EPA's $14.3M Arsenic Demonstration Round 2 contract awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,291,837 ($14.3M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2004-07-30
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,253 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ARSENIC DEMONSTRATION ROUND 2
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $14.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: ARSENIC DEMONSTRATION ROUND 2 Key points: 1. The contract is a non-competitive delivery order, raising questions about price discovery. 2. Awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute, a large research and development organization. 3. The project focuses on arsenic demonstration, likely within environmental remediation. 4. The duration of over 2200 days suggests a complex, long-term undertaking.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents fair value for the services rendered.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a non-competitive delivery order, meaning there was no formal solicitation or comparison of multiple offers. This limits the agency's ability to ensure the best possible price and terms.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers than if the contract had been competitively bid.
Public Impact
Environmental protection efforts related to arsenic contamination. Potential for advancements in arsenic remediation technologies. Long-term government investment in environmental science research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Non-competitive award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Focus on environmental remediation
- Potential for technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Protection Agency's domain, likely related to research and development for environmental cleanup. Spending benchmarks for similar R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was awarded non-competitively to a single large entity.
Oversight & Accountability
The non-competitive nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the EPA received fair value and that the contract objectives were met efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF
- Long contract duration may indicate scope creep or inefficiencies
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
Tags
environmental-protection-agency, oh, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $14.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. ARSENIC DEMONSTRATION ROUND 2
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-07-30. End: 2010-09-30.
What specific environmental problem is the Arsenic Demonstration Round 2 project addressing, and what are the expected outcomes?
The project aims to demonstrate methods for removing or mitigating arsenic contamination, likely in water or soil. Expected outcomes would include validated technologies or processes that can be applied more broadly to protect public health and the environment from arsenic's toxic effects.
Given the non-competitive award, what mechanisms were in place to ensure Battelle Memorial Institute's pricing was reasonable and justified?
While the award was non-competitive, the agency likely relied on pre-negotiated rates, historical cost data, or internal cost analysis to justify the fixed fee. However, without a competitive process, the rigor of this price justification is inherently less robust than in a bid scenario.
How effectively has this long-term demonstration project contributed to the EPA's overall mission of environmental protection?
The effectiveness would be measured by the successful demonstration of arsenic remediation technologies and their potential for wider application. A thorough review of project reports and outcomes would be needed to assess its contribution to the EPA's mission and public health improvements.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 902 BATTELLE BLVD, RICHLAND, WA, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,291,837
Exercised Options: $14,291,837
Current Obligation: $14,291,837
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68C00185
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-07-30
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-10-21
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