EPA awards $4.3M task order to Cape Fear Analytical for testing services in North Carolina

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,318,766 ($4.3M)

Contractor: Cape Fear Analytical, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2020-11-06

End Date: 2026-09-09

Contract Duration: 2,133 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CAPE FEAR ANALYTICAL (CFA) TASK ORDER INITIATION

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, NEW HANOVER County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28405

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.3 million to CAPE FEAR ANALYTICAL, LLC for work described as: CAPE FEAR ANALYTICAL (CFA) TASK ORDER INITIATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 4. The task order is a component of a larger contract, implying potential for follow-on work. 5. Services are geographically focused on North Carolina, aligning with regional environmental needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The awarded amount of $4.3 million for a period of over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized testing services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental testing laboratories and services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process is a good sign.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific details of how many bidders participated are not provided, but the designation implies a robust competition. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process increases the likelihood that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from access to specialized analytical testing services. Services delivered likely support environmental monitoring, compliance, and regulatory enforcement activities. The geographic impact is concentrated in North Carolina, addressing regional environmental concerns. The contract supports the workforce within the environmental testing sector, particularly at Cape Fear Analytical.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of services delivered.
Limited information on the number of bidders restricts a full understanding of the competitive landscape.
The long contract duration could pose a risk if technology or testing methodologies evolve rapidly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency.
The task order is part of a larger contract, suggesting a strategic relationship and potential for streamlined future procurements.

Sector Analysis

The environmental testing services sector is crucial for regulatory compliance, public health, and environmental protection. This contract falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code (541380). The market for these services is driven by government regulations and the need for independent verification of environmental data. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency priorities, regulatory changes, and the scale of environmental challenges.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Cape Fear Analytical, LLC, is likely a small business itself, but this contract does not appear to have specific small business subcontracting goals mandated within its structure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which awarded the task order. The agency's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Services
Laboratory Testing Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services
EPA Task Orders
Federal Scientific and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may not adapt to technological changes.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders outcome assessment.
Limited competition details obscure full market dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.3 million to CAPE FEAR ANALYTICAL, LLC. CAPE FEAR ANALYTICAL (CFA) TASK ORDER INITIATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAPE FEAR ANALYTICAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-11-06. End: 2026-09-09.

What is the historical spending pattern for Cape Fear Analytical, LLC with the federal government?

Analyzing historical federal spending data for Cape Fear Analytical, LLC reveals their engagement primarily with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This specific task order represents a significant portion of their federal contract awards. Prior to this award, their federal footprint may have been smaller or focused on different types of services. A comprehensive review of contract databases would show the total value and duration of all contracts awarded to CFA, identifying any trends in agency engagement, service types, and contract values over time. This context is crucial for understanding their track record and capacity for handling large federal commitments.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar environmental testing services procured by the EPA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $4.3 million task order against similar environmental testing services requires access to detailed cost breakdowns and data from comparable contracts. Factors such as the specific types of tests performed (e.g., water quality, air emissions, soil analysis), turnaround times, and geographic location influence pricing. While the firm fixed price structure offers cost certainty, a detailed analysis would involve comparing the per-unit cost of specific services or the overall contract value relative to the scope of work against other EPA or agency contracts for similar laboratory and testing services. Without this granular data, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the competitive award process suggests a reasonable market price was achieved.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for environmental testing services, KPIs might include adherence to testing protocols and standards (e.g., EPA methods, ISO certifications), accuracy and reliability of results, timely delivery of reports, and compliance with contractual deadlines. The EPA's contracting officers and program managers would be responsible for monitoring these aspects throughout the contract's duration. The effectiveness of the contract is often assessed through periodic performance reviews and the successful completion of the required testing and analytical tasks as outlined in the Statement of Work.

What is the potential risk associated with the long duration of this contract (over 5 years)?

The contract's duration of over 5 years (2133 days) presents several potential risks. Firstly, technological advancements in analytical methodologies and equipment could render the contracted services or technologies outdated before the contract expires, potentially leading to inefficiencies or the need for costly modifications. Secondly, changes in environmental regulations or EPA priorities could alter the scope or nature of the required testing, making the original contract less relevant. Thirdly, long-term contracts can sometimes reduce the agency's flexibility to adapt to evolving needs or to capitalize on new, potentially more cost-effective solutions that emerge in the market. Effective contract management, including regular reviews and potential for modifications, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

Are there any known performance issues or past disputes related to Cape Fear Analytical, LLC's federal contracts?

Based on the provided summary data, there is no immediate information regarding known performance issues or past disputes related to Cape Fear Analytical, LLC's federal contracts. A thorough assessment would require delving into contract performance reports, past performance reviews, and any available records of disputes or contract terminations. Federal procurement systems often contain ratings and feedback from previous contracting officers. Without access to these detailed performance histories, it is assumed, for the purpose of this summary, that the contractor has a satisfactory record, especially given the award through full and open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3306 KITTY HAWK RD STE 120, WILMINGTON, NC, 28405

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,622,501

Exercised Options: $5,622,501

Current Obligation: $4,318,766

Actual Outlays: $2,000,231

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH20D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline