EPA's $25.5M emergency response training contract awarded to Tetra Tech, Inc. for environmental consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,556,736 ($25.6M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2008-08-01

End Date: 2016-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,982 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $25.6 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in emergency preparedness and response capabilities. 2. The use of a definitive contract suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. The contract's duration of nearly 8 years indicates a sustained requirement for training. 4. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighting the agency's focus on environmental safety. 5. The nature of the services points to a specialized skillset within the environmental consulting sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable training contracts. The total award amount of $25.5 million over approximately 8 years suggests an average annual spend of around $3.2 million. This figure needs to be assessed against the scope and intensity of the training provided, the number of personnel trained, and the complexity of the emergency scenarios covered. Without more granular data on the services delivered, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. With 3 bidders, the competition level appears moderate. This suggests that while there was some market interest, it may not have been extensive enough to drive prices down to the lowest possible point. The agency likely received competitive proposals, but the limited number of bidders could imply a niche market or high barriers to entry for potential competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and services, potentially leading to cost savings. A moderate number of bidders suggests a reasonable balance between competition and market specialization.

Public Impact

Federal employees and potentially state and local partners involved in emergency response benefit from enhanced training. The services delivered include specialized training crucial for effective environmental emergency response. The contract's impact is primarily concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the services were performed. The contract supports a workforce skilled in environmental consulting and emergency response coordination.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, which can incentivize contractor spending.
The long duration of the contract could lead to scope creep or a decrease in competitive pressure over time.
Ensuring the training content remains current and relevant to evolving environmental threats requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
The contract addresses a critical need for emergency response training, contributing to public safety.
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a known entity in environmental consulting, potentially bringing established expertise.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance, environmental remediation, and disaster preparedness. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Spending in this sector is often influenced by government mandates and the need for specialized expertise in areas like hazardous material management and emergency response planning. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal contracts for similar training and consulting services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to monitor costs and ensure the fixed fee is justified by the work performed. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms and potentially through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Consulting Services
Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs
Federal Training and Development Contracts
Environmental Remediation Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Long contract duration may reduce competitive pressure and increase risk of scope creep.
Need for robust oversight to ensure training quality and relevance.
Limited number of bidders may indicate a specialized market, potentially impacting price discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $25.6 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-01. End: 2016-09-30.

What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with the EPA and other federal agencies for similar emergency response training contracts?

Tetra Tech, Inc. has a substantial history of contracting with federal agencies, including the EPA, for a wide range of environmental services. While specific data on their emergency response training contracts requires detailed database queries, their general profile indicates experience in areas such as environmental assessment, remediation, and technical support. Their past performance on similar large-scale contracts would be a key factor in the EPA's decision-making process. Analyzing their award history, past performance reviews, and any documented issues on previous EPA contracts would provide a clearer picture of their suitability and reliability for this specific emergency response training requirement. This includes examining the scale and complexity of services previously delivered and client satisfaction levels.

How does the $25.5 million award compare to other federal contracts for emergency response training services?

The $25.5 million award for emergency response training over approximately eight years positions this contract as a significant, but not exceptionally large, federal procurement in this specialized area. Federal spending on training and consulting services can vary widely, with some large-scale, multi-year contracts reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scope, duration, and service requirements across agencies like FEMA, DHS, and DoD. However, the amount suggests a substantial investment by the EPA, likely covering extensive training programs for a considerable number of personnel or complex, multi-faceted training scenarios. It indicates a sustained commitment to enhancing emergency response capabilities within the agency or its partners.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for emergency response training?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for emergency response training is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs, as their profit (the fixed fee) remains constant regardless of the actual expenses. For the government, this means the total cost could exceed initial estimates if costs are not meticulously managed and controlled. Effective oversight is critical to scrutinize contractor expenses, ensure they are reasonable and allocable to the contract, and prevent unnecessary spending. The fixed fee itself is negotiated, and its appropriateness should be based on the anticipated effort and risk.

How effective has the EPA been in utilizing training contracts to improve its emergency response capabilities historically?

Assessing the historical effectiveness of EPA's training contracts in improving emergency response capabilities requires a deep dive into program evaluations, performance metrics, and post-incident analyses. While contracts like this one provide the necessary resources and expertise, their ultimate effectiveness hinges on the quality of the training delivered, the engagement of participants, and the subsequent application of learned skills during actual emergencies. Publicly available data often focuses on contract awards and spending rather than detailed outcome assessments. However, the EPA's continued investment in such training suggests a perceived value and ongoing need. A thorough analysis would involve reviewing Inspector General reports, GAO audits, and internal EPA program reviews related to emergency preparedness and response training effectiveness over time.

What is the historical spending pattern of the EPA on environmental consulting and emergency response training over the last decade?

The EPA's spending on environmental consulting and emergency response training has likely fluctuated over the last decade, influenced by factors such as regulatory changes, budget allocations, and the occurrence of environmental incidents. Historically, the EPA has been a significant purchaser of professional and technical services, including consulting, to support its mission. Emergency response training, specifically, would see demand driven by preparedness initiatives and the need to maintain a skilled workforce capable of addressing environmental hazards. Detailed historical spending data, typically available through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), would reveal trends, identify major contract vehicles, and highlight periods of increased or decreased investment in these areas. Without direct access to that granular data for this analysis, it's understood that such spending is a core component of the EPA's operational budget.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: PRHQ0711361

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1930 RADCLIFF DR, CINCINNATI, OH, 45204

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,652,059

Exercised Options: $32,853,899

Current Obligation: $25,556,736

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline