EPA awards $53.2M contract for lead soil remediation, highlighting extensive remediation services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,244,769 ($53.2M)

Contractor: Snyder Construction Company

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2008-09-22

End Date: 2013-09-21

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXCAVATION OF LEAD CONTAMINATED SOILS AND RETORATION OF PROPERTY

Place of Performance

Location: JOPLIN, JASPER County, MISSOURI, 64801

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $53.2 million to SNYDER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: EXCAVATION OF LEAD CONTAMINATED SOILS AND RETORATION OF PROPERTY Key points: 1. Contract value of $53.2 million indicates a significant investment in environmental cleanup. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. A duration of 1825 days points to a long-term, complex remediation project. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. The award to Snyder Construction Company suggests a focus on established remediation providers. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 confirms the focus on remediation services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $53.2 million for lead soil excavation and property restoration appears substantial, reflecting the scale and complexity of environmental remediation. Benchmarking against similar large-scale EPA remediation projects would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the initial bid was deemed competitive and that cost overruns are primarily the contractor's responsibility, which is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was initially broad, certain sources were excluded before the final award. This suggests a potentially competitive process, but the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the final price and the range of potential bidders. The presence of 9 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest in this remediation service.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite source exclusions, likely led to a more competitive pricing environment, benefiting taxpayers by potentially securing a lower overall cost for the extensive remediation work.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are residents and the environment in the affected area, receiving restored property and reduced lead contamination. Services delivered include the excavation of lead-contaminated soils and the subsequent restoration of the affected property. The contract is geographically focused on Missouri (MO), indicating a specific regional environmental cleanup effort. The project likely involves a specialized workforce skilled in environmental remediation and construction.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen contamination is discovered beyond the scope of the initial fixed-price agreement.
Dependence on a single contractor for a long-duration project could lead to performance issues if not closely monitored.
The exclusion of sources in the competition process might have limited the pool of qualified bidders and potentially impacted price competitiveness.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The long contract duration (1825 days) allows for thorough and comprehensive remediation.
Awarding to a single contractor for a large project can ensure continuity and accountability in the remediation process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a critical component of the broader environmental services industry. This sector involves the cleanup of hazardous waste and contaminated sites. The market size for environmental remediation is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and historical industrial activity. This specific contract represents a significant investment in addressing lead contamination, a common environmental hazard.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Snyder Construction Company, would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on their operational needs and procurement policies.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to complete the work within the agreed-upon scope and price. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The EPA's Office of Inspector General may also conduct audits or investigations as deemed necessary.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Brownfields Program
RCRA Corrective Actions
Federal Facility Cleanup

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk over a long project duration.
Dependency on specific remediation technologies and their effectiveness.
Changes in environmental regulations affecting remediation standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $53.2 million to SNYDER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. EXCAVATION OF LEAD CONTAMINATED SOILS AND RETORATION OF PROPERTY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SNYDER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $53.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-22. End: 2013-09-21.

What is the historical spending pattern for lead soil remediation contracts by the EPA?

The EPA's historical spending on lead soil remediation contracts can be substantial, particularly through programs like Superfund and RCRA. Analyzing past awards for similar projects reveals trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured. For instance, major cleanup sites often involve multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts. Spending can fluctuate based on the identification of new contaminated sites, the prioritization of existing ones, and available congressional appropriations. Understanding these patterns helps in benchmarking current contract values and anticipating future needs for remediation services.

How does the competition level for this contract compare to other EPA remediation contracts?

This contract, awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' with 9 bidders, suggests a moderately competitive environment. While 'full and open' implies a broad initial solicitation, the exclusion of sources means not all interested parties could bid. Typically, EPA remediation contracts can range from sole-source awards for highly specialized tasks to highly competitive full and open bids with numerous participants. A higher number of bidders generally correlates with better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The specific nature of lead soil remediation and the geographic location can influence the number of qualified bidders.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate the success of such remediation contracts?

Key performance indicators for lead soil remediation contracts often include the volume of soil excavated and properly disposed of, the percentage of the contaminated area remediated, and the final lead concentration levels achieved in the soil post-remediation, measured against regulatory standards. Project milestones, adherence to schedule, and budget management are also critical. Environmental monitoring data, demonstrating the containment and reduction of lead exposure pathways, is crucial. Furthermore, the successful restoration of the property to a safe and usable condition, as defined in the contract, is a primary indicator of success. Compliance with all environmental regulations and safety protocols throughout the project lifecycle is paramount.

What is the typical duration and cost range for large-scale lead soil remediation projects?

Large-scale lead soil remediation projects can vary significantly in duration and cost depending on the size of the contaminated area, the depth of contamination, the complexity of the site, and the specific remediation technologies employed. Durations can range from a few months for smaller sites to several years for extensive, multi-phase cleanups, similar to the 1825-day (5-year) term of this contract. Costs are equally variable, often running into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars for major Superfund sites or extensive industrial contamination. Factors like soil disposal costs, specialized equipment, and labor rates heavily influence the overall price. This $53.2 million contract appears to be within the expected range for a significant, multi-year remediation effort.

What are the potential risks associated with long-term environmental remediation contracts like this one?

Long-term environmental remediation contracts carry several potential risks. These include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., discovering additional contamination, encountering unexpected geological formations) that can lead to scope creep and cost overruns, even in fixed-price contracts if change orders are necessary. Contractor performance degradation over a long period is also a risk, requiring diligent oversight. Regulatory changes or evolving environmental standards could necessitate modifications to the remediation plan. Furthermore, the long duration increases the possibility of key personnel turnover for both the contractor and the government oversight team, potentially impacting institutional knowledge and project continuity. Material price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions can also affect project costs and timelines.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: PRR70710359

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3400 E 20TH ST, JOPLIN, MO, 07

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $64,591,516

Exercised Options: $54,146,392

Current Obligation: $53,244,769

Timeline