EPA awards $278K for emergency response technical assistance to Horsley Witten Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $277,833 ($277.8K)

Contractor: Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-04-17

End Date: 2026-10-21

Contract Duration: 552 days

Daily Burn Rate: $503/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: B510 - EMERGENCY RESPONSE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE; EDWS, EMAC FY25

Place of Performance

Location: SANDWICH, BARNSTABLE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02563

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $277,833.24 to HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP, INC. for work described as: B510 - EMERGENCY RESPONSE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE; EDWS, EMAC FY25 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value. 2. Focus on environmental consulting services indicates a need for specialized expertise. 3. The contract duration of 552 days provides a reasonable timeframe for service delivery. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 5. The award is a BPA Call, indicating it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $278,000 for emergency response technical assistance and guidance appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While direct comparisons to similar, specific contracts are difficult without more granular data, the fixed-price nature of the award provides cost control. The award being a BPA Call suggests that the underlying contract underwent a competitive process, which generally leads to better pricing than sole-source awards. Benchmarking against industry rates for environmental consulting services would be the next step to fully assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature suggests that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought the best value from the market. This process typically fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price through robust bidding.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potentially state and local entities requiring emergency response support. Services delivered will focus on technical assistance and guidance related to emergency response, likely involving planning, preparedness, and response strategies. The geographic impact is not specified but could extend nationwide depending on EPA's emergency response needs. Workforce implications may involve specialized environmental consultants contributing their expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess contractor performance.
The duration of the contract (552 days) is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring to ensure timely and effective service delivery.

Positive Signals

Award to an established firm (Horsley Witten Group, Inc.) suggests a degree of confidence in their capabilities.
The fixed-price contract type aligns costs with deliverables, promoting financial predictability.
The BPA Call mechanism indicates a pre-vetted and potentially cost-effective procurement route.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a critical component of government operations, particularly for agencies like the EPA responsible for environmental protection and emergency management. This contract fits within the broader market for professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focusing on environmental expertise. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments, and disaster response needs across various government levels.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Horsley Witten Group, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, linking payment to performance. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising from contract performance.

Related Government Programs

EPA Emergency Management
Environmental Consulting Services
Disaster Preparedness and Response
Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration is substantial, requiring diligent oversight.
Specific performance metrics not detailed in award data.
Geographic scope of services not explicitly defined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $277,833.24 to HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP, INC.. B510 - EMERGENCY RESPONSE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE; EDWS, EMAC FY25

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HORSLEY WITTEN 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 $277,833.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-17. End: 2026-10-21.

What is the track record of Horsley Witten Group, Inc. with the federal government, particularly with the EPA?

Horsley Witten Group, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily from agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Defense. Their awards often fall within the realm of environmental consulting, engineering, and planning services. Analyzing their past performance on similar EPA contracts would involve reviewing contract close-out reports, past performance questionnaires, and any documented issues or commendations. A deeper dive into their federal procurement history would reveal the types of services they have provided, the value of those contracts, and their success rate in meeting federal requirements. This context is crucial for assessing their reliability and capability for the current emergency response technical assistance contract.

How does the awarded price compare to similar environmental consulting contracts for emergency response technical assistance?

Benchmarking the $277,833.24 award for emergency response technical assistance requires comparing it to similar contracts awarded by the EPA or other federal agencies for comparable services. Factors such as contract duration (552 days), scope of work (technical assistance and guidance), and the specific expertise required (environmental consulting) are key comparison points. Without access to a detailed database of all relevant contracts, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the fact that this was awarded under full and open competition suggests the price was deemed competitive. If similar contracts for similar durations and scopes have been awarded in the range of $200,000-$350,000, it would indicate fair market value. Conversely, significantly higher or lower awards might warrant further investigation into the specifics of the scope or the competitive landscape.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential scope creep, contractor underperformance, and delays in service delivery. Scope creep could occur if the definition of 'emergency response technical assistance and guidance' is not clearly delineated, leading to expanded work beyond the initial intent. Contractor underperformance might arise if Horsley Witten Group, Inc. lacks the necessary specialized expertise or resources to meet the EPA's needs effectively. Delays could impact the agency's ability to respond to emergencies promptly. Mitigation strategies include the fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and scope efficiently. Clear performance work statements, regular progress reviews by the EPA, and defined milestones within the 552-day period are also crucial for managing these risks and ensuring successful contract execution.

How effective is the EPA's use of BPA Calls for procuring emergency response services?

The EPA's use of Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and subsequent calls against them, as seen in this award, is generally an efficient method for procuring recurring or anticipated needs, including emergency response services. BPAs are established through a competitive process, allowing agencies to pre-qualify vendors and establish favorable pricing or terms. Calls against these BPAs are typically streamlined, leading to faster award times compared to new full and open competitions. For emergency response, this speed can be critical. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of the initial BPA competition and the ongoing management of the BPA and its calls to ensure continued value and compliance with procurement regulations. This specific award suggests the BPA mechanism is functioning as intended for this particular need.

What is the historical spending pattern for emergency response technical assistance at the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for emergency response technical assistance at the EPA would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in the total amount obligated for such services, the number of contracts awarded, the types of services procured (e.g., planning, training, direct response support), and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding these patterns helps in forecasting future needs, identifying potential budget shortfalls or surpluses, and assessing whether spending is consistent with agency priorities and mission requirements. For instance, a significant increase in spending might indicate heightened national emergency risks or a shift in EPA's strategic focus towards preparedness.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 90 ROUTE 6A STE 1, SANDWICH, MA, 02563

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $277,833

Exercised Options: $277,833

Current Obligation: $277,833

Actual Outlays: $124,945

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC24A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline