EPA awards $2.56M contract for analytical and quality assurance support to ICF Incorporated

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,557,761 ($2.6M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-06-22

End Date: 2026-08-17

Contract Duration: 1,882 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ICF ESAT TASK ORDER #68HE0921F0060 BASE YEAR (POP 6/23/2021 - 5/31/2022) REGION 9 NON-SUPERFUND PROGRAM ANALYTICAL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: CORVALLIS, BENTON County, OREGON, 97333

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.6 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: ICF ESAT TASK ORDER #68HE0921F0060 BASE YEAR (POP 6/23/2021 - 5/31/2022) REGION 9 NON-SUPERFUND PROGRAM ANALYTICAL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for analytical and quality assurance support, crucial for environmental program effectiveness. 3. The duration of the contract is over 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. The base year value is approximately $2.56 million, providing a benchmark for future task orders. 6. The contract is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a key federal environmental regulator.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base year value of $2.56 million for analytical and quality assurance support appears reasonable given the scope and duration of the contract. While specific benchmarks for this exact service are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, the EPA typically engages in competitive bidding for such services. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure value for money, as costs can escalate if not managed effectively. Compared to similar large-scale analytical support contracts, this award seems to fall within expected ranges for federal agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the most advantageous offer. The competitive nature suggests that ICF Incorporated was selected based on a combination of technical merit and pricing, aiming to achieve the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market competition, ensuring that federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the EPA's Region 9 programs, which will receive enhanced analytical and quality assurance support. The services delivered will contribute to the integrity and reliability of environmental data and decision-making. The contract's geographic impact is focused on Region 9, which covers states like California, Nevada, Arizona, and others. The contract supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored and managed.
Lack of specific bidder count in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
The long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued performance and value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The contract supports critical environmental protection functions for the EPA.
ICF Incorporated is a known entity in the federal contracting space for environmental services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories and services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services to support regulatory functions, research, and program oversight. The market for environmental consulting and analytical services is competitive, with numerous firms vying for federal contracts. This award represents a portion of the broader federal spending on environmental compliance and management.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, ICF Incorporated, may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their own subcontracting plans and the specific needs of the task orders issued under this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be primarily managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, approving invoices, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed here, the EPA's Office of Inspector General typically has oversight over agency spending and program effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
EPA Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Federal Analytical Services Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Need for sustained and rigorous oversight due to long contract duration.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the competitive process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.6 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. ICF ESAT TASK ORDER #68HE0921F0060 BASE YEAR (POP 6/23/2021 - 5/31/2022) REGION 9 NON-SUPERFUND PROGRAM ANALYTICAL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-22. End: 2026-08-17.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with the federal government, particularly with the EPA?

ICF Incorporated has a significant history of contracting with the federal government, including numerous awards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Their portfolio often includes services related to environmental science, engineering, and policy analysis. Reviewing historical contract data from sources like FPDS reveals a consistent pattern of awards for tasks similar to those outlined in this contract, such as analytical support, quality assurance, and program management. This extensive experience suggests a familiarity with federal procurement processes and EPA requirements, potentially contributing to their ability to secure this award. However, a deeper dive into past performance reviews and any past disputes or challenges would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the $2.56 million base year cost compare to similar EPA analytical support contracts?

Benchmarking the $2.56 million base year cost requires comparing it against similar contracts awarded by the EPA for analytical and quality assurance support. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with specific service breakdowns and durations, a precise comparison is challenging. However, federal contract databases indicate that analytical and technical support services for environmental agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the complexity, scope, and duration. Given that this contract spans over five years and involves critical quality assurance functions, the initial annual cost appears to be within a reasonable range for a large federal agency like the EPA. Factors such as the number of personnel, specialized equipment, and reporting requirements would influence the final cost.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for analytical services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for analytical services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than anticipated, leading to a higher final price for the government. For analytical services, this could manifest as extended testing periods, unforeseen complexities in sample analysis, or increased need for specialized equipment. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, material usage, and regular progress reviews, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How does the 'full and open competition' award method impact the effectiveness of EPA's spending on this contract?

The 'full and open competition' award method is designed to maximize the effectiveness of federal spending by fostering a competitive environment. This approach allows any responsible source to submit a bid, thereby increasing the pool of potential contractors and encouraging competitive pricing. For the EPA, this means they are likely to receive proposals that offer a balance of technical capability and cost-effectiveness. The competition drives down prices as contractors vie for the award, potentially leading to significant savings for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition contracts. Furthermore, it ensures that the EPA selects the contractor offering the best value, considering both technical merit and price, which enhances the overall effectiveness and efficiency of their spending on essential analytical and quality assurance services.

What are the implications of this contract's duration (over 5 years) for long-term environmental program management?

The contract's duration of over five years provides significant advantages for long-term environmental program management. It ensures continuity of essential analytical and quality assurance services, preventing disruptions that could arise from frequent re-competition or short-term contracts. This stability allows the EPA to maintain consistent data quality and program oversight, which is critical for effective environmental regulation and policy implementation. A longer contract term also allows the contractor, ICF Incorporated, to develop deeper expertise and institutional knowledge related to the EPA's specific needs and programs within Region 9. This can lead to improved efficiency and potentially more innovative solutions over time. However, it also necessitates robust performance management and periodic reviews to ensure the contractor remains aligned with evolving EPA requirements and continues to deliver value throughout the contract period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,153,726

Exercised Options: $3,153,726

Current Obligation: $2,557,761

Actual Outlays: $2,366,823

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0121D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline