NASA awards $19.4M for environmental engineering, supporting Marshall Space Flight Center operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,371,977 ($19.4M)
Contractor: CH2M Hill Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-06-08
End Date: 2012-04-20
Contract Duration: 4,334 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CTR. OTHER NASA CTRS OR INSTALLATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY County, ALABAMA, 36106
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $19.4 million to CH2M HILL INC for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CTR. OTHER NASA CTRS OR INSTALLATIONS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining environmental compliance and infrastructure at a key NASA facility. 2. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the duration of the service period. 3. Competition dynamics for this contract will be assessed to understand pricing efficiency. 4. Performance risk is considered moderate given the specialized nature of environmental engineering services. 5. This contract positions CH2M HILL INC as a key provider for NASA's environmental needs. 6. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship at the center.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $19.4 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for comprehensive environmental engineering services supporting a major NASA center. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental contracts for federal facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature suggests an expectation of predictable costs, though the total expenditure will depend on the scope of services actually required and delivered.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive more favorable pricing and ensure the selection of a capable contractor. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which generally leads to lower prices and ensures that the government receives services from the most qualified and cost-effective provider.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and other NASA installations requiring environmental engineering support. Services delivered likely include environmental assessments, remediation, compliance monitoring, and waste management. The geographic impact is focused on Alabama, where Marshall Space Flight Center is located, and potentially other NASA facilities. Workforce implications include the employment of environmental engineers, scientists, technicians, and support staff by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if environmental issues are more complex than initially assessed.
- Ensuring consistent quality of environmental services across different NASA installations.
- Managing contractor performance over a long contract duration.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
- Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for these critical services.
Sector Analysis
Environmental engineering services are crucial for federal agencies to comply with environmental regulations, manage hazardous materials, and ensure sustainable operations. This contract fits within the broader engineering and environmental consulting sector, which is a significant market for government services. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal environmental remediation and compliance contracts across agencies like the EPA, DoD, and DOE.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is likely limited unless CH2M HILL INC engages them as subcontractors. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by contracting officers and technical representatives within NASA, ensuring adherence to contract terms and performance standards. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price structure and performance requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Engineering and Technical Services
- NASA Facility Operations Support
- Federal Environmental Compliance Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Complexity of environmental issues can be underestimated, leading to scope expansion.
Tags
nasa, environmental-engineering, alabama, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, engineering-services, federal-contract, large-contract, ch2m-hill-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $19.4 million to CH2M HILL INC. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CTR. OTHER NASA CTRS OR INSTALLATIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CH2M HILL INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-06-08. End: 2012-04-20.
What is the historical spending pattern for environmental engineering services at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center?
Historical spending data for environmental engineering services at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center prior to this $19.4 million contract would provide crucial context. Analyzing previous contracts, their values, durations, and the contractors involved would reveal trends in NASA's investment in environmental compliance and infrastructure. Understanding if this $19.4 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to prior periods is essential for assessing the program's trajectory and resource allocation. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this represents a significant shift or a continuation of established budgetary priorities for environmental management at the center.
How does the contractor, CH2M HILL INC, perform on other federal contracts, particularly those with NASA?
Assessing CH2M HILL INC's track record on other federal contracts, especially those with NASA, is vital for evaluating performance risk. A review of their past performance ratings, any documented issues, and successful project completions would offer insights into their reliability and capability. Specifically, examining their history with environmental engineering or similar large-scale technical services for government clients can indicate their ability to meet complex requirements, manage budgets, and adhere to schedules. Positive past performance suggests a lower risk for this contract, while a history of issues might warrant closer scrutiny of oversight and performance management.
What specific environmental engineering tasks are included under this contract, and what are the key performance indicators?
The contract details for 'ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CTR. OTHER NASA CTRS OR INSTALLATIONS' would specify the exact tasks. These likely encompass a range of activities such as environmental impact assessments, hazardous waste management, site remediation, regulatory compliance monitoring, and pollution prevention planning. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would be established to measure the contractor's success, potentially including metrics like compliance rates with environmental regulations, timely completion of assessments and reports, effectiveness of remediation efforts, and adherence to safety protocols. Understanding these specifics is crucial for evaluating the contract's effectiveness and the value delivered.
Are there any known environmental risks or challenges at Marshall Space Flight Center that this contract is intended to address?
Marshall Space Flight Center, like many long-standing federal facilities, may have historical environmental challenges stemming from past industrial activities or the handling of various materials. This contract likely addresses ongoing compliance requirements and potentially legacy environmental issues. Specific risks could include soil or groundwater contamination, management of hazardous materials used in space program development, or ensuring air and water quality standards are met. The scope of the environmental engineering services would be tailored to mitigate these identified risks and ensure the facility operates in an environmentally responsible manner, aligning with federal and state regulations.
How does the $19.4 million contract value compare to the estimated market rates for similar environmental engineering services?
Benchmarking the $19.4 million contract value against market rates for similar environmental engineering services is essential for assessing value for money. This comparison would involve analyzing data from industry reports, cost estimating services, and other publicly awarded federal contracts for comparable scope and complexity. Factors such as the specific services required (e.g., remediation, compliance, design), the geographic location, and the duration of the contract all influence market rates. If this contract's pricing falls within or below the typical market range, it suggests a favorable outcome from the full and open competition. Conversely, if it appears significantly higher, it might indicate potential inefficiencies or unique requirements driving up costs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd. (UEI: 027620574)
Address: 2567 FAIRLANE DRIVE, MONTGOMERY, AL, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,000,000
Exercised Options: $25,000,000
Current Obligation: $19,371,977
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-06-08
Current End Date: 2012-04-20
Potential End Date: 2012-04-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-11-21
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