Super Indiana Companies Win Superfund Sites

August 31, 2010

Deborah E. Peters, President of Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. and Terry Morgan, President of HIS Constructors, Inc. both corporately based in Indianapolis, Indiana have formed a "Win-Win" Joint Venture named QepiHIS, LLC. Qepi is a Woman Owned, Small Disadvantaged Environmental, Engineering and Management Consulting firm and additionally holds federal certification as an 8(a) firm by the Small Business Administration. HIS Constructors, Inc. is a Civil Construction, Environmental Remediation and Hydrovac Excavation Services firm. Qepi and HIS Constructors Inc. have a combined 28 years of experience, have completed project work throughout the US and internationally and have conducted hundreds of millions of dollars in environmental, engineering, civil construction and Hydrovac Excavation Services. Therefore the Joint Venture between the two firms was designed to provide a one-source, turn-key and quality approach to our clients environmental, engineering and construction management needs. Since the inception of this new entity, QepiHIS, LLC has been awarded two Superfund sites through CH2M Hill a Contractor for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These sites are the Continental Steel Superfund Site in Kokomo, Indiana and Tar Creek Superfund Site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. QepiHIS, LLC will be conducting environmental remediation services for the Main Plant (OU5) at Continental Steel Superfund, and construction management services for the Tar Creek Superfund site.

The Continental Steel Corp. dates back to 1914 and remained in operations until 1986. The Continental Steel Corp. facility produced nails, wire and wire fence from scrap steel on a 183 acre facility in Kokomo. Manufacturing operations in the steel plant and on other portions of the property included the use, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. Steel-making operations included reheating, casting rolling, drawing, pickling, galvanizing, tinning and tempering. After the company filed for bankruptcy in 1986, USEPA and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) investigated the plant and property and found soil, sediments, surface water and ground water contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOC) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and several metals including lead. Lead contamination was also detected in some nearby residential soils. The site is located in a mixed residential, commercial, and industrial area and is mainly zoned for general use. The closest residents are located within 100 feet east of the property fence line, along South Leeds Street.

In addition to the Continental Steel Superfund site in Kokomo, Indiana, QepiHIS, LLC will begin construction management services for the 40-square mile Tar Creek Superfund Site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. Ottawa County is located in northeastern Oklahoma at the Oklahoma/Kansas and Oklahoma/Missouri borders. The Tar Creek Superfund site forced the entire town of Picher, Oklahoma to be condemned in 2009 due to many years of lead and zinc mining that left Picher, OK one of AmericaÕs largest, most polluted toxic-waste sites.

For more information regarding these sites please contact Ms. Deborah Peters of Qepi at (317) 351-4255 dpeters@qepi.com or Mr. Terry Morgan of HIS Constructors at (317) 541-9290 terry.morgan@hisconstructors.com.

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Qepi CEO Presents Guardian of Small Business Award

October 16, 2008

Quality Environmental Professionals Inc. (Qepi) President Deborah E. Peters assisted in presenting the Guardian of Small Business Award to United States Senator Evan Bayh today at the sixth annual Job Fair, Job Training and Small Business Summit at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Barbara Quandt, Indiana State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is recognizing Bayh as a proponent of small business, and his voting record demonstrates that support.

Qepi was founded in 1996 as a woman-owned, small disadvantaged business enterprise, and also holds certification as an 8(a) firm for federal contracting. Qepi currently employs 32 professionals ranging from entry level to over 35 years of environmental, engineering, public relations, management and quality consulting experience. Qepi's area of expertise includes full scale environmental investigation, risk assessment and services. Our engineering services include chemical, mechanical, civil, transportation, infrastructure and permitting. Our management consulting services include website development and maintenance, database management, community relations and expert opinion and testimony. Qepi conducts work in the private sector for clients such as airports, schools, hospitals and law firms. Qepi also has many municipalities as clients where brownfield redevelopment is their concentration. The Federal Government is a recent addition to Qepi's client list as they support many areas of the environmental needs for the United States Air Force and the National Guard. Qepi also subcontracts to other companies through teaming relationships to support the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Qepi got its start with the help of the local Small Business Administration. Obtaining an SBA loan was a deal breaker twelve years ago when Peters wanted to open the company in March 1996; the SBA used her house as collateral on the loan. Today, after becoming certified as an 8(a) company, the SBA small business officers frequently promote Qepi on her behalf. "The small business officers have been phenomenal on referring Qepi to other companies and agencies needing environmental engineering," said Peters. "It's simple, we would not be where we are today without the SBA."

Peters, who acts as President and CEO, has recently taken a more involved role acting as Controller of Qepi. "With the uncertainty of the economic climate, I have to stay active in protecting my employees," Peters said. "A small business like Qepi must make small changes that have a big impact to our bottom line to keep our employees. I know that the SBA is willing to make changes, too."

The political climate has also forced Peters to stand up and take notice. "It is not guaranteed that all lawmakers have the best interest of small business in mind when they vote yay or nay," Peters said. "But it is important that we as small business owners acknowledge those who understand the importance of small business in the American economy, like Senator Evan Bayh."

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Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi CEO Mentors Daughters on the Job

July 10, 2008

Deb Peters, Managing Principal and CEO for Qepi always encouraged her daughters to find their own career path, although all the while hoping their path may lead to the family business. Both of her daughters went off to college and divided the household—Laura, 25, down to Indiana University in Bloomington, and Kim, 22, up to Purdue University in West Lafayette. Each daughter pursued degrees in contrasting disciplines. Laura chose marketing and Kim a technical degree in Geology; each studying a separate part of Peters’ responsibilities as owner of Qepi.

Twelve years ago when Deb started Qepi, you could not drag her out of the field. She loved being in the trenches and focusing on all the technical aspects of the environmental business. Today, Peters works mostly in business development, marketing, and finance. She encouraged Kim, who is out in the field most days as a staff geologist, to shadow her for a day to give her a feel for the other side of the business. This gave Kim an insight that Peters wasn’t privy to early in her career.

"I knew pretty early that I liked the science side of things, and still do. I plan on getting my masters soon, but I am enjoying getting such a close look at how my work impacts all the other aspects of the business," said Kim.

After graduating from IU in 2005, Laura headed off to work for Music for All, an Indianapolis-based non-profit educational organization where she utilized her marketing background. Although Qepi was always an option, Laura wanted to gain experience working in a different environment and for a boss she didn't call "mom." When she felt a career change coming on, Qepi was in need of a website developer, and the timing seemed just right. Website development and graphic design is what Laura is most passionate about, and moving from the music industry to environment challenges the dynamic and keeps her always coming up with new creative ideas.

"I have a unique experience with Qepi — as a weekend janitor back in the company's early years (although I'm not sure how great my cleaning skills were as a teen), as a summer marketing intern during college, as a part-time webmaster and designer helping to transform Qepi's logo in 2003, and now as a full-time member of the Qepi team," said Laura.

Deb Peters cannot believe that both of her daughters went off on their own paths, and somehow made it back to Qepi. What is even more amazing is how Laura has the creative marketing side of her, while Kim has the unforgettable technical side of her. Complete opposite interests and fields, but so obviously a part of their mom.

"After 12 years in the business it is such as great feeling to have my daughters working at Qepi. When Qepi was founded January 30, 1996, the girls and I would come to the office on nights and weekends and clean the office and now to see how they have grown up to be two outstanding professional women makes me proud to be their Mom," said Peters.

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Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi Wins People’s Choice Award at Brownfields Conference

May 9, 2008

Quality Environmental Professionals Inc. (Qepi) attended the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Brownfields 2008 “Roadmap to Revitalization” Conference this spring in Detroit, Michigan. The conference—which focuses on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties—provided Qepi an arena to showcase high profile redevelopment projects.

Nivas Vijay from Qepi, along with the Chris Harrell of the City of Indianapolis and Kyle Hendricks from the Indiana Brownfields Program, presented Accelerated Brownfield Redevelopment (Brownfields²): Over the Ertel Hurdles. In short, the City of Indianapolis completed its obligations promoting the large scale brownfield redevelopment of the former Ertel Manufacturing facility located in the urban core of Indianapolis, Indiana. By leveraging a broad array of funding sources including: tax increment financing, redevelopment district bonds, state performance base tax credits and job training grants, and five individual state brownfield grants, the City was able to complete demolition, full site characterization, and soil remediation in four months. This accelerated brownfield project prevented a move to a Greenfield space; where new jobs and associated investment trickle to unused land out of state.

Over 260 presenters vied for three awards at the Brownfields Conference including Best Overall Poster, Best New Use Innovative Technology, and People’s Choice. Qepi took home the People’s Choice award after receiving the majority of the votes of the over 6,000 attendants.

"Reaching shovel-ready status in four months is not only phenomenal, but is becoming almost necessary to compete with the green spaces of today. The Ertel project is an excellent model for how brownfield redevelopment must work to be successful," commented Deb Peters, CEO and Managing Principal of Qepi.

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Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contract Recipient

April 15, 2008

Quality Environmental Professionals Inc. (Qepi) received notice today of a U.S. General Services Administration Contract award and placed on their Federal Supply Schedule. A lengthy application and audit process took place before the award was handed down.

Deb Peters, Managing Principal and CEO, said after hearing of the contract win, “This puts Qepi in very small company with other woman-owned, small disadvantaged businesses who also are on the GSA Schedule. We are one of only 21 in the nation to have these certifications, and that makes us a very tough competitor."

Qepi was first awarded its 8(a) federal certification in November 2004. The 8(a) BD program is designed to insure that small businesses receive an appropriate share of government business. Qepi is the only environmental engineering firm in the state to receive such designation. The GSA contract enables Qepi to better market their 8(a) status and allows federal contracting officers all over the United States to have access to Qepi’s services and prices.

"The bid process for this contract was grueling. I cannot begin to quantify how many man hours it took to prepare the extensive offer package. There are large companies that hire firms to complete their GSA offer because it is that taxing. I am so proud of my staff for stepping up and turning in a winning proposal."

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Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Environmental Firm Attends JSEM Conference

June 1, 2007

The Joint Services Environmental Management (JSEM) conference was held this week in Columbus, OH drawing businesses from all over the country, including local firm Quality Environmental Professionals Inc., (Qepi). An Indianapolis based environmental consulting firm, Qepi is a small business with 8(a) distinction. One of few Indiana businesses to attend the conference, Qepi networked with industry leaders of the environmental, energy, and geospatial sectors.

After attending the annual conference, President and CEO Deborah E. Peters said, “The JSEM conference allowed Qepi and other environmental organizations to come together and discuss vital issues, as well as attend informative seminars to advance our knowledge in the field. Keeping up with industry and policy changes is crucial to sustaining our small business.”

The conference highlighted speakers such as Robert M. Gates, United States Secretary of Defense. Attendees were able to listen in on discussions of risk assessment, environmental cleanup strategies, and biobased products. Businesses, such as Qepi, set up booths for other businesses to learn about their work and how they might be of service on future projects.

"The JSEM conference provided a great canvas on which the marketing team at Qepi was able to set up networks with other industry leaders whom can call on us in the future. Our unprecedented work in the environmental, health and safety, and engineering fields is attractive to large businesses looking for a local hand,” said Peters.

Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi Director heads SAME Committee

June 1, 2007

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) has named Anne Black of Quality Environmental Professionals Inc. (Qepi) to its local board. As Director of Government Affairs for Qepi, Black is now serving as Co-Chair to the Small Business Committee for the Kentuckiana chapter of SAME. As co-chair of this committee, Black will be focusing on organizing a small business seminar in November or December of 2007 in Louisville, KY.

"The theme of the 2nd annual small business seminar held by SAME will highlight contractors who do the actual building and earthmoving on COE projects. As compared to a concentration on consulting at the first seminar held in 2006,” said Black.

SAME is a group that fosters relationships between industry leaders as well as provides continuing education on issues that affect the Corps of Engineers (COE). The Kentuckiana post also mentors university students to help introduce a new generation of engineers who will work on military projects in the future.

"Coming from a small business like Qepi, I see the importance of supporting and advancing other small businesses in the engineering sector. The local SAME chapter also allows me to meet new people in the business and build working relationships with the professionals in the consulting industry as well as the COE,” concluded Black.

Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi CEO Named as Vice President of the Indiana Chapter of NBA Committee

June 1, 2007

The National Brownfields Association (NBA) Indiana Chapter has named Deborah E. Peters as the Vice President of the Indiana Executive Committee. Peters is President and Managing Principle of Indianapolis based consulting firm, Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc., (Qepi). As representative of the environmental consulting industry, Peters provides technical assistance to the NBA as needed.

On becoming a member of the executive board Peters said, “The NBA plays a large role in our company. Redevelopment of real property is one of Qepi’s most demanding services. Staying involved at the state and national level keeps our business informed and integrated.”

The NBA at the state and national level is committed to the redevelopment of brownfields throughout the country. Qepi prides itself on being recognized as an essential link to industry changes.

"As a small business it is important to stay involved on what is happening hundreds of miles from Indianapolis. Especially in the Brownfields arena, working in tandem with other businesses that do Brownfield work only benefits our company,” Peters said.

Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi Contracted for Gary/Chicago International Airport Project

June 1, 2007

As the Gary/Chicago International Airport continues to obtain properties for their expansion, Quality Environmental Professionals Inc., (Qepi), has been called in to conduct investigation work. Qepi was awarded the contract on Tuesday which includes investigation and development of remedial options for various properties. The contract totals nearly $220,000 and Qepi has already begun work at the northwest Indiana airport.

Karla McDonald, Director of Redevelopment Services, said after hearing of the decision, “It is an honor for a small, woman-owned, business to be able to compete in this bidding process. Economical price, ability to work with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and staff qualifications allowed us to stand above our competition.”

As a member of the Northwest Indiana Forum, Qepi is committed to helping develop that region. Kay Nelson, Director of Environmental Affairs for the Northwest Indiana Forum will be providing facilitation services to the Airport to maintain the interaction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), IDEM, IDNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife and environmental stakeholders. “The Northwest Indiana Forum provides a variety of services to our members, such as the Airport, to promote and assist economic development and redevelopment projects in a positive manner,” said Nelson.

Tim Sanders, Executive Director of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, added, “The RDA is looking forward to seeing the airport develop as quickly as possible, and we are confident that Qepi can assist in the environmental portion of the expansion.”

Contact: Lindsay Phegley
Phone: 317-351-4255
E-Mail: lphegley@qepi.com

Qepi Opens new office in Evansville, Indiana

April 27, 2007

Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. (Qepi), has opened an office in Evansville, Indiana to serve Southern Indiana, Kentucky and parts of Illinois and Ohio.

This office is in addition to headquarters in Indianapolis and South Bend, Indiana. Qepi's office in South Bend serves Northern Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Qepi plans to open an additional office in Dayton, Ohio in the near future.

Read more about the new Evansville office

Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. Forms Teaming Alliances

August 1, 2006

Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. (Qepi), Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tt), and Innovative Executions, LLC (InX) have formed teaming alliances to provide the United States Air Force "USAF" with a full service A/E services team. Combined, these companies include large business, small business woman-owned and service-disabled veteran firm, and "Qepi" a small disadvantaged woman-owned 8(a) firm.

What makes this the best and most advantageous approach for the USAF to utilize our strategic team is that the Air Force will be provided only the best and most knowledgeable team of professionals to execute every assignment. This group of companies has many AFCEE, AFCESA, CoE, Navy, and GSA contract vehicles to use to execute contract opportunities efficiently and expeditiously. In addition to the existing contract capacity, the team can be awarded direct set-aside contracts in the 8(a), woman owned and service disabled veteran categories. Here are a few words on each of the companies involved.

Tetra Tech has over 250 offices and over 7,500 employees and a 20-year track record of providing A/E services to the Military. Tetra Tech brings to the table many contract vehicles available for the USAF. These contracts include AFCEE, AFCESA, CoE, Navy and GSA contracts. Tetra Tech is currently working at over 65 USAF installations providing support.

This team will include primary involvement from service-disabled Air Force veteran owned company, Innovative Executions, LLC. AnnMarie O'Malley, Ph.D., the President of InX has the knowledge of the USAF processes and the foresight and ingenuity of getting projects executed expeditiously. Dr. O'Malley's mutli-discipline engineering expertise is focused exclusively in DoD operations. Qepi, InX and Tetra Tech are currently working on over 15 USAF projects together.

Qepi is an Engineering, Environmental, Health & Safety and Quality Management consulting firm with over 10 successful years of serving the private, public and governmental sectors. Deborah E. Peters, LPG will be the sole-source contact for the USAF. Ms. Peters is a licensed professional geologist with over 20 years of experience. Qepi is in its second year of the 8(a) program and has been working with Tt and InX since June 2005.

For more information on this team, please contact one of the POC's listed below.
Deborah Peters, LPG
(800) 400-9047
DPeters@Qepi.com

George Waring
(623) 826-0728
George.Waring@TetraTech.com

AnnMarie O'Malley, PhD
(877) 468-0524
AnnMarie.Omalley@InnovativeExecutions.com

Local Environmental Firm Awarded Federal Certification

November 30, 2004

Indiana environmental engineering firm, Qepi (Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc.) was notified this week by the Small business Administration (SBA) that the company has received special certification. On November 15, 2004, Qepi was certified as a participant in the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) BD program. Qepi has also been certified as a Small Disadvantaged Business in the Federal Government's SDB program. SBA's 8(a) BD Program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market.

"This is fantastic," stated Deb Peters, Qepi's founder and CEO. "Contracts in the billions of dollars of government business have been set aside for small businesses that have been certified in the 8(a) program. Not only will this be of benefit to Qepi and our employees around the state, we will now be in a position to help other Indiana companies secure federal contracts when these firms are required to meet 8(a) participation goals."

Qepi has been awarded this certification for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the founder and principal owner of the firm is a woman who is competing in a traditionally male dominated field. Company founder Deb Peters is a Licensed Professional Geologist (LPG) who started Qepi in January of 1996. Qepi is an environmental engineering firm also specializing in health and safety, quality and management consulting. To obtain certification, the SBA determined that the firm has received unequal treatment in opportunities for potential work. The 8(a) BD program is designed to insure that small businesses receive an appropriate share of government business. Qepi is the only environmental engineering firm in the state to receive such designation.

"We are pleased and honored to have been approved for this certification," added Peters. "It is great to have a program that levels the playing field for successful small businesses to compete."