EPA awards $4.87M for Superfund site technical support, with a 5-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,872,992 ($4.9M)

Contractor: CDM Federal Programs Corporation

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-06-01

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,313 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: R10 DES: HAMILTON LABREE SUPERFUND SITE-WIDE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION / FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CHEHALIS, LEWIS County, WASHINGTON, 98532

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.9 million to CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION for work described as: R10 DES: HAMILTON LABREE SUPERFUND SITE-WIDE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION / FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical support for Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies at the Hamilton Labree Superfund site. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period extends over five years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control while ensuring contractor effort. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562910 points to Remediation Services, a critical environmental sector. 6. The awardee, CDM Federal Programs Corporation, is a known entity in environmental consulting and remediation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.87 million for a 5-year Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar EPA Superfund RI/FS contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can be effective for complex projects where scope may evolve, but requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The EPA's use of full and open competition suggests they sought the best value from a wide range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring the government receives the best possible services for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the communities impacted by the Hamilton Labree Superfund site, through the advancement of cleanup efforts. The services delivered will involve critical technical support for the RI/FS process, essential for determining appropriate remediation strategies. The geographic impact is focused on the specific location of the Hamilton Labree Superfund site and its surrounding environment. This contract supports a specialized workforce of environmental scientists, engineers, and technical experts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not rigorously managed.
Complexity of Superfund site investigations can lead to scope creep and budget adjustments.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical technical support over a multi-year period.
Ensuring continued technical expertise and knowledge retention within the contractor team over the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process and potentially better pricing.
Long-term performance period allows for sustained focus and development of site-specific expertise.
Contract type (CPFF) can accommodate evolving technical requirements in complex environmental investigations.
The contractor, CDM Federal Programs Corporation, has a track record in environmental services.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting and remediation services sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and cleanup initiatives. Superfund site support, specifically Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Studies (RI/FS), represents a specialized niche within this sector. The EPA is a major client for these services, with substantial annual spending allocated to Superfund program activities. Comparable contracts often involve multi-year performance periods and values ranging from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on site complexity and scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary contract is with CDM Federal Programs Corporation, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, particularly for specialized technical services or support roles. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific needs of the RI/FS process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), likely through designated contracting officers and technical monitors. The CPFF contract type necessitates close monitoring of costs, progress, and adherence to the Statement of Work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and public availability of Superfund-related documents. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Remedial Action Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services
Feasibility Studies
Technical Assistance Grants

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Potential
Long-Term Contractor Dependency
Technical Complexity of Superfund Sites

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.9 million to CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION. R10 DES: HAMILTON LABREE SUPERFUND SITE-WIDE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION / FEASIBILITY STUDY (RI/FS) TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CDM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2028-09-30.

What is the historical performance record of CDM Federal Programs Corporation with the EPA on similar Superfund contracts?

CDM Federal Programs Corporation has a significant history of working with the EPA and other federal agencies on environmental projects, including Superfund sites. Their experience often encompasses Remedial Investigations, Feasibility Studies, Remedial Design, and Construction Management. Analyzing past performance data, such as contract close-out reports, past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any documented disputes or claims, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability, technical capability, and cost management on similar endeavors. Without specific contract history data for this analysis, it's assumed their selection indicates a favorable assessment of their past performance by the EPA.

How does the awarded value compare to the typical cost of RI/FS services for a Superfund site of similar complexity?

The awarded value of approximately $4.87 million for a 5-year RI/FS technical support contract is within a common range for Superfund projects. The complexity of the Hamilton Labree site, including the nature of contaminants, site geology, and historical data availability, significantly influences RI/FS costs. Generally, RI/FS can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Factors like the number of operable units, extent of contamination, and the need for extensive sampling and analysis contribute to the overall cost. A detailed comparison would require analyzing the specific scope of work, the number of samples, laboratory analysis requirements, and the duration of field activities outlined in the contract's Statement of Work against benchmarks from similar EPA contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for the EPA?

The primary risk for the EPA with a CPFF contract is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed initial estimates significantly, although the fixed fee provides some predictability. While the fee is fixed, the government bears the risk of all allowable costs. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Another risk is contractor inefficiency; since costs are reimbursed, there's less inherent incentive for the contractor to minimize costs compared to fixed-price contracts, though the fixed fee can provide some motivation. The EPA must diligently monitor expenditures, review invoices, and ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and effectively to mitigate these risks.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) the EPA will likely use to evaluate the contractor's success on this project?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this RI/FS technical support contract would likely focus on the timely and accurate completion of project milestones, adherence to technical specifications, and quality of deliverables. This includes the successful execution of field sampling plans, accurate laboratory data analysis, development of robust conceptual site models, and the timely submission of draft and final RI/FS reports. The EPA will also assess the contractor's ability to manage project resources effectively, maintain clear communication, and adapt to any unforeseen technical challenges. Compliance with health and safety protocols during site work is another critical KPI. Ultimately, the success will be measured by the quality and defensibility of the RI/FS findings, which form the basis for future cleanup decisions.

How has EPA spending on Remediation Services (NAICS 562910) trended in recent years, and how does this award fit into that pattern?

EPA spending on Remediation Services (NAICS 562910) has generally remained substantial due to ongoing Superfund site cleanups and other environmental remediation mandates. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on budget allocations and the number and scale of active projects, the overall trend reflects a consistent need for these services. This $4.87 million award for RI/FS technical support is a component of the broader EPA environmental services spending. It aligns with the agency's core mission to address hazardous waste sites. Analyzing historical spending patterns for the Superfund program and specifically for RI/FS contracts would reveal if this award represents a typical investment level or a deviation, potentially indicating increased activity or a focus on specific site complexities.

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: 68HE0722R0002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10560 ARROWHEAD DR STE 500, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,420,494

Exercised Options: $5,178,012

Current Obligation: $4,872,992

Actual Outlays: $3,827,880

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $1,119,350

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline