EPA's $30M contract with Black & Veatch for environmental services awarded under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,117,560 ($30.1M)
Contractor: Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 1999-12-15
End Date: 2005-12-15
Contract Duration: 2,192 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Place of Performance
Location: LEAWOOD, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66211
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $30.1 million to BLACK & VEATCH SPECIAL PROJECTS CORP. for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded for environmental services, indicating a need for specialized technical expertise. 2. The contract duration of approximately six years suggests a significant, long-term project. 3. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighting a focus on environmental protection initiatives. 4. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' contract type suggests performance incentives tied to specific objectives. 5. The contract was competed under 'Full and Open Competition', implying a broad market solicitation. 6. The contractor, Black & Veatch, is a known entity in engineering and construction services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables and performance metrics. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not managed tightly. Comparing it to similar EPA environmental service contracts would require detailed analysis of scope and duration. The total award amount of over $30 million over six years suggests a substantial investment in environmental remediation or consulting.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through 'Full and Open Competition', indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders participated, it's unclear if this represents the full extent of market interest or if other qualified firms chose not to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally promotes competitive pricing, potentially leading to better value for taxpayers. However, the actual cost savings depend on the effectiveness of the bidding process and the final negotiated terms.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the communities and ecosystems impacted by environmental issues requiring EPA intervention. Services delivered likely include environmental assessment, remediation planning, technical consulting, and project management. The geographic impact is centered in Kansas, as indicated by the 'ST' and 'SN' fields. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the environmental services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in 'Cost Plus' contract types if not rigorously overseen.
- Limited competition (two bidders) may not have driven the most aggressive pricing.
- The long duration could lead to scope creep or evolving requirements that increase costs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
- Contractor has a significant presence in engineering and infrastructure, suggesting capability.
- Incentive-based fee structure (Award Fee) can drive performance if well-defined.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the environmental consulting and services sector, a critical area for government agencies like the EPA. The market for environmental services is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance, remediation needs, and infrastructure development. This contract represents a specific instance of federal spending within this sector, contributing to the overall market activity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. Given the nature and potential scale of environmental services contracts, it is common for larger firms to compete. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but this would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the specific tasks required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the EPA's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure, which links a portion of the payment to performance outcomes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- EPA Superfund Program
- EPA Brownfields Program
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Federal Environmental Remediation Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus contract type requires careful monitoring to control costs.
- Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope changes and cost escalation.
Tags
environmental-services, epa, kansas, cost-plus-award-fee, large-contract, full-and-open-competition, black-veatch, consulting, remediation, federal-spending
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $30.1 million to BLACK & VEATCH SPECIAL PROJECTS CORP.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLACK & VEATCH SPECIAL PROJECTS CORP..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $30.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-12-15. End: 2005-12-15.
What specific environmental services were rendered under this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific environmental services rendered. However, given the contractor (Black & Veatch) and the awarding agency (EPA), services likely encompassed areas such as environmental assessment, site investigation, feasibility studies, remediation design, construction oversight, and potentially operational support for environmental facilities. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure suggests that the EPA defined specific performance objectives related to these services, and the contractor's ability to meet or exceed these objectives influenced the final payment.
How does the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF) structure compare to other contract types for similar EPA projects?
The CPAF structure is often used when the exact cost is difficult to estimate upfront, but performance outcomes can be clearly defined and measured. It allows for flexibility in managing project costs while incentivizing the contractor to achieve specific performance goals through award fees. Compared to 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF), CPAF offers greater potential for contractor reward (and thus motivation) for exceeding expectations, but also carries a risk of higher total costs if award fees are consistently maximized. 'Fixed Price' contracts offer more cost certainty for the government but are less suitable for complex, evolving service requirements where scope is uncertain.
What is Black & Veatch's track record with the EPA and similar government contracts?
Black & Veatch is a large, established engineering, procurement, and construction company with extensive experience in environmental services, infrastructure, and energy projects. They have a history of working with various government agencies, including the EPA, on complex projects. While specific details of their past performance on EPA contracts are not provided here, their longevity and scale suggest a significant track record. A deeper dive would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and contract histories available through federal procurement databases.
What was the total spending on environmental services by the EPA during the contract period (1999-2005)?
The provided data only includes details for this specific contract. To determine the total EPA spending on environmental services during the 1999-2005 period, one would need to access historical EPA budget documents and contract databases. This would involve aggregating spending across numerous contracts and task orders issued by various EPA offices for a wide range of environmental programs, such as Superfund, water quality, air quality, and waste management.
Were there any significant performance issues or disputes associated with this contract?
The provided data does not contain information regarding performance issues or disputes related to this specific contract. Such details are typically found in contract performance reports, litigation records, or Inspector General reports, which are not included in the abbreviated data set. Assessing performance issues would require a more comprehensive review of contract administration records and any publicly available dispute or litigation history.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Black & Veatch Holding Company (UEI: 788948115)
Address: 6601 COLLEGE BLVD, SHAWNEE MISSI
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-12-15
Current End Date: 2005-12-15
Potential End Date: 2005-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-06-28
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