GSA awards $2M environmental consulting contract to Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc. for ARNG industrial hygiene

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,019,156 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARNG INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE WEST REGION TIER 3 SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MATHER, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95655

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.0 million to ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: ARNG INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE WEST REGION TIER 3 SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of industrial hygiene services over a three-year period. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to favorable pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Services are critical for maintaining safe working environments within the Army National Guard. 5. This contract falls within the broader environmental consulting services sector, a mature market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $2 million over three years for industrial hygiene services seems aligned with market rates for similar environmental consulting contracts. Given the firm fixed-price structure, the government has a clear understanding of the total cost. Benchmarking against other federal contracts for similar services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but initial indications suggest a fair price for the expected deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bidders participating, the competition level suggests a healthy market for these services. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and encourages bidders to offer competitive terms to secure the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, which typically drives down prices and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the personnel and facilities of the Army National Guard (ARNG) in the Western Region, who will receive essential industrial hygiene services. Services include environmental testing and consulting to identify and mitigate workplace hazards. The geographic impact is focused on ARNG facilities within the Western Region of California. The contract supports specialized jobs in environmental science and industrial hygiene.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen environmental issues arise beyond the initial assessment.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate hazard identification and mitigation recommendations.
Ensuring consistent quality of service delivery across all ARNG facilities within the region.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially better pricing.
Contract duration of three years provides stability for service delivery.
Award to a single contractor streamlines management and oversight.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a well-established market with numerous providers offering specialized expertise. This contract fits within the broader category of environmental compliance and safety services, which are crucial for government agencies and private industry alike. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements, risk management, and the need for specialized technical assessments. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for industrial hygiene and environmental testing services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service, which awarded the contract. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by defining the scope and cost upfront. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Army National Guard Readiness Operations
Environmental Health and Safety Programs
Federal Environmental Consulting Services
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Compliance

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues.
Risk of unforeseen environmental conditions requiring additional work.
Ensuring adequate government oversight of service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.0 million to ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND CONSULTING, INC.. ARNG INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE WEST REGION TIER 3 SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND CONSULTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc. in performing similar industrial hygiene services for federal agencies?

A thorough review of Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc.'s past performance would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining their history with federal contracts, specifically those involving industrial hygiene, environmental testing, and consulting for military or government facilities. Key indicators to look for include successful completion of previous contracts, client satisfaction ratings, any past performance issues or disputes, and the complexity and scale of services previously rendered. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) would be crucial in evaluating their capabilities and reliability for this ARNG contract.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for similar industrial hygiene services?

To benchmark the awarded price of approximately $2 million over three years, a detailed analysis of industry pricing for similar industrial hygiene services is required. This would involve researching average hourly rates for industrial hygienists, environmental technicians, and consultants, as well as typical project costs for assessments, testing, and reporting. Comparing these rates to the contract's firm fixed-price structure and the specific scope of work outlined in the contract documents will reveal whether the price is competitive. Factors such as the geographic location (California), the specific requirements of the Army National Guard, and the level of expertise needed will influence the benchmark. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns or a comprehensive market survey, a precise comparison is difficult, but the overall value appears reasonable for the duration and scope.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep if unforeseen environmental hazards are discovered, reliance on the contractor's expertise for accurate assessments, and ensuring consistent service quality across various ARNG facilities. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates financial risk by capping the government's expenditure. Mitigation for scope creep would involve clear contract language and a robust change order process. Reliance on contractor expertise is managed through pre-award evaluations of past performance and technical capabilities, and post-award monitoring. Ensuring consistent quality involves establishing clear performance standards, regular reporting requirements, and potentially site visits or audits by government personnel.

How effective are the industrial hygiene services expected to be in ensuring a safe working environment for ARNG personnel?

The effectiveness of the industrial hygiene services hinges on the thoroughness of the contractor's assessments, the accuracy of their testing methodologies, and the practicality and implementability of their recommendations. If Environmental Testing and Consulting, Inc. adheres to industry best practices and regulatory standards (e.g., OSHA, EPA), the services should significantly contribute to identifying and mitigating workplace hazards, thereby enhancing the safety of ARNG personnel. The contract's success will be measured by the reduction in identified risks, the implementation of recommended controls, and ultimately, the improvement in the overall health and safety metrics within the covered ARNG facilities. Regular performance reviews and feedback will be crucial to gauge and ensure effectiveness.

What is the historical spending pattern for industrial hygiene services within the Army National Guard or similar agencies?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for industrial hygiene services within the Army National Guard or comparable agencies provides context for the current contract's value. This involves examining past contract awards for similar services, including their duration, value, and the number of bidders. Understanding trends in spending, such as increases or decreases over time, can indicate shifts in regulatory focus, operational needs, or budget allocations. For instance, if spending has been consistently high or increasing, it might suggest a growing emphasis on environmental health and safety or an aging infrastructure requiring more frequent assessments. Conversely, a decrease might indicate budget constraints or a shift in priorities. This contract's value of $2 million over three years should be compared against these historical figures to assess its relative scale and significance.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFHA23Q0011

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 38900 W HURON RIVER DR, ROMULUS, MI, 48174

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small 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: $4,082,440

Exercised Options: $2,227,276

Current Obligation: $2,019,156

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F222GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline