DOI awards $2.5M contract for BLM regulatory support, highlighting environmental consulting needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,498,647 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Copperhead Environmental Consulting Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-08

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,118 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLM REGULATORY SUPPORT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.5 million to COPPERHEAD ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING INC for work described as: BLM REGULATORY SUPPORT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of environmental consulting services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to regulatory timelines. 4. This contract supports the Bureau of Land Management's critical environmental stewardship mission. 5. The award falls within the broader environmental consulting sector, serving federal land management agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.5 million over roughly three years for regulatory support is within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal agencies indicates that this pricing is competitive, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which transfers some risk to the contractor. The scope likely involves complex analysis and reporting, justifying the investment.

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 firms were likely solicited. The presence of five bidders suggests a competitive environment, which generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government. This approach ensures that the most capable and cost-effective provider is selected.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this contract helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) benefits from expert regulatory support, enabling compliance and effective land management. Services delivered include environmental consulting, crucial for navigating complex regulations and ensuring sustainable practices. The contract's geographic impact is primarily focused on areas managed by the BLM, likely across various states. Workforce implications may include specialized environmental consultants and analysts contributing to federal land management efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if regulatory requirements evolve significantly during the contract period.
Ensuring timely delivery of critical regulatory support to avoid project delays for the BLM.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price.
Contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market supporting federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as private industry. This contract fits within the segment of firms providing specialized expertise in regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments, and natural resource management. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar federal contracts in this NAICS code (541620) often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded under full and open competition. While there is no direct small business set-aside, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors. The impact on the small business ecosystem depends on the subcontracting opportunities offered by Copperhead Environmental Consulting Inc.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Bureau of Land Management contracting officer and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

BLM Environmental Impact Statements
DOI Environmental Compliance
Federal Regulatory Analysis
Environmental Consulting Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Regulatory Change Risk
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.5 million to COPPERHEAD ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING INC. BLM REGULATORY SUPPORT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COPPERHEAD ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-08. End: 2028-09-30.

What is the track record of Copperhead Environmental Consulting Inc. with federal contracts?

Copperhead Environmental Consulting Inc. has a track record of performing environmental consulting services. While this specific contract is a significant award, further analysis of their past performance on federal contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget on previous engagements, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any contract disputes or awards would be beneficial for a complete assessment.

How does the awarded price compare to similar environmental consulting contracts?

The awarded price of approximately $2.5 million over 1,118 days (roughly 3 years) for regulatory support services appears competitive within the federal environmental consulting market. Factors such as the specific expertise required, the complexity of the regulatory landscape managed by the BLM, and the geographic scope of services influence pricing. Given the firm-fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process involving five offers, the price is likely aligned with market rates for specialized services of this magnitude.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential contractor underperformance, where Copperhead Environmental Consulting Inc. may not meet the required quality standards or delivery timelines for regulatory support. There's also a risk of scope creep if the BLM's regulatory needs expand beyond the initial contract parameters, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Furthermore, changes in environmental regulations or policy could impact the contract's execution. Ensuring robust project management and clear communication channels will be crucial for mitigating these risks.

How effective is this contract in supporting the BLM's regulatory compliance?

The effectiveness of this contract in supporting the BLM's regulatory compliance hinges on the contractor's ability to provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive environmental consulting services. By engaging specialized expertise, the BLM aims to navigate complex environmental laws and regulations more efficiently, thereby enhancing its compliance posture. The success will be measured by the quality of the regulatory analyses, reports, and recommendations provided, and how well these contribute to informed decision-making and adherence to legal requirements.

What are historical spending patterns for BLM regulatory support?

Historical spending patterns for Bureau of Land Management regulatory support services indicate a consistent need for external expertise in environmental consulting. While specific figures vary year to year based on agency priorities and project needs, the BLM regularly allocates funds for services related to environmental impact assessments, compliance monitoring, and regulatory analysis. This $2.5 million award is indicative of the ongoing investment required to manage the environmental aspects of federal land use and resource management.

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

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 471 MAIN ST, PAINT LICK, KY, 40461

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,372,633

Exercised Options: $2,498,647

Current Obligation: $2,498,647

Actual Outlays: $218,632

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00CR

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline