EPA awards $23M for technical and analytical support to transportation fuels emissions initiatives

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,993,380 ($23.0M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2016-07-01

End Date: 2022-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,252 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT TO THE U.S. EPA OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION, OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION AND AIR QUALITY, COMPLIANCE DIVISION, AND OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN OTAQ. THE FOLLOWING TASKS RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH EPA TRANSPORTATION FUELS EMISSIONS INITIATIVES WILL BE REQUIRED DURING PERFORMANCE OF THIS CONTRACT: (1) ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, STATISTICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EVALUATIVE ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT; (2) TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS; (3) COMMUNICATION, OUTREACH, GUIDANCE, AND REGULATORY PROGRAM SUPPORT; (4) WEB, COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND DATABASE SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT; (5) SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING OF AIR POLLUTION REGULATIONS AND PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS; AND (6) REGISTRATION, RECORD KEEPING, AND REPORTING SUPPORT FOR TIER 3 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $23.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT TO THE U.S. EPA OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION, OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION AND AIR QUALITY, COMPLIANCE DIVISION, AND OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN OTAQ. THE FOLLOWING TASKS RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH… Key points: 1. Contract provides essential analytical and technical support for EPA's transportation fuels and emissions programs. 2. The award covers a broad range of services including economic, environmental, and statistical analysis. 3. Services also extend to technical engineering, regulatory program support, and IT system development. 4. The contract duration spans over six years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 5. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the incumbent contractor for this requirement. 6. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $23 million over six years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized technical and analytical support. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for EPA's regulatory and compliance divisions would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the breadth of services required, from economic analysis to IT support, indicates a comprehensive need that justifies the investment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control, which is appropriate for evolving technical requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 8 bids suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and innovation for the government. The agency sought a broad range of technical and analytical expertise, allowing various firms to compete based on their capabilities. This level of competition is generally favorable for ensuring fair market pricing and selecting the most qualified contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that is likely to result in more cost-effective services and a higher quality of support for critical environmental regulations.

Public Impact

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and its Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ), are the primary beneficiaries. The contract delivers crucial technical and analytical support for the development, implementation, and compliance monitoring of transportation fuels and emissions initiatives. Services include economic, environmental, statistical, and financial analysis, as well as technical engineering and regulatory program support. The contract also supports IT systems, databases, and web development related to these initiatives. Geographic impact is national, as EPA's transportation fuels and emissions regulations affect the entire country. Workforce implications include the need for specialized analysts, engineers, and IT professionals within the contractor organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The CPFF contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed closely, though the fixed fee component provides some control.
The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving EPA needs.
Reliance on a single contractor for such a broad range of critical support functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with 8 bids, indicating a healthy market response and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract covers a wide array of essential services critical to EPA's mission in transportation fuels and emissions.
The contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., is a large, established firm with significant experience in government IT and technical services.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term partnership to support ongoing regulatory efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), which encompasses firms providing engineering consulting and services. The market for these services is substantial, driven by government needs for specialized technical expertise in areas like environmental regulation, infrastructure, and defense. The EPA's requirement for support in transportation fuels and emissions aligns with broader trends in environmental technology and regulatory compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EPA contracts for similar analytical and technical support services, as well as contracts awarded by other agencies for environmental consulting and engineering.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The nature of the specialized technical and analytical support required might limit the scope for broad subcontracting, but specific components could be outsourced to smaller, specialized firms. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through contracting officers and technical points of contact within the Office of Air and Radiation and the Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting requirements. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have oversight authority for potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

EPA Clean Air Act Programs
EPA Fuel Economy Standards
EPA Emissions Standards
Transportation Sector Environmental Regulations
Environmental Consulting Services
Government IT Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type.
Ensuring consistent quality across diverse technical and analytical services.
Managing scope creep over the contract's long duration.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $23.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT TO THE U.S. EPA OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION, OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION AND AIR QUALITY, COMPLIANCE DIVISION, AND OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN OTAQ. THE FOLLOWING TASKS RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH EPA TRANSPORTATION FUELS EMISSIONS INITIATIVES WILL BE REQUIRED DURING PERFORMANCE OF THIS CONTRACT: (1) ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, STATISTICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EVALUATIVE ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT; (2) TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERIN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-07-01. End: 2022-08-31.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. with the EPA on similar contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record with the EPA, often securing large contracts for IT services, data management, and technical support. For instance, GDIT has previously held significant contracts related to EPA's data systems, environmental modeling, and scientific support. Their experience with the EPA's complex regulatory environment and data-intensive programs suggests a strong understanding of the agency's needs. While specific performance metrics for past EPA contracts are not detailed here, GDIT's continued success in winning competitive bids indicates a generally positive performance history and capability to meet agency requirements. Their extensive experience positions them well to handle the diverse technical and analytical tasks outlined in this requirement.

How does the value of this contract compare to other EPA technical support contracts?

The $23 million value over approximately 6.5 years places this contract at a moderate spending level for specialized technical and analytical support within the EPA. Many EPA contracts, particularly those involving large-scale IT infrastructure, environmental monitoring systems, or extensive research initiatives, can reach significantly higher dollar values, sometimes hundreds of millions. However, contracts focused on specific program support, like this one for transportation fuels and emissions compliance, often fall within this range. Comparing it to other contracts for similar analytical, economic, and engineering support within OAR or OTAQ would provide a more precise benchmark. The value appears reasonable given the duration and the breadth of specialized services required.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential cost overruns inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, although the fixed fee component mitigates this to some extent. Performance risk is also present; ensuring GDIT consistently delivers high-quality technical and analytical support across diverse tasks (economic analysis, engineering, IT) requires robust oversight. Scope creep is another risk, where the requirements might expand beyond the initial contract scope, necessitating careful change management. Finally, reliance on a single contractor for critical functions could pose a disruption risk if performance falters or if unforeseen issues arise that impact service delivery.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The contract was awarded under full and open competition with eight bids received, which is a strong indicator of a healthy competitive environment. This level of competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices, encouraging innovation, and ensuring that the government selects the most capable and cost-effective solution. When multiple qualified bidders vie for a contract, they are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and demonstrate superior technical merit. The presence of eight bidders suggests that the market has sufficient capacity and interest to support the EPA's needs, making it less likely that the government is overpaying or receiving suboptimal services due to a lack of alternatives.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar EPA technical support services?

Historical spending patterns for EPA technical support services vary widely depending on the specific program and scope. Contracts for broad IT modernization or large-scale environmental monitoring can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Contracts like this one, focused on specific analytical and compliance support for a particular office (OTAQ), typically represent a more targeted investment. Analyzing past EPA solicitations and awards for engineering, economic analysis, and regulatory support within OAR and OTAQ would reveal trends. Generally, the EPA consistently invests significant funds in acquiring specialized expertise to support its complex regulatory and scientific missions, with spending levels fluctuating based on program priorities and legislative mandates.

What are the potential challenges in managing the diverse service requirements of this contract?

Managing the diverse service requirements presents several challenges. The contract encompasses a wide spectrum, from highly quantitative economic and statistical analysis to technical engineering, IT system development, and regulatory guidance. Ensuring consistent quality and integration across these disparate functions requires skilled contract management and technical oversight. The EPA must have personnel capable of evaluating performance across all these areas. Furthermore, coordinating between different divisions within OTAQ that utilize these services adds complexity. Effective communication channels and clear performance metrics for each service area are crucial to mitigate these challenges and ensure the contractor meets all specified needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: SOL-CI-15-00017

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 15036 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,674,394

Exercised Options: $29,876,604

Current Obligation: $22,993,380

Actual Outlays: $3,104,175

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $240,305

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline