EPA awards $5.8M for R&D support, with a 3-year duration and full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,802,844 ($5.8M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-07-21

End Date: 2026-07-21

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: STREAMS IV: ETSC SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $5.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: STREAMS IV: ETSC SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The contract duration is 1461 days, indicating a long-term need for these R&D services. 4. The primary NAICS code (541715) points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a known entity in the R&D space. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $5.8 million contract is challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and the scope of work. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if the effort is not well-defined or if labor hours are not closely monitored. The duration of nearly four years suggests a significant investment, and ongoing oversight will be crucial to ensure value for money.

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 promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offering. The open competition suggests a healthy market for these R&D services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down prices through market forces and encourage a wider pool of contractors to compete, potentially leading to better deals.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from this contract by securing specialized research and development support. Services delivered likely involve scientific research, data analysis, and technical expertise within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is centered in North Carolina, where Research Triangle Institute is located, but the research findings can have national implications. The contract supports a workforce of researchers, scientists, and technical staff employed by Research Triangle Institute.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Long contract duration (nearly 4 years) necessitates sustained performance monitoring.
Scope creep could be a risk if not managed through clear task orders and change control.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Contractor (Research Triangle Institute) is an established research organization.
Contract supports critical R&D for the EPA.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized expertise. Government spending in R&D is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and developing new technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific R&D focus, but federal agencies like the EPA consistently invest in R&D to inform policy and regulatory decisions.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of R&D services and the potential scale of work, it is likely that larger, established research institutions were the primary focus of competition. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, direct costs, and adherence to the statement of work will be essential. Transparency is expected through regular reporting requirements from the contractor. The EPA's internal audit and program management offices would likely be involved in ensuring accountability and performance.

Related Government Programs

EPA Research and Development Contracts
Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Vehicles

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Long Contract Duration
Potential for Scope Creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $5.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. STREAMS IV: ETSC SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-21. End: 2026-07-21.

What is the specific research focus of this contract and how does it align with EPA's mission?

The contract, "STREAMS IV: ETSC SUPPORT," with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), likely supports the EPA's Environmental Sciences Training Center (ESTC) or related environmental science and technology initiatives. While the exact research focus isn't detailed, RTI's expertise often lies in areas such as environmental health, toxicology, risk assessment, and sustainable technologies. This aligns with the EPA's core mission of protecting human health and the environment by providing scientific research, data analysis, and technical support to inform regulatory decisions and environmental programs.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type compare to other contract types for R&D services in terms of cost-effectiveness?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the level of effort or the exact duration of the work cannot be predetermined. For R&D, this can be beneficial as research projects can be unpredictable. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts because the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. To ensure cost-effectiveness, stringent oversight, detailed tracking of hours, and clear task order definitions are crucial. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer more cost certainty but may be less flexible for exploratory R&D where the path forward is uncertain.

What is Research Triangle Institute's track record with federal R&D contracts, particularly with the EPA?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is a well-established non-profit research organization with a significant history of performing federal R&D contracts across various agencies, including the EPA. RTI has a strong reputation in environmental science, public health, and engineering research. A review of federal procurement data would likely show numerous past awards to RTI for similar R&D services, indicating a proven track record. Their experience suggests they possess the necessary expertise and infrastructure to successfully execute contracts like the STREAMS IV award.

What are the potential risks associated with the 3-year duration of this contract?

The 1461-day (approximately 4-year) duration of this contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, the long timeframe increases the possibility of scope creep if not managed meticulously through well-defined task orders and change control processes. Secondly, technology and scientific understanding can evolve rapidly; the initial scope might become outdated or less relevant over the contract's life, requiring adjustments. Thirdly, maintaining consistent performance and oversight over such an extended period can be challenging for the contracting agency. Finally, the longer the contract, the greater the potential for cost escalation, especially with a T&M structure, if not tightly controlled.

How does the $5.8 million award amount compare to typical EPA R&D spending for similar services?

The $5.8 million award for approximately four years of R&D support falls within a reasonable range for specialized scientific services procured by agencies like the EPA. Federal R&D contracts can vary widely in cost depending on the complexity, duration, and specific scientific domain. For a contract supporting environmental science and technology research, this amount suggests a significant but not exceptionally large project. Benchmarking against other EPA contracts for similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541715) and contract types (T&M, delivery orders) would provide a more precise comparison, but the figure itself does not immediately suggest overpricing or underfunding without further context on deliverables.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order' under a larger IDIQ?

This contract being a 'Delivery Order' signifies that it is a task order issued under a pre-existing Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. IDIQs are often used to streamline the procurement process for services that an agency anticipates needing over time but cannot precisely define in advance. The implications are that the competition for the underlying IDIQ contract likely occurred previously, and this specific delivery order was either competed among IDIQ holders or awarded based on pre-negotiated terms. This approach can expedite service delivery but means the full scope and competition details are spread across multiple documents and potentially multiple previous competitions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC21R0179

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 E CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,055,854

Exercised Options: $18,055,854

Current Obligation: $5,802,844

Actual Outlays: $4,419,095

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 19

Total Subaward Amount: $3,081,369

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC21D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline