DoD awards $2.5M for Superfund site cleanup, highlighting remediation services in New Jersey

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,522,840 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Hydrogeologic, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-25

End Date: 2026-06-24

Contract Duration: 1,917 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ROCKAWAY BOROUGH WELL FIELD SUPERFUND SITE-REMEDIAL ACTIVITIES

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKAWAY, MORRIS County, NEW JERSEY, 07866

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.5 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC. for work described as: ROCKAWAY BOROUGH WELL FIELD SUPERFUND SITE-REMEDIAL ACTIVITIES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental remediation, addressing long-term site management. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding environment. 3. The contract duration of approximately 5 years indicates a significant, ongoing project. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The awardee has experience in hydrogeology, relevant to the site's needs. 6. Geographic focus on New Jersey addresses specific regional environmental concerns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.52 million for remediation services over nearly five years appears reasonable for a Superfund site. Benchmarking against similar large-scale environmental cleanup contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the fixed-price nature suggests an effort to establish cost certainty. The award to Hydrogeologic, Inc. indicates a selection based on specialized expertise in hydrogeology, which is crucial for managing contaminated groundwater at such sites. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and deliverables to other remediation contracts of similar complexity and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can sometimes lead to fewer bids than a truly unrestricted competition. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the intensity of the competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not fully unrestricted, the exclusion of sources was justified, aiming for specialized capabilities. This approach seeks to balance broad competition with the need for specific expertise, potentially leading to a fair price for taxpayers by engaging qualified firms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment of Rockaway Borough, New Jersey, through the cleanup of a Superfund site. Services delivered include critical remedial activities to address contamination at the site. The geographic impact is localized to Rockaway Borough, New Jersey, mitigating environmental risks. The contract supports specialized jobs in environmental engineering and remediation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources, impacting price discovery.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess value for money.
Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Awardee possesses specialized hydrogeologic expertise, crucial for the site's remediation.
Focus on a Superfund site addresses significant environmental and public health concerns.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services sector, specifically focusing on hazardous waste remediation and Superfund site cleanup. The market for environmental consulting and remediation services is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and ongoing industrial activity. The Department of Defense's involvement highlights the government's role in addressing legacy contamination. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the broader environmental remediation industry, considering project scale, complexity, and regulatory oversight.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (ss). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not explicitly detailed in this award information. The primary focus appears to be on securing specialized remediation services from a qualified prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance with contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Department of Defense Environmental Contracts
Hazardous Waste Management

Risk Flags

Limited competition justification requires scrutiny.
Long-term contract performance monitoring is essential.
Potential for cost escalation if scope is not tightly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.5 million to HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC.. ROCKAWAY BOROUGH WELL FIELD SUPERFUND SITE-REMEDIAL ACTIVITIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HYDROGEOLOGIC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-25. End: 2026-06-24.

What is the specific nature of the contamination at the Rockaway Borough Well Field Superfund Site, and how does Hydrogeologic, Inc.'s expertise address it?

The Rockaway Borough Well Field Superfund Site in New Jersey has been contaminated primarily by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), which impacted groundwater sources. Hydrogeologic, Inc. specializes in hydrogeology, which is the study of groundwater. Their expertise is critical for understanding the subsurface flow of contaminants, designing effective containment and treatment strategies, and monitoring the remediation process. This includes tasks like aquifer testing, contaminant transport modeling, and the installation and operation of groundwater treatment systems, directly addressing the core challenges posed by the site's contamination.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method compare to standard full and open competition in terms of potential cost savings?

Standard 'full and open competition' allows any responsible source to submit an offer, maximizing the potential bidder pool and theoretically leading to the most competitive pricing. 'Full and open competition after exclusion of sources' is used when specific needs or circumstances justify limiting the pool, such as requiring highly specialized capabilities or when only a few sources can meet the requirement. While it aims for competition among qualified sources, the exclusion of others can reduce the number of bids received. This might result in prices that are fair and reasonable but potentially higher than what could be achieved in a broader, unrestricted competition. The justification for exclusion is key to understanding if this method truly served the government's best interest cost-wise.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate the success of Superfund site remediation contracts like this one?

Key performance indicators for Superfund site remediation contracts often include metrics related to cleanup progress, environmental protection, and cost control. Examples include the volume of contaminated material removed or treated, the reduction in contaminant concentrations in soil and groundwater over time, compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., EPA cleanup goals), and the timely completion of project milestones. Health and safety performance, such as the number of safety incidents, is also critical. For this specific contract, KPIs would likely focus on achieving specific remediation objectives outlined in the Record of Decision (ROD) for the site, ensuring long-term protection of human health and the environment within the allocated budget and schedule.

What is the historical spending trend for remediation services by the Department of the Army, and how does this contract fit within that pattern?

The Department of the Army, through agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, has a long history of managing and executing environmental remediation projects, particularly at former military bases and sites impacted by historical operations. Spending in this area is substantial and ongoing, driven by regulatory mandates like CERCLA (Superfund) and RCRA. This $2.52 million contract for the Rockaway Borough Well Field Superfund Site is consistent with the Army's significant investment in environmental cleanup. It represents a typical award for a specific site's remedial activities, fitting within a broader pattern of federal spending aimed at addressing environmental liabilities and protecting public health and natural resources.

Are there any known past performance issues or significant successes associated with Hydrogeologic, Inc. on similar federal contracts?

Assessing Hydrogeologic, Inc.'s past performance requires access to detailed contract databases and performance evaluations, which are not fully available in the provided data. However, their specialization in hydrogeology suggests they are positioned to handle complex groundwater contamination issues. Federal agencies typically evaluate past performance based on criteria such as technical competence, schedule adherence, cost control, and management effectiveness. Without specific records, it's presumed the Department of the Army conducted a thorough review of Hydrogeologic, Inc.'s track record before awarding this contract, indicating a satisfactory level of past performance relevant to remediation services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W912DQ16R3000

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11107 SUNSET HILLS RD STE 400, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,873,693

Exercised Options: $2,522,840

Current Obligation: $2,522,840

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DQ17D3016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline