USGS Awards $3.65M Contract for Hazardous Waste Management to Auxilio Management Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,652,807 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Auxilio Management Services

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE HANDLING, REMOVAL, AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS AND NON-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE FOR THE USGS NATIONAL WATER QUALITY LABORATORY, DENVER, COLORADO.

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80223

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.7 million to AUXILIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES for work described as: PROVIDE HANDLING, REMOVAL, AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS AND NON-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE FOR THE USGS NATIONAL WATER QUALITY LABORATORY, DENVER, COLORADO. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Auxilio Management Services for hazardous waste handling. 2. The contract value is $3.65 million over a 5-year period. 3. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the primary agency. 4. The contract is for services at the National Water Quality Laboratory in Denver, Colorado. 5. The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.65 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized hazardous waste management services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for hazardous waste disposal and handling for federal facilities is needed for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery compared to a full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition approach may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Ensures environmental compliance for USGS operations. Supports critical water quality research by managing hazardous materials. Maintains safe working conditions at the National Water Quality Laboratory. Addresses potential environmental risks associated with hazardous waste. Provides essential services for a key federal scientific agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about price optimization.
Lack of small business participation noted.
Contract duration of 5 years requires ongoing monitoring.

Positive Signals

Essential service for environmental protection.
Supports critical scientific research.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal sector (NAICS 562211). Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory compliance and operational needs across various federal agencies. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on volume and complexity of waste.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor (sb: false). There is an opportunity to assess if small businesses could have provided these services or if future contracts can incorporate small business set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey. Oversight should focus on performance metrics, adherence to environmental regulations, and cost control throughout the contract's duration to ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Geological Survey Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
No small business participation
Potential for higher costs due to limited competition
Contract duration requires sustained oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.7 million to AUXILIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES. PROVIDE HANDLING, REMOVAL, AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS AND NON-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE FOR THE USGS NATIONAL WATER QUALITY LABORATORY, DENVER, COLORADO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUXILIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the justification for limiting competition on this hazardous waste management contract?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which implies it was not competed using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This could mean it was procured through other limited sources or potentially sole-source if specific criteria were met. A full justification would detail why a broader competition was not feasible or advantageous for the government in this instance.

How does the unit cost of hazardous waste disposal under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Without specific details on the types and volumes of hazardous materials handled, a precise unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the total contract value of $3.65 million over five years for a national laboratory suggests a significant operational scope. Further analysis would require breaking down the contract into specific service line items and comparing those rates against established federal and commercial benchmarks for similar hazardous waste management services.

What are the potential risks associated with the lack of small business participation in this contract?

The absence of small business participation (sb: false) could indicate missed opportunities for economic development and potentially less competitive pricing if small businesses could offer comparable services. It also raises questions about the accessibility of federal contracting for smaller, specialized firms in this sector. Future solicitations could explore set-aside options to encourage broader participation and potentially foster innovation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Treatment and Disposal › Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140G0222R0004

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 51 W 4TH AVE, DENVER, CO, 80223

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,041,141

Exercised Options: $3,652,807

Current Obligation: $3,652,807

Actual Outlays: $2,878,254

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline