HUD awards $13.1M contract for lead evaluation services, replacing prior award after protest

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,138,885 ($13.1M)

Contractor: KIC Development, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Start Date: 2006-09-28

End Date: 2010-03-27

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEAD EVALUATION SERVICES ATLANTA AREA 1 - NEW DEFINITIVE CONTRACT BASED ON GAO DECISION IN KIC PROTEST - LEGIN C-ATL-01845 CANCELLED AND REPLACED BY THIS.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Housing and Urban Development obligated $13.1 million to KIC DEVELOPMENT, LLC for work described as: LEAD EVALUATION SERVICES ATLANTA AREA 1 - NEW DEFINITIVE CONTRACT BASED ON GAO DECISION IN KIC PROTEST - LEGIN C-ATL-01845 CANCELLED AND REPLACED BY THIS. Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.1M for lead evaluation services. 2. Awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 3. Follows a GAO decision and protest, leading to cancellation of a previous contract. 4. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. Duration of the contract is 1276 days. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.1 million for lead evaluation services over approximately 3.5 years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the number of properties or sites to be evaluated, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fact that the contract was re-competed after a protest suggests potential issues with the initial evaluation or pricing, which warrants a closer look at the final awarded price compared to the protest-related concerns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after the exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered. The prior cancellation due to a GAO protest suggests that the initial competition may have been contested, potentially leading to a more rigorous evaluation process for this definitive contract. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a prior protest, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and ensuring that the government receives the best value. The resolution of the protest suggests that the process was scrutinized, aiming for fairness and cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Benefits residents and communities by addressing lead hazards in housing. Services delivered include lead evaluation, likely involving inspections and risk assessments. Geographic impact is focused on the Atlanta area, as indicated by the contract details. Supports environmental health and safety initiatives within HUD's purview.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Prior contract cancellation due to GAO protest raises concerns about initial evaluation and potential for disputes.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor effectiveness beyond contract completion.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services, particularly those related to environmental health and safety like lead evaluation, are a significant sector within professional services. This contract fits within the broader market for environmental assessment and remediation services, which is driven by regulatory compliance and public health concerns. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific scope and scale of the lead evaluation required.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not discernible from this information alone. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's program management and contracting offices. The resolution of the GAO protest indicates an existing level of review and accountability. Transparency would be enhanced by public access to contract performance reports and any post-award reviews.

Related Government Programs

HUD Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Programs
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Environmental Health Initiatives

Risk Flags

Prior contract cancellation due to protest.
Potential for performance issues if initial evaluation was flawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $13.1 million to KIC DEVELOPMENT, LLC. LEAD EVALUATION SERVICES ATLANTA AREA 1 - NEW DEFINITIVE CONTRACT BASED ON GAO DECISION IN KIC PROTEST - LEGIN C-ATL-01845 CANCELLED AND REPLACED BY THIS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KIC DEVELOPMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-28. End: 2010-03-27.

What were the specific reasons for the GAO protest that led to the cancellation of the initial contract?

While the provided data confirms a GAO protest led to the cancellation of the initial contract (LEGIN C-ATL-01845), it does not detail the specific grounds for the protest. Typically, GAO protests in federal contracting revolve around allegations of flawed evaluation criteria, improper evaluation of proposals, mistakes in the solicitation, or violations of procurement regulations. The cancellation and re-issuance of the contract suggest that the protest was found to have merit, prompting HUD to re-evaluate or re-compete the requirement to ensure a fair and compliant procurement process. Understanding the protest's specifics would offer insight into potential weaknesses in the initial award or solicitation.

How does the awarded price of $13.1 million compare to similar lead evaluation contracts awarded by HUD or other federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the $13.1 million contract value for lead evaluation services is difficult without knowing the precise scope, duration, and geographic coverage. However, federal contracts for environmental consulting, including lead-based paint risk assessments and inspections, can vary widely. Factors influencing cost include the number of properties, the complexity of the evaluations, the required reporting, and the specific testing methodologies. To benchmark this contract, one would need to identify similar contracts with comparable deliverables and contract periods. Anecdotally, large-scale, multi-year contracts for environmental services can reach millions of dollars, but the 'value for money' depends heavily on the specific services rendered and the outcomes achieved.

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

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this lead evaluation services contract. Typically, such contracts would outline requirements for inspection reports, risk assessments, sampling protocols, data analysis, and final recommendations for remediation or management of lead hazards. Performance measurement would likely involve adherence to timelines, quality of reports, compliance with relevant environmental regulations (e.g., EPA standards), and the accuracy of the evaluations. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring that the contractor meets all contractual obligations.

What is the historical spending pattern for lead evaluation services by HUD, and does this contract represent an increase or decrease?

The provided data focuses on a single contract and does not offer historical spending patterns for lead evaluation services by HUD. To assess this, one would need to analyze HUD's procurement history over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts related to lead evaluation, inspection, and risk assessment. This analysis would reveal trends in spending, average contract values, and the number of contracts awarded. Without this broader context, it's impossible to determine if the $13.1 million award is indicative of an increasing, decreasing, or stable spending trend for these services within HUD.

What is the track record of KIC Development, LLC in performing similar environmental consulting services for federal agencies?

The provided data identifies KIC Development, LLC as the contractor for this $13.1 million lead evaluation services contract. However, it does not offer information regarding their past performance, track record, or experience with similar federal contracts. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous engagements. This would provide insight into their reliability, quality of work, and ability to successfully execute contracts of this nature.

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

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corp (UEI: 079259065)

Address: 373A SECOND AVE, KOTZEBUE, AK, 00

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,138,885

Exercised Options: $13,138,885

Current Obligation: $13,138,885

Timeline