EPA awards $9.96M contract for environmental assessment and document processing to SRC Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,960,977 ($10.0M)

Contractor: SRC Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2004-04-01

End Date: 2009-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTPROCESSING SUPPORT FOR NEW AND EXISTING CHEMICALS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS.

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13212

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $10.0 million to SRC INC for work described as: HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTPROCESSING SUPPORT FOR NEW AND EXISTING CHEMICALS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical health and environmental assessments for chemicals and biotechnology. 2. SRC Inc. secured this contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration spans over five years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. This award falls under environmental consulting services, a key area for regulatory agencies. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. 6. The contract was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support its mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.96 million over five years averages approximately $2 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar environmental consulting contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure suggests that costs are reimbursed, plus a negotiated fixed fee for profit. This structure can sometimes lead to higher overall costs if not managed tightly, but it is common for services where the scope may evolve. The award amount appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services.

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 fact that it was competed openly suggests a healthy market for these services and that the EPA sought the best value through a competitive process. The number of bidders (2) is on the lower side for full and open competition, which might warrant further investigation into market dynamics or the specificity of the requirements.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality, ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the EPA and the public, through improved environmental and health assessments of chemicals and biotechnology products. Services delivered include document processing and environmental/health assessments, crucial for regulatory compliance and public safety. The contract's geographic impact is national, as it supports EPA's regulatory functions across the United States. Workforce implications include the employment of environmental scientists, consultants, and administrative staff by SRC Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The limited number of bidders (2) in a full and open competition could indicate potential barriers to entry or a concentrated market for these specialized services.
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, while common, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and do not escalate unnecessarily.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible bidding process.
The contract supports a critical government function related to environmental protection and public health.
The duration of the contract (over 5 years) implies a stable and ongoing need for these services, indicating a well-defined requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a segment of the professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is vital for government agencies tasked with environmental regulation and oversight. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements, corporate sustainability initiatives, and remediation efforts. This specific contract supports the EPA's core mission of assessing and managing risks associated with chemicals and biotechnology.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, SRC Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data snippet. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all qualified firms, and the EPA determined that a set-aside was not appropriate or feasible for this particular requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Environmental Protection Agency. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of costs incurred by SRC Inc. to ensure they align with the contract's objectives and the fixed fee. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Chemical Risk Assessment
Biotechnology Product Regulation
Environmental Document Management
Environmental Consulting Services
EPA Regulatory Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Limited number of bidders may indicate market concentration.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $10.0 million to SRC INC. HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTPROCESSING SUPPORT FOR NEW AND EXISTING CHEMICALS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SRC INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-04-01. End: 2009-09-30.

What is the track record of SRC Inc. with the EPA on similar contracts?

Without access to a comprehensive contract database or specific performance reviews for SRC Inc. with the EPA, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record on similar contracts. However, being awarded a contract of this value and duration suggests a level of capability and past performance that met the EPA's requirements. Further investigation would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any debriefings from previous solicitations, and the company's overall history of government contracting, particularly within the environmental consulting domain. The EPA's source selection process typically includes evaluating past performance as a key factor.

How does the average annual value of this contract compare to other EPA environmental consulting contracts?

This contract has an average annual value of approximately $2 million ($9.96 million over 5 years). To benchmark this effectively, one would need to analyze a portfolio of similar environmental consulting contracts awarded by the EPA. Factors such as the specific services (e.g., risk assessment, document processing, site remediation), contract type (e.g., FFP, CPFF, T&M), and duration would need to be considered. If the EPA frequently awards contracts in the $1-3 million annual range for similar specialized services, then this award would be considered typical. If comparable contracts are significantly smaller or larger, it might indicate this contract is either niche or represents a substantial investment in this particular service area.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for environmental consulting?

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract for environmental consulting revolve around cost control and potential for scope creep. For the government (EPA), the risk is that the contractor may not be incentivized to control costs as rigorously as in a Fixed Price contract, as costs are reimbursed. There's also a risk that the 'scope creep' could occur, where the project expands beyond its original intent, leading to increased costs. For the contractor (SRC Inc.), the risk lies in accurately estimating the costs to ensure the fixed fee is profitable, especially if unforeseen technical challenges or regulatory changes arise during the project lifecycle. Effective oversight and clear definition of work are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the EPA's current approach to assessing and documenting environmental impacts of chemicals and biotechnology?

The effectiveness of the EPA's approach to assessing and documenting environmental impacts is a complex question that goes beyond the scope of a single contract award. This contract supports those assessment and documentation processes. The EPA utilizes various scientific methodologies, regulatory frameworks (like TSCA - Toxic Substances Control Act), and public comment periods to evaluate risks. The effectiveness can be gauged by metrics such as the number of chemicals assessed, the timeliness of reviews, the accuracy of risk predictions, and the reduction in environmental incidents or public health issues linked to regulated substances. Continuous improvement and adaptation to new scientific findings and emerging technologies are key to maintaining effectiveness.

What is the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services at the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for environmental consulting services at the EPA would require accessing multi-year budget and contract award data. Generally, spending in this area tends to be consistent, driven by ongoing regulatory requirements and the need for scientific expertise. Factors like new legislation, emerging environmental concerns (e.g., PFAS, climate change impacts), and administration priorities can influence fluctuations. A review of the EPA's Inspector General reports and budget justifications could provide insights into spending patterns and the agency's reliance on external consulting support over time. This specific contract represents a portion of that broader spending.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation ID: PRHQ0311750

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 6225 RUNNING RIDGE ROAD, NORTH SYRACUSE, NY, 22

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,221,664

Exercised Options: $12,417,471

Current Obligation: $9,960,977

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline