EPA's $16.7M environmental consulting contract awarded to ICF Services Company LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,677,843 ($16.7M)

Contractor: ICF Services Company LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2008-03-11

End Date: 2013-03-10

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ECONOMIC, ENGINEERING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING ANALYSIS

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $16.7 million to ICF SERVICES COMPANY LLC for work described as: ECONOMIC, ENGINEERING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract provides essential environmental consulting services, supporting the EPA's mission. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. A duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control. 5. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal consulting procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $16.7 million over five years averages to about $3.3 million annually. This is a moderate-sized contract for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for environmental consulting suggests this pricing is within a reasonable range, especially considering the complexity and scope of services typically required. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure, while allowing for flexibility, necessitates diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and ensure value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that multiple potential bidders were considered and allowed to compete. With two bidders identified, the competition level appears moderate. This suggests that the EPA sought to leverage market competition to obtain the best value. The presence of multiple bidders generally contributes to price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing than a sole-source award.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price and better service terms compared to a non-competitive procurement. It demonstrates responsible stewardship of public funds by ensuring a thorough evaluation of available market options.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which receives critical support for its environmental protection mandates. Services delivered include economic, engineering, and environmental modeling and analysis, aiding in policy development and regulatory enforcement. The geographic impact is national, as EPA's work affects environmental quality across the United States. The contract supports a specialized workforce of consultants with expertise in environmental science and engineering.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not managed rigorously, potentially increasing the final cost to taxpayers.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants review to ensure no viable sources were unduly excluded.
The duration of the contract (5 years) requires ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued alignment with EPA's evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract supports critical environmental protection activities, aligning with a key government mission.
The contractor, ICF Services Company LLC, likely possesses specialized expertise necessary for complex environmental analysis.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting sector is a significant part of the professional services industry, supporting government agencies and private entities in navigating complex environmental regulations and challenges. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need for expertise in areas such as environmental impact assessments, regulatory compliance, and sustainable development. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services procurement, where specialized knowledge and analytical capabilities are paramount. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed against other large-scale environmental consulting contracts awarded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is ICF Services Company LLC, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or targets for small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how effectively small businesses are integrated into the supply chain for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance against the fixed fee. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed here, the EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) typically has oversight over EPA contracts to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Professional Services
Economic and Engineering Analysis
Environmental Protection Agency Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Competition level (2 bidders) is moderate; further analysis could explore if more sources were viable.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants understanding the justification for exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $16.7 million to ICF SERVICES COMPANY LLC. ECONOMIC, ENGINEERING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING ANALYSIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF SERVICES COMPANY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-11. End: 2013-03-10.

What is the track record of ICF Services Company LLC with the federal government, particularly with the EPA?

ICF Services Company LLC, often referred to as ICF International, has a substantial history of contracting with various U.S. federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Their portfolio typically includes a wide range of services such as environmental consulting, energy efficiency programs, climate change analysis, and public health initiatives. A review of federal procurement data would likely reveal numerous past awards to ICF across different agencies, demonstrating their established presence and experience. For this specific contract (awarded March 2008), their track record would be assessed based on performance reviews, past performance questionnaires, and any documented issues or commendations during the contract's execution from 2008 to 2013. Their longevity and continued awards suggest a generally positive performance history, though specific details would require deeper data mining.

How does the value of this contract compare to other EPA environmental consulting contracts awarded around the same period?

The $16.7 million contract value for five years, averaging approximately $3.3 million annually, positions this as a moderately sized engagement within the EPA's environmental consulting portfolio. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, the EPA awarded numerous contracts for environmental services, ranging from smaller, specialized studies to large, multi-year programs. Contracts for comprehensive environmental modeling, risk assessment, and regulatory support could easily reach tens of millions of dollars. This particular contract's value appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar procurements for broad economic, engineering, and environmental modeling analysis, especially considering the 'full and open competition' aspect which typically drives pricing towards market norms. Larger, more complex, or agency-wide support contracts would naturally exceed this value.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for environmental consulting?

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure, like the one awarded to ICF Services Company LLC, is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the total cost is variable. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears the burden, provided the costs are allowable and reasonable. This structure can sometimes disincentivize cost control by the contractor, as they are guaranteed their fee regardless of efficiency beyond managing direct costs. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and robust negotiation of the fixed fee are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

What does the 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type imply for the procurement process?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause indicates that while the procurement was intended to be competitive, certain potential sources were intentionally excluded from the bidding process. This exclusion must be justified based on specific criteria outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as national security, specific technical requirements, or prior performance issues. It implies that the agency identified a pool of potential offerors but determined that only a subset met the necessary qualifications or were deemed appropriate for this specific competition. While it's not a sole-source award, the exclusion of some sources could potentially limit the breadth of competition and may warrant scrutiny to ensure the exclusions were valid and did not unduly restrict market access for qualified firms.

How has federal spending on environmental consulting services evolved since this contract was awarded in 2008?

Federal spending on environmental consulting services has seen fluctuations since 2008, influenced by administration priorities, regulatory changes, and economic conditions. Following the 2008 recession, federal spending generally saw increases in areas related to environmental protection and infrastructure, including consulting services. Subsequent administrations have had varying focuses, impacting the demand for specific types of environmental analysis. For instance, increased emphasis on climate change resilience, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure has likely driven demand for related consulting expertise. Technological advancements in data analysis and modeling have also shaped the market. Overall, while specific contract values vary, the need for expert environmental consulting remains a consistent requirement for agencies like the EPA, reflecting ongoing environmental challenges and regulatory demands.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: PRHQ0711525

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 HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,185,153

Exercised Options: $26,775,216

Current Obligation: $16,677,843

Timeline