EPA awards $13.8M contract for technical editing of toxicity value documents to SRC Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,882 ($13.9K)

Contractor: SRC Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-02-05

End Date: 2026-02-06

Contract Duration: 366 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: INTERIM FORMAT, TECHNICAL EDIT AND FINAL FORMAT OF PROVISIONAL TOXICITY VALUE (PTV) DOCUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FILES.

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13212

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $13,881.72 to SRC INC for work described as: INTERIM FORMAT, TECHNICAL EDIT AND FINAL FORMAT OF PROVISIONAL TOXICITY VALUE (PTV) DOCUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FILES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential technical documentation for environmental safety. 2. SRC Inc. has secured this contract, indicating a level of trust or prior performance. 3. The contract duration of 366 days suggests a focused, project-based need. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The research and development sector often involves complex documentation requirements. 6. Geographic location in New York may point to specific EPA facilities or contractor presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.8 million for technical editing services over approximately one year appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact scope and complexity of the Provisional Toxicity Value (PTV) documents, similar contracts for scientific and technical documentation support within federal agencies typically fall within this range. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the EPA, suggesting a well-defined scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of full and open competition generally suggests a healthy market for these specialized technical editing services. This approach allows the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors, fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings by encouraging multiple companies to offer their best prices and services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby preventing potential price gouging and promoting efficiency.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from accurate and timely technical documentation for critical environmental safety assessments. The public benefits indirectly through improved environmental protection resulting from well-documented toxicity values. The contract supports specialized technical editing and formatting services, contributing to the scientific integrity of EPA's work. Workforce implications include employment for technical editors, proofreaders, and document formatting specialists, likely concentrated in New York. The contract ensures the proper dissemination of scientific information related to environmental hazards.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the complexity of PTV documents is underestimated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical documentation could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring consistent quality across all edited documents requires robust quality assurance processes.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potential for value.
The contract duration allows for focused execution of the defined scope.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically under the NAICS code 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation and the generation of new knowledge, often requiring extensive documentation and technical reporting. The market for specialized scientific editing and formatting services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of supporting government R&D efforts. The EPA's spending in this area is crucial for its mission of environmental protection and regulation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses were eligible to compete, but there is no specific allocation or requirement for their participation. The prime contractor, SRC Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on SRC Inc.'s own subcontracting plan and decisions, rather than a government mandate within this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the PTV documentation. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a clear ceiling on costs. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance standards, with potential recourse through contract modifications or termination if performance is unsatisfactory.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Safety Research
Scientific Documentation Services
Toxicity Assessment Support
Federal R&D Contracts
Environmental Protection Agency Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues with a single contractor.
Risk of scope creep if document complexity is underestimated.
Need for robust quality assurance to ensure accuracy of toxicity data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $13,881.72 to SRC INC. INTERIM FORMAT, TECHNICAL EDIT AND FINAL FORMAT OF PROVISIONAL TOXICITY VALUE (PTV) DOCUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FILES.

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 $13,881.72.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-05. End: 2026-02-06.

What is the historical spending pattern of the EPA on technical editing and documentation services for toxicity value documents?

Analyzing historical spending on technical editing and documentation for Provisional Toxicity Value (PTV) documents by the EPA requires access to detailed procurement data beyond this single award. However, general trends in federal R&D spending indicate a consistent need for such services to support regulatory functions and scientific research. Agencies like the EPA often award multiple contracts annually for documentation support, ranging from editing and formatting to report generation and data management. The total annual expenditure can fluctuate based on the volume of new research, regulatory updates, and specific program requirements. Without specific historical data for PTV documents, it's challenging to provide precise figures, but the $13.8 million awarded here suggests a significant, project-specific investment.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar technical editing contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Comparing the $13.8 million value of this EPA contract to similar technical editing contracts across federal agencies requires a broad market analysis. Contracts for scientific and technical documentation support can vary significantly in price based on scope, duration, complexity, and the specific agency's needs. For instance, contracts supporting large-scale engineering projects or complex scientific research initiatives might exceed this value, while smaller, more focused editing tasks could be awarded for less. Given that this contract covers the 'INTERIM FORMAT, TECHNICAL EDIT AND FINAL FORMAT OF PROVISIONAL TOXICITY VALUE (PTV) DOCUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FILES' over approximately one year, the price appears aligned with specialized, high-stakes scientific documentation. Agencies like the Department of Defense or the National Institutes of Health might have comparable contracts for their respective technical documentation needs.

What is SRC Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with the EPA, for similar services?

Information regarding SRC Inc.'s specific track record with the EPA for technical editing of toxicity value documents is not detailed in the provided data. However, SRC Inc. is a known entity in government contracting, often providing a range of technical, engineering, and scientific services. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on federal contracts, particularly those involving scientific documentation or environmental services. A review of federal procurement databases and past performance information systems would be necessary to determine their experience level and performance quality with the EPA or similar agencies in this specialized domain.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for the technical editing of critical toxicity value documents?

Relying on a single contractor, even one selected through full and open competition, presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of performance degradation over the contract period; the contractor might experience staffing changes, loss of key personnel, or a decline in quality control, impacting the accuracy and timeliness of the PTV documents. Secondly, a sole provider scenario can reduce leverage for the government if issues arise, potentially leading to delays or increased costs if renegotiation is required. Thirdly, if the contractor faces unforeseen business challenges (e.g., financial instability, legal issues), it could disrupt the critical workflow of document finalization. Robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning are essential to mitigate these risks.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type influence the management of this contract and its value for money?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is designed to provide the EPA with cost certainty and to place the risk of cost overruns on the contractor, SRC Inc. This means the agreed-upon price is fixed, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred in completing the work. For value for money, FFP is generally considered advantageous when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. It incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently and to perform the work within the agreed budget. The EPA benefits from predictable spending, and the contractor is motivated to deliver high-quality services efficiently to maximize their profit margin. This structure is suitable for technical editing where the deliverables are clearly specified.

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: $13,882

Exercised Options: $13,882

Current Obligation: $13,882

Actual Outlays: $13,882

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