EPA awards $869K for air quality modeling support to UNC-Chapel Hill, highlighting specialized technical expertise

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $869,310 ($869.3K)

Contractor: University of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-03-29

End Date: 2026-07-02

Contract Duration: 1,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $730/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR EPA AIR QUALITY MODELING SYSTEMS AND TOOLS (COMMUNITY MODELING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM (CMAS) SUPPORT)

Place of Performance

Location: CHAPEL HILL, ORANGE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27599

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $869,310.4 to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR EPA AIR QUALITY MODELING SYSTEMS AND TOOLS (COMMUNITY MODELING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM (CMAS) SUPPORT) Key points: 1. Contract leverages specialized academic expertise for critical environmental modeling. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and manage financial risk. 4. Long-term contract duration indicates a sustained need for these services. 5. Focus on air quality modeling aligns with EPA's core environmental protection mission. 6. Geographic concentration in North Carolina for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $869,310.40 appears reasonable for specialized technical support in environmental modeling. Benchmarking against similar contracts for academic institutions providing niche scientific support would be beneficial. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the EPA. Given the specialized nature of the work, the pricing is likely competitive within its domain.

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 were likely considered. This approach generally fosters price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests a robust process was followed.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, maximizing the value of federal dollars.

Public Impact

Benefits the Environmental Protection Agency by providing essential technical support for air quality modeling. Services delivered will enhance the accuracy and utility of EPA's air quality modeling systems and tools. Geographic impact is primarily within North Carolina where the contractor is based, but the modeling outputs have national implications. Workforce implications include support for specialized scientific and technical roles at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for knowledge transfer limitations if key personnel depart.
Reliance on a single academic institution for critical modeling support.

Positive Signals

Leverages established expertise of a leading research university.
Long-term contract provides stability for ongoing research and development.
Firm fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on specialized technical support for air quality modeling. The market for such niche scientific services is often dominated by academic institutions and specialized research firms. The EPA's spending in this area is critical for its regulatory and research functions, supporting the development and maintenance of tools used to assess and manage air pollution.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The primary contractor is a large academic institution, suggesting that the focus was on securing specialized expertise rather than promoting small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency, which will monitor the contractor's performance against the contract requirements. As a firm fixed-price contract, financial oversight focuses on ensuring deliverables meet specifications. Transparency is maintained through federal contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

EPA Air Quality Management
Environmental Modeling Software
Scientific Research and Development Support
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Reliance on specialized academic expertise
Potential for key personnel departure
Long-term dependency on specific modeling tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $869,310.4 to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL. TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR EPA AIR QUALITY MODELING SYSTEMS AND TOOLS (COMMUNITY MODELING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM (CMAS) SUPPORT)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $869,310.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-29. End: 2026-07-02.

What is the track record of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in providing similar technical support to federal agencies?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) has a strong reputation in environmental science and engineering, particularly through its Gillings School of Global Public Health and its involvement with the Community Modeling and Analysis System (CMAS) Center. UNC-Chapel Hill has a history of collaborating with federal agencies, including the EPA, on air quality research and modeling. Their involvement with CMAS specifically indicates a deep, long-standing expertise in developing, maintaining, and supporting the very tools and systems the EPA requires. This contract likely builds upon existing relationships and demonstrated capabilities in providing advanced technical assistance for complex environmental modeling platforms.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar contracts for environmental modeling support?

The awarded amount of $869,310.40 for a period of approximately three years (March 2023 to July 2026) suggests a moderate investment for specialized technical support. Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts for similar services, such as the development, maintenance, and user support of complex scientific modeling software. Contracts for such niche expertise, especially those involving leading academic institutions with established research centers like CMAS, can range significantly. However, this value appears consistent with the specialized, long-term nature of supporting critical EPA modeling systems, where deep scientific knowledge is paramount. Without direct comparisons of scope and duration, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the firm fixed-price nature and full competition suggest an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

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

Key risks include potential over-reliance on a single academic institution for critical modeling support, the possibility of key personnel turnover impacting knowledge continuity, and the risk that the modeling tools may not keep pace with evolving scientific understanding or regulatory needs. Mitigation strategies likely involve the EPA's oversight of performance, clear deliverable requirements within the firm fixed-price contract, and potentially clauses that encourage knowledge sharing or documentation. The long-term nature of the contract and the established reputation of UNC-Chapel Hill in this field suggest a lower risk of contractor underperformance, but ongoing monitoring of technical advancements and personnel stability remains important.

How effective is the EPA's air quality modeling likely to be with this support?

The effectiveness of EPA's air quality modeling is expected to be significantly supported by this contract. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, through its CMAS Center, is a recognized leader in developing and supporting the types of models the EPA uses. This specialized technical assistance ensures that these complex systems are maintained, updated, and accessible to EPA scientists and stakeholders. By providing expert support for these tools, the contract directly contributes to the accuracy, reliability, and usability of air quality predictions and analyses, which are crucial for informing environmental policy and regulatory decisions.

What are the historical spending patterns for EPA air quality modeling support?

Historical spending patterns for EPA air quality modeling support would likely show consistent investment in maintaining and advancing these critical systems. Agencies like the EPA rely on sophisticated modeling capabilities, necessitating ongoing funding for software development, maintenance, and expert technical assistance. Spending often occurs through a mix of contract types, including research grants, service contracts with academic institutions, and potentially contracts with private sector firms specializing in environmental software. The duration and value of this specific contract suggest a sustained commitment to this area, reflecting the enduring importance of air quality science for the EPA's mission.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

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

Parent Company: University of North Carolina System Office

Address: 104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 27599

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $982,856

Exercised Options: $982,856

Current Obligation: $869,310

Actual Outlays: $725,951

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERD21A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline