EPA awards $377K for PAMS Implementation Support to Battelle Memorial Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $377,309 ($377.3K)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-04-07

Contract Duration: 371 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAMS IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT; BASE YEAR POP: 8 APR 2026-7 APR 2027; TOCOR: DIYA YANG ALT. TOCOR: ELIZABETH GOOD INVOICE APPROVER: SHARON PHILLIPS

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27711

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $377,309 to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: PAMS IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT; BASE YEAR POP: 8 APR 2026-7 APR 2027; TOCOR: DIYA YANG ALT. TOCOR: ELIZABETH GOOD INVOICE APPROVER: SHARON PHILLIPS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. Focus on administrative management and general management consulting services. 3. Contract duration of approximately one year. 4. No small business set-aside utilized. 5. Performance location specified in North Carolina. 6. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $377,309 for a one-year period for PAMS implementation support appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work and deliverables. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The award was made via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which implies that the underlying BPA was already competed. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions being considered, ultimately maximizing the value of federal spending.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from this contract through enhanced support for its PAMS (presumably a program management or administrative system) implementation. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting. The primary geographic impact is in North Carolina, where the performance is expected. The contract supports the EPA's operational efficiency and program management capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess value for money upfront.
The relatively short duration may limit long-term impact or require follow-on contracts.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Utilizes an existing BPA Call, indicating a streamlined procurement process.
Contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, is a reputable research and development organization.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS code 541611). This sector encompasses a broad range of services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Spending in this sector by federal agencies is substantial, covering areas like strategic planning, process improvement, and program management support. The market includes numerous firms ranging from large consultancies to specialized boutique firms. This specific contract appears to be a focused engagement supporting a particular EPA program.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, it does not directly contribute to the federal small business contracting goals through this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within the Environmental Protection Agency. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates diligent monitoring of labor hours and costs to ensure adherence to the contract ceiling and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Protection Agency IT Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services
Program Management Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to control costs.
Scope definition for implementation support can be fluid, requiring strong project management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $377,309 to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. PAMS IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT; BASE YEAR POP: 8 APR 2026-7 APR 2027; TOCOR: DIYA YANG ALT. TOCOR: ELIZABETH GOOD INVOICE APPROVER: SHARON PHILLIPS

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 $377,309.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-04-07.

What is the specific nature of the PAMS system being implemented and what are the key objectives of this support contract?

The provided data does not specify the full name or function of the PAMS system. However, given the context of administrative management and general management consulting services, PAMS likely refers to a Program Analysis and Management System or a similar administrative platform used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The key objectives of this support contract would typically involve assisting the EPA in the successful implementation, configuration, training, and potentially ongoing maintenance or enhancement of this system. This could include tasks such as requirements gathering, system integration, user support, and process optimization related to the PAMS system's use within the agency.

How does Battelle Memorial Institute's past performance on similar EPA contracts inform the risk assessment for this award?

Without access to Battelle Memorial Institute's specific past performance records with the EPA for similar administrative management or PAMS-related projects, a definitive risk assessment is challenging. However, Battelle Memorial Institute is a well-established research and development organization with a broad range of government contracting experience. Agencies often award contracts to known entities with a track record of successful delivery. If Battelle has a history of successful project completion, on-time delivery, and adherence to budget on previous EPA contracts, the risk associated with this award would be considered lower. Conversely, any documented issues with past performance, such as cost overruns, schedule delays, or quality deficiencies, would increase the perceived risk for this contract.

What are the potential cost implications of using a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for PAMS implementation support?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute, offer flexibility but also present potential cost risks. The government pays for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. The primary risk for the government is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's labor hours are not efficiently managed or if the project scope expands significantly beyond initial expectations. Effective oversight by the EPA's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is crucial to monitor labor rates, hours, and material costs to ensure the contract remains within its ceiling and provides good value for the taxpayer.

Given the 'full and open competition' award, what was the likely number of bids received and how does this influence price discovery?

A 'full and open competition' award implies that the solicitation was widely publicized, and any responsible source was permitted to submit an offer. While the exact number of bids is not provided, this type of competition typically encourages multiple bidders to participate, especially for services within a well-defined market like administrative consulting. A higher number of bids generally leads to better price discovery, as contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing to win the contract. If only a few bids were received, it might suggest less intense competition or a highly specialized niche, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing. The use of a BPA Call suggests the initial BPA was competed, and this call likely involved a subset of BPA holders competing.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded via a BPA Call, and how does this affect the overall procurement process and cost?

Awarding this contract via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call signifies that the underlying BPA was already established through a prior, likely competitive, procurement. A BPA is a simplified way to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. When a specific need arises, like this PAMS implementation support, a 'call' or 'order' is placed against the existing BPA. This process streamlines procurement by reducing administrative burden and lead time compared to a new, standalone contract. For taxpayers, using a BPA Call can lead to cost savings due to pre-negotiated rates and terms within the BPA, and it ensures that the awarded contractor has already demonstrated capability and competitive pricing during the initial BPA competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management 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: RFQ PR-OAR-26-00354

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: $1,704,576

Exercised Options: $377,309

Current Obligation: $377,309

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERD21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline