EPA awards $12.1M for Environmental Consulting Services to TECHLAW, INC. under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,135,546 ($12.1M)
Contractor: Techlaw, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2002-04-15
End Date: 2011-06-24
Contract Duration: 3,357 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Place of Performance
Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $12.1 million to TECHLAW, INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. Spending of $12.1M over 9 years for environmental consulting. 2. TECHLAW, INC. is the sole awardee. 3. Competition method was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Sector is professional services, specifically environmental consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract spans over 9 years with a total award value of $12.1M. Without specific per-unit cost data or benchmarks for similar environmental consulting services, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for a broad range of bidders and can lead to competitive pricing. However, the long duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrant scrutiny for potential cost overruns.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for environmental consulting services. The long-term nature and cost-plus structure necessitate careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Environmental protection initiatives supported by consulting services. Long-term contract may indicate ongoing or complex environmental needs. Potential for TECHLAW, INC. to build significant expertise in EPA projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (9 years)
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure
- No small business participation noted
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Clear agency and service type identified
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically environmental consulting. Benchmarks for similar long-term environmental consulting contracts can vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false. This suggests the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to TECHLAW, INC. Oversight would involve monitoring the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee aligns with performance.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
- Environmental Protection Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or changing needs.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can incentivize higher costs if not tightly managed.
- Lack of small business participation may limit broader economic impact.
- Potential for TECHLAW, INC. to become entrenched, reducing future competition.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, environmental-protection-agency, va, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $12.1 million to TECHLAW, INC.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECHLAW, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-04-15. End: 2011-06-24.
What specific environmental consulting services were rendered under this contract, and how did their scope justify the $12.1M award over 9 years?
The provided data does not detail the specific environmental consulting services. A comprehensive review would require access to the contract's statement of work to understand the tasks, deliverables, and the complexity of the environmental issues addressed, which would then inform the justification for the award amount and duration.
Given the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and prevent potential overruns for TECHLAW, INC.?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require robust oversight to manage costs. Mechanisms typically include detailed cost accounting standards, regular audits, defined ceilings for allowable costs, and performance metrics tied to the fixed fee. The EPA would need to actively monitor expenditures against the contract's budget and scope.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure the best value for the EPA in selecting TECHLAW, INC. for these long-term environmental consulting needs?
Full and open competition theoretically maximizes the pool of potential offerors, fostering competition that can lead to better pricing and quality. The effectiveness in this case depends on the number and caliber of bids received, the evaluation criteria used, and whether the chosen contractor, TECHLAW, INC., demonstrably offered the best overall value considering technical approach, past performance, and cost.
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
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 14500 AVION PKWY STE 300, CHANTILLY, VA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $835,501
Exercised Options: $6,883,643
Current Obligation: $12,135,546
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-04-15
Current End Date: 2011-06-24
Potential End Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-07-12
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