EPA awards $330K firm-fixed-price task order to Tetra Tech for environmental consulting in Georgia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $330,151 ($330.2K)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-03-29

End Date: 2024-07-14

Contract Duration: 838 days

Daily Burn Rate: $394/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INITIATION OF A SITE-SPECIFIC TASK ORDER (ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION ACTIVITIES) FOR FAIRFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER START V CONTRACT 68HE0519D0006. TASK ORDER TYPE: FIRM-FIXED PRICE

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $330,150.8 to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: INITIATION OF A SITE-SPECIFIC TASK ORDER (ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION ACTIVITIES) FOR FAIRFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER START V CONTRACT 68HE0519D0006. TASK ORDER TYPE: FIRM-FIXED PRICE Key points: 1. Task order awarded under an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, suggesting potential for streamlined procurement. 2. Firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. 3. The contract duration of 838 days suggests a significant scope of work for assessment and inspection activities. 4. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Tetra Tech, Inc., a known entity in environmental services. 5. The specific task order focuses on site-specific assessment and inspection, indicating a targeted environmental need. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The task order value of $330,150.80 appears reasonable for site-specific environmental assessment and inspection activities over an 838-day period. As a task order under an existing IDIQ contract (START V), the pricing is likely benchmarked against pre-negotiated rates. Without access to the full IDIQ contract details or specific comparable task orders for similar scope and location, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the EPA has secured a defined cost for the services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under the START V contract, which itself was presumably competed. The specific task order was likely competed among the awardees of the overarching START V IDIQ contract. The 'full and open competition' designation suggests that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers for the IDIQ contract, which then allowed for competitive task order awards. The number of bidders for the original IDIQ contract would provide more insight into the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by encouraging multiple qualified firms to bid on the work.

Public Impact

The Fairfield Neighborhood in Georgia will benefit from environmental assessment and inspection activities, potentially leading to improved environmental conditions. The services delivered include site-specific assessments and inspections, crucial for understanding and addressing environmental concerns. The geographic impact is focused on the Fairfield Neighborhood within Georgia. The contract supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, indirectly benefiting the local workforce through potential follow-on activities or related environmental projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial assessments reveal unforeseen complexities requiring extensive follow-up.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate and thorough environmental assessments.
The long duration could lead to challenges in maintaining consistent oversight and ensuring timely progress.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits the government's financial exposure to cost overruns.
Awarded under an existing IDIQ contract, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor and potentially faster execution.
Full and open competition for the IDIQ contract likely ensured a competitive landscape for selecting the prime contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by firms providing specialized expertise in areas such as environmental assessment, remediation, compliance, and engineering. The EPA is a major client for these services, often contracting for site investigations, monitoring, and regulatory support. Market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and increasing environmental awareness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large business. While this specific task order may not directly involve small business set-asides, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or support roles, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and technical points of contact. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA Site Remediation Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services IDIQs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require sustained oversight.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can sometimes lead to reduced flexibility if scope changes are needed.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for accurate assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $330,150.8 to TETRA TECH, INC.. INITIATION OF A SITE-SPECIFIC TASK ORDER (ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION ACTIVITIES) FOR FAIRFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER START V CONTRACT 68HE0519D0006. TASK ORDER TYPE: FIRM-FIXED PRICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $330,150.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-29. End: 2024-07-14.

What is the historical spending pattern of the EPA on environmental consulting services, particularly in Georgia?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consistently allocates significant funding towards environmental consulting services to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment. Historical data reveals substantial annual expenditures across various programs, including site assessment, remediation, compliance monitoring, and research. In Georgia, specific spending patterns are influenced by regional environmental challenges, regulatory priorities, and the presence of federal facilities or contaminated sites. While this specific task order for Fairfield Neighborhood is valued at approximately $330,150.80, broader EPA spending in Georgia for similar services can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale of projects like Superfund site cleanups or large-scale environmental impact assessments. Analyzing trends over the past five to ten years would show fluctuations tied to budget appropriations and the initiation of new environmental initiatives or enforcement actions.

How does the pricing of this task order compare to similar environmental consulting contracts awarded by the EPA?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $330,150.80 firm-fixed-price task order requires comparison with similar contracts for site-specific environmental assessment and inspection activities. Factors influencing price include the geographic location, complexity of the site, duration of the work (838 days), and the specific services required. Given that this is a task order under an existing IDIQ contract (START V), the rates are likely pre-negotiated and competitive. However, without access to the specific rates within the START V contract or data on other comparable task orders, a precise comparison is difficult. Generally, environmental consulting rates can vary widely, but for a project of this scope and duration, the awarded amount appears within a reasonable range, assuming standard labor rates and overhead. The firm-fixed-price structure also implies that the contractor has factored in potential risks and contingencies.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by the EPA to evaluate the success of environmental consulting contracts like this one?

The EPA typically employs a range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of environmental consulting contracts. For a task order focused on assessment and inspection, common KPIs include the timely completion of deliverables (e.g., assessment reports, inspection logs), adherence to scope of work, accuracy and completeness of data collected, and compliance with all relevant environmental regulations and standards. The quality of the final reports and recommendations is paramount. Furthermore, the contractor's ability to identify potential environmental hazards or compliance issues effectively, and to provide actionable insights, is crucial. The EPA also monitors adherence to budget, although less critical for a firm-fixed-price contract unless scope changes occur. Ultimately, the success is measured by whether the contract contributes to the EPA's overarching environmental protection goals for the specific site or neighborhood.

What is Tetra Tech's track record with the EPA, particularly on environmental consulting contracts?

Tetra Tech, Inc. has a substantial and long-standing track record of working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a wide array of environmental consulting and engineering projects. They are a frequent awardee of EPA contracts, including large indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles like the START (Superfund Technical Assistance and Response) contracts, under which this task order was issued. Their experience spans various EPA programs, such as Superfund, water quality, air quality, and emergency response. Tetra Tech is generally recognized for its technical capabilities and capacity to handle complex environmental challenges across diverse geographic locations. While specific performance metrics for every contract are not publicly detailed, their continued success in winning competitive EPA contracts suggests a generally positive performance history and a strong reputation within the agency.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific task order, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks associated with this site-specific task order include unforeseen environmental conditions at the Fairfield Neighborhood site that could increase the scope or complexity of the assessment and inspection activities. Another risk is the potential for delays due to factors beyond the contractor's control, such as access issues or coordination with local authorities. Given the 838-day duration, there's also a risk of personnel turnover impacting project continuity. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure and EPA oversight. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts the financial risk of unforeseen conditions to the contractor, incentivizing them to accurately scope and manage the work. The EPA's technical point of contact will monitor progress, review deliverables, and ensure adherence to the scope. Clear communication protocols and regular progress meetings are essential for managing timelines and addressing any emerging issues proactively.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1955 EVERGREEN BLVD STE 300, DULUTH, GA, 30096

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $330,151

Exercised Options: $330,151

Current Obligation: $330,151

Actual Outlays: $330,151

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0519D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline