EPA awards $4.06M task order to Hydrogeologic, Inc. for Superfund site investigation in Montana

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,061,528 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Hydrogeologic, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-09-26

End Date: 2028-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,099 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR EAST HELENA OU2 SUPERFUND SITE, RI/FS

Place of Performance

Location: EAST HELENA, LEWIS AND CLARK County, MONTANA, 59635

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.1 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR EAST HELENA OU2 SUPERFUND SITE, RI/FS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the East Helena OU2 Superfund site. 2. The contract duration of approximately three years suggests a comprehensive approach to site assessment. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type allows for flexibility while managing project costs. 5. The site's location in Montana highlights the EPA's efforts to address environmental concerns across diverse geographic areas. 6. This task order is part of broader Superfund program efforts to clean up hazardous waste sites.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.06 million for a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) appears reasonable given the complexity of Superfund sites. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific scope and site conditions, the duration of nearly three years suggests a thorough investigation. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure is common for such studies, balancing contractor incentive with cost control. Benchmarking against similar RI/FS contracts would provide a more precise value assessment, but the amount is within expected ranges for environmental remediation planning.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The EPA's use of full and open competition for this significant environmental task indicates a commitment to obtaining the best value through a broad market solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is likely to result in more cost-effective services for the environmental cleanup efforts at the East Helena OU2 Superfund site.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment of East Helena, Montana, through the assessment and planning for the cleanup of a Superfund site. The services delivered include critical data collection, risk assessment, and the development of remediation strategies for a contaminated area. The geographic impact is focused on the East Helena OU2 Superfund site and its surrounding community. This contract supports specialized environmental science and engineering jobs within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus contracts if not closely monitored.
Complexity of Superfund site investigations can lead to unforeseen challenges and schedule delays.
Ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the chosen remediation strategy requires rigorous scientific analysis.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract duration allows for a comprehensive and detailed site investigation.
The EPA's engagement signifies a commitment to addressing environmental contamination and protecting public health.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance and remediation needs. Superfund site investigations, like this one, represent a specialized segment focused on assessing and planning the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. The market is characterized by firms with expertise in hydrogeology, environmental engineering, and risk assessment. Spending in this area is driven by federal and state environmental protection agencies, with contracts often awarded through competitive bidding processes to firms capable of handling complex scientific and logistical challenges.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While Hydrogeologic, Inc. may utilize small businesses for subcontracting, the primary award is not directed towards small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in subcontracting opportunities related to this task order.

Oversight & Accountability

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides oversight for Superfund contracts. This includes monitoring contractor performance, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits to ensure fiscal responsibility and prevent fraud. Transparency is maintained through public dockets and reports related to Superfund site activities.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Hazardous Waste Site Remediation
Environmental Consulting Services
Federal Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in cost-plus contracts.
Complexity of environmental site investigations.
Ensuring long-term effectiveness of remediation plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.1 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC.. TASK ORDER FOR EAST HELENA OU2 SUPERFUND SITE, RI/FS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2028-09-29.

What is the track record of Hydrogeologic, Inc. with EPA Superfund contracts?

Hydrogeologic, Inc. has a history of working with the EPA on various environmental projects, including those related to Superfund sites. Their experience typically involves hydrogeological investigations, groundwater modeling, and the development of remediation strategies. Specific details on their performance for past EPA Superfund task orders, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would require a deeper dive into EPA contract databases and performance records. However, their continued selection for such contracts suggests a satisfactory performance history and relevant expertise in the field of environmental remediation and site assessment.

How does the $4.06 million cost compare to similar RI/FS contracts?

The $4.06 million cost for this Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) task order is within a typical range for complex Superfund sites. RI/FS projects are inherently data-intensive and require significant scientific and technical expertise, often spanning multiple years. Factors influencing cost include the size and complexity of the contamination, the number of media (soil, water, air) to be investigated, and the specific regulatory requirements. Without detailed scope information, a precise benchmark is challenging, but similar multi-year RI/FS contracts awarded by the EPA can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the site's characteristics and the extent of the investigation required.

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

The primary risks associated with this cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) task order include potential cost growth if unforeseen site conditions require extensive additional work beyond the initial scope, and the contractor's incentive to manage costs efficiently while ensuring thoroughness. Schedule delays are also a risk, given the complexity of environmental investigations and potential permitting or access issues. Ensuring the scientific validity and long-term effectiveness of the proposed remediation strategies is critical. The EPA's oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks by closely monitoring progress, reviewing technical work, and managing any scope changes.

How effective are RI/FS studies in determining appropriate cleanup actions for Superfund sites?

Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies (RI/FS) are foundational to the Superfund program's effectiveness. The RI phase characterizes the nature and extent of contamination, assesses risks to human health and the environment, and identifies potential exposure pathways. The FS phase evaluates various cleanup technologies and strategies to determine the most technically sound, cost-effective, and protective remedy. When conducted thoroughly and based on sound science, RI/FS studies provide the critical data and analysis needed to select appropriate, long-term cleanup actions that address the specific contamination issues at a site, thereby ensuring the program's overall effectiveness in protecting communities and the environment.

What is the historical spending trend for EPA RI/FS contracts?

Historical spending on EPA Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) contracts has been substantial, reflecting the ongoing need to address legacy contamination across the nation. The Superfund program, in general, represents a significant portion of the EPA's budget dedicated to environmental cleanup. Spending on RI/FS task orders fluctuates annually based on the number of sites requiring investigation and the complexity of those investigations. While specific annual figures for RI/FS contracts alone are not readily available without detailed database queries, the overall Superfund budget, which includes RI/FS, site cleanup, and enforcement, consistently represents hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars annually, indicating a sustained federal commitment to these critical environmental assessments.

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: 68HE0825R0012

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11107 SUNSET HILLS RD STE 400, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,937,117

Exercised Options: $4,061,528

Current Obligation: $4,061,528

Actual Outlays: $241,446

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0318D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline