Department of the Interior awards $31.6M contract for drinking water testing services to Brandywine Science Center Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,580 ($31.6K)

Contractor: Brandywine Science Center Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-06-08

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,818 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOFU/VAFO - DRINKING WATER TESTING

Place of Performance

Location: KING OF PRUSSIA, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19406

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $31,580 to BRANDYWINE SCIENCE CENTER INC for work described as: HOFU/VAFO - DRINKING WATER TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential drinking water testing, supporting public health and environmental safety. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. A firm-fixed-price award indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. 4. The contract duration of approximately five years allows for sustained service delivery. 5. The award to Brandywine Science Center Inc. contributes to the specialized services sector within federal contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.6 million over five years for drinking water testing services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory testing services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it caps potential costs. However, without specific details on the testing methodologies and volume, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal solicitation process and may limit the number of potential bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is often used for procurements valued below a certain threshold, aiming for efficiency. The limited competition inherent in SAP could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing than a broader competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline the procurement process for this contract. While it may not yield the absolute lowest price achievable through extensive competition, it likely balances cost considerations with timely acquisition of necessary services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the public and environmental agencies relying on accurate drinking water quality data. Services delivered include comprehensive testing of drinking water to ensure compliance with safety standards. The geographic impact is primarily within Pennsylvania, where the contractor is located, but the data supports national park service operations. The contract supports specialized laboratory personnel and technicians within the scientific services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited price competition due to Simplified Acquisition Procedures.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing effectiveness difficult.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical public health service.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price award shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Contract duration provides stability for essential services.
Award to a specialized science center suggests relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically laboratory testing. This sector is crucial for regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring, and public health. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized analytical capabilities. The value of this contract is moderate within the broader context of federal spending on scientific services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized for this contract (sb: false). There is no information on subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Brandywine Science Center Inc. itself is a small business, which is not specified. Further investigation into subcontracting would be needed to assess broader small business implications.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Park Service contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified testing services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov, where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality Programs
National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Grants
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Health Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Contractor's past performance not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $31,580 to BRANDYWINE SCIENCE CENTER INC. HOFU/VAFO - DRINKING WATER TESTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRANDYWINE SCIENCE CENTER INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31,580.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-08. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the track record of Brandywine Science Center Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding Brandywine Science Center Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or claims, and their history of delivering similar scientific or laboratory services to government agencies. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past success in meeting federal requirements. Further research into federal procurement databases and agency performance records would be necessary to provide a comprehensive answer.

How does the per-unit cost of drinking water testing under this contract compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost breakdowns for the drinking water testing services. The total contract value is $31.6 million over an estimated 1818 days (approximately 5 years). To compare per-unit costs, one would need to know the volume and types of tests performed. Benchmarking against industry standards for common water quality tests (e.g., coliform bacteria, lead, nitrates) and against similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies for comparable services would be necessary. Without this granular data, a precise comparison of value for money on a per-unit basis is not feasible.

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

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to inaccurate or delayed water quality data, which could impact public health and environmental compliance. Another risk is the potential for cost increases if the firm-fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen testing complexities or material costs, although the contractor assumes this risk. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight by the National Park Service, clear performance standards and deliverables, and potentially contingency planning for service disruptions. The firm-fixed-price nature itself mitigates the risk of cost overruns for the government.

How effective is the National Park Service in overseeing contracts of this nature?

The effectiveness of the National Park Service (NPS) in overseeing contracts like this depends on several factors, including the adequacy of their contracting staff's expertise, the clarity of the contract's performance work statement (PWS), and the rigor of their monitoring and evaluation processes. NPS, like other federal agencies, has established procedures for contract administration and oversight. However, the specific effectiveness for this contract would require an assessment of NPS's internal controls, the frequency and quality of performance reviews, and how they handle any identified deficiencies or contractor non-compliance. Publicly available data on NPS contract performance management could offer insights.

What is the historical spending pattern for drinking water testing services by the Department of the Interior or National Park Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for drinking water testing by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Park Service (NPS) would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This contract, valued at $31.6 million over five years, represents a significant investment. Understanding past spending would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., routine testing vs. specialized analysis), and the primary contractors utilized. It would also help determine if this award is consistent with, or a deviation from, previous procurement strategies and funding levels for water quality monitoring.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P4222Q0030

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 204 LINE RD STE A, KENNETT SQUARE, PA, 19348

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,580

Exercised Options: $31,580

Current Obligation: $31,580

Actual Outlays: $22,980

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline