and operation at the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site include: 1) **Geotechnical Stability:** Ensuring the long-term structural integrity of the disposal cell to contain contaminants, especially considering the site's geological context. 2) **Liner System Integrity:** Potential for leaks or failures in the containment liner system, which could lead to environmental contamination. 3) **Leachate Management:** Effective collection and treatment of leachate generated within the cell to prevent groundwater or surface water contamination. 4) **Closure and Capping:** Challenges in achieving a final cap that effectively prevents water infiltration and erosion over the long term. 5) **Regulatory Compliance:** Meeting stringent EPA and state regulatory requirements for hazardous waste disposal and cell closure. 6) **Cost Overruns:** Unforeseen construction challenges or material requirements could increase costs beyond initial estimates.

How does this contract contribute to the overall goals of the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site cleanup?

This contract is a critical component of the overall remediation strategy for the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site, specifically addressing the contaminated sediments in the Spring Creek Arm of Keswick Reservoir. The Record of Decision (ROD) identified sediment removal as a necessary action to mitigate risks to human health and the environment. By obligating funds for Year 2-Phase of this remedial action, the EPA is implementing a key element of the selected cleanup plan. The successful completion of this task order, including sediment dredging, disposal, and the establishment of necessary infrastructure like the disposal cell, directly contributes to reducing the sources of pollution, improving water quality in the reservoir, and moving the site closer to its final cleanup objectives.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd.

Address: 155 GRAND AVE, STE-1000, OAKLAND, CA, 94612

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,692,769

Exercised Options: $20,692,769

Current Obligation: $20,692,769

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPS90804

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline