EPA awards $1M+ contract for expert environmental support at Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,021,792 ($1.0M)

Contractor: S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-07-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $700/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: RED HILL FUEL STORAGE FACILITY EXPERT ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94105

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.0 million to S.S. PAPADOPULOS & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: RED HILL FUEL STORAGE FACILITY EXPERT ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides critical environmental consulting services for a high-profile military installation. 2. S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. secured the award, indicating a competitive selection process. 3. The contract duration of 1460 days suggests a long-term need for specialized expertise. 4. Focus on environmental consulting aligns with increasing regulatory and public scrutiny of such facilities. 5. The Time and Materials pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for expert support at complex industrial sites would provide further context. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for consulting, necessitates diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and ensure value for money. Without specific comparable contract data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the scope suggests a fair price for the expertise required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a single award (no. 1) indicates that one contractor was selected from the pool of bidders. The level of competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and potentially achieving a fair market price for the services rendered. Further details on the number of bids received would offer a more precise understanding of the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its oversight and management of environmental risks at the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility. The services delivered will involve expert environmental consulting, likely including technical analysis, risk assessment, and remediation strategy development. The geographic impact is focused on the area surrounding the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility in California. The contract supports a specialized workforce of environmental scientists, engineers, and consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical environmental expertise could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The complexity of environmental issues at such facilities may lead to unforeseen challenges and scope creep.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. likely possesses specialized expertise required for this complex task.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need and potential for building deep institutional knowledge.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market driven by regulatory compliance, risk management, and remediation needs. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting government environmental initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks for environmental consulting at large industrial or military sites can vary widely based on the complexity of the environmental challenges and the scope of services required. The EPA's engagement highlights the critical nature of environmental stewardship for federal facilities.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, the primary contractor, S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. The absence of a set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most qualified contractor through open competition, rather than specifically targeting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the awarding and servicing agency. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the EPA's Office of Inspector General, should any investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Environmental Programs
Superfund Remedial Actions
Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Contracts
Hazardous Waste Management Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Potential for scope creep given the complex environmental nature of the facility.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.0 million to S.S. PAPADOPULOS & ASSOCIATES, INC.. RED HILL FUEL STORAGE FACILITY EXPERT ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is S.S. PAPADOPULOS & ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-01. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the specific expertise of S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. relevant to the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility's environmental challenges?

S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. is a well-established environmental consulting firm specializing in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and environmental risk assessment. Their expertise is particularly relevant to the Red Hill facility, which faces challenges related to fuel leaks and potential groundwater contamination. The firm has a history of supporting complex environmental investigations and remediation projects, often involving large-scale industrial or military sites. Their work typically includes detailed site characterization, modeling of contaminant transport, and the development of scientifically sound strategies for mitigating environmental impacts. This background suggests they are well-equipped to address the specific technical and scientific demands of the Red Hill situation.

How does the awarded amount of approximately $1 million compare to similar environmental consulting contracts for large-scale facilities?

The awarded amount of approximately $1 million over four years for expert environmental support at the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services at a complex site. However, direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the precise scope of work, the level of remediation or investigation required, and the specific environmental hazards involved. Contracts for environmental consulting can range from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars depending on factors like site complexity, regulatory requirements, and the duration of the engagement. Given the high-profile nature and potential environmental risks associated with fuel storage facilities, this contract value suggests a focused scope of expert advisory and analytical services rather than a full-scale remediation effort.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, contractor performance issues, and unforeseen complexities in the environmental challenges at the Red Hill facility. T&M contracts can lead to higher costs if not closely monitored for efficiency and necessity of hours billed. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the EPA, including detailed review of timesheets and invoices, clear performance metrics, and regular progress meetings. The selection of a reputable firm like S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. through full and open competition also serves as a risk mitigation factor, suggesting they possess the necessary expertise. Defining clear deliverables and milestones within the contract can further help manage scope and performance.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services at the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility or similar EPA-managed sites?

Historical spending data for environmental consulting at the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility specifically is not detailed in this award notice. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consistently allocates significant resources to environmental consulting and remediation services across numerous sites, particularly those with complex industrial or military operations. Spending patterns for such services are often characterized by long-term commitments, especially for sites undergoing extensive investigation or cleanup. The annual expenditure for environmental consulting can fluctuate based on the phase of work (e.g., site assessment, feasibility studies, design, construction oversight, long-term monitoring). The $1 million award over four years suggests a steady, ongoing need for expert support, aligning with typical long-term environmental management requirements at federal facilities.

How does the 'Delivery Order' contract type impact the flexibility and management of this environmental support service?

The 'Delivery Order' (aw) contract type, often used with indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar vehicles, allows the government to issue specific orders for services as needed over the contract period. In this case, it's a Delivery Order against a larger contract, likely established through a prior procurement. This structure provides flexibility for the EPA to procure expert environmental support incrementally, tailoring the services to evolving needs at the Red Hill facility. It allows for adjustments in scope, timing, and specific tasks based on ongoing assessments and regulatory requirements. For management, it means the EPA can manage the budget and tasking through individual orders, requiring careful planning and coordination to ensure alignment with overall project goals and efficient use of funds.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1801 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,528,412

Exercised Options: $1,312,739

Current Obligation: $1,021,792

Actual Outlays: $597,760

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA22D0037

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline