U.S. Army Environmental Command Awards Performance-Based Task Order for Environmental Remediation Services at Joliet Army Ammunition Plant

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 4, 2010, the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC) awarded a $440,000 performance-based task order to Advent Environmental, Inc., Mount Pleasant, S.C., for environmental remediation services at Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, Ill.. The task order was awarded on the Multiple Award Military Munitions Services contract administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District.

The Joliet Army Ammunition Plant award is a two-year task order that includes achieving a Remedial Investigation at one Military Munitions Response Program site.

The MMRP addresses the potential explosives safety, health, and environmental issues caused by past Department of Defense munitions related activities. Congress established the MMRP under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program to address unexploded ordnance, discarded military munitions and munitions constituents located on current and former defense sites.

Use of the performance-based acquisition approach requires clearly defined objectives to be achieved, measurable performance standards in terms of safety, cost, quality, and schedule, and the method of assessing contractor performance against performance standards. The Army has found awarding performance-based contracts for environmental remediation services is a very effective means of accomplishing its cleanup objectives and benefits all involved.

Under a performance-based contract, the Army states the desired end result, and it's up to the contractor to take the necessary steps to get there. Contractors must still seek approval from the Army and regulators before implementing final cleanup remedies, and the Army still has the ultimate responsibility for the cleanup of its installations.

By providing clear definitions of performance expectations and government oversight criteria, there is a better likelihood that expectations will be reached to all parties' satisfaction. Linking payments to milestones provides incentives to develop and implement an effective and efficient approach to achieving contract requirements.

For more information on the Army's performance-based acquisition program visit http://aec.army.mil/usaec/cleanup/pba00.html or call (410) 436-2556.

This information is provided by USAEC. USAEC is the Army's point organization for supporting the implementation of environmental programs that facilitate sustainable Army training and operations while protecting the environment.  We provide environmental program management and technical support products and services in support of Army training operations, acquisition and sound stewardship.

"Sustaining the Environment for a Secure Future"

For more information on the U.S. Army Environmental Command, visit http://aec.army.mil.

SOURCE U.S. Army Environmental Command