Battelle Memorial Institute awarded $12.8M for toxic substance assessment support to EPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,843,841 ($12.8M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2004-03-03

End Date: 2009-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,945 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAM CHEMICALS DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF POLLUTION, PREVENTION AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT.

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $12.8 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAM CHEMICALS DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF POLLUTION, PREVENTION AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT. Key points: 1. Contract provides critical statistical and technical support for assessing toxic substances. 2. Services align with the National Program Chemicals Division's mission under TSCA. 3. The contract duration of 1945 days indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 5. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure may incentivize cost control by the contractor. 6. Geographic focus on Ohio suggests a localized or regional operational component. 7. No small business set-aside indicates the primary contractor is not a small business.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.8 million over approximately 5.3 years represents a significant investment in toxic substance assessment. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for scientific and technical consulting services is challenging without more specific service details. However, the duration and scope suggest a fair price for specialized expertise in a critical environmental regulatory area. The CPFF structure, while potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed, also allows for flexibility in research and development-intensive tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors were likely solicited and allowed to bid. The presence of a competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation implies a healthy level of market interest and capability for providing these specialized scientific and technical consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for funds expended on essential environmental protection services.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits through enhanced capacity for assessing toxic substances. The public benefits from improved environmental protection and regulation of harmful chemicals. Services support the National Program Chemicals Division's mandate under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The contract's focus on Ohio may imply specific regional environmental concerns or testing facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the statistical and technical support.
Geographic concentration in Ohio might limit broader applicability or national data integration without further context.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market and potential for good value.
Long contract duration (1945 days) indicates a sustained and critical need for the services provided.
Contractor (Battelle Memorial Institute) is a well-established research institution with a track record in scientific support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on environmental science and toxicology. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, research needs, and the increasing complexity of chemical safety assessments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within EPA's broader scientific support contracts or similar agency procurements related to environmental monitoring and risk assessment. Battelle Memorial Institute is a prominent player in this sector, known for its extensive research and development capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside, and the prime contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, is a large research organization. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Battelle actively engages small businesses as subcontractors for specialized tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the Office of Pollution, Prevention and Toxic Substances. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring would be expected to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and manage allowable costs. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Implementation
EPA Chemical Data Reporting
National Toxicology Program
Environmental Risk Assessment Services
Scientific Research and Development Support

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Performance Measurement Clarity
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $12.8 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAM CHEMICALS DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF POLLUTION, PREVENTION AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-03-03. End: 2009-06-30.

What is Battelle Memorial Institute's track record with the EPA for similar scientific support contracts?

Battelle Memorial Institute has a long history of supporting government agencies, including the EPA, on a wide range of scientific and technical projects. Their expertise spans environmental science, toxicology, materials science, and national security. For the EPA specifically, Battelle has been involved in numerous contracts related to chemical risk assessment, pollution control technologies, environmental monitoring, and data analysis. Their extensive experience suggests a strong capability to fulfill the requirements of this contract, which involves statistical and technical support for toxic substance assessment under TSCA. Past performance reviews and contract histories with the EPA would provide more granular detail on their success rates and adherence to timelines and budgets in similar engagements.

How does the $12.8 million contract value compare to other EPA contracts for toxic substance assessment?

The $12.8 million contract value for toxic substance assessment support over approximately 5.3 years (1945 days) is a substantial but not extraordinary figure for specialized scientific services. The EPA procures a variety of services related to chemical safety and environmental assessment, with contract values ranging significantly based on scope, duration, and complexity. Contracts involving extensive laboratory testing, epidemiological studies, or the development of complex predictive models can easily exceed this amount. Conversely, smaller contracts might focus on specific data analysis or literature reviews. Without knowing the precise deliverables and the number of bidders, a direct comparison is difficult, but this award suggests a significant, ongoing need for Battelle's expertise in supporting the National Program Chemicals Division's mandate under TSCA.

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

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, like the one awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute, is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is guaranteed a fixed fee, the government bears the risk of covering all allowable costs incurred. If the project scope expands, unforeseen technical challenges arise, or the contractor is inefficient, the total cost to the government can exceed initial estimates. Effective oversight, clear definition of scope, and robust cost tracking mechanisms are crucial to mitigate this risk. For the government, the benefit is flexibility in research-intensive projects where exact costs are hard to predict upfront. For the contractor, the fixed fee provides a guaranteed profit margin, incentivizing them to complete the work efficiently within the agreed-upon scope.

How effective is the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in regulating chemicals, and how does this contract support it?

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the primary federal law governing the introduction of new or existing chemicals in the United States. Its effectiveness has been a subject of ongoing debate and reform, with significant amendments made by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act in 2016 aiming to strengthen EPA's authority. TSCA mandates EPA to review new chemicals before they enter the market and to evaluate and regulate existing chemicals that pose unreasonable risks. This contract directly supports TSCA implementation by providing essential statistical and technical expertise for the assessment of toxic substances. This includes analyzing data, developing models, and providing scientific insights that inform EPA's risk evaluations and regulatory decisions under TSCA, ultimately contributing to the protection of public health and the environment.

What is the historical spending pattern for toxic substance assessment services by the EPA?

Historical spending by the EPA on toxic substance assessment services has been substantial and consistent, reflecting the agency's ongoing mandate under various environmental statutes, including TSCA. The EPA regularly procures contracts for scientific research, data analysis, risk assessment, and technical support related to chemical safety. Spending patterns can fluctuate year-to-year based on legislative priorities, emerging chemical concerns, and the lifecycle of specific regulatory programs. Contracts like this one, awarded through competitive processes, represent a portion of the EPA's broader budget allocated to understanding and managing chemical risks. Analyzing historical spending data from sources like USASpending.gov can reveal trends in specific service categories and identify major contractors in this domain.

What does the geographic focus on Ohio imply for the contract's scope and impact?

The notation 'ST: OH, SN: OHIO' indicates that the contract's performance or the contractor's primary location is in Ohio. For a contract focused on toxic substance assessment, this geographic specificity could imply several things. It might relate to specific regional environmental concerns within Ohio, such as industrial pollution or legacy contamination sites that require focused study. Alternatively, Battelle Memorial Institute might have significant laboratory facilities or research centers located in Ohio that are best suited to perform the required statistical and technical analyses. It could also indicate that the data being analyzed pertains primarily to substances or environmental conditions prevalent in Ohio. Without further details, it suggests a localized operational aspect rather than a purely national scope for the direct service delivery.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation ID: PRHQ0312003

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,863,939

Exercised Options: $17,398,999

Current Obligation: $12,843,841

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline