EPA's $27.6M Facilities Support Contract Awarded to Weston Solutions Inc. for Pennsylvania Operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,644,901 ($27.6M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2000-11-15
End Date: 2006-09-15
Contract Duration: 2,130 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Place of Performance
Location: WEST CHESTER, CHESTER County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19380
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $27.6 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 2. The contract duration of 2130 days (approx. 5.8 years) indicates a long-term need for facilities support. 3. The 'PA' (Procurement Administrative) type suggests administrative or support functions rather than direct service delivery. 4. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' pricing structure can incentivize cost control by the contractor while ensuring a defined profit. 5. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal facilities management contracts. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags potential missed opportunities for smaller enterprises in this sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $27.6 million over nearly six years suggests a reasonable annual spend for comprehensive facilities support services. Benchmarking this against similar EPA contracts for facilities management would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' (CPFF) contract type, while common, requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and the overall project scope. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to industry standards for the services provided, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.
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 bids. The presence of 2 bidders (as suggested by 'no': 2) implies a degree of competition, though the exact number of proposals received is not detailed. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The fact that it was competed fully is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for lower prices and higher quality services due to the competitive bidding process. Full and open competition helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) facilities in Pennsylvania, which receive essential support services. Services likely include maintenance, repair, operations, and potentially specialized environmental support for EPA sites. The geographic impact is concentrated within Pennsylvania, supporting federal operations in that state. The contract supports a workforce employed by Weston Solutions Inc. to perform these facilities management tasks.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not closely monitored.
- Limited transparency on the specific performance metrics and quality assurance processes.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical facilities support over an extended period.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
- Long contract duration suggests stability and a consistent level of service for EPA facilities.
- Contractor (Weston Solutions Inc.) likely has relevant experience in federal facilities support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of operational and maintenance activities for government and commercial properties. This sector is crucial for ensuring the functionality and safety of federal installations. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and comply with environmental and safety regulations. Comparable federal spending benchmarks for facilities support services vary widely based on the scope and location, but contracts in the tens of millions over several years are common for significant installations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses ('sb': false). Furthermore, there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that small businesses may not have been a primary focus for this particular award, potentially limiting their direct participation and opportunities to contribute to this federal contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Environmental Protection Agency. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and compliance checks are standard accountability measures. The 'Procurement Administrative' (PA) designation might imply specific oversight related to administrative functions. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting, though detailed operational oversight specifics are often internal.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Facilities Management Contracts
- Environmental Services Contracts
- General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
- EPA Operations and Maintenance Contracts
Risk Flags
- Moderate competition level may impact price optimization.
- CPFF contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals.
Tags
facilities-support, environmental-protection-agency, pennsylvania, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, facilities-management, federal-contract, weston-solutions-inc, moderate-value, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $27.6 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-11-15. End: 2006-09-15.
What is the track record of Weston Solutions Inc. in performing similar federal facilities support contracts?
Weston Solutions Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to environmental services and facilities support. Analyzing their past performance ratings, contract history with agencies like the EPA, and any reported issues or successes on similar projects would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. For instance, examining previous contracts of similar value and scope awarded to Weston Solutions would help assess their capacity to manage a $27.6 million contract over nearly six years. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance databases can offer details on their performance history, including any awards, past performance evaluations, or disputes.
How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or budget for these facilities support services?
The awarded amount of $27.6 million provides a concrete figure for the cost of these facilities support services over the contract's duration. To assess value, this figure should be compared against the government's independent government cost estimate (IGCE) or the agency's allocated budget for these services. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the IGCE, it suggests strong competition and potentially good value. Conversely, if it's close to or exceeds the estimate, further scrutiny of the pricing and scope might be warranted. Without access to the IGCE or budget documents, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents optimal value, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?
Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for facilities support services include response times for maintenance requests, uptime of critical building systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical), adherence to safety protocols, energy efficiency targets, and overall client satisfaction. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' (CPFF) structure implies that performance is monitored to ensure the contractor meets the agreed-upon scope and quality standards within the fixed fee component, while costs are tracked against the variable cost component. The EPA would likely have internal metrics and quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs) to evaluate Weston Solutions' performance.
What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services by the EPA in Pennsylvania?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for facilities support services by the EPA, particularly in Pennsylvania, would provide context for the $27.6 million award. This involves examining previous contracts awarded for similar services in the region, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate changes in agency needs, infrastructure investment, or market conditions. Understanding this historical context helps determine if the current contract represents a continuation of established spending levels, a significant expansion, or a reduction, thereby informing an assessment of fiscal prudence and program stability.
What are the potential risks associated with a 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract type for this service?
The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) contract type carries inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the 'cost' portion can be subject to fluctuations. If not rigorously monitored, there's a risk that the contractor may incur higher costs than anticipated, potentially leading to budget overruns if the scope expands or inefficiencies arise. The government bears the risk of cost increases above the estimated cost, although the fixed fee itself is not increased. Effective oversight, detailed cost accounting, and clear scope definition are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.
How does the competition level (2 bidders) impact the pricing and quality of services received?
A competition involving only two bidders, as indicated by 'no': 2, presents a moderate level of competition. While better than a sole-source award, it is less competitive than scenarios with numerous bidders. This limited competition could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a market with many players vying for the contract. The government might not achieve the lowest possible price, and the contractor may have more leverage in negotiations. However, if both bidders were highly qualified and submitted competitive proposals, the quality of services could still be high. The EPA's evaluation process would be critical in selecting the best value proposal under these circumstances.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118341234)
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 06
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,040,412
Exercised Options: $7,479,582
Current Obligation: $27,644,901
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-11-15
Current End Date: 2006-09-15
Potential End Date: 2006-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-12-04
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