EPA's $33.9M Contract for Wastewater Management Support Awarded to Tetra Tech
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,893,118 ($33.9M)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2005-08-18
End Date: 2011-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,051 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL AND ADMINSTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22030
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $33.9 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL AND ADMINSTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Tetra Tech for administrative and technical support. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this contract. 3. The contract duration was significant, spanning over 2000 days. 4. The sector is Environmental Protection, with a focus on administrative services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award amount of $33.9M over several years suggests a substantial investment, but without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition suggests efforts to secure competitive pricing, potentially benefiting taxpayers. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants scrutiny for cost efficiency.
Public Impact
Supports the Office of Wastewater Management, crucial for environmental protection. Long-term contract indicates ongoing need for these services. Administrative and technical support can impact the efficiency of environmental regulations. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency, a key federal environmental steward.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market needs or pricing.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Contract supports a critical environmental agency function.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. Benchmarks for similar contracts would focus on the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of administrative support services for environmental agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (sb: false). This suggests the contract was either too large or not structured to encourage small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has its own oversight mechanisms. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and tied to performance.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- No small business participation.
- Administrative and general management consulting services can be prone to scope creep.
- Potential for cost overruns.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, environmental-protection-agency, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $33.9 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. TECHNICAL AND ADMINSTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-18. End: 2011-03-31.
What was the specific performance achieved by Tetra Tech under this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, and how did it align with the fixed fee?
Assessing the value requires understanding the specific deliverables and performance metrics outlined in the contract. A Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. Without performance data, it's difficult to determine if the government received optimal value or if the fixed fee was justified by the services rendered and outcomes achieved.
Given the long duration and Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what were the primary risks to the government regarding cost control and scope creep?
The primary risks involved potential cost overruns due to the 'cost plus' nature, where the government absorbs costs. The 'fixed fee' component could incentivize the contractor to maximize costs to ensure a higher fee base if not structured correctly. Scope creep was also a risk, as the long duration and administrative nature could lead to expanding tasks without adequate price adjustments or justification.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring competitive pricing for administrative and technical support services for wastewater management?
Full and open competition is generally effective in promoting competitive pricing by allowing all responsible sources to submit offers. This process typically leads to a more robust discovery of market prices. However, the ultimate effectiveness in this specific case is moderated by the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, which can introduce complexities in price evaluation compared to fixed-price contracts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: PRCI0410453
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: SDA
Contractor Details
Address: 10306 EATON PL STE 340, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,265,833
Exercised Options: $38,300,121
Current Obligation: $33,893,118
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-18
Current End Date: 2011-03-31
Potential End Date: 2011-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-05-17
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