DoD's $36.6M Nellis AFB environmental remediation contract awarded to Bristol Environmental Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,554,612 ($36.6M)

Contractor: Bristol Environmental Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-06-29

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FOR NELLIS AFB, SMALL ARMS RANGE, LAS VEGAS, NV

Place of Performance

Location: LAS VEGAS, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89154

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.6 million to BRISTOL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FOR NELLIS AFB, SMALL ARMS RANGE, LAS VEGAS, NV Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of environmental remediation services required for a military installation. 2. The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive pressure on pricing. 3. Performance duration of 5 years suggests a need for sustained environmental management. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially incentivizing cost control. 5. This contract supports critical infrastructure maintenance and environmental compliance at a major Air Force base. 6. The absence of small business set-aside raises questions about opportunities for smaller firms in this sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking environmental remediation contracts of this scale is challenging without more specific service details. However, the $36.6 million price tag for a five-year definitive contract for a military installation's remediation needs appears within a plausible range. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has a clear understanding of the scope and has negotiated a price that the contractor must adhere to. Without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the price does not immediately appear excessive for the stated purpose.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This typically occurs when only one responsible source is available or when the agency determines it is not in the public interest to compete. The lack of competition means that potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process were likely forgone. The agency's justification for this sole-source award would be critical to understanding if alternative solutions or contractors were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this significant contract means taxpayers may not have benefited from the potentially lower prices that a competitive bidding process could have generated. This could lead to a higher overall cost for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, ensuring environmental compliance and operational readiness at Nellis Air Force Base. Services include environmental remediation, likely addressing contamination from past activities at the small arms range. The geographic impact is localized to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada, but contributes to broader environmental protection efforts. The contract supports specialized environmental services, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for skilled environmental technicians and scientists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the sole-source justification could obscure potential alternatives.
Long contract duration (5 years) may not allow for reassessment of market prices or contractor performance.
No explicit small business participation noted, potentially excluding smaller, specialized firms.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Contract addresses critical environmental compliance and safety at a major military installation.
Definitive contract structure provides a clear framework for service delivery over the period of performance.

Sector Analysis

Environmental remediation services represent a significant segment within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This contract falls under the remediation services sub-sector, which includes activities like hazardous waste cleanup, site assessment, and environmental restoration. The federal government, particularly the Department of Defense, is a major client for these services due to the extensive land holdings and historical operations that may require environmental management. Market size for environmental remediation is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance and increasing awareness of environmental stewardship.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have been set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of specific subcontracting goals for small businesses. This means that larger firms, like Bristol Environmental Solutions LLC, are the primary recipients of this contract. While larger companies may have the capacity for such extensive projects, the lack of small business involvement could limit opportunities for specialized smaller firms to participate in significant federal environmental contracts and potentially reduce the overall economic benefit to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army, which awarded the contract on behalf of the Department of Defense. Specific oversight mechanisms would include contract administration, performance monitoring, and financial audits. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by capping the government's financial liability. Transparency regarding the sole-source justification and performance metrics would be key to assessing overall accountability.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Military Base Operations Support
Hazardous Waste Management
Department of Defense Facilities Maintenance

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award.
No explicit small business participation requirements noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.6 million to BRISTOL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC. ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FOR NELLIS AFB, SMALL ARMS RANGE, LAS VEGAS, NV

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRISTOL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-29. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific justification for the sole-source award of this environmental remediation contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies and procedures for competitive contracting and the circumstances under which non-competitive awards can be made. Common justifications include: only one responsible source exists with the unique capability to perform the work; the agency must procure the supplies or services from sources other than competitive proposals for reasons of urgency, or to achieve substantial savings in cost, performance, or schedule; or the agency is specifically authorized or required by statute or regulation to use other than full and open competition. Without the specific justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it is impossible to determine the precise reason Bristol Environmental Solutions LLC was the sole source. This lack of transparency is a key area for further investigation.

How does the $36.6 million contract value compare to similar environmental remediation projects at military installations?

Comparing the $36.6 million value requires context on the scope and complexity of the remediation. Environmental remediation projects can vary widely in cost based on the type and extent of contamination, the size of the affected area, regulatory requirements, and the specific services needed (e.g., site investigation, containment, cleanup, long-term monitoring). For a five-year definitive contract at a large installation like Nellis AFB, addressing contamination from a small arms range, this figure is plausible. However, without detailed service breakdowns or access to databases of comparable sole-source contracts with similar scopes, a precise benchmark is difficult. Generally, large-scale environmental cleanup at federal facilities can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for environmental remediation services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the selected contractor may not be incentivized to offer the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to innovative approaches or specialized expertise that might be offered by other qualified firms. There's also a risk that the agency's justification for sole-sourcing might not be as robust as it could be, potentially overlooking viable competitive options. For taxpayers, this translates to a higher likelihood of paying more than necessary for the services rendered.

What is the track record of Bristol Environmental Solutions LLC in performing federal environmental remediation contracts?

To assess Bristol Environmental Solutions LLC's track record, a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense or other agencies requiring environmental remediation, would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, contract values, performance ratings, and any reported issues or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar types of contamination, regulatory environments, and project scales is crucial. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget project completion would indicate lower risk, while a record of performance issues or contract modifications could signal potential concerns for this current contract.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental remediation at Nellis Air Force Base or similar facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for environmental remediation at Nellis AFB or comparable Air Force bases would provide valuable context. This involves looking at past contracts awarded for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding the frequency and scale of remediation needs can indicate whether the current $36.6 million, five-year contract represents a typical investment or an anomaly. Significant fluctuations in spending could point to evolving environmental challenges, changes in regulatory focus, or shifts in funding priorities. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess if the current contract's value aligns with past investments in environmental management at the base.

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 › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W912PL21R0027

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Bristol BAY Native Corporation

Address: 111 W. 16TH AVE, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,554,612

Exercised Options: $36,554,612

Current Obligation: $36,554,612

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline