USA Environmental, Inc.

USA Has UXO Safety Interactive Book and Video Produced

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:01 EST

As part of a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USA Environmental, Inc. (USA) worked with GSL Solutions Inc. (GSL) in Tampa, Florida, to produce a new digital application (app) and a safety video. The goal of these tools is to provide instruction about the “Three Rs” of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) safety, namely, “Recognize, Retreat and Report.”

The interactive app, called “UXO Safety,” was created primarily for children. It follows the adventures of the animated characters Roxie, Sgt. Woof and their friends as they explore Camp Two Feathers and learn about the dangers of UXO.

"UXO Safety" is now available at no charge through the Apple Store for iPad and Google Play for Android devices.

USA and GSL also worked with TV Production students at Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida, to produce a safety video warning about the dangers of UXO. The 12-minute video uses an imaginary news broadcast to educate children and adults about the potential dangers of and proper responses to UXO that may be encountered.

USA plans to use the video in training demonstrations across the country to teach people about the danger of UXO, especially in areas where the U.S. Military has had, or still has, rifle, artillery, tank or bomb ranges.

“We go to school sites and tell students and parents how to be prepared if they come across Unexploded Ordnance,” explained Sarah Gambino, Manager of Marketing and Communications for USA Environmental. “We also speak to adult groups and organizations, such as construction or utility workers, who might come across these kinds of munitions.”

You can view the app and video at: http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/UXO/

J2 USA LLC JV Wins Performance-based ERMA Contract

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST

The J2 USA LLC Joint Venture (JV), comprised of J2 Engineering (J2) and USA Environmental, Inc. (USA), along with 8 other successful offerors were each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) multiple award contract for Small Business (SB) for the win of ERMA. The JV is a service disabled veteran owned (SDVO) joint venture and the only SDVO on the SB portfolio. The JV team member is CDM Smith. USA also teamed with winner, ARCADIS, for the unrestricted portfolio, which also had 10 other winners.

This ID/IQ is designed to support environmental remediation services at Army installations nationwide. The Army Environmental Command (AEC) has a requirement for environmental remediation services for the US Army Environmental Cleanup Program (AECP) and the Operational Range Assessment Program (ORAP). The AECP includes the following subprograms: Installation Restoration Program (IRP), Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP), Compliance-Related Cleanup Program (CRP), and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Environmental Restoration Program. Work will be performed at Army installations/sites located throughout United States and United States territories. All work will be in accordance with individual task order requirements provided with each effort.

The total AGGREGATE maximum amount to award against all Task Orders on all awarded Contracts for both Porfolios is $480M ($240 per portfolio). Each contract award will consist of a Base Award of One (1) Year plus Four (4) One Year Option Periods.

USA Wins NAVFAC ATL Range Sustainment Contract

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST

USA Environmental Incorporated, Oldsmar, Fla., along with two other successful offerors are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders for range sustainment services to be performed at sites located in the lands and waters of the Continental United States (CONUS), Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) and international operations supporting the Navy and Marine Corps within Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR) (N62470-12-D-7016). The maximum dollar value including the base period and two option years for all three contracts combined is $100,000,000. The work to be performed provides for range sustainment and munitions response remediation services. Work will be performed primarily within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR which includes but is not limited to CONUS and OCONUS which includes N.C. (20 percent), Calif. (15 percent), Guam (15 percent), Va. (10 percent), Japan/Okinawa (10 percent), Fla. (8 percent), Puerto Rico (5 percent), Nev. (5 percent), Hawaii (5 percent), District of Columbia (3 percent), and Texas (2 percent). Work may also be performed in the remainder of the U.S. or Overseas (2 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 36 months, with an expected completion date of September 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $15,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 10 proposals received. Three contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

USA Celebrates its 14th Anniversary

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST

Another Successful Year for USA Environmental...

USA wins Munitions Clearance in Adak, AK

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST

Award July 12, 2012...

USA Receives Vieques Task Order

Defense Link — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Award April 2012...

Regional Office: Honolulu, Hawaii

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST

Regional Office: Virginia Beach, Virginia (Norfolk)

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST

Manatee County, FL

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:01 EST

MacDill AFB, FL (3)

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Fort De Soto, FL

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Article for Special Edition of Spectrum Magazine

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:36:59 EST

August 2011, Oldsmar, FL – In November 2010, a boy, playing in a pile of dirt outside Macon, Ga., on part of the former Camp Wheeler, found an interesting metal item. He and his friends played with the item, before he took it home. It sat in the garage for several weeks until a neighbor looked at it and suggested that the family should have the sheriff’s department inspect it.

Sheriff’s officials confirmed the neighbor’s fears: unexploded ordnance left over from World War II. The boys had found a practice mortar, but it had no explosive left inside. While this incident ended safely, it highlights the risk of finding ordnance items on former Department of Defense training areas and the need to ensure that residents know how to respond when they find these items.

Demolition of Ordnance
at Former Camp Butner, NC

"Some of these old munitions could damage a house, maim someone, or even kill them," said Julie Hiscox, a senior project manager who oversees much of the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program for the Savannah District. "We face constant challenges to identify UXO [unexploded ordnance], determine how best to deal with it, and to keep the public informed."

With more than 1050 FUDS locations in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina, Hiscox takes the clean up job seriously.

“Most of these sites are very small and only some of them actually have munitions,” Hiscox said, “but even limited impacts like small petroleum contamination add up in the environment.” Larger projects, like the one at former Camp Wheeler, affect people directly.

“We’ve discovered live mortar rounds buried in yards and gardens,” she said. “We’ve had wonderful cooperation with the communities.”

Hiscox and her team, along with ordnance disposal firms contracted to conduct research and removal, canvass specific neighborhoods informing people about the potential dangers. The Corps conducts public information workshops to engage local residents in the process. “The more people know and understand about our program, the more they support our efforts.”

The type of cleanup required varies from property to property. Within the FUDS Program, cleanup projects fall into one or more of the following categories:

· identifying, investigating and cleaning up hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste sites;

· correcting other environmental contamination such as that caused by ordnance and explosives.

The Army serves as the DoD Executive Agent for FUDS, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers carries out the program. Through the FUDS Program, the Army responds to DoD-generated pollution that occurred before the property transferred to private owners or to federal, state, tribal, or local government organizations. The Corps has identified more than 2,700 sites in the U.S. where the DoD formerly had activity. Some are an acre or less. Some, like the one near Macon, can cover thousands of acres.

The Savannah District uses a number of tools to keep the public informed and educated about FUDS and its cleanup operations. These include direct mail to impacted residents, public workshops, community meetings, school programs and web sites.

One web site on UXO safety contains lessons and games geared for children. “Since kids find UXO while exploring their neighborhoods, we need to gear some of the material just for them,” said Sarah Gambino, a contractor with USA Environmental who worked to develop the website.

Since educating children is a particular concern for the Wheeler site and other munitions sites, Savannah District created the UXO Safety Clubhouse to provide information in a way that would keep children's interest while they learn about the “three R's” of UXO Safety - Recognize, Retreat, Report, according to Gambino.

The UXO Safety Clubhouse is currently available on the Savannah District website, www.sas.usace.army.mil. The site uses games and animation to warn children of the dangers of UXO and how to respond should they find any suspicious items.

“The Savannah District will work with parents and schools to promote use of the Clubhouse to educate children in specific areas, such as the communities surrounding the former Camp Wheeler near Macon, Georgia,” said Julie Hiscox, a senior project manager in the Savannah District.

“Children can play, learn, and then print a UXO Safety Certificate to document their achievement.”

The team has given ordnance safety presentations to emergency responders, public utilities personnel, law enforcement and local schools in addition to holding public information sessions. Last year, members of the team walked through one neighborhood, knocking on doors to talk to residents, in response to that practice mortar found by the local boy. The team’s prime concern remains the safety of the people in the Camp Wheeler community.

Even the adult education programs emphasize the “three R’s” of UXO. The Corps wants residents to be able to recognize suspicious items, even those rusted from decades under the soil. Once recognized, the lessons instruct people to leave the area but leave a marking so they can direct authorizes to the site. Finally, the lesson directs the finder to contact local authorities – usually the sheriff’s department, to report the find.

“We certainly don’t want anyone taking the item home as a souvenir,” Hiscox said.

The UXO team faces the continuing challenge of a mobile society. New residents move in, new communities get built and new businesses locate on formerly used sites. Education must continue over many years, according to Hiscox.

Work at Camp Wheeler and the Savannah District’s other sites will continue into the future.

“Safety for those living near or on areas that were formerly used for military munitions training is the prime concern of the Savannah District’ said Col. Jeffrey Hall, Savannah District Commander. “The UXO Safety Clubhouse is our newest tool to make safety information available to all.” The Clubhouse has been added to the information pages about the Formerly Used Defense Sites program,” Hall said.

As cleanups continue and the District’s education programs reach more people, the possibility of active, outdoor boys bringing home mortar rounds will diminish.

USA Environmental, Inc., Oldsmar, Fla., is being awarded $7,880,451

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:27:53 EST

August 2011, Oldsmar, FL - USA Environmental, Inc., Oldsmar, Fla., is being awarded $7,880,451 for cost-plus-fixed-fee task order 0003 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N62470-11-D-8007) for munitions response actions at the former Naval Vieques Training Range, Puerto Rico. The work to be performed provides for the removal of surface munitions and explosives of concern at the surface impact area and the removal of subsurface munitions and explosives of concern at the eastern maneuver area. Work will be performed in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and is expected to be completed by May 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

NAOC Leadership Award - Jonathan Chionchio

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:19:19 EST

December 2010, Huntsville, AL- Each year, the NAOC recognizes a government/stakeholder representative and a current or former NAOC member for significant lifetime contributions to the Association and/or the munitions response industry through its Leadership Service Award. In accordance with the NAOC Award Program, nominations for this year’s Award were solicited from employees of active member firms. This year’s awards were presented during the Military Munitions Support Services Workshop on December 8, 2010.

This year’s industry/NAOC recipient is Mr. John Chionchio, founder and owner of USA Environmental Inc. of Oldsmar, Florida. John Chionchio is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the UXO Industry. John played an instrumental role in establishing the NAOC and in coordinating NAOC partnering with the Huntsville Center. Throughout the years, John has served three terms as President of NAOC; is the only person to have been on the Board of Directors since the beginning of NAOC; and has served tirelessly as the Treasurer for the last five years. John continues his dedication to the industry through his leadership of USA Environmental and as an advocate for small business. John epitomizes the qualities of leadership, professionalism, and service that the Leadership award is intended to recognize. John was recognized through presentation by our President, Ms. Victoria Kantsios while flanked by his daughter Sarah Gambino and long time friend and business partner, John Adams, Retired Army SgtMaj Master EOD. Congratulations John!

USA dives under...water!

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Check out live footage of USA's training dive in the Gulf of Mexico. Video courtesy of Tanks-A-Lot.

USA Environmental, Inc. is being awarded a $95,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 03:47:32 EST

December 2010, Oldsmar, FL- USA Environmental, Inc. is being awarded a $95,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for munitions response actions at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR). No task orders are being issued at this time. The work provides for munitions response actions to permit lands and waters potentially affected by munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) to be safely used for their planned purpose. Work may be associated with the removal of MEC in terrestrial areas, on or beneath the land surface; or aquatic environments, such as marsh areas, surf zones, intertidal areas, or other under water areas. The work to be performed includes safely locating, identifying, recovering, evaluating, managing, and performing final disposition of MEC, material potentially presenting an explosive hazard, munitions debris, and range related debris. Work will be performed in Vieques, Puerto Rico (90 percent), and within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR including the continental United States, southern Europe, Southwest Asia, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic (10 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of December 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-11-D-8007).

USA Environmental, Inc. is being awarded a $13,969,727 cost-plus-award-fee

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:00:00 EST

May 2010, Oldsmar, FL- USA Environmental, Inc. is being awarded a $13,969,727 cost-plus-award-fee task order modification JN03-06 under a previously awarded munitions response contract (N62742-05-D-1868) for munitions and explosives of concern removal at former Vieques Naval Training Range. The work to be performed provides for the removal of surface and subsurface munitions and explosives of concern at the live impact area, surface impact area, eastern conservation area and the eastern maneuver area. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $25,453,833. Work will be performed in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and is expected to be completed by August 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

USA Environmental, Inc. is being awarded an $18,000,000 cost-plus-award-fee

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:00:00 EST

May 2010, Oldsmar, FL- USA Environmental, Inc. is being awarded an $18,000,000 cost-plus-award-fee modification to increase the maximum dollar value of a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62742-05-D-1868) for munitions response and incidental environmental remediation at sites which potentially contain munitions and explosives of concern. The work to be performed provides for surface and subsurface munitions clearance on roads and beaches on Vieques, and vegetative and operational range clearance on Farallon de Medinilla. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $68,000,000. Work will be performed in Vieques, Puerto Rico (90 percent), and Farallon de Medinilla, Marianas Islands (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

USA Environmental, Inc. was awarded a $1.155B contract

Mon, 31 May 2010 07:00:00 EST

January 2010, Huntsville, Ala-

USA Environmental, Inc. Awarded a Shared-Capacity Contract Valued at $1.115B for Worldwide Environmental Remediation Services with the
U.S. Army Engineering & Support Center, Huntsville

USA Environmental, Inc. (USA), along with six other Small Business companies, was awarded a $1.155 billion shared-capacity contract for Worldwide Environmental Remediation Services (WERS) in support of the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville. This multiple-award task order, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) service contract has a base period of two years and three one-year option periods for a total of five years.

Under this contract, USA will perform a variety of environmental remediation services including Munitions Responses, munitions related services as well as cleanup of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radiological Waste (HTRW) wastes and Chemical Warfare Material (CWM) munitions responses. These services are to be performed at Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS), active DOD installations, Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) sites and other federally controlled/owned sites. This contract will also be used to support the U.S. Army's critical mission in the Middle-East and in other countries.

USA has been awarded two new MEC projects with CH2M Hill at Camp Lejeune

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:11:44 EST

Nov 2009, Camp Lejeune, NC - USA has been awarded two new MEC projects with CH2M Hill at Camp Lejeune. There will be some concurrent and 4-5 consecutive operations from now into spring of 2010. A big congratulation goes out to USA's in house- Camp Lejeune / CH2M Hill team. Keep up the great work!