DOT awards $30.5M for FAA Superfund site remediation, focusing on thermal conductive heating

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,554,304 ($30.6M)

Contractor: Amentum Technical Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2018-05-24

End Date: 2023-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,713 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REMEDIAL ACTION THERMAL CONDUCTIVE HEATING (TCH) PHASE 1 AND 2 AT FAA SUPERFUND AREA OF CONCERN (AOC) D.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTIC CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08405

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $30.6 million to AMENTUM TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: REMEDIAL ACTION THERMAL CONDUCTIVE HEATING (TCH) PHASE 1 AND 2 AT FAA SUPERFUND AREA OF CONCERN (AOC) D. Key points: 1. Contract value of $30.5 million for a complex environmental remediation project. 2. Project involves advanced thermal conductive heating technology for soil and groundwater cleanup. 3. Contract awarded to Amentum Technical Services LLC, a significant player in government contracting. 4. The project spans multiple years, indicating a long-term commitment to environmental cleanup. 5. Location in New Jersey highlights a specific regional environmental challenge being addressed. 6. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and budget, potentially mitigating cost overruns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.5 million for a multi-year environmental remediation project appears reasonable given the complexity of Superfund site cleanup. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific project details, the use of advanced technologies like Thermal Conductive Heating (TCH) often entails significant upfront investment. The firm fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts would offer further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to drive down prices and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for a critical environmental cleanup.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the environment and public health in New Jersey, through the cleanup of a Superfund site. Services delivered include advanced remediation techniques for contaminated soil and groundwater. The geographic impact is localized to the FAA Superfund Area of Concern (AOC) in New Jersey. The project supports specialized jobs in environmental engineering and remediation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex, multi-phase environmental projects.
Reliance on specialized technology may introduce technical risks if not managed effectively.
Long duration of the contract increases exposure to changing regulatory landscapes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contractor Amentum Technical Services LLC has experience in government contracting and environmental services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on environmental remediation. The market for Superfund site cleanup is substantial, driven by regulatory mandates and historical industrial activity. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale environmental remediation projects awarded by federal agencies, often involving specialized technologies and long-term execution.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award. This suggests the primary focus was on technical capability and price for a highly specialized remediation task. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Department of Transportation Contracts
Federal Aviation Administration Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise.
Technical challenges associated with implementing advanced remediation technology.
Long-term effectiveness monitoring requirements.
Regulatory changes impacting cleanup standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $30.6 million to AMENTUM TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC. REMEDIAL ACTION THERMAL CONDUCTIVE HEATING (TCH) PHASE 1 AND 2 AT FAA SUPERFUND AREA OF CONCERN (AOC) D.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-05-24. End: 2023-01-31.

What is the specific nature of the contamination at the FAA Superfund Area of Concern (AOC) in New Jersey that necessitates Thermal Conductive Heating (TCH)?

The provided data does not specify the exact contaminants at the FAA Superfund Area of Concern (AOC). However, Thermal Conductive Heating (TCH) is typically employed for the in-situ treatment of soil and groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and petroleum hydrocarbons. TCH works by heating the subsurface, which can volatilize contaminants, making them easier to extract or destroy. The selection of TCH suggests the presence of contaminants that are amenable to this thermal treatment method and that traditional methods might be less effective or more costly for this particular site's geology and contaminant profile.

How does the $30.5 million contract value compare to other large-scale environmental remediation projects undertaken by the FAA or DOT?

Directly comparing the $30.5 million contract value without detailed project scope, duration, and specific remediation technologies used in other FAA or DOT environmental projects is challenging. However, Superfund site cleanups are inherently complex and costly. Projects involving advanced technologies like TCH, especially for large areas or deep contamination, can easily run into tens of millions of dollars. For context, other federal agencies like the EPA also manage Superfund sites with remediation costs ranging widely, often exceeding $20 million for significant cleanups. The multi-year duration (1713 days) of this contract suggests a substantial scope, making the $30.5 million figure plausible for a project of this nature.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this remedial action contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. However, for environmental remediation projects, typical KPIs often include: achieving specific cleanup standards for soil and groundwater (e.g., contaminant concentrations below regulatory limits), meeting project milestones and deadlines, adherence to safety protocols, effective operation and maintenance of remediation systems, and successful closure of the site or specific operable units. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting the defined scope and achieving the environmental objectives within the budget are paramount success factors.

What is Amentum Technical Services LLC's track record with similar environmental remediation contracts for federal agencies?

Amentum Technical Services LLC has a significant track record in providing technical and engineering services to various U.S. government agencies, including extensive work in environmental remediation, infrastructure, and defense. While the specific details of their past performance on contracts identical in scope to this FAA Superfund TCH project are not in the provided data, Amentum (and its predecessor companies) has historically managed large, complex environmental projects for agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and EPA. Their experience likely includes various remediation technologies and compliance with stringent federal environmental regulations, positioning them as a capable contractor for this type of work.

What are the potential risks associated with using Thermal Conductive Heating (TCH) technology in this context, and how might they be mitigated?

Potential risks associated with TCH include: 1) Inconsistent heating due to geological variations, which can lead to incomplete contaminant removal. Mitigation involves thorough site characterization and adaptive management of the heating process. 2) Energy consumption and associated costs, especially for large sites or deep contamination. Mitigation includes optimizing energy efficiency and potentially exploring renewable energy sources. 3) Potential for vapor intrusion or migration if not properly contained. Mitigation requires robust vapor control systems and monitoring. 4) Technical challenges in equipment deployment and maintenance. Mitigation relies on experienced personnel and contingency planning. The contractor's expertise and the FAA's oversight are crucial for managing these risks.

How has federal spending on environmental remediation, particularly for aviation-related sites, evolved over the past decade?

Federal spending on environmental remediation, including for aviation-related sites managed by agencies like the FAA, has been a consistent priority driven by Superfund legislation and other environmental statutes. While specific figures for FAA-only remediation spending are not readily available in aggregate, the overall federal investment in environmental cleanup, primarily through the EPA's Superfund program and agency-specific environmental programs (like those within DoD, DOE, and DOT/FAA), remains substantial. Spending fluctuates based on the identification of new sites, the progression of existing cleanups through different remedial phases, and budget appropriations. The trend generally reflects a long-term commitment to addressing legacy contamination, with increasing emphasis on cost-effective and innovative remediation technologies.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM

Address: 2131 S CENTENNIAL AVE, AIKEN, SC, 29803

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,555,775

Exercised Options: $30,554,304

Current Obligation: $30,554,304

Actual Outlays: $22,286,161

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFACT09D00015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline