EPA's $23.9M Emergency Response Contract with Ecology and Environment Inc. for Environmental Consulting Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,924,882 ($23.9M)
Contractor: Ecology and Environment Inc.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2006-01-01
End Date: 2013-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,829 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98101
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $23.9 million to ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY RESPONSE Key points: 1. The contract value of $23.9 million over 7.5 years indicates significant investment in environmental consulting. 2. Ecology and Environment Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract carries risks related to long-term service provision and potential cost overruns. 4. Spending falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, with benchmarks to be assessed.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to higher costs if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting services is crucial to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded as a sole-source delivery order, indicating a lack of open competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to less favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have benefited from competitive pricing, potentially resulting in higher overall expenditure for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures critical environmental emergency response capabilities are maintained. Supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment. Provides specialized expertise for complex environmental challenges.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs.
- Long contract duration (7.5 years) poses long-term risk.
- Potential for scope creep without strict oversight.
Positive Signals
- Provides essential emergency response services.
- Leverages specialized environmental consulting expertise.
- Supports a critical government agency's mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Environmental Consulting Services (NAICS 541620). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project scope and urgency, but long-term sole-source awards warrant scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this sole-source award. This suggests that small businesses were not actively considered or involved in this particular contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the contractor delivers services effectively and within budget. Accountability for performance and cost management is paramount.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- Time and Materials pricing structure is prone to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases risk of obsolescence or changing needs.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized nature of services.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, environmental-protection-agency, wa, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $23.9 million to ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT INC.. EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-01-01. End: 2013-09-30.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive methods explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific circumstances where only one contractor can fulfill the requirement. Without further documentation, it's unclear if alternative competitive methods were explored or deemed unsuitable for this emergency response contract. This lack of transparency limits the ability to assess if the government secured the best possible value.
How were costs controlled and monitored under the Time and Materials pricing structure over the 7.5-year duration?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns. The EPA would need to implement strict monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs, along with clear task orders and performance metrics. Regular audits and reviews are essential to ensure the contractor's charges are reasonable and directly related to the work performed, especially over such an extended period.
What performance metrics and deliverables were established to ensure the effectiveness of the emergency response services provided?
Effective emergency response requires clearly defined performance metrics and deliverables, such as response times, mitigation effectiveness, reporting accuracy, and adherence to safety protocols. The EPA should have established specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Regular performance evaluations against these metrics would be crucial to gauge the contractor's effectiveness and ensure mission success.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION
Contractor Details
Address: 368 PLEASANT VIEW DR, LANCASTER, NY, 14086
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,958,882
Exercised Options: $23,958,882
Current Obligation: $23,924,882
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: EPS70602
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-01-01
Current End Date: 2013-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-09-01
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