FEMA Awards $46.4M for Hurricane Irma Public Assistance Technical Specialists to Fluor Enterprises

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,427,107 ($46.4M)

Contractor: Fluor Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2017-10-31

End Date: 2019-03-01

Contract Duration: 486 days

Daily Burn Rate: $95.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF:: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR 195 TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS FOR SUPPORT OF DR-4337-FL TEAM #2 - HURRICANE IRMA.

Place of Performance

Location: BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE County, LOUISIANA, 70802

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $46.4 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF:: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR 195 TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS FOR SUPPORT OF DR-4337-FL TEAM #2 - HURRICANE IRMA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Fluor Enterprises, Inc. for technical support related to Hurricane Irma. 2. The contract utilizes a Time and Materials pricing structure. 3. This award represents a significant investment in disaster recovery efforts. 4. The duration of the contract is 486 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical specialists in disaster response is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model may not be the most effective for price discovery compared to fixed-price contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding essential technical expertise for disaster recovery, aiming to expedite public assistance distribution after Hurricane Irma.

Public Impact

Supports critical post-disaster recovery operations for Hurricane Irma victims. Ensures timely processing of public assistance claims through specialized technical support. Leverages private sector expertise to augment government capabilities during emergencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing risk
Potential for scope creep without strict oversight

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Addresses critical disaster recovery need

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector crucial for infrastructure and disaster response. Spending in this area can fluctuate significantly based on natural disaster events.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that neither small business set-aside nor small business participation was explicitly noted for this contract, suggesting it was awarded to a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for Time and Materials contracts to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and that the work performed directly supports the stated objectives of Hurricane Irma recovery.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of explicit small business participation.
High number of specialists required, necessitating strong management.
Uncertainty in exact scope and duration at contract award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $46.4 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF:: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR 195 TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS FOR SUPPORT OF DR-4337-FL TEAM #2 - HURRICANE IRMA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLUOR ENTERPRISES, 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 $46.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-10-31. End: 2019-03-01.

What specific technical expertise is required for the 195 specialists, and how does this justify the Time and Materials pricing model?

The 195 technical specialists are likely required for complex tasks such as damage assessment, cost estimation, and compliance verification for public assistance programs following Hurricane Irma. A Time and Materials model might be chosen if the exact scope and duration of work are uncertain at the outset, allowing flexibility. However, it necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost escalation and ensure the specialized skills are indeed necessary and efficiently utilized.

How will FEMA ensure cost control and prevent overruns given the Time and Materials contract type for such a substantial award?

FEMA must implement stringent oversight mechanisms, including detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, regular progress reviews, and clear performance metrics. Establishing a ceiling price or incorporating cost-plus-fixed-fee elements could also mitigate risks. Independent cost analysis and comparison with industry benchmarks for similar disaster recovery support services will be vital to ensure value for taxpayer money.

What is the expected impact of these specialists on the speed and efficiency of public assistance delivery post-Hurricane Irma?

The engagement of 195 technical specialists is intended to significantly accelerate the processing of public assistance applications by providing expert assessments and verification. This specialized support should streamline the review process, reduce backlogs, and ensure that aid reaches affected individuals and communities more quickly and accurately, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the disaster recovery effort.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Fluor Corporation

Address: 100 FLUOR DANIEL DR, GREENVILLE, SC, 29607

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,427,107

Exercised Options: $46,427,107

Current Obligation: $46,427,107

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ12D0880

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline