EPA awards $22.5M for Buffalo River cleanup, highlighting environmental remediation services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,553,504 ($22.6M)

Contractor: Environmental Quality Management, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2013-07-30

End Date: 2015-12-31

Contract Duration: 884 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BUFFALO RIVER REMEDIAL ACTION UNDER THE GLNPOCS CONTRACT - AUTHORIZATION FOR BASE PERIOD AND OPTION 2 IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: BUFFALO, ERIE County, NEW YORK, 14201

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $22.6 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC for work described as: BUFFALO RIVER REMEDIAL ACTION UNDER THE GLNPOCS CONTRACT - AUTHORIZATION FOR BASE PERIOD AND OPTION 2 IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental remediation, addressing long-standing pollution issues. 2. The award was made under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Environmental Quality Management, Inc. is the contractor, with a history in environmental services. 4. The contract duration spans over two years, indicating a significant commitment to the project. 5. This award falls under the broader category of environmental protection and remediation efforts by the EPA. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.5 million for the base period and Option 2 appears reasonable for a multi-year environmental remediation project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale Superfund site cleanups or complex environmental restoration projects would provide further context. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, though the ultimate value depends on the successful completion of remediation tasks and the avoidance of unforeseen complications.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that while the competition was generally open, there might have been specific justifications for excluding certain sources initially. However, the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust bidding process was intended. The number of bidders is not specified, but open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment in environmental cleanup.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and ecosystems surrounding the Buffalo River, which will experience improved environmental quality. The services delivered include critical remediation activities to address pollution and restore the river's health. The geographic impact is localized to the Buffalo River area in New York. The project may have implications for the local environmental services workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in remediation and related fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen contamination is discovered.
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise for effective remediation.
Long-term effectiveness of remediation may require ongoing monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
Contractor has experience in environmental remediation services.
Project addresses a significant environmental concern for the region.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services sector, a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and the need to address historical pollution. The EPA is a major procurer in this space, often dealing with complex remediation projects at Superfund sites and other contaminated areas. Spending in this sector is influenced by environmental regulations, public health concerns, and the availability of federal funding for cleanup initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale remediation contracts awarded by the EPA or other environmental agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests the contract was likely awarded to a larger entity capable of handling the scale and complexity of the remediation. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in specialized aspects of the remediation work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project performance details may be less accessible. Accountability measures are built into the contract terms, with performance standards and payment milestones.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Great Lakes Legacy Program
Environmental Remediation Contracts
Water Quality Improvement Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen environmental conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk in executing complex remediation tasks.
Regulatory changes affecting cleanup standards or requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $22.6 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC. BUFFALO RIVER REMEDIAL ACTION UNDER THE GLNPOCS CONTRACT - AUTHORIZATION FOR BASE PERIOD AND OPTION 2 IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-30. End: 2015-12-31.

What is the track record of Environmental Quality Management, Inc. with the EPA on similar remediation projects?

Environmental Quality Management, Inc. (EQM) has a history of working with the EPA on environmental remediation projects. While specific details on past performance for the Buffalo River project are not provided in this data snippet, EQM's general profile includes experience in hazardous waste management, site remediation, and environmental consulting. A deeper dive into their contract history with the EPA, including past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes on comparable projects, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. This would involve reviewing federal procurement databases and agency performance reports to understand their reliability and effectiveness in delivering similar environmental services under various contract types and scopes.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost for similar environmental remediation projects?

The $22.5 million awarded for the Buffalo River Remedial Action appears to be within a reasonable range for significant environmental remediation efforts, especially those involving complex ecosystems like a river system. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against projects of similar scale, complexity, and geographic location. Factors such as the type and extent of contamination, the specific remediation technologies employed, and the duration of the project heavily influence costs. For instance, large-scale Superfund site cleanups can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. Without detailed project scope and technical specifications, it's challenging to definitively state if this award represents a particularly high or low value, but it aligns with the expected investment for substantial environmental restoration.

What are the primary risks associated with this environmental remediation contract?

The primary risks associated with this environmental remediation contract include unforeseen site conditions, such as the discovery of previously unknown contaminants or geological challenges, which could lead to cost overruns and schedule delays. Technical risks involve the effectiveness of the chosen remediation technologies in addressing the specific pollutants present in the Buffalo River. Contractor performance risk is also a factor, dependent on Environmental Quality Management, Inc.'s ability to execute the project efficiently and meet quality standards. Furthermore, regulatory risks, such as changes in environmental standards or permitting requirements, could impact the project's execution. Finally, environmental risks, including potential accidental releases during remediation activities, necessitate robust safety and containment protocols.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental remediation services by the EPA?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consistently allocates significant funding towards environmental remediation services, particularly through programs like Superfund and the Great Lakes Legacy Program. Historical spending patterns show a substantial and often fluctuating commitment, driven by legislative appropriations, national environmental priorities, and the identification of new or existing contaminated sites requiring cleanup. The EPA's budget for remediation activities typically runs into billions of dollars annually, covering site assessment, design, cleanup, and long-term monitoring. Spending can vary year-to-year based on the number of active cleanup projects, the complexity of sites, and the availability of federal funds. This specific contract for the Buffalo River Remedial Action represents a portion of the EPA's broader investment in addressing environmental contamination across the nation.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation imply for this contract?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests a nuanced approach to procurement. Initially, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria or justifications (e.g., specialized capabilities, prior work, or unique circumstances). However, the contract was ultimately awarded through a process intended to be open to all responsible sources that met the revised requirements or were not subject to the initial exclusions. This implies that while not every potential bidder may have been considered from the outset, the final competition phase aimed for broad participation among qualified entities. This approach can sometimes be used when a specific technology or approach is required, or to ensure fair competition among a defined set of capable contractors, balancing the need for specialized expertise with the principles of open bidding.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: EQM Technologies & Energy, Inc (UEI: 826517729)

Address: 1800 CARILLON BLVD 100, CINCINNATI, OH, 45240

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,849,553

Exercised Options: $22,553,504

Current Obligation: $22,553,504

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 22

Total Subaward Amount: $17,952,437

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPR51104

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline