Department of the Army awards $10.16M contract for hazardous substance removal services to US Ecology Idaho, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,156,226 ($10.2M)

Contractor: US Ecology Idaho, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-06-07

End Date: 2010-06-05

Contract Duration: 1,824 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200509!500853!96CE!W912DQ!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT KANSAS CTY!DACW4199D9008 !A!N! !N!0023 ! !20050607!20100605!956657654!073114654!118806587!N!US ECOLOGY ID !10 MILES NW HWY 78 LEMLEY !GRAND VIEW !ID!83624!65000!510!29!ST. LOUIS !ST. LOUIS (CITY) !MISSOURI !+000000084500!N!N!000000000000!F108!HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE REMOVAL/CLEANUP/DISPOSAL SVCS !S1 !SERVICES !ZOP !* !562211!E! !5!B!M! !A! !20200930!B! ! !B! !A!N!J!2!009!F! !C!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND VIEW, OWYHEE County, IDAHO, 83624

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.2 million to US ECOLOGY IDAHO, INC for work described as: 200509!500853!96CE!W912DQ!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT KANSAS CTY!DACW4199D9008 !A!N! !N!0023 ! !20050607!20100605!956657654!073114654!118806587!N!US ECOLOGY ID !10 MILES NW HWY 78 LEMLEY !GRAND VIEW !ID!83624!65000!510!29!ST. LOUIS !ST. … Key points: 1. Contract awarded for hazardous substance removal, cleanup, and disposal services. 2. The contract value is approximately $10.16 million over a period of 5 years. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The contractor, US Ecology Idaho, Inc., is located in Grand View, Idaho. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs for the government. 6. This contract falls under the category of environmental services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.16 million for hazardous substance removal services over five years appears reasonable when considering the specialized nature of environmental cleanup. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale hazardous waste disposal projects in the region, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has secured predictable costs for the defined scope of work, which is a positive indicator of value.

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,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were likely considered. The presence of 9 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the final contract price and ensured that the government received competitive offers for essential environmental services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are government agencies requiring hazardous substance management and cleanup. Services delivered include the removal, cleanup, and disposal of hazardous substances. The geographic impact is centered around the contractor's location in Grand View, Idaho, and potentially other sites requiring these services. The contract supports specialized jobs in the environmental services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen hazardous conditions are encountered beyond the initial scope.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical environmental service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market.
Contract duration of 5 years allows for consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services sector, specifically focusing on hazardous substance removal, cleanup, and disposal. This is a critical but niche area within the broader government contracting landscape. The market for such services is often characterized by specialized firms with specific certifications and capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed project scope and location, but the overall federal spending on environmental remediation is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Given the specialized nature of hazardous substance removal, it is possible that larger, more experienced firms dominate this market. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Hazardous Waste Management
Defense Environmental Services
Emergency Response Services

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk for specialized environmental services.
Dependence on a single source for critical cleanup operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.2 million to US ECOLOGY IDAHO, INC. 200509!500853!96CE!W912DQ!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT KANSAS CTY!DACW4199D9008 !A!N! !N!0023 ! !20050607!20100605!956657654!073114654!118806587!N!US ECOLOGY ID !10 MILES NW HWY 78 LEMLEY !GRAND VIEW !ID!83624!65000!510!29!ST. LOUIS !ST. LOUIS (CITY) !MISSOURI !+000000084500!N!N!000000000000!F108!HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE REMOVAL/CLEANUP/DISPOSAL SVCS !S1 !SERVICES !ZOP !* !562211!E! !5!B!M! !A! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is US ECOLOGY IDAHO, 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 $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-07. End: 2010-06-05.

What is the track record of US Ecology Idaho, Inc. in performing similar hazardous substance removal contracts for the federal government?

US Ecology Idaho, Inc. has a history of performing environmental services, including hazardous waste management and disposal. While specific details on past federal contracts of this exact scope and value are not provided in this data snippet, the company's specialization suggests experience in this field. A deeper dive into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would be necessary to ascertain their complete federal performance history, including any past performance evaluations, past due performance issues, or significant contract modifications. Understanding their prior success rates and client satisfaction would provide a clearer picture of their reliability for this specific award.

How does the awarded price of $10.16 million compare to similar hazardous substance removal contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $10.16 million award requires comparing it against contracts with similar scopes of work, geographic locations, and service durations. Hazardous substance removal is highly variable, with costs depending heavily on the type and volume of contaminants, site accessibility, and required disposal methods. Without access to a detailed breakdown of the services included in this specific contract (e.g., types of waste, volume, treatment required), a precise comparison is challenging. However, for large-scale, multi-year environmental remediation projects, a value in the low tens of millions is not uncommon. Further analysis would involve identifying comparable contracts and adjusting for differences in project complexity and scale to assess if this award represents a competitive price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential cost overruns if unforeseen hazardous conditions are encountered beyond the initial scope, leading to change orders. There's also a risk related to contractor performance; if US Ecology Idaho, Inc. fails to meet service level agreements or deadlines, it could impact environmental safety and incur penalties. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for a critical service presents a risk if performance issues arise or if the company faces financial instability. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract oversight by the Army Corps of Engineers, clear performance metrics, defined penalties for non-performance, and potentially contingency funds for unexpected site conditions. The firm fixed-price nature also shifts some cost risk to the contractor.

How effective is the Department of the Army in managing and overseeing contracts for environmental services like hazardous substance removal?

The Department of the Army, through entities like the Army Corps of Engineers, has extensive experience managing complex environmental contracts. Their effectiveness is generally considered high due to established procurement processes, dedicated contracting officers, and technical experts who oversee these specialized services. Oversight mechanisms typically include regular progress meetings, site inspections, review of contractor reports, and performance evaluations. While specific effectiveness metrics for this particular contract are not available, the Army's long-standing role in environmental management suggests a robust framework for ensuring contract compliance and service delivery. Inspector General reports and contract audits can provide further insights into oversight effectiveness.

What has been the historical spending pattern for hazardous substance removal and cleanup services by the Department of the Army over the past decade?

Historical spending by the Department of the Army on hazardous substance removal and cleanup services has been substantial and relatively consistent over the past decade, driven by ongoing environmental compliance requirements, legacy site cleanup, and operational needs. While precise figures fluctuate annually based on specific project needs and funding allocations, the Army consistently allocates significant resources to environmental management. This includes remediation of contaminated sites, waste disposal, and compliance with environmental regulations. The total annual spending can range from hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars, depending on major cleanup initiatives and infrastructure projects.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: US Ecology Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118806587)

Address: 10 MILES NORTH HGWY 78 LEM, GRAND VIEW, ID, 83624

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DACW4199D9008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline