EPA awards $2.77M for Superfund site remediation design, with Jacobs securing the task order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,768,210 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-03-13

End Date: 2030-02-27

Contract Duration: 1,812 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TEN-MILE DRAIN SUPERFUND SITE (B5BP): REGION 5, SUPERFUND & GREAT LAKES ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING SERVICES (SFGLAES), SEMD, JACOBS (68HE0523D0003), REMEDIAL DESIGN (RD) TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT CLAIR SHORES, MACOMB County, MICHIGAN, 48081

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.8 million to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC. for work described as: TEN-MILE DRAIN SUPERFUND SITE (B5BP): REGION 5, SUPERFUND & GREAT LAKES ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING SERVICES (SFGLAES), SEMD, JACOBS (68HE0523D0003), REMEDIAL DESIGN (RD) TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for Superfund remediation services. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, typical for large-scale environmental projects. 4. Performance context is within the scope of the Superfund program's goals. 5. Sector positioning is within environmental consulting and remediation services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.77 million for remedial design services appears reasonable given the scope of a Superfund site. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts suggests this is within expected cost ranges. The time and materials pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers for complex environmental services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by hazardous waste sites, through the initiation of cleanup efforts. Services delivered include architectural and engineering design for remediation activities at the Ten-Mile Drain Superfund Site. Geographic impact is focused on the specific site in Michigan, contributing to local environmental improvement. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, scientists, and technical staff involved in the design phase.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if project scope expands beyond initial estimates under a Time and Materials contract.
Ensuring timely progress and adherence to design milestones requires robust project management from the EPA.
Complexity of Superfund sites can lead to unforeseen challenges impacting schedule and budget.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity (Jacobs) with a track record in environmental services.
The use of full and open competition suggests a well-defined requirement and a competitive market.
Clear task order for remedial design, indicating a structured approach to site cleanup.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental consulting and engineering sector, a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and remediation needs. The Superfund program represents a substantial portion of federal spending in this area, with numerous firms specializing in site assessment, design, and cleanup. Comparable spending benchmarks for Superfund remedial design tasks vary widely based on site complexity, but this award is consistent with medium-to-large scale projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. While Jacobs is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors on this project, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem within environmental services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through contract officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures will include adherence to the contract's statement of work, performance metrics, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of Superfund site activities and EPA's reporting, though specific internal oversight details are not public.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Great Lakes Initiative
Remedial Action Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in Time and Materials contracts.
Complexity of Superfund sites can lead to unforeseen challenges.
Ensuring adequate oversight for cost and schedule adherence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.8 million to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.. TEN-MILE DRAIN SUPERFUND SITE (B5BP): REGION 5, SUPERFUND & GREAT LAKES ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING SERVICES (SFGLAES), SEMD, JACOBS (68HE0523D0003), REMEDIAL DESIGN (RD) TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-13. End: 2030-02-27.

What is Jacobs' track record with EPA Superfund projects?

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has a significant and extensive track record with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Superfund sites and other environmental remediation projects. They are a major player in the environmental consulting and engineering space, frequently awarded contracts for remedial design, site investigation, and construction management. Their experience spans numerous complex hazardous waste sites across various EPA regions. Publicly available contract data and EPA reports often highlight Jacobs' involvement in delivering design and engineering solutions for cleanup efforts. While specific performance metrics for every contract are not always public, their continued success in winning competitive bids for large-scale environmental projects suggests a generally positive performance history with the agency.

How does the $2.77M award compare to other remedial design task orders?

The $2.77 million award for remedial design at the Ten-Mile Drain Superfund Site is a substantial but not extraordinary figure for such a task order. Superfund remedial design contracts can range significantly in value, from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity of the site, the nature of the contamination, and the scope of the required design work. Factors influencing cost include the size of the affected area, the types of contaminants present, the proposed remediation technologies, and the duration of the design phase. Given that this is a task order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by the "D0003" in the award number), it represents a specific phase of work. Benchmarking against similar Superfund remedial design task orders suggests this value is within the expected range for a project of this nature, particularly for a site requiring detailed engineering plans.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of contract?

The primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract for remedial design include potential cost overruns and schedule delays. T&M contracts, while offering flexibility, can lead to increased costs if the scope of work expands or if labor hours are not efficiently managed. For Superfund sites, unforeseen site conditions or complexities discovered during the design phase can necessitate scope changes, driving up costs and extending timelines. Another risk is ensuring the quality and completeness of the design to avoid issues during the subsequent construction/remediation phase. Effective oversight by the EPA is crucial to mitigate these risks by closely monitoring labor hours, material costs, and progress against milestones.

How effective is the Superfund program in addressing environmental contamination?

The Superfund program, established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980, has been instrumental in addressing some of the nation's most contaminated sites. Its effectiveness lies in its authority to compel responsible parties to clean up hazardous waste sites or to conduct cleanups itself and recover costs. Over the decades, the program has overseen the cleanup of thousands of sites, reducing risks to human health and the environment. However, the program has also faced criticisms regarding its pace, cost, and the influence of lobbying efforts. While significant progress has been made, many sites remain on the National Priorities List, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving complete remediation across all prioritized locations. The effectiveness can vary significantly from site to site based on funding, complexity, and the availability of responsible parties.

What is the historical spending trend for Superfund remedial design services?

Historical spending on Superfund remedial design services has fluctuated over the years, influenced by appropriations, policy priorities, and the number of sites progressing through the remediation lifecycle. Generally, the EPA allocates significant funds annually to the Superfund program, a portion of which is dedicated to remedial design activities. This includes contracting for architectural and engineering services to develop plans for site cleanup. Spending trends can be observed through annual EPA budget reports and contract award databases. While specific figures for remedial design alone are not always isolated, overall Superfund expenditures provide a broader context. Periods of increased funding or legislative focus on environmental cleanup tend to correlate with higher spending on design and oversight services. The trend reflects a sustained, albeit sometimes variable, commitment to addressing legacy contamination.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HE0524R0034

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 N GLEBE RD STE 500, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,768,210

Exercised Options: $2,768,210

Current Obligation: $2,768,210

Actual Outlays: $807,703

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $156,483

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0523D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline