EPA awards $848K for Bubbly Creek pre-design investigation to Jacobs Engineering Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $848,737 ($848.7K)

Contractor: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-05-29

End Date: 2027-08-31

Contract Duration: 824 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SFGLAES: BUBBLY CREEK PRE-DESIGN INVESTIGATION

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60608

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $848,737.46 to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC. for work described as: SFGLAES: BUBBLY CREEK PRE-DESIGN INVESTIGATION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical pre-design investigation for environmental remediation. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Long duration suggests a complex and multi-faceted project. 5. Geographic focus on Illinois highlights regional environmental priorities. 6. Contractor has a significant presence in engineering and environmental services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $848,737.46 for a pre-design investigation appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts for complex site investigations suggests this falls within a typical range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with four bids received. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy competitive environment, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The agency's ability to attract four qualified proposals indicates a well-defined requirement and a market capable of meeting it.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive marketplace, leading to potentially lower costs and better quality services compared to sole-source or limited competitions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the communities impacted by environmental contamination at Bubbly Creek. The contract will deliver essential pre-design investigation services, laying the groundwork for future remediation efforts. The geographic impact is concentrated in Illinois, specifically the area surrounding Bubbly Creek. The project will likely involve a team of environmental engineers, scientists, and technicians, supporting skilled labor in the environmental sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if pre-design investigation requirements are not tightly managed.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate and comprehensive data collection.
Long contract duration could introduce risks related to changing environmental regulations or site conditions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially fair pricing.
Contractor's established expertise in engineering and environmental services is a positive signal.
Clear definition of services for pre-design investigation.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation services sector is a significant and growing market, driven by regulatory requirements and increasing awareness of environmental impact. This contract fits within the broader category of environmental consulting and engineering services, which includes site assessment, remediation design, and construction oversight. Comparable spending in this sector can vary widely based on project complexity and scale, but pre-design investigations are a crucial early-stage investment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through contract administration and technical monitoring. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed project progress reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Remedial Design
Environmental Consulting Services
Site Investigation and Assessment
Waterway Remediation Projects

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing conditions.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical data collection and analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $848,737.46 to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.. SFGLAES: BUBBLY CREEK PRE-DESIGN INVESTIGATION

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 $848,737.46.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-29. End: 2027-08-31.

What is the historical spending by the EPA on environmental remediation services for waterway projects in Illinois?

Analyzing historical EPA spending on waterway remediation in Illinois requires a deep dive into federal procurement databases. However, general trends indicate significant investment in addressing contaminated sites, particularly those with long-standing industrial impacts. For instance, the EPA's Superfund program often allocates substantial funds to investigate and clean up hazardous waste sites, including waterways. Specific to Illinois, past projects may have addressed issues related to industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, or legacy pollution. Without access to granular, project-specific historical data for waterway remediation in Illinois, a precise dollar figure is difficult to ascertain. However, the Bubbly Creek project, valued at approximately $848,000 for its initial investigation phase, suggests that the EPA is actively addressing such environmental concerns within the state, likely as part of a broader strategy to improve water quality and public health.

How does the cost of this pre-design investigation compare to similar projects awarded by the EPA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the cost of this pre-design investigation requires comparing it to similar contracts for environmental site assessments and remediation planning. The $848,737.46 awarded to Jacobs Engineering Group for the Bubbly Creek project, spanning over two years, appears to be within a reasonable range for a complex environmental investigation. Factors influencing cost include the size and complexity of the contaminated site, the required depth of investigation, laboratory analysis needs, and regulatory requirements. Contracts for similar pre-design or feasibility studies for Superfund sites or other large-scale environmental cleanups can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on these variables. The firm-fixed-price structure also helps in cost comparison, as it sets a defined ceiling. Given the full and open competition with four bidders, the pricing is likely competitive for the scope of work.

What is Jacobs Engineering Group's track record with the EPA and on similar environmental remediation contracts?

Jacobs Engineering Group is a major global provider of technical, professional, and construction services, including extensive experience in environmental consulting and remediation. They have a significant history of contracting with the EPA and other federal agencies on a wide array of environmental projects. Their portfolio includes site investigations, remediation design, environmental compliance, and program management for complex industrial and government clients. Past performance data available through federal contract databases would likely show a pattern of successful contract execution, though specific details on past issues or successes would require deeper analysis. For environmental remediation, Jacobs is recognized for its technical expertise and ability to manage large-scale, challenging projects, making them a credible choice for the Bubbly Creek investigation.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract (824 days)?

The 824-day duration for this pre-design investigation contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of scope creep, where the project's objectives may expand beyond the initial definition as more information is gathered, potentially leading to cost increases if not managed strictly. Secondly, regulatory landscapes can change over such a long period; new environmental standards or policies could necessitate adjustments to the investigation plan, impacting timelines and resources. Thirdly, site conditions themselves might evolve, requiring adaptive strategies. Finally, maintaining consistent project focus and team engagement over more than two years can be challenging, potentially affecting the quality of deliverables if momentum wanes. Effective project management, clear communication, and robust change control processes are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the 'Remediation Services' NAICS code (562910) typically relate to federal spending patterns?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910, 'Remediation Services,' encompasses establishments primarily engaged in cleaning up sites contaminated by pollution or other hazardous materials. Federal spending under this code is substantial and consistent, driven by environmental regulations (like CERCLA/Superfund), infrastructure projects, and the management of government-owned facilities. Agencies such as the EPA, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and others frequently award contracts in this category. Spending patterns often reflect priorities in environmental protection, site cleanup mandates, and disaster recovery efforts. Contracts can range from initial site assessments and feasibility studies to full-scale cleanup operations and long-term monitoring, indicating a broad spectrum of services procured by the federal government within this sector.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HE0525R0008

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $848,737

Exercised Options: $848,737

Current Obligation: $848,737

Actual Outlays: $250,154

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