DOI Awards $3.9M for California Water Transfer Environmental Consulting Amid Drought Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,895,695 ($3.9M)

Contractor: MBK Engineers

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-03-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 790 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE NORTH TO SOUTH WATER TRANSFER TO SUPPORT DRY AND DROUGHT CONDITION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Place of Performance

Location: SACRAMENTO, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95825

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.9 million to MBK ENGINEERS for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE NORTH TO SOUTH WATER TRANSFER TO SUPPORT DRY AND DROUGHT CONDITION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to MBK ENGINEERS for critical environmental consulting on California's North-South Water Transfer. 2. Supports drought condition activities, highlighting the state's vulnerability and need for water management solutions. 3. The $3.9M contract is a significant investment in understanding and mitigating water scarcity impacts. 4. Environmental consulting services are crucial for regulatory compliance and sustainable water resource management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $3.9M contract price appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services over a two-year period. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental studies would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for a service valued under the simplified acquisition threshold. This method generally promotes price discovery and fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process that aims to secure cost-effective services for essential state water management.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and analysis of a vital water infrastructure system for California. Supports state efforts to manage water resources effectively during dry and drought conditions. Provides critical data and analysis for informed decision-making on water allocation and infrastructure projects. Contributes to the long-term sustainability and resilience of California's water supply.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in environmental consulting projects.
Reliance on a single firm for critical water analysis.
Drought conditions could escalate, increasing demand for services beyond initial scope.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process.
Clear objective to support drought conditions.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services are essential for navigating complex regulations and environmental impacts associated with large infrastructure projects like water transfers. Spending in this sector is often driven by regulatory requirements and infrastructure development needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to MBK ENGINEERS, a firm that may or may not be an SMB. Further investigation into the size status of the awardee is needed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Bureau of Reclamation within the Department of the Interior is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement oversight processes should ensure adherence to contract terms and delivery of required services.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Reclamation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope expansion due to evolving drought conditions.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical environmental analysis.
Complexity of California's water infrastructure and environmental regulations.
Need for ongoing monitoring and adaptive management strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.9 million to MBK ENGINEERS. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE NORTH TO SOUTH WATER TRANSFER TO SUPPORT DRY AND DROUGHT CONDITION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MBK ENGINEERS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific environmental analyses are included in this contract, and how do they directly address the challenges posed by drought conditions in California?

The contract focuses on environmental consulting for the North-South Water Transfer to support drought activities. Specific analyses likely include environmental impact assessments, water quality monitoring, ecological studies, and regulatory compliance reviews related to water diversion and transfer operations. These are crucial for understanding the environmental consequences of water management decisions during scarcity and ensuring compliance with environmental laws.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering the critical nature of California's water supply and the potential for unforeseen environmental events?

Key risks include the potential for unforeseen environmental impacts that could necessitate additional studies or mitigation measures, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Extreme drought conditions might also increase the complexity and scope of the required analysis beyond initial projections. Furthermore, reliance on a single firm for critical environmental data introduces a risk if the firm underperforms or faces internal challenges.

How effectively will the awarded services contribute to long-term water resource management and drought resilience in California?

The services are expected to provide essential data and analysis for informed decision-making regarding water allocation, infrastructure management, and environmental protection during drought periods. By supporting the North-South Water Transfer analysis, the contract aims to optimize water use and minimize negative environmental consequences. This contributes to resilience by ensuring that water management strategies are based on sound environmental understanding and regulatory compliance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting 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: 140R2023Q0118

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 455 UNIVERSITY AVE STE 100, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95825

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,895,695

Exercised Options: $3,895,695

Current Obligation: $3,895,695

Actual Outlays: $1,869,423

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline