FEMA awards $25M for CERC support, with 6,884 hours of contractor support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,059,011 ($25.1M)

Contractor: Resilience Action Partners

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-20

End Date: 2022-09-19

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND RISK COMMUNICATION (CERC) SUPPORT SERVICES TASK ORDER 01

Place of Performance

Location: BEAVER, BEAVER County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15009

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $25.1 million to RESILIENCE ACTION PARTNERS for work described as: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND RISK COMMUNICATION (CERC) SUPPORT SERVICES TASK ORDER 01 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of management consulting services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of one year with a time and materials pricing model presents some cost control risks. 4. Performance period aligns with typical federal fiscal year cycles. 5. Services fall within the administrative management and general management consulting sector. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating a focus on larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $25 million for one year of support seems within a reasonable range for comprehensive management consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale federal agency support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The time and materials pricing structure, while common, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered and do not escalate beyond initial projections.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open nature of the competition suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution from the widest range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs through market forces and encourage a wider pool of contractors to offer their best pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security, specifically FEMA, benefits from enhanced capabilities in community engagement and risk communication. Services delivered likely include strategic planning, outreach, public information campaigns, and stakeholder coordination. Geographic impact is likely national, supporting FEMA's broad mission, with specific focus on Pennsylvania (PA) as indicated. Workforce implications include the utilization of specialized consulting expertise to augment federal staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not well-defined.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contract supports critical functions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Contract duration of one year allows for flexibility and reassessment of needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal contracting, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale support contracts awarded to management consulting firms by federal agencies for similar mission-critical functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was likely geared towards larger prime contractors capable of handling the scope and complexity of the requirement. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but in the absence of a small business set-aside, the prime contractor may have discretion in engaging small businesses, though it is not a mandated requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially an Inspector General's office within DHS/FEMA. Accountability is usually managed through performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed internal performance metrics and oversight reports are often not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Preparedness and Response Services
Public Health Communication Contracts
Emergency Management Consulting
Federal Agency Administrative Support
Risk Communication Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.
Scope definition and management are critical for this type of consulting contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $25.1 million to RESILIENCE ACTION PARTNERS. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND RISK COMMUNICATION (CERC) SUPPORT SERVICES TASK ORDER 01

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESILIENCE ACTION PARTNERS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-20. End: 2022-09-19.

What is the track record of Resilience Action Partners with federal contracts, particularly with FEMA or DHS?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Resilience Action Partners. Generally, understanding a contractor's past performance involves examining their history of on-time delivery, quality of work, adherence to budget, and any past disputes or contract terminations. For this specific contract, the provided data does not include details on the contractor's prior performance history with the agency. Further investigation into their contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any reported issues would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and capability in fulfilling the CERC support services.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar CERC support contracts or broader management consulting services for federal agencies?

The awarded amount of approximately $25 million for one year of CERC support services provides a significant investment in FEMA's capabilities. To benchmark this value effectively, one would compare it against contracts for similar services awarded to other federal agencies or even within FEMA for comparable tasks. Factors such as the specific deliverables, the level of expertise required, the duration of the contract, and the number of bidders in those comparable contracts are essential for a fair comparison. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but the amount suggests a substantial scope of work.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude and duration?

The primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude ($25 million) and duration (one year) revolve around cost control and potential overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or higher labor rates if not meticulously managed. Key risks include the government paying for inefficient work, scope creep that inflates costs, and difficulty in accurately forecasting the total expenditure. Robust oversight, clear task definitions, and vigilant monitoring of labor hours and material costs are critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How effective are FEMA's community engagement and risk communication strategies, and how does this contract contribute to that effectiveness?

The effectiveness of FEMA's community engagement and risk communication (CERC) strategies is a critical component of its disaster preparedness and response mission. This contract aims to bolster those efforts by providing specialized support services. While the contract itself doesn't measure the effectiveness of FEMA's overall strategies, it is intended to enhance the agency's capacity to execute them. The support services likely involve developing communication plans, managing public outreach, coordinating with stakeholders, and disseminating vital information during emergencies. The success of this contract would be measured by FEMA's improved ability to reach affected communities, provide clear and timely information, and foster trust and cooperation, ultimately contributing to more effective disaster management.

What has been the historical spending trend for CERC support services or similar consulting contracts at FEMA over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for CERC support services or similar management consulting contracts at FEMA over the past five years would provide valuable context for the current $25 million award. Such an analysis would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining relatively stable. It could also highlight any significant shifts in the types of services procured or the contractors frequently engaged. Without access to historical spending data specific to FEMA's CERC or related consulting procurements, it is difficult to establish a trend. However, understanding this trend is crucial for assessing the current award in light of past investments and future needs.

What specific performance metrics or KPIs are likely being used to evaluate the success of this contract?

While the provided data does not detail specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract, typical metrics for CERC support services would likely focus on the quality, timeliness, and impact of communication efforts. These could include metrics related to the reach and engagement of public information campaigns (e.g., website traffic, social media engagement, media impressions), the effectiveness of stakeholder outreach (e.g., number of partnerships established, feedback from stakeholders), the clarity and accuracy of risk communication materials, and the responsiveness of the contractor to agency needs. Performance would also be assessed against adherence to budget and schedule, and overall client satisfaction from FEMA.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4301 DUTCH RIDGE RD, BEAVER, PA, 15009

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,059,011

Exercised Options: $25,059,011

Current Obligation: $25,059,011

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline