DoD awards $31.35M contract for PFAS soil washing treatment to Brice Engineering, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,353,263 ($31.4M)

Contractor: Brice Engineering, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-11-10

End Date: 2026-11-10

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PFAS SOIL WASHING TREATMENT

Place of Performance

Location: EIELSON AFB, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99702

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.4 million to BRICE ENGINEERING, LLC for work described as: PFAS SOIL WASHING TREATMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1461 days indicates a long-term need for these remediation services. 3. The award amount of $31.35M represents a significant investment in environmental cleanup. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 5. The contract is for remediation services, addressing environmental contamination. 6. The geographic location in Alaska (AK) may present unique logistical challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.35M for PFAS soil washing treatment appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts is challenging without more specific details on the volume of soil treated and the complexity of the contamination. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The award to Brice Engineering, LLC, a single entity, implies they were deemed the best value provider through the competitive process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which typically means the solicitation was broadly advertised, but specific sources might have been excluded based on pre-qualification or other criteria. The presence of 4 bids indicates a degree of competition. While not a completely unrestricted open competition, it suggests that multiple capable firms had the opportunity to bid, which generally supports price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, despite potential source exclusions, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely led to a more competitive pricing structure than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army benefits from this contract by addressing critical environmental contamination. The services delivered will focus on the treatment of soil contaminated with PFAS. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska (AK), addressing a specific regional environmental concern. The contract supports specialized environmental remediation services, potentially involving a skilled workforce in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen complexities arise in PFAS soil treatment.
Logistical challenges associated with operating in remote Alaskan locations.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical, long-term environmental service.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Fixed-price contract type helps to mitigate cost uncertainty.
Addresses a significant environmental issue (PFAS contamination).

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation sector is a growing area, particularly with increasing focus on contaminants like PFAS. This contract falls within the broader environmental services industry, which includes site assessment, cleanup, and waste management. The market for PFAS remediation is expanding rapidly due to regulatory pressures and public awareness. The $31.35M award is substantial and reflects the scale of environmental challenges faced by government agencies, particularly in areas like military bases or industrial sites.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this specific contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. However, Brice Engineering, LLC, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities related to specialized services or support functions, depending on their subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army personnel responsible for environmental remediation projects. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
PFAS Cleanup Contracts
Department of Defense Environmental Programs
Alaska Environmental Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions or treatment complexities.
Logistical challenges in remote Alaskan environments could impact schedule and budget.
Effectiveness of soil washing for specific PFAS compounds and soil types needs verification.
Long contract duration increases exposure to regulatory changes and technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.4 million to BRICE ENGINEERING, LLC. PFAS SOIL WASHING TREATMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRICE ENGINEERING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-10. End: 2026-11-10.

What is the historical spending by the Department of Defense on PFAS remediation services?

The Department of Defense (DoD) has significantly increased its spending on PFAS remediation in recent years due to growing awareness and regulatory requirements. While specific historical figures fluctuate annually, the DoD has allocated billions of dollars towards identifying, investigating, and remediating PFAS contamination across its installations worldwide. This includes funding for research and development of new treatment technologies, as well as the implementation of existing solutions like soil washing. The trend indicates a sustained and likely increasing investment in addressing PFAS contamination, driven by environmental stewardship mandates and potential long-term health and ecological risks associated with these 'forever chemicals'.

How does the per-unit cost of PFAS soil washing compare to other remediation methods?

The per-unit cost of PFAS soil washing can vary widely depending on factors such as the concentration of PFAS, the type of soil, the volume of soil to be treated, and the specific technology employed. Generally, soil washing can be a cost-effective option for certain types of contamination compared to methods like excavation and off-site disposal, which incur significant transportation and landfilling costs. However, it may be more expensive than in-situ methods if those are applicable and effective. Benchmarking is difficult without detailed project specifics, but the goal of soil washing is to reduce the volume of contaminated material requiring further treatment or disposal, thereby offering a cost benefit in the overall remediation strategy.

What are the primary risks associated with Brice Engineering, LLC's performance on this contract?

The primary risks associated with Brice Engineering, LLC's performance on this $31.35M contract for PFAS soil washing treatment include potential technical challenges in effectively removing PFAS to regulatory standards, especially if the contamination is complex or widespread. Logistical hurdles in Alaska, such as remote site access, extreme weather conditions, and supply chain disruptions, could impact project timelines and costs. Furthermore, the long duration of the contract (1461 days) introduces risks related to potential changes in environmental regulations or technology advancements that might necessitate adaptive strategies. Ensuring consistent quality control and compliance throughout the project lifecycle will be critical.

What is the typical success rate for PFAS soil washing treatment technologies?

The success rate of PFAS soil washing treatment technologies is highly dependent on the specific technology used, the characteristics of the PFAS compounds (e.g., chain length, functional groups), the soil matrix, and the target cleanup levels. Many soil washing techniques aim to separate PFAS from the soil matrix, often concentrating them in a smaller volume of waste or a liquid effluent that then requires further treatment (e.g., activated carbon, ion exchange, advanced oxidation). While effective in reducing the concentration of PFAS in the bulk soil, achieving very low, regulatory-driven cleanup goals can be challenging and may require multiple treatment stages or complementary technologies. Pilot studies and thorough treatability testing are crucial to determine the efficacy and optimize the process for a specific site.

How has federal spending on environmental remediation services evolved over the past decade?

Federal spending on environmental remediation services has seen a notable evolution over the past decade, largely driven by increased regulatory stringency, a greater focus on emerging contaminants like PFAS, and the ongoing need to address legacy contamination at federal facilities. Agencies such as the EPA, DoD, and DOE consistently allocate significant portions of their budgets to cleanup activities. Spending has shifted towards more advanced and sustainable remediation technologies, including those addressing complex contaminants. There's also been a greater emphasis on risk assessment and cost-benefit analyses to prioritize cleanup efforts. The rise of specific contaminant concerns, like PFAS, has spurred dedicated funding streams and research initiatives, contributing to an overall upward trend in specialized environmental remediation expenditures.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911KB22R0030

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3700 CENTERPOINT DRIVE SUITE 8223, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $70,986,519

Exercised Options: $31,353,263

Current Obligation: $31,353,263

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline