EPA awards $574K R&D contract for toxicity value development to SRC Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $574,163 ($574.2K)

Contractor: SRC Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: INITIATE A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER 68HERC22D00004, TASK ORDER TITLE: DEVELOPMENT OF PROVISIONAL PEER-REVIEWED TOXICITY VALUES (PPRTV); TERESA SHANNON IS THE TOCOR; ALT. TOCOR IS ALLI PHILLIPS; CL-COR: NATALIE KOCH; CO: PRADEEP KANDAMBATH.

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13212

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $574,162.61 to SRC INC for work described as: INITIATE A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER 68HERC22D00004, TASK ORDER TITLE: DEVELOPMENT OF PROVISIONAL PEER-REVIEWED TOXICITY VALUES (PPRTV); TERESA SHANNON IS THE TOCOR; ALT. TOCOR IS ALLI PHILLIPS; CL-COR: NATALIE KOCH; CO: PRADEEP KANDAMBATH. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing provisional peer-reviewed toxicity values, a critical component of environmental risk assessment. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is one year, indicating a focused effort on the specified task. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The work is categorized under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 6. The geographic location of the contractor is New York.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $574,162.61 for a one-year research and development effort appears reasonable for specialized scientific services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for toxicity value development or environmental research would provide a more precise assessment. However, given the specific nature of developing provisional peer-reviewed toxicity values, the pricing is likely competitive within this niche scientific domain. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open competition suggests that SRC Inc. was selected based on merit and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs and ensures the government receives high-quality services at a fair price by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, utilizing the developed toxicity values for regulatory and risk assessment purposes. The services delivered will contribute to the scientific basis for evaluating the potential health risks associated with various chemical substances. The geographic impact is national, as the toxicity values inform EPA's nationwide environmental protection efforts. The contract supports specialized scientific workforce in the field of toxicology and environmental science.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition limits a deeper understanding of the competitive landscape.
The provisional nature of the toxicity values means they may be subject to future revision or refinement.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The contract addresses a critical need for scientific data in environmental risk assessment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on scientific research related to environmental health and toxicology. The market for specialized environmental consulting and research services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like risk assessment, chemical analysis, and regulatory science. The EPA frequently procures such services to support its mission of protecting human health and the environment. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other EPA contracts for similar scientific studies or toxicity assessments.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not specified, and it is presumed that the prime contractor, SRC Inc., will perform the work. Further investigation into SRC Inc.'s subcontracting plans would be needed to assess any indirect impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through designated Technical and Contracting Officers (TOCORs and COs). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Risk Assessment
Chemical Toxicity Studies
Public Health Research
Environmental Science Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scientific uncertainty in toxicity value development.
Reliance on provisional data requires future validation.
Limited public information on the number of competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $574,162.61 to SRC INC. INITIATE A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER 68HERC22D00004, TASK ORDER TITLE: DEVELOPMENT OF PROVISIONAL PEER-REVIEWED TOXICITY VALUES (PPRTV); TERESA SHANNON IS THE TOCOR; ALT. TOCOR IS ALLI PHILLIPS; CL-COR: NATALIE KOCH; CO: PRADEEP KANDAMBATH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SRC INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $574,162.61.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of SRC Inc. in performing similar research and development contracts for the EPA or other federal agencies?

SRC Inc. has a history of performing various research and development services, including those related to environmental science and engineering, for federal agencies. While specific details on past toxicity value development contracts are not immediately available in this data snippet, their classification under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) suggests a relevant operational scope. A comprehensive review would involve examining their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any awards or recognitions related to similar scientific endeavors. Understanding their experience with peer-review processes and regulatory science would be crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this task order.

How does the value of this contract compare to other EPA contracts for similar toxicity value development or environmental research services?

The contract value of $574,162.61 for a one-year effort to develop provisional peer-reviewed toxicity values is a specific investment in a niche scientific area. To benchmark this value effectively, one would need to compare it against a portfolio of similar EPA contracts. This would involve identifying other awards for toxicity assessments, risk evaluations, or the development of scientific data supporting environmental regulations. Factors such as the complexity of the chemicals studied, the scope of the peer-review process, and the specific endpoints being evaluated would influence pricing. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it is challenging to definitively state whether this represents a high, low, or average cost for such specialized R&D.

What are the primary risks associated with the development of provisional peer-reviewed toxicity values, and how are they mitigated by this contract?

Key risks in developing provisional peer-reviewed toxicity values include scientific uncertainty, potential for bias in data interpretation, challenges in the peer-review process, and the provisional nature of the output, which may require future updates. This contract mitigates some of these risks through its firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes efficient project management and cost control. The requirement for 'peer-reviewed' values implies adherence to scientific rigor and external validation, aiming to enhance the reliability and credibility of the findings. However, the inherent scientific complexities and the need for ongoing research mean that the 'provisional' nature of the values is a built-in characteristic, requiring future scientific engagement. The EPA's oversight through TOCORs and CL-CORs also serves as a risk mitigation measure.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring the best value for taxpayers in this specific R&D context?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring best value for taxpayers in federal contracting, including R&D. It allows a wide range of qualified contractors to compete, fostering innovation and driving down prices through market forces. In this specific case, it means that SRC Inc. was selected from a pool of potential offerors based on criteria likely including technical merit, past performance, and price. The effectiveness is maximized when the solicitation clearly defines requirements and evaluation criteria, enabling a fair comparison of proposals. While the data doesn't specify the number of bidders, the process itself provides a strong foundation for achieving value by preventing sole-source awards and encouraging competitive proposals.

What are the historical spending patterns of the EPA in the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' category, and how does this contract fit within them?

The EPA consistently invests significant funds in Research and Development (R&D) across various scientific disciplines to support its environmental protection mandate. Spending within the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS 541715) category is crucial for advancing scientific understanding of environmental issues, developing new assessment tools, and informing policy. This $574,162.61 contract for toxicity value development represents a relatively small, targeted investment within the broader EPA R&D portfolio. It aligns with the agency's ongoing need for robust scientific data to evaluate chemical risks and establish regulatory standards. Historical spending patterns would likely show a continuous allocation to this area, with variations based on emerging environmental concerns and research priorities.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7502 ROUND POND RD, NORTH SYRACUSE, NY, 13212

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $574,163

Exercised Options: $574,163

Current Obligation: $574,163

Actual Outlays: $574,163

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC22D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline