EPA awards $2.1M task order for Superfund site remediation services to EA Engineering

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,122,088 ($2.1M)

Contractor: EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-02-05

End Date: 2030-02-06

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHEM-FAB OU2 SUPERFUND SITE TASK ORDER UNDER THE ESO CLIN 0001 SUITE OF CONTRACTS

Place of Performance

Location: DOYLESTOWN, BUCKS County, PENNSYLVANIA, 18901

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.1 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC for work described as: CHEM-FAB OU2 SUPERFUND SITE TASK ORDER UNDER THE ESO CLIN 0001 SUITE OF CONTRACTS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on remediation services for the CHEM-FAB OU2 Superfund site. 2. Awarded under a suite of ESO CLIN contracts, indicating a pre-existing framework. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over five years. 4. Pricing is structured as Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 6. The contractor, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC, is a known entity in environmental services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $2,122,087.76. As a Time and Materials contract, the final cost will depend on the hours worked and the materials used. Benchmarking value is difficult without knowing the specific scope of work and the labor rates. However, the five-year duration suggests a significant, ongoing effort. The contract type necessitates close monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This suggests that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria, possibly related to prior performance or specialized capabilities. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature implies a competitive process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach, even with exclusions, should theoretically lead to better price discovery and value for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award. However, the specifics of the exclusion criteria could impact the breadth of competition.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by the CHEM-FAB OU2 Superfund site, receiving services aimed at environmental cleanup. The services delivered will focus on the remediation of hazardous substances at the specified Superfund site. The geographic impact is localized to the area surrounding the CHEM-FAB OU2 Superfund site in Pennsylvania. Workforce implications may include the employment of environmental engineers, technicians, and support staff by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued performance and value.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a structured procurement process.
The contractor, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC, likely possesses relevant expertise for Superfund site remediation.
The contract is part of a larger suite of ESO CLIN contracts, suggesting an established procurement vehicle.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services sector, specifically focusing on hazardous waste remediation and Superfund site cleanup. The market for environmental consulting and remediation services is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements like CERCLA (Superfund). Spending in this area is often project-based and tied to specific site cleanups, with significant government investment required for long-term remediation projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their own procurement practices and the availability of specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and technical monitors. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, though detailed project-specific reporting may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Hazardous Waste Management
Environmental Remediation Services
CERCLA Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Need for robust oversight to manage long-term contract.
Clarity on 'exclusion of sources' criteria is important for assessing competition level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.1 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC. CHEM-FAB OU2 SUPERFUND SITE TASK ORDER UNDER THE ESO CLIN 0001 SUITE OF CONTRACTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-05. End: 2030-02-06.

What is the track record of EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC with the EPA on similar Superfund remediation projects?

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC has a history of performing environmental services for various government agencies, including the EPA. Their experience often includes site investigation, remediation design, and construction oversight for hazardous waste sites. To assess their specific track record on similar Superfund projects, a review of past performance evaluations, contract histories, and any documented issues or successes on comparable EPA contracts would be necessary. This would involve analyzing their ability to meet deadlines, stay within budget, and adhere to technical requirements on previous remediation efforts. Without access to detailed past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond their general industry presence.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other remediation contracts for similar Superfund sites?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for remediation work where the exact scope and duration are difficult to define upfront. However, they carry inherent risks for the government, as costs can escalate if not closely managed. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M offers flexibility but less cost certainty. For similar Superfund sites, agencies often utilize a mix of contract types. Fixed-price contracts might be used for well-defined tasks like initial site assessments or specific cleanup phases, while T&M or cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts are employed for complex, evolving remediation efforts. The effectiveness of this T&M award hinges on robust government oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, and vigilant monitoring of labor hours and material costs to ensure value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with a five-year Time and Materials contract for Superfund site remediation?

The primary risks associated with a five-year Time and Materials (T&M) contract for Superfund site remediation include cost overruns due to undefined scope, potential for inefficient labor utilization, and difficulties in accurately forecasting final project costs. The extended duration amplifies these risks, as market conditions, material costs, and labor rates can fluctuate significantly over five years. Furthermore, the lack of a fixed price can disincentivize the contractor from seeking the most cost-effective solutions if billing is solely based on hours and materials. Effective risk mitigation requires stringent oversight, clear task orders with defined objectives, regular progress reviews, and potentially incorporating cost-control incentives or ceilings within the contract framework.

What does 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' imply for the procurement process and potential cost savings?

'Full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates that the procurement process was intended to be competitive, allowing all responsible sources to submit offers. However, specific sources were excluded based on predefined criteria. This exclusion might be due to factors like past performance issues, lack of specific certifications, or the need for specialized capabilities that only a subset of potential bidders possess. While it aims for competition, the exclusion could limit the number of bidders, potentially impacting price discovery. The cost savings realized depend on how effectively the remaining pool of bidders competed. If the excluded sources were significant competitors, the final price might be higher than if broader competition had been allowed.

How does the $2.1 million award compare to typical spending on Superfund site remediation task orders of similar scope and duration?

The $2.1 million award for a five-year task order for Superfund site remediation is a moderate amount. Superfund remediation projects can vary dramatically in cost, ranging from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the site's complexity, the type of contaminants, and the extent of the cleanup required. Task orders of this duration and value are common for specific operable units (OU) within larger Superfund sites, focusing on defined phases of investigation, design, or cleanup. Benchmarking this against similar task orders requires detailed analysis of the specific scope of work, the geographic region, and the specific remediation technologies employed. However, it suggests a focused effort on a particular aspect of the CHEM-FAB OU2 site.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 SCHILLING CIR STE 400, HUNT VALLEY, MD, 21031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,122,088

Exercised Options: $2,122,088

Current Obligation: $2,122,088

Actual Outlays: $302,049

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0118D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline