National Park Service awards $104K contract for water/wastewater testing in Washington

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $104,119 ($104.1K)

Contractor: Water Management Laboratories Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-05-08

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,087 days

Daily Burn Rate: $96/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY24 PARKWIDE WATER/WASTEWATER TESTING, MORA.

Place of Performance

Location: TACOMA, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98404

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $104,119.4 to WATER MANAGEMENT LABORATORIES INC for work described as: FY24 PARKWIDE WATER/WASTEWATER TESTING, MORA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Water Management Laboratories Inc. for essential water quality services. 2. The contract duration spans over three years, ensuring continuous monitoring. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on efficiency for smaller procurements. 5. The service category 'Testing Laboratories and Services' is crucial for environmental compliance and public health. 6. Geographic focus on Washington state highlights localized environmental needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $104,119.40 for three years of water and wastewater testing appears reasonable given the scope of services required by the National Park Service. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental testing services across federal agencies suggests that this price falls within a typical range for specialized laboratory analysis and field sampling. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government, reducing the risk of cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought to obtain competitive pricing and best value efficiently for this requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure that the government receives fair market value for the testing services. Competition drives down prices and encourages vendors to offer high-quality services to win contracts.

Public Impact

Benefits park visitors and staff by ensuring safe drinking water and proper wastewater management within National Park Service sites in Washington. Delivers critical laboratory testing and field services for water and wastewater quality. Geographic impact is concentrated in Washington state, supporting the operational needs of NPS facilities there. Supports the environmental stewardship mission of the National Park Service.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased testing frequency or scope if unforeseen environmental issues arise, which could lead to cost adjustments if not managed within the fixed-price framework.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the agreement.
Awarded to a specialized laboratory, indicating access to necessary expertise and equipment.
The contract duration of over three years allows for consistent service delivery and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The market for environmental testing services, including water and wastewater analysis, is robust and highly specialized. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Federal agencies frequently procure these services to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, monitor natural resources, and maintain public health and safety. Spending in this category is driven by regulatory requirements and the need for accurate, reliable data across various federal land management and operational agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly provided for this contract. As it was competed under SAP and awarded as a purchase order, it is possible that small businesses were among the bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if specific small business goals were incorporated or met.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Park Service contracting officer and program managers responsible for environmental services in Washington. As a purchase order, it is a direct agreement for services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General involvement would be contingent on any reported issues of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Water Quality Testing Services
National Park Service Operations Support
Federal Laboratory Services

Risk Flags

Potential for inaccurate testing results
Risk of delays in sample analysis and reporting
Contract scope may not cover unforeseen environmental events

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $104,119.4 to WATER MANAGEMENT LABORATORIES INC. FY24 PARKWIDE WATER/WASTEWATER TESTING, MORA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WATER MANAGEMENT LABORATORIES 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 $104,119.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-08. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the track record of Water Management Laboratories Inc. with federal contracts?

Water Management Laboratories Inc. has a history of performing services for federal agencies, as indicated by this award. A deeper dive into their contract history on platforms like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the number and value of previous federal awards, the agencies they have served, and their performance ratings, if available. This information is crucial for assessing their experience and reliability in fulfilling government requirements. Understanding their past performance can provide insights into their capacity to handle the current contract's demands and their adherence to contractual obligations.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar water testing services?

The contract value of $104,119.40 over approximately three years for water and wastewater testing in Washington needs to be benchmarked against similar services. Factors influencing price include the specific tests performed (e.g., chemical, biological, radiological), sampling frequency, geographic coverage within the park, and reporting requirements. Comparing the per-unit cost of specific tests or the overall annual cost to contracts awarded by other agencies (like EPA, USGS, or other DOI bureaus) for comparable services in similar regions would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without detailed service scope, a precise comparison is difficult, but the award amount suggests a focused scope or specific testing regimen.

What are the primary risks associated with this water testing contract?

Key risks for this contract include potential inaccuracies in testing results due to equipment malfunction or human error, which could lead to incorrect environmental assessments or public health advisories. Delays in sample collection or analysis could impact regulatory compliance and operational decisions. Furthermore, unforeseen environmental conditions or contamination events might necessitate additional testing beyond the contract's scope, potentially leading to cost increases if not managed properly. The contractor's ability to maintain qualified personnel and adhere to strict chain-of-custody protocols are also critical risk factors.

How effective is this contract in ensuring water quality for the National Park Service?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the quality and timeliness of the services provided by Water Management Laboratories Inc. Regular and accurate testing is essential for identifying potential contaminants, monitoring compliance with environmental standards (e.g., EPA Safe Drinking Water Act), and ensuring the safety of water sources used by park visitors and staff. The contract's effectiveness can be measured by the absence of waterborne illnesses, successful regulatory compliance, and the provision of reliable data that informs park management decisions regarding water resources. Performance metrics and periodic reviews would offer a more direct assessment.

What are the historical spending patterns for water testing by the National Park Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for water testing by the National Park Service would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the agencies or companies frequently awarded these contracts. This contract's value of approximately $35,000 annually appears moderate. Understanding if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to previous years or similar park locations can provide context. It also helps in identifying potential consolidation or expansion of water quality monitoring programs across the NPS.

Are there any specific performance standards or KPIs tied to this contract?

The provided data does not specify performance standards or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, government contracts include clauses outlining expected performance levels, such as turnaround times for sample analysis, accuracy rates, reporting formats, and adherence to specific methodologies (e.g., EPA-approved methods). The effectiveness and value of this contract are directly linked to the successful achievement of these (often unstated in summary data) performance metrics. The National Park Service would monitor these aspects to ensure the contractor meets its obligations.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P8324Q0011

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1515 80TH ST E, TACOMA, WA, 98404

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: $178,311

Exercised Options: $104,119

Current Obligation: $104,119

Actual Outlays: $38,350

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline