EPA awards $40.9K task order for site assessment services to Tetra Tech, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,885 ($40.9K)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-04-19

End Date: 2024-07-14

Contract Duration: 817 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: INITIATION OF A SITE-SPECIFIC TASK ORDER (ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION ACTIVITIES) FOR WELLS CLEANER UNDER START V CONTRACT 68HE0519D0006.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $40,884.71 to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: INITIATION OF A SITE-SPECIFIC TASK ORDER (ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION ACTIVITIES) FOR WELLS CLEANER UNDER START V CONTRACT 68HE0519D0006. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized environmental consulting for assessment and inspection activities. 2. Task order awarded under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 3. Performance period spans over two years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. Awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a key player in environmental regulation. 6. Geographic focus is Georgia, suggesting localized environmental needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The task order value of $40.9K is relatively small, making direct comparison difficult. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking the per-unit cost for environmental consulting services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work (e.g., number of wells inspected, complexity of assessments). The EPA's use of IDIQ contracts suggests a strategy to streamline procurement for recurring needs, but the value-for-money for individual task orders depends heavily on effective oversight.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition IDIQ contract (START V). While the IDIQ itself was competed broadly, the specific task order details do not indicate the number of proposals received or the evaluation process for this particular award. Full and open competition generally promotes a wider range of potential contractors and can lead to better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition for the underlying IDIQ contract is beneficial for taxpayers by ensuring a broad market was considered, potentially leading to competitive pricing over the life of the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potentially state environmental agencies in Georgia. Services delivered include site-specific assessments and inspection activities, crucial for environmental monitoring and compliance. The geographic impact is concentrated in Georgia, addressing specific environmental concerns within that state. Workforce implications may involve specialized environmental scientists, engineers, and technicians employed by Tetra Tech.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost uncertainty if not managed diligently.
Limited public information on the specific scope of assessment/inspection activities.
The duration of the task order (over two years) requires ongoing monitoring for performance and cost.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitively procured IDIQ contract, suggesting a structured procurement process.
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large, established firm with significant experience in environmental services.
The task order addresses specific EPA needs for environmental assessment and inspection.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and is crucial for regulatory compliance, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. The EPA is a major consumer of these services, utilizing them for a wide range of activities from site remediation to policy analysis. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on regulatory changes, infrastructure investments, and environmental incidents.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific task order. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, though the underlying IDIQ contract may have broader small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a task order under an existing IDIQ contract, it is subject to the oversight mechanisms established for the parent contract, including performance monitoring and financial review. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if significant concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Brownfields Program
Environmental Consulting Services Contracts
START V IDIQ Contract

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific detail on the scope of work.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money on T&M contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $40,884.71 to TETRA TECH, INC.. INITIATION OF A SITE-SPECIFIC TASK ORDER (ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION ACTIVITIES) FOR WELLS CLEANER UNDER START V CONTRACT 68HE0519D0006.

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 $40,884.71.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-19. End: 2024-07-14.

What is the specific scope of 'assessment/inspection activities' for the Wells Cleaner task order?

The provided data does not detail the specific 'assessment/inspection activities' beyond the general description. These activities could range from routine environmental monitoring and sampling of groundwater wells to more in-depth investigations of potential contamination sources or the efficacy of remediation efforts. The 'Wells Cleaner' designation might refer to a specific site or a type of environmental challenge being addressed. A more detailed statement of work (SOW) within the task order documentation would be required to fully understand the scope, including the number of wells, types of analyses, reporting requirements, and specific geographic coordinates of the sites involved.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type compare to other contract types for similar EPA environmental consulting services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. For environmental consulting, T&M can be suitable for exploratory assessments or emergency response where the extent of the problem is unknown. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts because the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. Agencies like the EPA often prefer Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts for well-defined projects to ensure cost certainty. When T&M is used, robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and clear ceiling prices are critical to manage costs effectively and ensure value for money.

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

Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large, established government contractor with extensive experience in environmental services, including significant work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are a frequent awardee of EPA contracts across various programs, including site assessment, remediation, and consulting. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to handle complex environmental projects. However, like any large contractor, specific performance on individual contracts can vary. Reviewing past performance evaluations and contract histories within the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) would provide a more granular understanding of their performance on similar EPA task orders and IDIQ contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'GA' (Georgia) geographic indicator for this task order?

The 'GA' indicator signifies that the work under this task order is geographically focused on the state of Georgia. Potential risks associated with a specific geographic location can include unique state-specific environmental regulations that may differ from federal standards, local logistical challenges (e.g., accessibility to sites, weather impacts), and the availability of local resources or specialized personnel. For environmental assessments, the specific geological or hydrological conditions of Georgia could influence the complexity of the work. While not inherently a high risk, understanding the local context is crucial for effective project execution and timely completion.

How does the $40.9K award value compare to the overall spending on the START V IDIQ contract?

The $40.9K award value represents a single task order under the larger START V contract (Contract Number 68HE0519D0006). Without knowing the total ceiling value or the total amount awarded across all task orders for the START V contract, it's difficult to place this specific award in context. However, task orders under IDIQ vehicles can range significantly in value, from very small to multi-million dollar awards. This particular task order appears to be on the smaller side, suggesting it addresses a specific, perhaps limited, scope of work or an initial phase of a larger effort. The EPA utilizes IDIQs like START V to procure a wide array of environmental services efficiently over time.

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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $40,885

Exercised Options: $40,885

Current Obligation: $40,885

Actual Outlays: $40,885

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