NASA's $15.5M CERCLA Remediation Project Awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,509,686 ($15.5M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-08-01
End Date: 2012-02-26
Contract Duration: 1,670 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CERCLA REMEDATION PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91109
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.5 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: CERCLA REMEDATION PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract value is $15.5 million. 2. The project involves engineering services for environmental remediation. 3. The award was not competed, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is primarily engineering services, with environmental applications.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar CERCLA remediation projects is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $15.5 million contract means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these essential environmental remediation services.
Public Impact
Environmental cleanup efforts are crucial for public health and safety. The use of taxpayer funds for remediation projects requires transparency and accountability. Long-term environmental impacts and costs are a significant consideration for such projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical environmental remediation needs
- Awarded to a known entity (Battelle Memorial Institute)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under engineering services, specifically environmental remediation under CERCLA. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements and historical contamination cleanup needs.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award, as it was a sole-source contract. Future opportunities should explore small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and the project is executed efficiently. NASA's internal review processes are key.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns due to contract type
- Limited transparency in price discovery
- No clear small business participation
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.5 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. CERCLA REMEDATION PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-08-01. End: 2012-02-26.
What specific factors justified the sole-source award for this CERCLA remediation project, and were alternatives explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available competition. For this CERCLA project, NASA would need to document why Battelle Memorial Institute was the only viable option, potentially due to specialized expertise or proprietary technology required for the specific site contamination. Exploring alternatives, even if ultimately deemed unsuitable, is a standard part of procurement integrity.
How will NASA ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded without competition?
NASA must implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and independent cost audits. Establishing clear milestones and performance metrics is crucial. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for the contractor to manage costs, but vigilant monitoring by the agency is paramount to prevent overruns and ensure the project delivers the intended environmental remediation outcomes effectively.
What are the long-term environmental and financial implications of this remediation project for the government and the public?
The long-term implications involve the successful cleanup of hazardous substances, mitigating risks to public health and ecosystems. Financially, the initial $15.5 million is an investment, but ongoing monitoring and potential future remediation needs could incur additional costs. The effectiveness of the remediation will determine the lasting environmental benefit and the avoidance of future liabilities associated with the contamination.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVENUE, COLUMBUS, OH, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,509,686
Exercised Options: $15,509,686
Current Obligation: $15,509,686
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-08-01
Current End Date: 2012-02-26
Potential End Date: 2012-02-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-03-07
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