EPA's $12.7M waste program support contract awarded to ICF Incorporated, spanning 8 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,695,038 ($12.7M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2006-11-01
End Date: 2013-06-06
Contract Duration: 2,409 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: HAZARDOUS, INDUSTRIAL, MUNICIPAL AND SPECIAL WASTE PROGRAM SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $12.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: HAZARDOUS, INDUSTRIAL, MUNICIPAL AND SPECIAL WASTE PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $12.7 million over 8 years suggests a sustained need for specialized waste management expertise. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process. 3. ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. secured this contract, suggesting a strong track record in environmental consulting. 4. The 'Environmental Consulting Services' NAICS code (541620) points to a focus on technical and advisory support. 5. The contract duration of 2409 days (approx. 6.6 years) is substantial, implying long-term project requirements. 6. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, balancing flexibility with cost control.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of $12.7 million over approximately 6.6 years averages to about $1.8 million annually. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar EPA contracts for hazardous, industrial, municipal, and special waste program support. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the duration and scope suggest a significant, ongoing need for these services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 2 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a large number of bidders, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the contract was awarded through a competitive process, which typically leads to more favorable pricing and selection of qualified contractors.
Public Impact
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential support for its waste management programs. The contract delivers critical environmental consulting services, likely contributing to the effective management and regulation of hazardous, industrial, municipal, and special wastes. The geographic impact is national, as EPA programs often have nationwide implications for environmental protection and public health. The contract supports a specialized workforce within ICF Incorporated, contributing to expertise in environmental science and consulting.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully, as the contractor is reimbursed for costs incurred.
- With only two bids received, there's a possibility that the competition was not as robust as it could have been, potentially impacting the final price.
- The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) could present risks related to evolving environmental regulations or technological advancements that might not be fully accounted for in the initial scope.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
- The contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is a known entity in environmental consulting, suggesting a level of established expertise.
- The contract's long-term nature indicates a consistent need for these services, implying a stable and predictable requirement for the government.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise in areas like environmental assessment, regulatory compliance, and waste management. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by increasing regulatory pressures and corporate sustainability initiatives. This contract represents a significant portion of spending for specialized waste program support within the EPA.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is likely a large business. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether ICF utilizes small business subcontractors, which is not detailed in this data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.
Related Government Programs
- EPA Superfund Program Support
- EPA Hazardous Waste Management
- EPA Municipal Solid Waste Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services Contracts
- Industrial Waste Management Support
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition (2 Bidders)
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contract Type
Tags
environmental-protection, waste-management, environmental-consulting, epa, icf-incorporated, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, federal-contract, us-government, virginia, professional-services, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $12.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. HAZARDOUS, INDUSTRIAL, MUNICIPAL AND SPECIAL WASTE PROGRAM SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-11-01. End: 2013-06-06.
What is ICF Incorporated's track record with the EPA and similar government contracts?
ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. has a significant history of working with government agencies, including the EPA. Their expertise in environmental consulting, energy, and community development is well-documented. For EPA contracts specifically, ICF has been involved in various environmental programs, including hazardous waste management, air quality, water resources, and climate change initiatives. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to handle large, complex environmental projects. Analyzing past performance evaluations and contract close-outs for ICF on similar EPA contracts would provide further insight into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to budget and schedule.
How does the $12.7 million award compare to other EPA contracts for waste program support?
The $12.7 million award over approximately 6.6 years (2409 days) represents an average annual value of roughly $1.8 million. To assess value for money, this figure should be benchmarked against similar contracts awarded by the EPA or other federal agencies for hazardous, industrial, municipal, and special waste program support. Contracts of this nature can vary significantly in scope, duration, and complexity. If comparable contracts are for similar services and duration but awarded at a lower annual rate, it might suggest this contract's pricing is on the higher side. Conversely, if other contracts are more expensive or shorter in duration for comparable services, this award could represent good value.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude and duration?
The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract of this magnitude ($12.7 million) and duration (over 6 years) revolve around cost control and potential for scope creep. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the cost-reimbursement aspect means the government bears the risk of actual costs incurred. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates significantly, the total expenditure could be higher than anticipated. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Scope creep is another risk; as the project progresses, new requirements or changes may emerge, potentially increasing costs if not managed through formal contract modifications. The long duration also increases the risk of unforeseen external factors impacting project costs.
How effective is 'full and open competition' in ensuring the best value for taxpayer dollars in specialized consulting services?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring the best value for taxpayer dollars, especially for specialized consulting services. It maximizes the pool of potential bidders, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government increases its chances of finding a contractor that offers the optimal balance of technical capability, past performance, and cost. While this contract had only two bids, the 'full and open' designation means the process was designed to attract maximum competition. The ultimate value depends on the quality of the bids received and the evaluation criteria used.
What are the implications of only two bids being submitted for this contract?
The submission of only two bids for this 'full and open' competition contract suggests a potentially limited field of qualified contractors or perhaps a lack of interest from the broader market. While two bidders still represent competition, it is less robust than if numerous bids were received. This could imply that the barriers to entry for this type of specialized service are high, or that the contract's specific requirements were very niche. From a taxpayer perspective, fewer bids might mean less downward pressure on pricing compared to a highly competitive scenario. However, if both bidders were highly qualified and submitted competitive proposals, the government could still achieve good value.
How does the NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) define the scope of this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541620, 'Environmental Consulting Services,' indicates that this contract is for providing expert advice and assistance related to environmental matters. This typically includes services such as environmental impact assessments, site remediation planning, regulatory compliance guidance, waste management strategies, pollution prevention, and sustainability consulting. For the EPA's hazardous, industrial, municipal, and special waste programs, this likely translates to support in areas like policy development, technical analysis of waste streams, development of best practices, compliance monitoring strategies, and potentially research into new waste treatment or disposal technologies.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: PRHQ0613427
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)
Address: 9300 LEE HIGHWAY, FAIRFAX, VA, 11
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,488,001
Exercised Options: $16,406,064
Current Obligation: $12,695,038
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-11-01
Current End Date: 2013-06-06
Potential End Date: 2013-06-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-10-24
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