Army awards $17.5M for Los Angeles River debris management, highlighting long-term environmental cleanup needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,501,692 ($17.5M)

Contractor: Roselin Charitar

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-04-29

End Date: 2029-04-29

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LOS ANGELES RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION (ESR) REACHES 2A - 6C SEDIMENT AND OTHER DEBRIS MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90039

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.5 million to ROSELIN CHARITAR for work described as: LOS ANGELES RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION (ESR) REACHES 2A - 6C SEDIMENT AND OTHER DEBRIS MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical sediment and debris removal in a vital urban waterway. 2. Long-term contract duration suggests ongoing environmental management requirements. 3. Firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs over the performance period. 4. Competition method indicates potential for robust price discovery. 5. Geographic focus on California highlights regional environmental priorities. 6. Service category points to specialized waste management expertise required.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $17.5 million award for debris management in the Los Angeles River appears reasonable given the extended four-year performance period and the specialized nature of the work. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on similar large-scale urban river cleanup projects, the firm-fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish predictable costs. The scale of the project implies significant environmental benefits, justifying the investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This specific procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, potentially related to technical capabilities or prior performance. The exact number of bidders is not provided, but the 'limited' competition level might imply fewer than ideal bids, potentially impacting the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition could mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through maximum bidder participation. However, the exclusion of sources might have been necessary to ensure the contractor possessed highly specialized skills for this complex environmental task.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in the Los Angeles area benefit from improved water quality and reduced flood risk. The contract delivers essential environmental services focused on ecosystem restoration. Geographic impact is concentrated along the Los Angeles River in California. The project supports a specialized workforce in waste management and environmental services. Improved river health contributes to the ecological well-being of the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen debris types or volumes are encountered.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting the timeline of the restoration project.
Limited competition could lead to less favorable pricing than a fully open bid.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration allows for sustained environmental improvement efforts.
Focus on a critical urban waterway addresses significant environmental and public safety concerns.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader environmental services sector, specifically focusing on waste management and remediation for ecological restoration. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, infrastructure needs, and environmental protection initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale civil works or environmental cleanup projects, often awarded by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the EPA, with contract values varying significantly based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor is likely a larger entity with the capacity to handle this scale of environmental service.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Sites
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Restoration
State Water Resources Control Board Projects

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Contractor's past performance on similar projects is not detailed.
Potential for unforeseen environmental conditions impacting scope and cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.5 million to ROSELIN CHARITAR. LOS ANGELES RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION (ESR) REACHES 2A - 6C SEDIMENT AND OTHER DEBRIS MANAGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROSELIN CHARITAR.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-29. End: 2029-04-29.

What is the historical spending trend for Los Angeles River cleanup and maintenance by the Department of Defense?

Analyzing historical spending for Los Angeles River cleanup by the Department of Defense requires access to detailed contract databases and agency budget reports. While this specific $17.5 million award is for sediment and debris management, it's part of a larger, ongoing effort to restore the river's ecosystem. Past projects may have focused on different aspects, such as infrastructure improvements, habitat restoration, or pollution control. Without specific historical data for this precise task or agency, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, the recurring nature of such contracts often indicates a persistent need for environmental management in urban waterways, suggesting a potentially stable or increasing investment in this area over time, driven by regulatory pressures and public demand for cleaner environments.

How does the per-unit cost of debris removal in this contract compare to similar projects in other major urban rivers?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for debris removal in this contract is challenging without knowing the total volume or weight of sediment and debris to be managed. The contract value is $17.5 million over approximately four years. To benchmark effectively, we would need data on the quantity of material removed (e.g., cubic yards, tons) and the associated costs from comparable projects, such as those in the Chicago River, Potomac River, or other significant urban waterways. Factors like accessibility, type of debris (e.g., industrial waste vs. natural sediment), disposal methods, and environmental regulations significantly influence per-unit costs. Given the complexity of urban river systems, costs can vary widely, making direct comparisons difficult without detailed project-specific information.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method for this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, while aiming for broad competition, introduces specific risks. The primary risk is that excluding certain sources, even if justified, might inadvertently limit the pool of highly qualified bidders, potentially leading to a less competitive outcome and a higher price than if all capable sources were included. It also raises questions about the transparency and justification for the exclusions. If the exclusions were not based on objective criteria or were perceived as arbitrary, it could lead to protests or challenges, delaying the project. Furthermore, if the excluded sources possessed unique capabilities essential for the project's success, the chosen contractor might face unforeseen technical hurdles, increasing project risk and potential cost overruns.

What is the expected environmental impact of removing sediment and debris from the Los Angeles River reaches 2A-6C?

The removal of sediment and debris from the specified reaches of the Los Angeles River is expected to have significant positive environmental impacts. Sediment buildup can impede water flow, increase flood risk, and harbor pollutants. Debris, including trash and industrial waste, degrades water quality, harms aquatic life, and detracts from the river's aesthetic and recreational value. By removing these materials, the project aims to improve water quality, restore natural riverine habitats, enhance biodiversity, and reduce the potential for pollutant leaching into downstream ecosystems and the ocean. This directly supports the broader goals of the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration (ESR) initiative, contributing to a healthier urban environment.

Has the prime contractor, Roselin Charitar, performed similar large-scale environmental remediation or debris management contracts for the federal government previously?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'Roselin Charitar' for large-scale federal environmental remediation or debris management contracts is not readily available in the provided data snippet. To assess their suitability and past performance, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary. This would involve searching for previous contracts awarded to this entity, examining their value, scope, duration, and performance reviews. Without this historical context, it's difficult to evaluate their experience and reliability in handling a project of this magnitude and complexity, which is crucial for assessing overall contract risk.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912PL23R0019

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1128 OLIVEWOOD DR, MERCED, CA, 95348

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,501,692

Exercised Options: $17,501,692

Current Obligation: $17,501,692

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912PL25D0032

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline