EPA awards $9.7M for airborne environmental data collection, with a 66% prime contractor performance risk

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,718,871 ($9.7M)

Contractor: Airborne Aspect, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-12-02

End Date: 2026-12-01

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AIRBORNE SPECTRAL PHOTOMETRIC ENVIRONMENTAL COLLECTION TECHNOLOGY (ASPECT) PROGRAM AIRBORNE RESPONSE SUPPORT SERVICES (ARSS) CONTRACT TASK ORDER AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $9.7 million to AIRBORNE ASPECT, INC. for work described as: AIRBORNE SPECTRAL PHOTOMETRIC ENVIRONMENTAL COLLECTION TECHNOLOGY (ASPECT) PROGRAM AIRBORNE RESPONSE SUPPORT SERVICES (ARSS) CONTRACT TASK ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized airborne spectral photometric environmental collection and response support. 2. Performance risk is flagged at 66%, indicating potential challenges in meeting contract requirements. 3. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting a phased approach to service delivery. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but performance risk may offset savings. 5. The primary contractor, AIRBORNE ASPECT, INC., is responsible for delivering these critical environmental services. 6. The contract duration spans nearly four years, allowing for sustained support.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $9.7 million for airborne environmental data collection and response support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. However, the high performance risk score of 66% raises concerns about the potential for cost overruns or service disruptions. Benchmarking against similar contracts for airborne environmental monitoring services would be necessary for a more precise value assessment, but the risk factor suggests potential inefficiencies that could impact overall 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 multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was utilized. This approach is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging a wider pool of qualified contractors to bid, potentially leading to better value.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from enhanced capabilities in environmental monitoring and response. Services delivered include airborne spectral photometric environmental collection and airborne response support. The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, where the services are to be performed. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the environmental services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High performance risk (66%) suggests potential issues with contractor's ability to meet requirements.
The specialized nature of the technology may limit the pool of qualified contractors for future competition.
Reliance on a single delivery order for a significant amount could indicate potential scope creep or evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
Long contract duration allows for sustained and consistent support for EPA's environmental mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services sector, specifically focusing on advanced environmental data collection using airborne spectral photometry. This niche area requires specialized technology and expertise. The market for such services is driven by regulatory compliance, environmental research, and disaster response needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within contracts awarded to firms specializing in aerial surveying, remote sensing, and environmental consulting.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, AIRBORNE ASPECT, INC., is likely performing the majority of the work. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to potentially negative if larger contracts are consistently awarded without specific small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price delivery order structure, requiring the contractor to meet defined performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Services
Airborne Surveying Contracts
Remote Sensing Technology
Environmental Response Support
EPA Technology Acquisition

Risk Flags

High Performance Risk
Specialized Technology Requirements
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Small Business Subcontracting Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $9.7 million to AIRBORNE ASPECT, INC.. AIRBORNE SPECTRAL PHOTOMETRIC ENVIRONMENTAL COLLECTION TECHNOLOGY (ASPECT) PROGRAM AIRBORNE RESPONSE SUPPORT SERVICES (ARSS) CONTRACT TASK ORDER AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AIRBORNE ASPECT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-02. End: 2026-12-01.

What specific environmental factors or conditions does the ASPECT program aim to monitor using airborne spectral photometry?

The ASPECT program, supported by this contract, likely focuses on monitoring a range of environmental factors detectable through spectral analysis of airborne data. This could include identifying specific chemical compounds in the air or on the ground, mapping vegetation health and stress, detecting oil spills or other pollutants on water surfaces, assessing soil composition, and monitoring atmospheric conditions. Spectral photometry measures the intensity of light as a function of wavelength, allowing for the identification and quantification of substances based on their unique spectral signatures. The 'Airborne Response Support Services' aspect suggests the data collected is crucial for rapid assessment and response to environmental incidents or emergencies.

How does the 66% performance risk score translate into potential impacts on the EPA or taxpayers?

A 66% performance risk score suggests a significant likelihood that the contractor may not fully meet the contract's requirements. For the EPA, this could mean delays in receiving critical environmental data, data of lower quality than expected, or the need for additional oversight and corrective actions, consuming valuable agency resources. For taxpayers, this risk could translate into increased costs if the EPA needs to intervene, re-procure services, or if the environmental issues are not addressed effectively due to performance shortcomings, potentially leading to greater long-term environmental remediation expenses or fines.

What are the typical services provided under 'Airborne Response Support Services' in an environmental context?

Airborne Response Support Services (ARSS) in an environmental context typically involve rapid deployment of aerial assets to gather critical information during or immediately after an environmental incident. This can include providing real-time imagery and data to emergency responders, assessing the extent and trajectory of spills (e.g., oil, hazardous materials), monitoring air quality in affected areas, identifying sources of pollution, and supporting search and rescue operations if human safety is at risk. The services are designed to provide timely, actionable intelligence to inform decision-making and mitigation efforts, often under challenging and time-sensitive conditions.

Can the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type adequately manage the risks associated with specialized airborne environmental technology?

A firm-fixed-price contract is generally preferred for cost control, but its effectiveness with specialized, high-risk technology depends on the clarity of the SOW and the contractor's capability. If the technical requirements are well-defined and the contractor has proven expertise, FFP can work. However, the 66% performance risk score suggests potential challenges. If unforeseen technical issues arise or the technology proves less capable than anticipated, the contractor might struggle to meet the FFP terms without compromising quality or incurring losses, potentially leading to disputes or contract modifications. Robust technical oversight is crucial to ensure the FFP structure doesn't lead to substandard performance.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order' rather than a standalone contract?

This award being a 'Delivery Order' signifies that it is a task order issued under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or other type of multiple-award contract. This structure allows the government to procure specific services or supplies as needed, up to a certain ceiling amount, over a defined period. For the EPA, this means they have a pre-established contract vehicle in place with AIRBORNE ASPECT, INC., and this delivery order represents a specific call for services with defined scope, price, and delivery timeline. It offers flexibility for the agency to order services incrementally.

What does the NAICS code 541370 (Surveying and Mapping Services) encompass in relation to this contract?

The NAICS code 541370, 'Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services,' broadly covers establishments primarily engaged in surveying land or buildings, preparing maps, and providing related services. While this code is a general classification, this specific contract goes beyond traditional surveying. It involves highly specialized 'airborne spectral photometric environmental collection technology,' which integrates advanced remote sensing and data analysis capabilities. Therefore, while the core function relates to mapping and data acquisition from the air, the environmental and spectral analysis components represent a sophisticated specialization within this broader industry category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH

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: 8029 MARATHON DR, PLANO, TX, 75024

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,148,652

Exercised Options: $12,290,447

Current Obligation: $9,718,871

Actual Outlays: $8,555,479

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERH23D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline