EPA Spends $14.6M on Radiation Protection Consulting Over 10 Years via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,593,676 ($14.6M)

Contractor: S C & a Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2010-03-27

End Date: 2020-09-26

Contract Duration: 3,836 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REGULATORY, ANALYTICAL, AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAMS

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $14.6 million to S C & A INC for work described as: REGULATORY, ANALYTICAL, AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential regulatory, analytical, and evaluation support. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Long contract duration (10 years) may indicate a stable, ongoing need. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.6 million over 10 years averages $1.46 million annually. This seems reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services, especially given the long-term nature and the agency served.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders were allowed to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayer funds were likely used efficiently, with pricing driven by market forces rather than sole-source limitations.

Public Impact

Ensures continued regulatory compliance and safety in radiation protection programs. Supports critical environmental analysis and evaluation functions for the EPA. Long-term contract provides stability for essential government services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Long contract duration could lead to complacency or price creep if not managed well.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Clear need for specialized services.

Sector Analysis

The Environmental Consulting Services sector involves firms providing expertise on environmental regulations, impact assessments, and compliance. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on project scope and agency needs, but long-term contracts like this suggest significant, ongoing requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract did not involve small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. This represents a potential gap in leveraging small business capabilities for specialized government contracting needs.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency, a primary federal agency responsible for environmental oversight. The long duration suggests ongoing monitoring and performance evaluation would be crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration.
No small business participation.
Cost-plus contract type can sometimes lead to less incentive for cost savings compared to fixed-price contracts.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $14.6 million to S C & A INC. REGULATORY, ANALYTICAL, AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is S C & A INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-03-27. End: 2020-09-26.

What specific analytical and evaluation metrics were used to assess the effectiveness of the radiation protection programs supported by this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific analytical or evaluation metrics used. A thorough review would require access to the contract's performance work statement (PWS) and any associated performance reports. These metrics would typically focus on compliance rates, incident reduction, program efficiency, and adherence to safety standards.

Given the 10-year duration, were there mechanisms in place to re-evaluate pricing and service levels periodically to ensure continued value for taxpayers?

While the data doesn't explicitly state periodic re-evaluations, long-term contracts often include clauses for price adjustments based on economic indices or require annual performance reviews. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure suggests that while costs are reimbursed, the fee is fixed, providing some cost control. However, without the full contract details, it's difficult to confirm specific value-assurance mechanisms.

How did the EPA ensure that the 'full and open competition' process effectively identified the most qualified and cost-efficient provider for these highly specialized services?

The EPA likely utilized a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) outlining specific technical requirements, past performance criteria, and evaluation factors. Full and open competition allows multiple qualified firms to compete, driving down prices through market forces. The agency would have evaluated proposals based on a combination of technical merit and cost to ensure the best value was obtained.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental 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: PRNC0910242

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1608 SPRING HILL RD STE 400, VIENNA, VA, 22182

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,283,509

Exercised Options: $17,033,575

Current Obligation: $14,593,676

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline