EPA's $19.2M Contract for Environmental Consulting Services Awarded to Eastern Research Group Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,197,662 ($19.2M)
Contractor: Eastern Research Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2012-03-01
End Date: 2020-03-30
Contract Duration: 2,951 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICALS, COATINGS AND COMMERCE SECTOR
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02421
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $19.2 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC for work described as: SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICALS, COATINGS AND COMMERCE SECTOR Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $19.2 million, was awarded for environmental consulting services. 2. Eastern Research Group Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration spans over 8 years, from March 2012 to March 2020. 4. This spending falls under the Environmental Consulting Services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may still allow for costs to exceed initial estimates.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers funded $19.2 million for environmental consulting services over an eight-year period. The effectiveness of this spending in achieving environmental goals will determine the ultimate taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Provides essential environmental consulting services to the EPA. Supports regulatory compliance and environmental protection initiatives. The long-term nature of the contract suggests ongoing environmental needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical environmental protection efforts.
- Long-term engagement indicates consistent need for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically environmental consulting. Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on the scope and duration of services.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine potential opportunities missed for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The EPA's contracting process is subject to federal acquisition regulations. Oversight would typically involve contract performance reviews and financial audits to ensure compliance and value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration (8 years).
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, environmental-protection-agency, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $19.2 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC. SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICALS, COATINGS AND COMMERCE SECTOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-03-01. End: 2020-03-30.
What specific environmental consulting services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to the EPA's mission?
The contract provided general environmental consulting services. Without specific deliverables or project details, it's challenging to quantify the direct contribution to the EPA's mission. Future contracts should include detailed performance metrics to assess the impact of such services on environmental outcomes and regulatory compliance.
What were the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure for these environmental consulting services?
The primary risk of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs, as the government agrees to pay all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if not rigorously monitored. For environmental consulting, scope creep or unforeseen complexities could exacerbate this risk.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring a competitive price for these environmental consulting services?
Full and open competition generally promotes competitive pricing by allowing all responsible sources to submit offers. However, the effectiveness in achieving the best price is also influenced by the contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) and the clarity of the statement of work. Without a detailed cost analysis or comparison to similar sole-source contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess the price competitiveness.
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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: SOL-HQ-11-00038
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 110 HARTWELL AVE STE 1, LEXINGTON, MA, 02421
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,119,694
Exercised Options: $29,752,102
Current Obligation: $19,197,662
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 10
Total Subaward Amount: $735,368
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-03-01
Current End Date: 2020-03-30
Potential End Date: 2020-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-10-26
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