EPA awards $1.28M contract for endocrine disruptor screening support to Battelle Memorial Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,284,359 ($1.3M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-09-05

End Date: 2026-09-04

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: F999 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING PROGRAM, OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY & POLLUTION PREVENTION (OCSPP).

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: F999 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING PROGRAM, OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY & POLLUTION PREVENTION (OCSPP). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative and programmatic support for a critical environmental health program. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Duration of one year with a Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. The contract value is relatively modest for federal IT and consulting services. 5. Geographic focus on Ohio, where Battelle Memorial Institute is headquartered. 6. No small business set-aside, indicating potential for larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.28 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized administrative and programmatic support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting and program management within the EPA or other agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specific nature of supporting the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, the pricing is likely aligned with the expertise required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), which receives essential support for its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Services delivered include administrative and programmatic support, crucial for the efficient operation of the screening program. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contractor is based, but the program's outcomes have national environmental health implications. Workforce implications include the employment of specialized personnel by Battelle Memorial Institute to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contracts if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical program support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-established research and development organization like Battelle Memorial Institute suggests a high likelihood of competent service delivery.
The contract's focus on a specific, important environmental program indicates alignment with agency priorities.
Full and open competition provides a baseline level of assurance regarding the selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically supporting a government program focused on chemical safety and pollution prevention. The market for such specialized environmental consulting is driven by regulatory requirements and agency mandates. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other EPA contracts for program support and scientific services, as well as similar contracts awarded by agencies like the FDA or USDA for chemical and product safety evaluations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on selecting the most capable contractor through open competition, rather than specifically promoting small business participation in this instance. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program
Office of Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
Environmental Protection Agency Contracts
Chemical Risk Assessment Services
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may not represent the full market potential.
Contract duration is short, potentially leading to frequent re-competition and transition costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. F999 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING PROGRAM, OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY & POLLUTION PREVENTION (OCSPP).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-05. End: 2026-09-04.

What is Battelle Memorial Institute's track record with the EPA and similar agencies for administrative and programmatic support services?

Battelle Memorial Institute has a long-standing history of working with government agencies, including the EPA, on a wide range of research, development, and support services. Their experience often spans complex scientific and technical programs. While specific data on their past performance solely on administrative and programmatic support for environmental screening programs requires a deeper dive into contract databases, Battelle's general reputation and extensive portfolio suggest a strong capability. They have been involved in numerous EPA initiatives, often securing significant contracts due to their expertise in scientific research, engineering, and program management. Assessing their specific performance on similar contracts would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues or commendations from previous EPA engagements.

How does the $1.28 million contract value compare to similar EPA contracts for program support?

The $1.28 million contract value for a one-year period of administrative and programmatic support is within a common range for specialized federal consulting services. However, its 'comparability' depends heavily on the scope and complexity of the support required for the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Contracts for broader IT services or large-scale research initiatives can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, contracts for highly niche, short-term administrative tasks might be significantly smaller. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify EPA contracts with similar service descriptions (e.g., program management, administrative support, scientific liaison) and similar durations, adjusting for inflation and the specific agency sub-division's budget. Without direct comparable contracts readily available, this value appears moderate for a specialized support role.

What are the key risks associated with this Time and Materials contract, and how are they mitigated?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently. The primary risk is that the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than initially anticipated, leading to the contract exceeding its ceiling. Mitigation strategies employed by the EPA would typically include establishing a firm ceiling price, requiring detailed timesheets and expense reports, conducting regular reviews of contractor effort, and implementing performance metrics. The contracting officer must actively monitor the contractor's progress and expenditures to ensure that the work remains within scope and that the hours billed are reasonable and allocable to the contract. The relatively short duration (one year) also helps to limit the potential for uncontrolled cost growth compared to a multi-year T&M contract.

How effective is the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), and how does this contract contribute to its effectiveness?

The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) aims to identify and characterize the potential adverse effects on human health and wildlife from endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Its effectiveness is measured by its ability to screen chemicals, identify those with endocrine-disrupting potential, and inform regulatory decisions. This contract, by providing essential administrative and programmatic support, directly contributes to the EDSP's operational efficiency. This support likely includes tasks such as managing program documentation, coordinating meetings, tracking progress on screening activities, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with administrative procedures. Without this foundational support, the scientific and regulatory aspects of the EDSP could be hampered, potentially slowing down the identification and assessment of harmful chemicals.

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative and programmatic support services within the EPA's OCSPP?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for administrative and programmatic support within the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) would reveal trends in how the agency procures these services. This specific contract's value of $1.28 million for one year can be compared against previous years' expenditures on similar support functions. If OCSPP has consistently awarded contracts in this range for similar services, it suggests a stable demand and pricing structure. Conversely, significant deviations might indicate changes in program scope, increased needs, or shifts in procurement strategies. A detailed analysis would involve examining contract databases for the past 3-5 fiscal years, identifying contracts with comparable NAICS codes (like 541620) and service descriptions, and noting their values, durations, and award types to understand the typical investment in such support.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERC25R0009

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201

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: $1,284,359

Exercised Options: $1,284,359

Current Obligation: $1,284,359

Actual Outlays: $175,499

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $46,207

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline