EPA awards $1.02M for ecological effects review, with a 658-day performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,017,000 ($1.0M)

Contractor: Pb&a/Css JV, LLC.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-12-11

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 658 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER: REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND FATE AND TRANSPORT STUDIES

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78746

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.0 million to PB&A/CSS JV, LLC. for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER: REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND FATE AND TRANSPORT STUDIES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period of over 1.5 years allows for thorough analysis. 4. Focus on ecological effects and fate/transport studies addresses critical environmental concerns. 5. Contractor PB&A/CSS JV, LLC, is a joint venture, potentially bringing diverse expertise. 6. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.02 million for a 658-day period, averaging approximately $1,546 per day, seems within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for ecological impact assessments and fate and transport studies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial process might have involved some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive solicitation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests multiple interested parties were likely considered, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to a more competitive offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of qualified contractors to bid, which can drive down prices and ensure the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from expert analysis to inform regulatory decisions. Services delivered include the review and evaluation of critical ecological effects and environmental fate studies. The contract's geographic impact is national, supporting EPA's broad environmental protection mission. Workforce implications include specialized roles for environmental scientists, toxicologists, and risk assessors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of competitive intensity.
Details on the specific exclusion of sources prior to full and open competition are not provided.
The scope of 'review and evaluation' could be broad, requiring clear deliverables to manage expectations.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract aligns contractor incentives with government objectives.
Long performance period allows for comprehensive and detailed analysis.
Focus on ecological effects and fate/transport is crucial for environmental policy development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is vital for government agencies like the EPA, providing specialized expertise for environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, and policy development. Market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by increasing environmental regulations and public awareness. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other EPA contracts for similar scientific review and analysis tasks.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting goals for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted unless they were among the competitive bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this environmental consulting work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the EPA's contracting officer and program officials responsible for environmental science and policy. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget and timeline. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific review methodologies and findings may be internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Consulting Services
Ecological Risk Assessment Contracts
Environmental Fate and Transport Studies
Scientific Review and Analysis Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Lack of detailed bidder information hinders full competitive analysis.
Contractor's specific past performance data not readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.0 million to PB&A/CSS JV, LLC.. NEW TASK ORDER: REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND FATE AND TRANSPORT STUDIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PB&A/CSS JV, LLC..

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: 2024-12-11. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of PB&A/CSS JV, LLC in performing similar environmental consulting services for the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of PB&A/CSS JV, LLC, particularly as a joint venture, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) for this entity on previous federal contracts. Understanding their experience with ecological effects, fate and transport studies, and similar review/evaluation tasks is crucial. If this is a newly formed JV, examining the track records of its individual member companies would be necessary to gauge capability and reliability. Without this data, assessing their past performance and suitability for this specific task remains incomplete.

How does the daily rate implied by this contract compare to market rates for similar environmental consulting services?

The contract value of $1,017,000 over 658 days implies an average daily rate of approximately $1,546. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to compare it with publicly available data on environmental consulting fees for similar services (ecological effects, fate and transport studies) in the relevant geographic region or nationally. Factors such as the seniority and specialization of the consultants, the complexity of the studies being reviewed, and overhead costs influence these rates. A preliminary assessment suggests this rate is within a plausible range for specialized federal consulting, but a detailed market analysis is required for a definitive comparison.

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

Key risks include potential scope creep if the 'review and evaluation' is not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns (though mitigated by firm fixed-price) or schedule delays. Technical risks involve the quality and accuracy of the contractor's analysis, which could impact EPA's decision-making. Mitigation strategies include robust contract management, clear statement of work, defined deliverables, and performance monitoring. The firm fixed-price structure shifts financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs effectively. The long performance period allows for thorough work, reducing the risk of rushed or incomplete analysis.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for the EPA?

This procurement method aims to balance broad competition with specific needs that might initially exclude certain sources. While 'full and open' competition is generally ideal for price discovery, the 'after exclusion of sources' aspect requires scrutiny. If the exclusions were justified and limited, it could still yield competitive pricing by allowing a wide range of qualified vendors to bid. However, if the exclusions were overly restrictive, it could limit the bidder pool and potentially lead to less competitive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. Understanding the rationale behind the initial exclusions is key to assessing its impact on taxpayer value.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services by the EPA in this specific domain?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar environmental consulting services by the EPA is crucial for context. This involves examining contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for previous awards related to ecological effects, fate and transport studies, and scientific reviews. Key metrics to track include the number of contracts awarded annually, average contract values, typical performance periods, and the primary contractors. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending, or a concentration of awards with a few specific contractors, could indicate market trends, evolving agency priorities, or potential issues with competition and pricing.

What are the specific deliverables expected from PB&A/CSS JV, LLC under this contract?

The provided data describes the task as 'REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND FATE AND TRANSPORT STUDIES.' Specific deliverables are not detailed but would typically include comprehensive reports, technical memoranda, presentations, and potentially recommendations based on the review. These deliverables must clearly outline the scope of the review, the methodologies used, the findings, and any conclusions or implications for EPA's regulatory or policy development processes. The contract's statement of work and any associated appendices would contain the precise list and format of expected deliverables.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC24R0253

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1151 LOST CREEK BLVD, AUSTIN, TX, 78746

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,522,551

Exercised Options: $4,937,507

Current Obligation: $1,017,000

Actual Outlays: $221,103

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC22D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline