CINCINNATI – EM’s ability to negotiate government contracts with the best value for taxpayers is supported by the challenging work of employees who first determine the fair value of services under these contracts.

   EM’s federal cost estimators are responsible for independent government cost estimates in support of EM’s acquisition and contract management activities. The estimates support decisions to reserve funds for contracts in acquisition planning. They also help EM to compare proposed costs and prices and to assess whether they are realistic and reasonable.

   In 2014, the estimators prepared and published 86 estimates to support acquisition and contract management actions — up from 36 in 2013.

   “In 2014, the number of independent government cost estimates prepared by this office more than doubled compared to previous years. We did this without an increase in staffing levels,” EM Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) Office of Cost Estimating and Project Management Support Assistant Director Terry Brennan said. “EMCBC’s cost-estimating professionals were able to keep up with the increased demand by developing new and innovative estimating approaches and practices. I’m very proud of what this team has accomplished in 2014.”

   The estimators work in the Cost Estimating and Analysis Division at EMCBC, which provides technical and business services to EM.

   In other notable 2014 accomplishments, EMCBC:

      • Published EM’s Independent Cost (Estimate) Review Guide to provide uniform guidance and best practices for reviewing cost estimates for EM cleanup programs and projects;

      • Hosted a workshop for 22 members of the EM Applied Cost Engineering Team to promote continuous cost-engineering improvements through the dissemination of cost engineering tools, methods, techniques, best practices, and lessons learned across the EM complex;

      • Increased the number of completed cleanup projects listed in EM’s Environmental Cost Analysis System from 175 in 2013 to nearly 300 this year; the repository captures cost and other information of completed cleanup projects to support future cost-estimating and benchmarking needs;

      • Completed 21 independent cost estimate reviews of contractor-developed cost estimates to support EM independent validation and approval requirements; and

      • Participated on four project peer reviews, which are focused, in-depth assessments of individual contracts that generate detailed feedback for improvements.