FEMA awards $13.1M task order to WSP USA for HMA Grant Program technical assistance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,143,638 ($13.1M)
Contractor: WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-06-26
End Date: 2026-10-23
Contract Duration: 1,215 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER (HMTAP 504) IS TO SUPPORT THE HMA GRANT PROGRAM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.1 million to WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER (HMTAP 504) IS TO SUPPORT THE HMA GRANT PROGRAM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical assistance for a significant grant program, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, suggesting potential for future task orders. 3. Competition was full and open, which typically fosters competitive pricing and broader contractor engagement. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can incentivize cost control while allowing for flexibility. 5. Performance is expected to span over three years, suggesting a substantial and ongoing need for support. 6. The task order is for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category that requires careful monitoring of scope creep.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $13.1 million for technical assistance over approximately three years appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar technical assistance contracts for large federal grant programs is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The CPFF contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and the overall objective.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized consulting services. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and a wider selection of capable firms.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process through potentially lower overall costs and access to a broader range of expertise, ensuring the grant program receives optimal support.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the recipients of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, who will receive enhanced technical support. The services delivered will focus on providing technical assistance to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the HMA grant program. The geographic impact is national, as the HMA grant program supports mitigation efforts across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for employment within WSP USA and its subcontractors, as well as indirectly supporting jobs related to hazard mitigation projects funded by the grants.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not managed closely.
- Scope creep could increase costs and extend timelines beyond initial projections.
- Ensuring the technical assistance directly translates to improved grant outcomes requires clear performance metrics.
- Reliance on a single task order for critical program support may pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Long-term nature of the contract (over three years) indicates sustained support for a critical program.
- Focus on technical assistance for a grant program addresses a key need for program effectiveness.
- Contractor WSP USA is a known entity in engineering and professional services, suggesting relevant experience.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector, a broad category encompassing specialized advisory and analytical support. This sector is crucial for government agencies managing complex programs like disaster mitigation and grant administration. Spending in this area often reflects the need for external expertise to supplement internal capabilities, particularly for programs requiring deep technical knowledge or extensive outreach. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other technical assistance contracts for large federal grant programs across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While this specific task order may not directly involve small business set-asides, the prime contractor, WSP USA, may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance work statement and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where such awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
- Public Assistance Grant Program
- National Flood Insurance Program
- Disaster Relief Fund
- Federal Grant Management Systems
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contract.
- Scope creep risk in 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'.
- Need for clear performance metrics to ensure effectiveness.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support.
Tags
sector-other, agency-dhs, agency-fema, contract-type-delivery-order, competition-full-and-open, contract-type-cost-plus-fixed-fee, service-technical-assistance, program-hazard-mitigation, geography-district-of-columbia, size-category-large
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.1 million to WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER (HMTAP 504) IS TO SUPPORT THE HMA GRANT PROGRAM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WSP USA ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INC..
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 $13.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-26. End: 2026-10-23.
What is the track record of WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. in supporting federal grant programs, particularly those related to disaster mitigation?
WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. has a significant track record in providing engineering, environmental, and professional services to government agencies, including FEMA. They have been involved in numerous projects related to infrastructure resilience, environmental consulting, and program management. While specific details on their past performance supporting the HMA grant program directly are not provided in this data, their broader experience in disaster recovery, infrastructure assessment, and technical consulting suggests they possess the foundational capabilities required for this task order. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history with FEMA and other agencies would offer more specific insights into their suitability and past success in similar roles.
How does the $13.1 million cost compare to similar technical assistance contracts for federal grant programs?
The $13.1 million cost for approximately three years of technical assistance for the HMA Grant Program is a substantial investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded by FEMA or other agencies (e.g., HUD, EPA) for technical assistance related to large-scale grant programs. Factors such as the complexity of the grant program, the scope of technical assistance required (e.g., policy development, outreach, data analysis, training), and the duration of the contract are critical for a fair comparison. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for technical assistance?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, like this one, revolve around cost control and scope management. For the government, the risk is that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the fee is fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred (within reason, as costs must be allowable and allocable). This can lead to cost overruns if the contractor's estimates are inaccurate or if unforeseen issues arise. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating the effort required, which could erode the value of the fixed fee. Effective oversight, clear definition of allowable costs, and robust performance monitoring are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.
How will the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided by WSP USA be measured?
The effectiveness of the technical assistance will be measured against the performance work statement (PWS) and the specific deliverables outlined in the task order. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be established to track the quality, timeliness, and impact of the services provided. This could include metrics related to the number of grant applications reviewed, the quality of technical guidance provided, improvements in grant applicant success rates, enhanced program efficiency, or positive feedback from grant recipients. Regular progress reports, performance reviews, and potentially independent evaluations will be used to assess whether WSP USA is meeting its contractual obligations and contributing to the overall goals of the HMA Grant Program.
What is the historical spending trend for technical assistance related to FEMA's grant programs?
Historical spending on technical assistance for FEMA's grant programs, including the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program, has generally trended upwards, reflecting the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters and the growing complexity of federal grant management. FEMA relies heavily on technical assistance to ensure grants are administered effectively, efficiently, and equitably. This includes support for program development, application review, compliance monitoring, and disaster recovery planning. While the specific dollar amounts fluctuate annually based on appropriations and disaster declarations, there is a consistent and significant allocation for technical support services to maximize the impact of billions of dollars in grant funding.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical 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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 751 ARBOR WAY, BLUE BELL, PA, 19422
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,143,638
Exercised Options: $13,143,638
Current Obligation: $13,143,638
Actual Outlays: $3,847,596
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $2,332,141
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70FA6020D00000003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-26
Current End Date: 2026-10-23
Potential End Date: 2026-10-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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