EPA awards $2.55M for mobile source emissions testing and data analysis technical support to Eastern Research Group Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,553,271 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Eastern Research Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-10-17

End Date: 2026-10-16

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: "MOBILE SOURCE EMISSIONS TESTING AND DATA ANALYSIS TECHNICAL SUPPORT"

Place of Performance

Location: CONCORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01742

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.6 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC for work described as: "MOBILE SOURCE EMISSIONS TESTING AND DATA ANALYSIS TECHNICAL SUPPORT" Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical support for mobile source emissions testing and data analysis. 2. Eastern Research Group Inc. has been awarded this contract, indicating a level of trust and past performance. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days suggests a need for sustained support in this specialized area. 4. The use of a Time and Materials contract type allows for flexibility in addressing evolving technical needs. 5. This award falls under the broad category of Environmental Consulting Services, a critical sector for regulatory compliance. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.55 million over three years for specialized technical support in emissions testing and data analysis appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of the work and the full and open competition, the pricing is likely competitive. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate unnecessarily.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a healthy competitive environment. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government selects the most capable and cost-effective solution available in the market for environmental consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it drives down prices and encourages innovation among contractors, leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits directly through enhanced technical support for its critical mission of regulating mobile source emissions. This contract supports the development and analysis of data related to vehicle emissions, contributing to cleaner air and public health initiatives. The services provided will aid in the enforcement of environmental regulations and the assessment of their effectiveness. Workforce implications include the utilization of specialized scientific and technical expertise within Eastern Research Group Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored for scope creep.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's efficiency and effectiveness beyond adherence to schedule.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely yielded a fair price.
The contract duration of three years indicates a stable and ongoing need for these specialized services, suggesting a well-defined requirement.
The contractor, Eastern Research Group Inc., has been selected, implying a track record of capability and reliability in similar service areas.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, which is a subset of professional, scientific, and technical services. This sector is crucial for government agencies tasked with regulatory oversight and environmental protection. The market for these services is characterized by specialized expertise, often requiring advanced degrees and specific certifications. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other EPA contracts for similar technical support or data analysis services, as well as contracts awarded by other environmental regulatory bodies.

Small Business Impact

The 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 small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Eastern Research Group Inc., is likely a large business, and its internal resource allocation will determine any indirect impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through public 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 to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Mobile Source Emissions Standards
Clean Air Act Compliance
Environmental Data Management Systems
Vehicle Emissions Control Technology
Air Quality Monitoring Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Scope creep risk without clear performance metrics and oversight.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical data analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.6 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC. "MOBILE SOURCE EMISSIONS TESTING AND DATA ANALYSIS TECHNICAL SUPPORT"

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC.

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: 2023-10-17. End: 2026-10-16.

What is the track record of Eastern Research Group Inc. with the EPA or similar agencies for environmental consulting services?

Eastern Research Group Inc. (ERG) has a significant track record of providing environmental consulting and technical support services to various federal agencies, including the EPA. They have been involved in numerous projects related to air quality, emissions, environmental data analysis, and regulatory support. Their past performance with the EPA likely includes work on similar initiatives, such as supporting the development and implementation of emissions standards, conducting research on pollution control technologies, and providing technical assistance for environmental programs. A detailed review of their contract history would reveal the scope, value, and success of these prior engagements, providing a strong basis for their selection on this current contract.

How does the $2.55 million contract value compare to similar environmental consulting contracts awarded by the EPA?

The $2.55 million contract value for three years of technical support in mobile source emissions testing and data analysis is within a typical range for specialized environmental consulting services. The EPA frequently awards contracts in the low to mid-single-digit millions for such support. For instance, contracts for developing emissions inventories, modeling air quality impacts, or providing technical assistance for rulemakings often fall within this financial bracket. Without specific details on the scope of work for comparable contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, given the full and open competition, the pricing is presumed to be competitive relative to the market for these expert services.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as this one, is the potential for cost escalation if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for actual labor hours and material costs incurred. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated expenditures if the scope of work expands, if the contractor's efficiency is low, or if there is a lack of stringent oversight. For this contract, risks include potential scope creep in the 'technical support' aspect, inefficient use of consultant time, or unforeseen material needs. Robust monitoring by the EPA is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the project stays within budget and delivers the intended value.

How effective is the EPA's current approach to mobile source emissions testing and data analysis, and how does this contract contribute?

The EPA's approach to mobile source emissions testing and data analysis is a cornerstone of its efforts to improve air quality under the Clean Air Act. This contract directly contributes by providing essential technical expertise and analytical support. The effectiveness of the EPA's overall approach relies on accurate data collection, robust analysis, and informed policy development. By securing specialized support, the EPA can enhance its capacity to interpret complex emissions data, identify trends, assess the impact of regulations, and ensure compliance. The contractor's role is to augment the EPA's internal capabilities, ensuring that the agency remains at the forefront of understanding and mitigating emissions from vehicles and other mobile sources.

What has been the historical spending trend for mobile source emissions testing and data analysis support at the EPA?

Historical spending trends for mobile source emissions testing and data analysis support at the EPA can fluctuate based on regulatory priorities, legislative mandates, and the lifecycle of specific programs. Generally, the EPA consistently allocates significant resources to air quality programs, including those focused on mobile sources. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to update emissions standards, evaluate new vehicle technologies, monitor real-world emissions, and support enforcement actions. While this specific $2.55 million award is for a defined period, the EPA's overall budget for related activities suggests a sustained, multi-year commitment to this domain, often involving multiple contracts and task orders to address diverse technical needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting 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: PR-OAR-23-00954

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 561 VIRGINIA RD, CONCORD, MA, 01742

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,184,449

Exercised Options: $4,594,722

Current Obligation: $2,553,271

Actual Outlays: $1,836,283

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $210,699

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH22A0020

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline