Battelle Memorial Institute awarded $14.2M for environmental consulting, with a 2,290-day duration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,266,282 ($14.3M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2009-06-23
End Date: 2015-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,290 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $14.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.2M over 2,290 days suggests a moderate daily rate for specialized environmental consulting. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control. 4. The duration of the contract (over 6 years) implies a long-term need for these environmental services. 5. The contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, is a well-established entity in research and development, suggesting technical capability. 6. The contract's focus on environmental consulting services aligns with the EPA's core mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $14.2 million over 2,290 days equates to approximately $6,230 per day. Benchmarking this against similar environmental consulting contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, given the duration and the nature of specialized environmental consulting, this rate appears within a reasonable range, assuming the services are complex and require significant expertise. The CPFF structure, while allowing for flexibility, necessitates robust oversight to ensure value for money.
Cost Per Unit: $6,230 per day (estimated)
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically leads to a more competitive environment, potentially driving down prices and improving the quality of services offered. The fact that it was competed openly implies that the EPA sought the best value through a broad solicitation process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it generally fosters a more cost-effective procurement process, ensuring that the government receives competitive pricing and high-quality services.
Public Impact
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential environmental consulting services. Services delivered likely include technical analysis, research, and advisory support related to environmental regulations and programs. The contract's geographic impact is likely national, supporting EPA's nationwide environmental protection efforts. The contract supports a specialized workforce in environmental science and consulting.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs if not managed diligently, potentially exceeding the intended value.
- The long duration of the contract may lead to scope creep or a decrease in competitive pressure over time if not actively managed.
- Ensuring Battelle's continued innovation and cost-efficiency throughout the 6+ year period will be critical.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
- Battelle Memorial Institute has a strong reputation in scientific and technical services, indicating a high likelihood of successful performance.
- The contract's duration suggests a sustained and critical need for these services, aligning with EPA's long-term objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically environmental consulting. This sector is crucial for regulatory compliance, environmental management, and scientific research. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by government regulations and private sector sustainability initiatives. This contract represents a significant, albeit single, award within this broad industry.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of specialized environmental consulting and the contractor's size, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were mandated or a primary focus of this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting plans were part of the contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are essential to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee is earned. The EPA's Inspector General may also conduct audits or investigations if concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- EPA Environmental Consulting Services
- Scientific and Technical Support Services
- Environmental Research and Development Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep and reduced competitive pressure over time.
- Need for clear performance metrics and deliverables to ensure value for money.
Tags
environmental-consulting, environmental-protection-agency, battelle-memorial-institute, cost-plus-fixed-fee, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, scientific-and-technical-services, federal-contract, us-government, ohio, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $14.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
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 $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-06-23. End: 2015-09-30.
What specific environmental consulting services were provided under this contract?
While the contract is broadly categorized under 'Environmental Consulting Services' (NAICS 541620), the specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such services for the EPA could encompass a wide range of activities including environmental impact assessments, regulatory compliance support, hazardous waste management consulting, air and water quality analysis, remediation strategy development, and scientific research related to environmental policy. The long duration and significant value suggest complex, ongoing support rather than a single, discrete task.
How does the estimated daily rate of $6,230 compare to industry benchmarks for similar environmental consulting services?
The estimated daily rate of approximately $6,230 is derived from the total contract value ($14.2M) divided by the contract duration (2,290 days). Benchmarking this rate requires detailed knowledge of the specific services rendered, the seniority of the personnel involved, and the geographic location. However, for highly specialized environmental consulting requiring expert scientists, engineers, and policy analysts, particularly for a federal agency like the EPA, this rate appears to be within a reasonable, albeit potentially high, range. Rates can vary significantly based on the complexity of the problem, the required expertise, and market demand.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude and duration?
CPFF contracts, while offering flexibility for research and development or when cost uncertainties are high, carry inherent risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the fee is fixed regardless of the final cost (within reason). This can lead to cost overruns if not managed meticulously. For a contract of this duration (over 6 years), there's also a risk of scope creep, where the project's objectives may expand beyond the original intent without adequate adjustments to the fee or contract terms. Effective oversight, detailed reporting, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.
What is Battelle Memorial Institute's track record with the EPA or similar agencies for environmental consulting?
Battelle Memorial Institute is a large, non-profit applied science and technology development company with a significant history of performing work for government agencies, including the EPA. They have extensive experience in environmental science, engineering, and technology development. While specific details of their past performance on EPA environmental consulting contracts are not provided here, their general reputation and scale suggest they possess the capabilities required for complex environmental projects. A deeper dive into their contract history with the EPA would reveal specific performance metrics and past successes or challenges.
How has EPA's spending on environmental consulting services trended over the years, and where does this contract fit?
EPA's spending on environmental consulting services fluctuates based on program needs, budget allocations, and specific environmental challenges. Historically, the EPA has contracted for a wide array of scientific, technical, and management support services. A contract of $14.2 million over six years represents a substantial, but not unprecedented, investment in specialized consulting. To understand its place, one would need to compare it against the agency's total contracting budget for similar services in fiscal years 2009-2015 and analyze trends in outsourcing such expertise. This contract likely supported critical, long-term EPA initiatives.
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: PRHQ0812896
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVENUE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,235,041
Exercised Options: $23,009,709
Current Obligation: $14,266,282
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-06-23
Current End Date: 2015-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-05-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-05-23
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