Coast Guard awards $3.86M environmental consulting contract for Martha's Vineyard site investigation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,863,344 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Verina-Renova JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-03-20

End Date: 2026-08-28

Contract Duration: 1,257 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INVESTIGATION, U.S. COAST GUARD WEST CHOP LIGHT STATION, VINEYARD HAVEN, MARTHAS VINEYARD, MA, PSN 21981960.

Place of Performance

Location: VINEYARD HAVEN, DUKES County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02568

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.9 million to VERINA-RENOVA JV LLC for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INVESTIGATION, U.S. COAST GUARD WEST CHOP LIGHT STATION, VINEYARD HAVEN, MARTHAS VINEYARD, MA, PSN 21981960. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Verina-Renova JV LLC for environmental site investigation. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 3. Performance period spans over three years, from March 2023 to August 2026. 4. The contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures. 5. The estimated value is $3.86 million. 6. The contract is for environmental consulting services. 7. The work will be performed at the U.S. Coast Guard West Chop Light Station in Vineyard Haven, MA.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.86 million for an environmental site investigation appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and complexity, especially considering the location and the need for specialized environmental consulting services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar site investigations in coastal Massachusetts or for Coast Guard facilities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises questions about whether the most competitive pricing was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this sole-source determination is not provided in the data. A sole-source award means that only one contractor was solicited and awarded the contract, which limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a fully competed contract. The absence of competition means other qualified firms did not have a chance to bid on this work.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source contract means there is a reduced likelihood of achieving the best possible price. Without competitive pressure, the awarded contractor may not have had an incentive to offer the lowest possible bid, potentially resulting in a less efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from a dedicated environmental consulting service for a critical site. Environmental site investigation services are delivered to ensure compliance and mitigate potential environmental risks. The geographic impact is focused on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, specifically at the West Chop Light Station. The contract supports specialized environmental consulting roles, potentially impacting a small, highly skilled workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits transparency in the procurement process.
Potential for contractor lock-in without competitive re-evaluation.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract awarded to a joint venture, potentially leveraging combined expertise.
Clear performance period and defined scope of work.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services represent a significant sector within professional services, supporting government agencies in compliance, remediation, and risk management. The market is characterized by specialized firms with expertise in areas like site investigation, hazardous materials assessment, and regulatory compliance. This contract fits within the broader category of environmental services, which are essential for infrastructure projects and facility management across various government branches. Comparable spending benchmarks for environmental site investigations can vary widely based on geographic location, site complexity, and regulatory requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and does not appear to be a small business set-aside (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus is on a joint venture, which may or may not be comprised of small businesses, but the contract itself is not designated as a small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Site Investigation Contracts
US Coast Guard Facility Maintenance
Department of Homeland Security Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
Lack of transparency in procurement process.
Potential for higher costs due to no competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.9 million to VERINA-RENOVA JV LLC. ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INVESTIGATION, U.S. COAST GUARD WEST CHOP LIGHT STATION, VINEYARD HAVEN, MARTHAS VINEYARD, MA, PSN 21981960.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VERINA-RENOVA JV LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-20. End: 2026-08-28.

What is the specific environmental concern at the U.S. Coast Guard West Chop Light Station that necessitates this investigation?

The provided data does not specify the exact environmental concern at the U.S. Coast Guard West Chop Light Station. Environmental site investigations are typically conducted to identify, assess, and characterize potential contamination or environmental hazards. This could stem from historical operations, underground storage tanks, presence of hazardous materials, or potential impacts on surrounding natural resources. The investigation aims to determine the nature and extent of any contamination, evaluate risks to human health and the environment, and inform decisions regarding remediation or management strategies. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work or related environmental assessments.

What is the track record of VERINA-RENOVA JV LLC in performing similar environmental consulting services for federal agencies?

The provided data identifies VERINA-RENOVA JV LLC as the contractor but does not offer details on their specific track record or past performance. To assess their suitability and reliability for this environmental site investigation, a review of their contract history with federal agencies, client testimonials, past performance evaluations, and any documented successes or challenges would be necessary. As a joint venture, understanding the experience and capabilities of its constituent members would also be crucial. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their expertise and history in delivering similar services.

How does the $3.86 million contract value compare to similar environmental site investigations conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $3.86 million contract value for this environmental site investigation against similar federal contracts is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable projects. Factors influencing cost include the size and complexity of the site, the specific environmental media being investigated (soil, groundwater, air), the regulatory framework, and the geographic location. Given the location in Martha's Vineyard, MA, which can have higher operational costs, and the specialized nature of environmental consulting, the price may be reasonable. However, the lack of competition for this sole-source award means a direct comparison to competitively bid projects is not feasible to determine optimal value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this environmental site investigation contract. Typically, such contracts would outline requirements for detailed reports on site conditions, sampling and analysis plans, risk assessments, and potentially recommendations for remediation. Performance measurement would likely involve adherence to the contract schedule, quality of deliverables, compliance with environmental regulations, and effective communication. The Coast Guard's contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring progress and ensuring the contractor meets all contractual obligations.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services by the U.S. Coast Guard, and how does this contract fit within that pattern?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services by the U.S. Coast Guard. To understand how this $3.86 million contract fits within the broader spending context, one would need to analyze past expenditures on similar services, identify trends in contract values and award types, and assess the frequency of such investigations. This specific contract appears to be a significant investment for a single site investigation, but its relative size and importance can only be determined by comparing it to the Coast Guard's overall environmental program budget and historical procurement activities in this service category.

Given the sole-source nature of this award, what mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability and prevent potential cost overruns or performance issues?

While the sole-source nature of this award limits competitive oversight, accountability is typically managed through robust contract administration by the U.S. Coast Guard. This includes detailed monitoring of the contractor's progress against the established schedule and deliverables, regular performance reviews, and strict adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms to control costs. The contract likely includes clauses for termination for default or convenience, and the government reserves the right to inspect all work. Any significant deviations or performance issues would be addressed through formal communication channels, potentially leading to corrective action plans or contract modifications.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70Z0G123RABCD0058

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1011 US HIGHWAY 22, BRIDGEWATER, NJ, 08807

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,863,344

Exercised Options: $3,863,344

Current Obligation: $3,863,344

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline