FEMA Awards $24.1M for Maui Fire Hazardous Substance Cleanup Under Emergency Task Order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,144,696 ($24.1M)
Contractor: Environmental Quality Management, Inc
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2023-08-10
End Date: 2024-05-27
Contract Duration: 291 days
Daily Burn Rate: $83.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER; 2023 MAUI FIRES; FEMA MA 4724-DR-HI-EPA-02; EMERGENCY AND RAPID RESPONSE SERVICES (ERRS) RELATED TO THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES/WASTES/CONTAMINANTS/MATERIALS AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS/OIL IN EPA REGION 9
Place of Performance
Location: LAHAINA, MAUI County, HAWAII, 96761
State: Hawaii Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $24.1 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER; 2023 MAUI FIRES; FEMA MA 4724-DR-HI-EPA-02; EMERGENCY AND RAPID RESPONSE SERVICES (ERRS) RELATED TO THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES/WASTES/CONTAMINANTS/MATERIALS AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS/OIL IN EPA REGION 9 Key points: 1. Significant award for emergency response to the Maui wildfires, focusing on hazardous substance remediation. 2. Environmental Quality Management, Inc. secured the contract, highlighting specialized capabilities in disaster cleanup. 3. The contract's 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method warrants scrutiny regarding its necessity and impact on price. 4. This expenditure addresses critical environmental risks and public health concerns following the devastating fires.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Time and Materials pricing structure for emergency response can lead to cost overruns if not tightly managed. Benchmarking against similar rapid response contracts is difficult due to the unique and urgent nature of disaster recovery, but the high value suggests a need for rigorous cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a limited competition scenario. This method, while potentially faster in emergencies, may reduce price discovery and could lead to higher costs compared to broader competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers bear the cost of emergency hazardous substance cleanup, a necessary but significant expense following the Maui fires. The efficiency of the procurement and execution will directly impact the total taxpayer burden.
Public Impact
Directly addresses environmental contamination and public health risks from hazardous materials released during the Maui fires. Supports the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in affected communities by ensuring a safer environment. Highlights the federal government's role in disaster response and environmental protection during crises.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method may inflate costs.
- Time and Materials contract type can lack cost certainty.
- Urgent need may bypass standard cost-saving procurement practices.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical environmental and public health needs.
- Provides essential rapid response services for disaster recovery.
- Supports affected communities in Hawaii.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, crucial for managing the aftermath of natural disasters. Spending benchmarks for emergency hazardous substance response are highly variable, dependent on the scale and nature of the contamination, making direct comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as 'sb' is false. The focus on specialized emergency response for hazardous materials often requires large, established firms with specific certifications and resources, potentially limiting small business participation in such high-stakes contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be critical to ensure the effective and efficient use of funds, particularly given the Time and Materials contract type. The EPA's role in managing this task order is key to accountability, ensuring that cleanup efforts meet regulatory standards and taxpayer expectations.
Related Government Programs
- Remediation Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Time and Materials contract type lacks cost certainty.
- Urgent nature of the award may have bypassed standard cost-saving measures.
- Lack of detailed scope breakdown makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for cost overruns due to emergency conditions.
Tags
remediation-services, environmental-protection-agency, hi, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $24.1 million to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC. NEW TASK ORDER; 2023 MAUI FIRES; FEMA MA 4724-DR-HI-EPA-02; EMERGENCY AND RAPID RESPONSE SERVICES (ERRS) RELATED TO THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES/WASTES/CONTAMINANTS/MATERIALS AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS/OIL IN EPA REGION 9
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-10. End: 2024-05-27.
What specific hazardous substances were identified, and how does the scope of work align with the $24.1M award to ensure value for money?
The scope of work encompasses response to hazardous substances, wastes, contaminants, materials, and petroleum products/oil. A detailed breakdown of identified substances and the specific remediation tasks is necessary to assess if the $24.1M award represents fair value. Without this granular detail, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing is justified against the complexity and volume of the cleanup required.
Given the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, what measures were taken to mitigate potential price inflation and ensure fair market value?
This procurement method, while allowing for rapid deployment, inherently limits competition. To mitigate price inflation, the EPA should have employed robust cost analysis, potentially using historical data from similar emergency responses, independent government cost estimates, and negotiating strong labor rates and material markups. Transparency regarding the justification for excluding other sources is also crucial for accountability.
How will the EPA ensure the long-term effectiveness and environmental safety of the remediation services provided under this emergency task order?
The EPA's oversight will involve rigorous monitoring of the contractor's work, adherence to established environmental protocols, and independent verification of cleanup efficacy through sampling and testing. Ensuring the long-term safety requires clear performance standards, post-remediation monitoring plans, and confirmation that all remediation activities comply with federal and state environmental regulations.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 68HE0918R0011
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1800 CARILLON BLVD 100, CINCINNATI, OH, 45240
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,144,696
Exercised Options: $24,144,696
Current Obligation: $24,144,696
Actual Outlays: $23,651,952
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 50
Total Subaward Amount: $18,208,933
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HE0919D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-10
Current End Date: 2024-05-27
Potential End Date: 2025-06-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-02
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