EPA awards $1.16M contract to ICF Inc. for CCTES research support, data curation, and quality evaluation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,165,000 ($1.2M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2025-03-24
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 706 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: R499 GENERAL SUPPORT OF CCTES RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DATA EXTRACTION, CURATION, AND QUALITY EVALUATION TO#21
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: R499 GENERAL SUPPORT OF CCTES RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DATA EXTRACTION, CURATION, AND QUALITY EVALUATION TO#21 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data support for CCTES research activities. 2. ICF Inc. has a history of supporting government research initiatives. 3. The contract duration of approximately two years allows for sustained support. 4. Performance is located in Virginia, a hub for federal contracting. 5. The NAICS code suggests a focus on specialized scientific research services. 6. This award represents a modest investment within the broader R&D sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.16 million for approximately two years of support appears reasonable for specialized research data services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data extraction, curation, and quality evaluation in the R&D sector would provide a more precise value assessment. However, given the scope of supporting CCTES research, the pricing is likely competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the selection of a qualified contractor. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in research support services.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are researchers within the CCTES program, who will receive enhanced data support. Services include data extraction, curation, and quality evaluation, crucial for the integrity of research findings. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized roles in data management and research assistance, potentially impacting the scientific workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if research data needs expand beyond initial projections.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical data support could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Contractor has experience in supporting government research activities.
- Clear performance period allows for structured oversight and evaluation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for such services is characterized by specialized expertise and a need for rigorous data handling. Comparable spending in this area often involves significant investments in scientific research infrastructure and support services, with contracts ranging widely based on complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal unless ICF Inc. engages small businesses as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Protection Agency Research Grants
- National Science Foundation Research Support
- Department of Energy Research and Development Programs
- National Institutes of Health Data Management Contracts
Risk Flags
- Contract duration may be insufficient for long-term research data lifecycle management.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed exclusively by ICF Inc.
Tags
research-and-development, environmental-protection-agency, data-management, scientific-support, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, time-and-materials, virginia, icf-incorporated, cctes-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. R499 GENERAL SUPPORT OF CCTES RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DATA EXTRACTION, CURATION, AND QUALITY EVALUATION TO#21
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-24. End: 2027-02-28.
What is ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.'s track record with federal research support contracts?
ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. has a substantial track record of supporting federal agencies, including the EPA, in various research and technical assistance capacities. Their experience often encompasses data analysis, program evaluation, and scientific support services. Reviewing past performance evaluations and contract histories within federal procurement databases would reveal the extent and success of their previous engagements. This specific contract leverages their established capabilities in data management and research support, aligning with their demonstrated expertise in serving government clients requiring specialized scientific and analytical services.
How does the $1.16 million contract value compare to similar data support contracts for R&D activities?
The $1.16 million contract value for approximately two years of support for CCTES research activities, including data extraction, curation, and quality evaluation, appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized R&D support. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by agencies like the EPA, NSF, or DOE for comparable data management and research assistance services would provide a more precise comparison. Factors such as the complexity of the data, the required level of scientific expertise, and the specific deliverables influence pricing. Without direct comparative data, it's assessed as fair for the described scope, assuming competitive bidding yielded this price.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Primary risks include potential performance issues from the contractor, such as delays or quality deficiencies in data handling, and the risk of scope creep if research data requirements evolve significantly. Mitigation strategies involve the EPA's robust oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring, regular progress reviews, and clear contractual deliverables. The contract's defined period and the competitive award process also serve to mitigate risks by ensuring a qualified contractor is selected and incentivized to perform. Furthermore, the 'full and open competition' award method suggests a thorough vetting of bidders' capabilities.
How effective is the CCTES research program likely to be with this enhanced data support?
The effectiveness of the CCTES research program is likely to be enhanced by this contract, as reliable and high-quality data is fundamental to sound scientific research. By ensuring proper data extraction, curation, and quality evaluation, the contract directly supports the integrity and validity of research findings. This can lead to more accurate conclusions, better-informed policy decisions, and increased confidence in the research outcomes. The sustained support over nearly two years allows for consistent application of these data management practices throughout critical research phases.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar data support services within the EPA or related R&D sectors?
Historical spending patterns for data support services within the EPA and related R&D sectors show a consistent demand for specialized analytical and data management capabilities. Agencies frequently contract for services related to data extraction, cleaning, validation, and reporting to support scientific research, environmental monitoring, and policy analysis. Spending can range from tens of thousands for smaller, specific tasks to millions for large-scale, long-term data management and research support initiatives. This $1.16 million award aligns with mid-range investments for dedicated support to a specific research program like CCTES.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 68HERC25R0102
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLZ, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,529,287
Exercised Options: $1,529,287
Current Obligation: $1,165,000
Actual Outlays: $421,570
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HERC24D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-24
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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