EPA Awards $4.07M Superfund Lab Support Task Order to TechLaw Consultants Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,067,557 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Techlaw Consultants Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-07-19

End Date: 2026-07-19

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ESAT TASK ORDER 002R02 SUPERFUND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: EDISON, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08837

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.1 million to TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: ESAT TASK ORDER 002R02 SUPERFUND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract focuses on analytical chemistry and laboratory support for Superfund sites. 3. Potential risk lies in the Time and Materials pricing structure, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. 4. The sector is Environmental Services, a critical area for regulatory compliance and cleanup efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract. Without knowing the original contract's pricing structure and the benchmark for similar analytical chemistry services, a precise value assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing, although the T&M structure introduces variability.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of T&M pricing requires diligent oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Supports critical environmental cleanup efforts under the Superfund program. Ensures accurate scientific data for hazardous waste site remediation. Provides essential laboratory services for environmental monitoring and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
Potential for scope creep

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Supports a vital environmental program (Superfund)
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support

Sector Analysis

The Environmental Services sector, particularly within government contracting, involves specialized scientific and technical support for regulatory agencies. Spending benchmarks for analytical chemistry and laboratory support can vary significantly based on the complexity of the samples and the required analyses.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The prime contractor, TechLaw Consultants Inc., is not typically classified as a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials contract effectively, ensuring that the work performed aligns with the Superfund program's objectives and that costs remain within reasonable bounds.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing model can lead to cost overruns.
Potential for scope creep without strict management.
Dependence on contractor's quality control processes.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.1 million to TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC. ESAT TASK ORDER 002R02 SUPERFUND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHLAW CONSULTANTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-19. End: 2026-07-19.

What is the average hourly rate for the labor categories under this Time and Materials contract, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

The provided data does not include specific hourly rates for labor categories. To assess value, these rates would need to be compared against established benchmarks for similar analytical chemistry and laboratory support services. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the pricing is competitive or if there's potential for overpayment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality control measures in place to mitigate risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for critical Superfund analytical work?

The data does not specify the KPIs or quality control measures. Effective oversight requires clearly defined deliverables, turnaround times, accuracy standards, and reporting protocols. Robust quality assurance processes are essential to ensure the scientific integrity of the data generated and to manage the risks inherent in T&M contracts.

How will the effectiveness of the laboratory support be measured in terms of its contribution to the successful remediation of Superfund sites?

Effectiveness is typically measured by the accuracy and timeliness of the analytical results provided, and how these results inform remediation decisions. The ultimate effectiveness is tied to the successful cleanup of Superfund sites, which is a long-term outcome influenced by many factors, including the quality of the scientific data provided under this contract.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HE0221R0021

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14840 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,761,238

Exercised Options: $6,761,238

Current Obligation: $4,067,557

Actual Outlays: $3,517,453

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0121D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline