EPA awards $2M technical support contract for emergency response readiness to Weston Solutions Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,021,250 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2020-09-29
End Date: 2025-08-05
Contract Duration: 1,771 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: R10 START V: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT EPA EMERGENCY RESPONSE READINESS
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98108
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.0 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: R10 START V: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT EPA EMERGENCY RESPONSE READINESS Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical support for EPA's emergency response capabilities. 2. Weston Solutions Inc. has a track record in environmental consulting services. 3. The contract duration of nearly five years suggests a need for sustained support. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing may present cost control challenges. 5. This contract falls within the broader category of environmental consulting services. 6. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of approximately $2 million over nearly five years appears reasonable for specialized technical support in emergency response readiness. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting services is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The absence of a fixed price or cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrants careful monitoring of expenditures.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and value for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a range of offers, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services received.
Public Impact
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from enhanced technical support for its emergency response operations. The contract supports readiness for environmental emergencies, protecting public health and the environment. Services are likely to be delivered across various EPA regions requiring emergency response coordination. The contract may indirectly support a workforce skilled in environmental consulting and emergency preparedness.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to unpredictable costs if not managed diligently.
- The broad scope of 'technical support' could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined and monitored.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
- Contract duration suggests a recognized need for ongoing, critical support.
- Contractor has experience in environmental consulting services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, which is a subset of professional services. This sector is characterized by firms providing expertise in areas such as environmental assessment, compliance, remediation, and emergency response planning. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and increasing awareness of environmental issues. This specific contract addresses a niche within the sector focused on supporting governmental emergency preparedness.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary contractor, Weston Solutions Inc., is likely a large business, and opportunities for small businesses would depend on their subcontracting decisions rather than explicit set-aside goals for this particular contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing expenditures, particularly given the Time and Materials pricing. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- EPA Emergency Response Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Technical Support Services
- Federal Emergency Management Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Scope definition clarity for 'technical support' needs monitoring.
Tags
environmental-consulting, technical-support, emergency-response, epa, weston-solutions-inc, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, washington-dc, professional-services, environmental-protection-agency, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.0 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. R10 START V: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT EPA EMERGENCY RESPONSE READINESS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-29. End: 2025-08-05.
What is the specific nature of the 'technical support' provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO SUPPORT EPA EMERGENCY RESPONSE READINESS.' While the specific tasks are not detailed, this generally implies services such as data analysis, scientific modeling, risk assessment, technical documentation, and expert consultation related to preparing for and responding to environmental emergencies. This could include support for developing response plans, analyzing environmental data during incidents, providing scientific expertise, or managing technical aspects of response operations. The Time and Materials pricing suggests a need for flexibility in the services rendered, potentially adapting to evolving emergency scenarios or specific technical challenges encountered by the EPA.
How does the $2 million award compare to typical spending on similar EPA emergency response readiness contracts?
Direct comparison of the $2 million award to similar EPA emergency response readiness contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable awards with detailed scope of work. However, the duration of nearly five years (1771 days) suggests an average annual value of approximately $400,000-$500,000. This figure appears moderate for specialized technical support services, especially considering the critical nature of emergency response. Contracts for large-scale environmental remediation or major incident response could be significantly higher, while smaller, task-specific support contracts might be lower. The value seems aligned with providing sustained, expert technical assistance rather than large operational deployments.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?
The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of definitive cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This can make it difficult for the EPA to accurately forecast total expenditures, as the final cost is directly tied to the effort expended. Without robust oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of labor hours and material costs, the total contract value could significantly exceed the initial estimate. This necessitates strong project management and accountability from the EPA's side to ensure efficient service delivery.
What is Weston Solutions Inc.'s track record with the EPA and in emergency response services?
Weston Solutions Inc. is a known entity in the environmental consulting and engineering services sector. While the provided data doesn't detail their specific history with the EPA or their performance on past emergency response contracts, their selection for this role suggests they possess relevant experience and qualifications. Companies in this field typically handle a range of services including site assessment, remediation design, environmental compliance, and technical support for regulatory agencies. Their ability to win a contract under full and open competition indicates they met the technical and cost requirements set forth by the EPA. Further due diligence would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and specific project histories if available.
How has EPA spending on environmental consulting services evolved over the past five years?
Analyzing EPA's spending trends on environmental consulting services over the past five years requires access to historical contract data beyond this single award. Generally, federal spending in this area is influenced by regulatory changes, environmental priorities, and the number and scale of environmental challenges (e.g., natural disasters, pollution incidents). Spending can fluctuate based on specific program needs and budget allocations. Contracts like this one, focused on emergency response readiness, represent a consistent need for specialized expertise. Broader trends might show increases in areas like climate change adaptation, renewable energy consulting, or advanced environmental data analytics, alongside traditional services.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings Inc
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 19380
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,145,406
Exercised Options: $3,145,406
Current Obligation: $2,021,250
Actual Outlays: $1,766,097
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HE0720D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-29
Current End Date: 2025-08-05
Potential End Date: 2026-02-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-25
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