Environmental Protection Agency Awarded a Contract to RURAL AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC for $730,000.00

Summary of Award

The contract in review involves a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Rural and Tribal Environmental Solutions, Inc. The contract is designated as a "CONT_IDV_68HE0818D0003_6800" under the type "INDEFINITE DELIVERY / INDEFINITE QUANTITY" (IDIQ). This format allows the government to procure services on an as-needed basis within specific terms, allowing flexibility in resources allocation over the contract’s duration, which is set from September 24, 2018, to January 31, 2024.

The contract’s primary aim is to provide on-site technical assistance and sanitary surveys for public water systems across Wyoming. The specific work outlined aligns closely with the Product Service Code (PSC) "F103," indicating a focus on environmental systems protection—specifically water quality support. This aligns with the broader PSC hierarchy that categorizes the work under "Natural Resources Management" and "Environmental Systems Protection."

Under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), the contract falls under code 541620, which pertains to Environmental Consulting Services. This sector involves offering advice and services to mitigate the environmental impact of various operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and supporting sustainable practices. The contract’s total potential value is $730,000, even though the total obligation at this point remains at zero. The "Firm Fixed Price" pricing arrangement suggests that the contractor, Rural and Tribal Environmental Solutions, Inc., carries the risk and reward based on the agreed price regardless of their actual costs. Rural and Tribal Environmental Solutions, Inc., the contract recipient, is based in Billings, Montana. It is a U.S.-owned small business entity, specifically identified as a woman-owned small business and classified as a Subchapter S Corporation. Their registered address is 1306 Patriot Street, Billings, in Yellowstone County. With these credentials, the company is positioned well to meet the contract’s small business set aside, which ensures that only qualifying small businesses are eligible for this competitive bidding segment. The contracting process displayed a competitive nature, with six offers received, though eventually, it was awarded through "FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES." This indicates that while the competition was open, some sources were excluded from this process to focus on specific business types, such as small and women-owned businesses. Despite the multiple offers, the procurement only led to one award, highlighting the chosen company’s capabilities and cost-effectiveness in meeting the EPA’s requirements. The agency responsible for overseeing this contract is the EPA’s Region 8 office, which includes states like Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, ensuring localized oversight and operational efficiency. Although the award is set, the transaction record for this contract remains empty, suggesting that the funds have not yet been obligated, and no payments have been made, often characteristic of IDIQ contracts where funds are released upon specific task orders and deliverables. This could mean that Rural and Tribal Environmental Solutions, Inc. has not initiated tasks or that contractual declarations aren't required yet. Further exploration of the contract's data reveals a nuanced view of federal contracting practices—prioritizing flexibility to accommodate varying demands, ensuring competitive pricing, and supporting small businesses by providing opportunities in public sector work. By strategically positioning this work under the small business set-aside category, the EPA can claim significant progress towards supporting small enterprises, promoting diversity within the federal vendor pool, and empowering women-owned establishments. Moreover, the nature of the contract underscores the government’s continued commitment to enhancing public water systems' health and safety. This aligns with broader environmental goals of ensuring sustainable water quality, echoing EPA commitments to safeguard the nation's natural resources through professional oversight and localized expertise from entities like Rural and Tribal Environmental Solutions, Inc. Despite the absence of specific transaction details, the firm fixed price and lack of predetermined base obligations imply the agency must carefully issue task orders aligning with evolving priorities and budgets over the contract's life. This structure offers the flexibility often deemed essential for environment-related consultancies, where unforeseen variables and fluctuating demands necessitate adaptable project management. In conclusion, the awarded contract signifies more than financial obligation; it represents a strategic alignment of environmental objectives with community-oriented business support, embodying federal initiatives that prioritize ecological responsibility and economic inclusivity. As Rural and Tribal Environmental Solutions, Inc. mobilizes to implement the project, stakeholders will likely monitor progress, ensuring outcomes that benefit both the environment and public health, consistent with EPA's overarching mission.