DoD's $35.7M remediation contract with TechLaw Consultants Inc. awarded for Pueblo Chemical Depot services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,732,353 ($35.7M)

Contractor: Techlaw Consultants Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-28

End Date: 2021-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MULTI-SITE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/ IMPLEMENTATION AND MMRP SERVICES, PUEBLO CHEMICAL DEPOT, COLORADO. P2#444833

Place of Performance

Location: PUEBLO, PUEBLO County, COLORADO, 81008

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $35.7 million to TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MULTI-SITE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/ IMPLEMENTATION AND MMRP SERVICES, PUEBLO CHEMICAL DEPOT, COLORADO. P2#444833 Key points: 1. Contract value of $35.7M over 5 years for environmental remediation services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Services are for remedial investigation and implementation at a chemical depot. 5. Contract duration of 5 years allows for sustained environmental management. 6. Geographic focus on Colorado for this specific remediation effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $35.7 million over five years for remediation services appears reasonable given the scope of work at a chemical depot. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental cleanup contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the total expenditure is contingent on the successful completion of the defined remediation tasks. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive award suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.

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 implies that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The fact that it was open to full competition suggests that multiple bidders likely vied for the contract, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The exclusion of sources, if justified and documented, could indicate a need for specialized capabilities or past performance that narrowed the field, but still allowed for a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government secures services at a fair market price, minimizing the risk of overpayment and maximizing the efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from the remediation of environmental hazards at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. Services delivered include remedial investigation and implementation, crucial for environmental safety. The geographic impact is localized to the Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for environmental scientists, engineers, and technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen environmental complexities arise during remediation.
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise for effective and compliant cleanup.
Risk of schedule delays impacting the overall environmental restoration timeline.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contract duration allows for sustained focus on environmental remediation goals.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation services sector is a critical component of government contracting, particularly for agencies managing legacy sites or industrial facilities. This contract falls within the broader environmental consulting and remediation market, which is driven by regulatory compliance, cleanup mandates, and infrastructure development. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on government priorities, environmental regulations, and the identification of new cleanup sites. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts for similar large-scale environmental projects at federal facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false and the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss). This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, TechLaw Consultants Inc. While there is no direct indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, large federal contracts often include subcontracting goals. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly compete for this prime contract were limited, though they might still participate through subcontracting if required or pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration team within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance checks are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Chemical Demilitarization Program
Defense Environmental Restoration Program
Superfund Remedial Action Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen environmental conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contract performance dependent on specialized technical expertise.
Regulatory compliance complexities in environmental remediation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $35.7 million to TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC. IGF::OT::IGF MULTI-SITE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/ IMPLEMENTATION AND MMRP SERVICES, PUEBLO CHEMICAL DEPOT, COLORADO. P2#444833

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-28. End: 2021-09-27.

What is the track record of TechLaw Consultants Inc. in performing similar environmental remediation contracts for the Department of Defense?

TechLaw Consultants Inc. has a history of performing environmental consulting and remediation services for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their experience often encompasses areas such as site investigation, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and remedial design and implementation. Specific to large-scale remediation at chemical depots, their past performance would be a key factor in their selection for this contract. A review of their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues on previous DoD projects, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. This contract's success will depend on their ability to leverage this experience effectively to meet the complex environmental challenges at the Pueblo Chemical Depot.

How does the awarded amount of $35.7 million compare to similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts at federal facilities?

The $35.7 million contract value for five years of remediation services at the Pueblo Chemical Depot is substantial, reflecting the complexity and scale typical of environmental cleanup at former or active military installations. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to other firm-fixed-price contracts for remedial investigation and implementation services at comparable federal sites, such as other chemical weapons storage or manufacturing facilities. Factors like the specific contaminants, site size, regulatory environment, and duration of work significantly influence contract values. Without access to a database of directly comparable contracts, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark, but this figure appears within the expected range for significant, multi-year environmental restoration projects managed by the DoD.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this environmental remediation contract include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., discovering more extensive contamination than initially assessed), potential for cost overruns despite the fixed-price structure if scope changes are necessary, and schedule delays due to technical challenges or regulatory hurdles. Mitigation strategies likely include thorough site investigations prior to full remediation, robust project management by TechLaw Consultants Inc., contingency planning for unexpected issues, and clear communication channels with regulatory agencies and the contracting officer. The firm-fixed-price nature itself acts as a risk mitigation tool for the government by capping the total expenditure, provided the scope remains defined.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific remediation project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of unforeseen conditions are manageable. For this remediation project, the FFP structure incentivizes TechLaw Consultants Inc. to perform the work efficiently and within budget, as any cost savings accrue to the contractor. This shifts the cost-risk to the contractor. However, if significant, unanticipated environmental issues arise that necessitate a change in scope, the FFP contract could lead to costly change orders. The effectiveness hinges on the initial accuracy of the site assessment and the contractor's ability to execute the defined scope without major deviations.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental remediation services at the Pueblo Chemical Depot or similar DoD facilities?

Historical spending on environmental remediation at facilities like the Pueblo Chemical Depot is often characterized by long-term, multi-year commitments due to the persistent nature of contamination and the extensive cleanup processes required. Spending patterns can be lumpy, with significant outlays during investigation, design, and active remediation phases, followed by periods of monitoring and long-term stewardship. For DoD facilities, particularly those involved in chemical storage or production, remediation costs can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over decades. This $35.7 million contract represents a significant, but potentially one part of a larger, ongoing effort to address environmental liabilities at the depot.

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 › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W9128F14R0021

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Techlaw, Inc. (UEI: 116211863)

Address: 14840 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,659,671

Exercised Options: $35,732,353

Current Obligation: $35,732,353

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9128F15D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline