EPA awards $2M BPA Call for Environmental Management Support to Environmental Management Support, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,005,000 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Environmental Management Support, Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-07-30

End Date: 2026-06-05

Contract Duration: 310 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OLEM MISSION SUPPORT CALL ORDER. TITLE: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR THE CERCLA EDUCATION CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.0 million to ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, INC for work described as: OLEM MISSION SUPPORT CALL ORDER. TITLE: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR THE CERCLA EDUCATION CENTER Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of learning and development support for the CERCLA Education Center. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear statement of work and a single award. 4. Performance context involves supporting critical environmental education initiatives. 5. Sector positioning is within environmental consulting services, a key area for the EPA.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2,005,000 for a period of approximately 11 months (July 2025 - June 2026) seems appropriate for specialized learning and development support. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for educational services indicates that this pricing is within expected ranges. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type allows for flexibility, but requires careful monitoring of labor hours and rates to ensure cost efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which itself was likely established through full and open competition. The specific call order was also competed openly. While the number of bidders for this specific call order is not detailed, the 'full and open' designation implies that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to submit proposals, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of vendors to compete, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment in educational services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are EPA staff and stakeholders involved in CERCLA (Superfund) education and training. Services delivered include learning and development support, crucial for effective environmental program management. The geographic impact is national, supporting EPA's nationwide environmental mission. Workforce implications include enhancing the skills and knowledge of personnel responsible for environmental remediation and education.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with T&M contract type if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical learning and development functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Contract supports a vital EPA mission (CERCLA education).
Contractor has experience in environmental management support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on education and training. The market for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance and the need for specialized expertise. This BPA Call order represents a focused investment by the EPA to enhance its educational capabilities related to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche would focus on training and curriculum development for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a BPA Call order, it's possible that the underlying BPA had provisions for small business participation or subcontracting. However, without specific details on subcontracting plans for this award, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Further investigation into the BPA's structure and the contractor's subcontracting history would be needed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the EPA's contracting officer and program officials responsible for the CERCLA Education Center. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates diligent monitoring of labor hours, rates, and deliverables to ensure accountability and prevent cost creep. Transparency is expected through regular reporting and performance reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

CERCLA Education and Training Programs
EPA Environmental Consulting Services
Federal Workforce Development Programs
Environmental Compliance Training

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep due to T&M contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical educational functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.0 million to ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, INC. OLEM MISSION SUPPORT CALL ORDER. TITLE: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR THE CERCLA EDUCATION CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-30. End: 2026-06-05.

What is the track record of Environmental Management Support, Inc. with the EPA and similar federal agencies?

Environmental Management Support, Inc. (EMS) has a history of providing environmental consulting and support services to federal agencies, including the EPA. Their experience often encompasses areas like regulatory compliance, site remediation support, and environmental data management. For the EPA, EMS has likely been involved in various projects related to environmental programs. A detailed review of their past performance evaluations and contract history with the EPA and other government bodies would reveal their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. This specific contract builds upon their established presence in supporting environmental management functions.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar EPA learning and development contracts?

The $2,005,000 award for approximately 11 months of learning and development support for the CERCLA Education Center is a moderate-sized contract. To benchmark effectively, one would compare it to other EPA contracts for specialized training, curriculum development, and educational program management. Factors like the complexity of the subject matter (CERCLA), the target audience (EPA staff, potentially external stakeholders), and the required expertise influence pricing. Generally, contracts for highly specialized technical training or complex program development command higher values. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this is high or low, but it appears reasonable for dedicated support to a critical EPA program.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fee. This can lead to unpredictable costs for the government if the scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or labor rates are higher than anticipated. For this contract, risks include the contractor not efficiently utilizing labor, extended project timelines, or unexpected increases in material costs. Robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear task orders are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How effective is the CERCLA Education Center in achieving its environmental remediation goals?

The effectiveness of the CERCLA Education Center is directly tied to its ability to provide comprehensive and up-to-date training and resources to EPA personnel and relevant stakeholders. Its success contributes to better-informed decision-making in site assessment, cleanup, and long-term management of hazardous substance releases. Metrics for effectiveness could include the number of personnel trained, the quality of training as assessed by participants, and ultimately, the improved efficiency and outcomes of CERCLA-funded cleanup projects. This contract's role is to ensure the educational infrastructure supporting these goals remains robust and current.

What has been the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services at the EPA?

Historical spending on environmental consulting services by the EPA has generally been substantial, reflecting the agency's broad mandate and the complexity of environmental regulations and remediation efforts. Spending fluctuates based on legislative priorities, budget allocations, and the number and scale of ongoing environmental projects. The EPA relies on external expertise for specialized services, research, data analysis, and program support, including areas like CERCLA. Analyzing past fiscal years would reveal trends in specific service categories, such as education and training, versus broader areas like technical assessments or policy development, providing context for the current award.

What is the significance of this contract being awarded under a BPA Call?

Awarding this contract under a BPA Call signifies that the EPA has pre-competed a broader agreement (the BPA) for recurring services, likely environmental management support. This allows for faster procurement of specific task orders, like this one, because much of the initial vetting and competition has already occurred. It streamlines the process for the agency and potentially offers better pricing due to the established relationship and volume commitments under the BPA. For the contractor, it provides a clearer path to work with the agency. The 'Call' aspect means this specific requirement was issued against the existing BPA.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERH25Q0085

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8455 COLESVILLE RD, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,472,509

Exercised Options: $2,727,218

Current Obligation: $2,005,000

Actual Outlays: $876,389

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0P24A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline