EPA's $26.4M contract for HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM technical support awarded to CSRA LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,404,150 ($26.4M)

Contractor: Csra LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2010-08-09

End Date: 2021-12-31

Contract Duration: 4,162 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (HRS/NPL) TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $26.4 million to CSRA LLC for work described as: HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (HRS/NPL) TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical support for environmental hazard ranking and national priorities list. 2. Long-term contract duration (over 11 years) suggests a sustained need for these services. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 4. Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure may incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored. 5. The contractor, CSRA LLC, has a significant presence in federal IT and professional services. 6. Services are crucial for EPA's Superfund program and regulatory compliance efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $26.4 million over more than 11 years averages approximately $2.3 million annually. This appears reasonable for specialized technical support in environmental consulting, especially considering the complexity of the HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM (HRS) and National Priorities List (NPL). Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for technical support services suggests this pricing is within an expected range, though specific per-unit cost data is not available to provide a more granular comparison.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a highly contested bid, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process which aims to secure the best value for the government. Full and open competition helps prevent inflated pricing that might occur in less competitive scenarios.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, utilizing these services to manage and update environmental hazard rankings. Services directly support the identification and prioritization of hazardous waste sites under the Superfund program. Geographic impact is national, as the HRS/NPL informs cleanup efforts across the United States. Workforce implications include the need for specialized environmental scientists, engineers, and technical analysts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to higher costs if contractor efficiencies are not realized or if scope creep occurs without adequate oversight.
Long contract duration (over 11 years) presents a risk of vendor lock-in and potential for reduced innovation over time if not actively managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical technical support could pose a risk if the contractor experiences performance issues or financial instability.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting of potential offerors.
The sustained nature of the contract indicates a consistent need and likely satisfaction with the services provided.
CSRA LLC is a large, established federal contractor with a broad range of capabilities, suggesting stability and experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional services market supporting government environmental initiatives. The HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM (HRS) and National Priorities List (NPL) are foundational tools for the EPA's Superfund program, which addresses the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements and the ongoing need to assess and manage environmental risks across the nation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other technical support contracts for regulatory programs within the EPA and other environmental agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to a major federal contractor (CSRA LLC), it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities would be specifically targeted towards small businesses unless mandated by the prime contractor's own small business subcontracting plan. The absence of set-asides suggests the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise available from larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee is earned appropriately. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, the EPA's Office of Inspector General typically has oversight over EPA contracts to ensure efficiency and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program Support
Environmental Remediation Services
Hazardous Waste Site Assessment
Regulatory Compliance Support
Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure cost control.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility and innovation over time.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of services and long-term relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $26.4 million to CSRA LLC. HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (HRS/NPL) TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-08-09. End: 2021-12-31.

What is the historical spending trend for HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM and NPL technical support contracts by the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending on HRS/NPL technical support reveals a consistent and significant investment by the EPA over the years. This particular contract, spanning from 2010 to 2021 with a value of $26.4 million, represents a substantial portion of that expenditure. Prior to this award, similar technical support functions were likely handled through different contract vehicles or by different entities. The long duration and substantial value of this contract suggest a strategic decision by the EPA to consolidate and ensure continuity of these critical services. Examining spending patterns before and after this contract's period would provide further insight into the EPA's evolving approach to managing environmental data and regulatory support.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure impact the value for money in this contract?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure for this contract presents a mixed bag regarding value for money. On one hand, it allows for flexibility in addressing the evolving and often unpredictable technical requirements associated with environmental hazard ranking and NPL updates. This can be beneficial when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset. However, CPFF contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. Effective value for money is contingent upon robust government oversight to scrutinize costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent scope creep. Without stringent monitoring, the government might end up paying more than necessary compared to a fixed-price contract, especially if the contractor does not actively pursue cost-saving measures.

What is CSRA LLC's track record with the EPA and similar environmental consulting contracts?

CSRA LLC, now part of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), has a substantial track record serving various U.S. federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Their portfolio often includes IT services, systems integration, and professional support across numerous domains. For the EPA, CSRA (and subsequently GDIT) has historically been involved in contracts related to data management, environmental modeling, and technical assistance for regulatory programs. While this specific contract focuses on HRS/NPL technical support, CSRA's broader experience in managing complex government programs suggests a capacity to handle such requirements. A deeper dive into their performance history with the EPA, including past performance reviews and any documented issues, would provide a more complete picture of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering environmental consulting services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this technical support contract?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not publicly detailed, typical metrics for technical support services in environmental consulting would likely include timeliness of deliverables (e.g., reports, data analysis), accuracy and quality of technical assessments, adherence to EPA methodologies and standards, and responsiveness to EPA requests. For the HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM (HRS) and National Priorities List (NPL), KPIs might also relate to the efficiency and effectiveness of the data processing and analysis that informs these critical lists. Successful performance would be demonstrated by the EPA's ability to maintain and update the HRS/NPL accurately and efficiently, supporting informed decision-making for hazardous waste site remediation. Contractor performance evaluations, often documented in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), would provide insights into how these KPIs were met.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader environmental consulting market and small businesses?

This contract, valued at $26.4 million and awarded to a large incumbent contractor (CSRA LLC), has a limited direct impact on fostering competition among small businesses in the environmental consulting sector. As it was not a small business set-aside, the primary competition occurred among larger firms. However, the existence of such a significant contract signifies a substantial and ongoing market for specialized environmental technical support services. Large prime contractors like CSRA often engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific needs or meet small business subcontracting goals. Therefore, while not directly awarded to a small business, this contract could indirectly create opportunities for specialized small firms to participate in the supply chain, provided the prime contractor actively seeks out and manages such partnerships.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: PRHQ0911890

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 3170 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,606,455

Exercised Options: $28,785,539

Current Obligation: $26,404,150

Actual Outlays: $585,218

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline