FEMA Awards $28.17M for A&E Services to Advance Resilience in Communities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,173,795 ($28.2M)

Contractor: Advancing Resilience in Communities

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-03-30

End Date: 2026-03-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FEMA ZONE 1 STANDARD OPERATIONS 3 (SO 3) ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.2 million to ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES for work described as: FEMA ZONE 1 STANDARD OPERATIONS 3 (SO 3) ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical architectural and engineering services to support community resilience. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is substantial, indicating significant project scope and investment. 4. Focus on 'Advancing Resilience in Communities' highlights FEMA's strategic priorities. 5. Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) is a key sector for infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.17M for A&E services appears reasonable given the scope of advancing community resilience. Benchmarking against similar large-scale A&E contracts for disaster preparedness and infrastructure projects would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows a broad range of qualified firms to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market value.

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 process.

Public Impact

Enhances FEMA's capacity to support communities in building resilience against natural disasters. Supports critical infrastructure planning and design for disaster mitigation and recovery. Contributes to long-term community safety and economic stability. Potential for job creation within the architectural and engineering sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The duration of the contract (729 days) requires sustained oversight to ensure timely delivery and performance.
Lack of small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Focus on community resilience aligns with national disaster preparedness goals.
Substantial investment in critical A&E services demonstrates commitment to infrastructure improvement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, crucial for developing and maintaining infrastructure. Spending in this area is often driven by government initiatives for public safety, disaster recovery, and modernization projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved in this contract (ss=false, sb=false). This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a larger firm, and opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses were not explicitly captured or prioritized in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to manage the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure effectively, ensuring that costs remain within reasonable bounds and that the project objectives are met. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will need robust monitoring mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
No explicit small business participation noted.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Potential for scope creep in complex resilience projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.2 million to ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES. FEMA ZONE 1 STANDARD OPERATIONS 3 (SO 3) ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

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 $28.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-30. End: 2026-03-29.

What specific types of resilience projects will these A&E services support?

These A&E services are likely to support a range of projects aimed at enhancing community resilience. This could include developing mitigation strategies for natural disasters (e.g., flood control, seismic retrofitting), designing resilient infrastructure (e.g., hardened power grids, adaptable transportation networks), and providing technical assistance for post-disaster recovery planning and rebuilding efforts.

How will FEMA ensure cost control with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?

FEMA will likely implement stringent oversight mechanisms, including regular cost reviews, performance monitoring, and audits. Establishing clear performance metrics and milestones, along with detailed reporting requirements from the contractor, will be crucial. Negotiating a reasonable fixed fee based on realistic cost estimates and profit margins is also key to controlling overall expenditure.

What is the potential long-term impact of these services on community preparedness?

The long-term impact could be significant, leading to communities better equipped to withstand and recover from natural disasters. By investing in expert A&E services, FEMA can help implement robust infrastructure and planning measures that reduce vulnerability, minimize damage, and accelerate recovery, ultimately saving lives and reducing economic losses over time.

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

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: $56,950,714

Exercised Options: $30,702,096

Current Obligation: $28,173,795

Actual Outlays: $18,768,163

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