FEMA awards $12.1M for engineering services to support standard operations in Pennsylvania

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,087,208 ($12.1M)

Contractor: Advancing Resilience in Communities

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2022-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PTS ZONE 1 - STANDARD OPERATIONS TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: CORAOPOLIS, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15108

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.1 million to ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES for work described as: PTS ZONE 1 - STANDARD OPERATIONS TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services supporting standard operations. 2. Competition method was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, a critical component of infrastructure and disaster response.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.1 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for engineering services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for disaster preparedness and response engineering support would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and can lead to more competitive pricing. The price discovery process is likely robust due to multiple bids.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best value through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Supports critical infrastructure and disaster resilience efforts. Enhances operational capabilities for emergency management. Provides essential engineering expertise for federal agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The specific scope of 'standard operations' could be broad, requiring clear definition to avoid scope creep.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes fairness and potentially lower costs.
Engineering services are vital for national resilience and preparedness.
The contract duration is one year, allowing for regular performance review.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for government operations, infrastructure development, and disaster response. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on national needs and project scope.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure does not lead to excessive spending and that the engineering services delivered meet the required standards and objectives.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Potential for undefined scope in 'standard operations'.
Lack of explicit small business participation data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.1 million to ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES. PTS ZONE 1 - STANDARD OPERATIONS TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES.

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 $12.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2022-09-29.

What specific engineering services are included under 'standard operations' for FEMA in Pennsylvania?

The 'standard operations' likely encompass a range of engineering support critical for FEMA's mission in Pennsylvania. This could include technical assessments, infrastructure evaluations, planning support for disaster mitigation and recovery, and potentially oversight of engineering-related projects funded by the agency. A detailed statement of work would clarify the precise services.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for these services?

The primary risk with Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs once the fixed fee is established, potentially leading to higher overall expenditures than anticipated. Effective oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure value for money.

How does this contract contribute to FEMA's overall effectiveness in disaster preparedness and response in Pennsylvania?

This contract likely enhances FEMA's effectiveness by providing essential engineering expertise that underpins preparedness planning, damage assessment, and recovery operations. Reliable engineering support ensures that infrastructure resilience is addressed and that response efforts are technically sound, ultimately improving the agency's ability to manage and mitigate the impact of disasters.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 70FA6021R00000012

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 AIRSIDE DR, MOON TOWNSHIP, PA, 15108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,587,208

Exercised Options: $14,587,208

Current Obligation: $12,087,208

Actual Outlays: $-100,126

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline