Interior Department awards $135K contract for phosphorus study at Moody AFB, focusing on environmental consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $135,430 ($135.4K)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-30

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $752/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOODY AFB WWTP - PHOSPHOROUS STUDY

Place of Performance

Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91107

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $135,429.52 to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: MOODY AFB WWTP - PHOSPHOROUS STUDY Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a specialized environmental study. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Short performance period indicates a focused scope of work. 4. Environmental consulting services are critical for regulatory compliance and infrastructure management. 5. This contract falls within the broader environmental services sector for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $135,429.52 for an environmental consulting study is within a typical range for specialized services. Benchmarking against similar studies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the fixed-price nature suggests cost control. The scope appears limited to a specific study, making direct comparison to larger, multi-year contracts difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process generally leads to competitive pricing and a wider selection of capable contractors. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a robust market for environmental consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces, ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Interior, which will receive data and analysis to inform environmental management at Moody Air Force Base. The service delivered is a specialized study focused on phosphorus, likely related to water quality or environmental impact assessment. The geographic impact is localized to Moody Air Force Base, California. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of environmental scientists and consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the study's parameters are not strictly defined.
Reliance on contractor expertise for accurate data interpretation.

Positive Signals

Clear objective for a focused environmental study.
Fixed-price contract structure helps manage costs.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market availability of expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541620), a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise in areas like environmental assessment, remediation, and compliance. Federal spending in this area supports agency environmental stewardship and regulatory adherence. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult without knowing the specific nature of the phosphorus study, but typical environmental consulting projects can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, TETRA TECH, INC., is a large corporation. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award, as it was competed broadly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms and the delivery of the study's findings by the specified deadline. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though the detailed findings of the study itself may be internal or subject to public release depending on its nature.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Water Quality Monitoring
Environmental Impact Analysis
Department of Defense Environmental Contracts

Risk Flags

Short performance period may indicate a high-pressure timeline.
Specialized nature of study requires specific expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $135,429.52 to TETRA TECH, INC.. MOODY AFB WWTP - PHOSPHOROUS STUDY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $135,429.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-30. End: 2026-09-26.

What is the specific environmental concern or objective driving the need for a phosphorus study at Moody AFB?

The provided data does not specify the exact environmental concern necessitating the phosphorus study at Moody Air Force Base. However, phosphorus is a common pollutant that can lead to eutrophication in water bodies, impacting aquatic ecosystems and potentially drinking water sources. Such studies are often conducted to assess nutrient loading, identify sources of contamination, evaluate the effectiveness of existing wastewater treatment, or comply with environmental regulations like the Clean Water Act. The Department of the Interior, likely acting on behalf of or in coordination with the Air Force, would commission this study to gather critical data for environmental management and decision-making related to the base's operations and surrounding water resources.

How does the $135,429.52 contract value compare to similar environmental consulting studies for military installations?

The contract value of $135,429.52 for a specialized phosphorus study appears to be on the lower end for comprehensive environmental consulting projects, especially those involving military installations which can have complex environmental histories and regulatory requirements. However, the duration of 180 days (approximately six months) and the specific focus on a phosphorus study suggest a targeted scope. Without detailed information on the study's specific objectives, required deliverables (e.g., sampling intensity, laboratory analysis complexity, modeling), and the specific environmental conditions at Moody AFB, a precise benchmark is challenging. Generally, larger environmental assessments, site investigations, or remediation design projects can easily run into hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. This contract likely represents a focused data collection and analysis effort rather than a full-scale environmental impact statement or remediation plan.

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

Potential risks for this contract include scope creep, where the study's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the accuracy and completeness of the data collected and analyzed by TETRA TECH, INC., as the effectiveness of environmental management decisions hinges on reliable information. Contractor performance risk also exists, where the firm may not meet deadlines or quality standards. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded in the contract's firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to manage scope and costs effectively. The short performance period (180 days) also limits the window for significant delays. The Department of the Interior's oversight, including review of interim and final reports, serves as a key mechanism to ensure quality and adherence to the defined scope. Clear contract language defining deliverables and performance standards is crucial for managing these risks.

What is TETRA TECH, INC.'s track record with federal environmental consulting contracts?

TETRA TECH, INC. is a major global provider of consulting and engineering services, with a significant presence in federal contracting, particularly within environmental sectors. They frequently secure contracts with various agencies, including the Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of the Interior, for services ranging from environmental assessments and remediation to water resource management and infrastructure design. Their extensive experience suggests a strong track record in delivering complex environmental solutions. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly detailed, their sustained success in winning competitive federal bids indicates a generally positive performance history and capability to meet government requirements. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings on federal contract databases would provide more granular insights.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of federal spending on environmental services?

This $135,429.52 contract for a phosphorus study is a relatively small component within the vast federal spending landscape for environmental services. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on environmental consulting, compliance, remediation, and conservation efforts. This contract represents a specific, targeted need for data acquisition and analysis at a particular military installation. It aligns with the broader federal objective of environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance (e.g., Clean Water Act), and ensuring the operational sustainability of federal facilities. While not a large-dollar program, it is indicative of the ongoing, granular work required to manage environmental responsibilities across government operations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0426Q0049

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3475 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, PASADENA, CA, 91107

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $135,430

Exercised Options: $135,430

Current Obligation: $135,430

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F168CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline