DHS awards $29M for permanent housing construction technical assistance, with a focus on Northern Mariana Islands
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,996,649 ($29.0M)
Contractor: Dewberry Engineers Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2019-05-30
End Date: 2022-06-04
Contract Duration: 1,101 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT TECHNICAL MONITORING DUTIES FOR PERMANENT HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
Place of Performance
Location: SAIPAN, SAIPAN County, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, 96950
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $29.0 million to DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC. for work described as: TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT TECHNICAL MONITORING DUTIES FOR PERMANENT HOUSING CONSTRUCTION Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical assistance for permanent housing construction, crucial for disaster recovery. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs. 3. A long duration of 1101 days indicates a significant, ongoing project. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The geographic focus on the Northern Mariana Islands highlights a specific regional need. 6. The absence of small business set-aside indicates the primary contractor is not a small business.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $29 million over three years for technical assistance in construction monitoring appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar disaster recovery technical assistance contracts would provide further insight into value for money. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope was well-defined at the outset.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and encourage innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a healthy level of market interest.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.
Public Impact
Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands will benefit from improved permanent housing construction oversight. The contract supports the delivery of critical technical assistance services for disaster recovery efforts. Geographic impact is concentrated in the Northern Mariana Islands, addressing specific recovery needs. The contract supports a workforce involved in construction monitoring and technical assistance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if initial technical requirements are not precisely defined.
- Ensuring consistent quality of technical assistance across the long contract duration.
- Dependency on the contractor for critical monitoring functions.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process.
- Long contract duration allows for sustained support and project continuity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically related to construction monitoring and technical assistance. The market for such services is driven by government needs, particularly in disaster recovery and infrastructure development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other technical assistance contracts for large-scale construction projects, especially those managed by FEMA or similar agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Dewberry Engineers Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity for engaging the small business ecosystem in this recovery effort.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, site inspections, and adherence to reporting requirements outlined in the contract. Transparency would be facilitated through contract award databases and potentially public reporting on project milestones.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Disaster Relief Programs
- Permanent Housing Construction Assistance
- Technical Assistance Contracts
- Infrastructure Support Services
Risk Flags
- Geographic isolation may increase logistical costs and complexity.
- Potential for delays due to weather or local infrastructure limitations.
- Ensuring consistent quality of technical oversight in a remote location.
Tags
facilities-support-services, department-of-homeland-security, federal-emergency-management-agency, northern-marianas-islands, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, technical-assistance, construction-monitoring, disaster-recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $29.0 million to DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC.. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT TECHNICAL MONITORING DUTIES FOR PERMANENT HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DEWBERRY ENGINEERS 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 $29.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-05-30. End: 2022-06-04.
What is the track record of Dewberry Engineers Inc. in performing similar technical assistance contracts for disaster recovery?
Dewberry Engineers Inc. has a significant history of providing engineering, architecture, and consulting services, including extensive work in disaster recovery and resilience. They have been involved in numerous post-disaster assessments, recovery planning, and technical assistance roles for federal agencies like FEMA, HUD, and state/local governments. Their experience often includes managing complex projects, providing technical expertise on building codes and construction standards, and overseeing the implementation of recovery programs. While specific contract performance details are not publicly available without deeper research into individual contract histories, their sustained presence in this market suggests a generally positive track record in delivering these types of services.
How does the per-diem or hourly rate for technical assistance compare to industry standards for similar services?
Determining the precise per-diem or hourly rate requires access to the detailed contract line items and the specific labor categories involved. However, given the firm fixed-price nature of this contract, the overall cost is capped. Benchmarking would involve comparing the total contract value ($28,996,649.33) against the duration (1101 days) and the scope of services (technical assistance for permanent housing construction monitoring). Industry standards for specialized technical consulting in disaster recovery can vary widely based on expertise required, location, and urgency. Without specific rate breakdowns, a direct comparison is difficult, but the total value suggests a substantial engagement requiring significant expertise.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this technical assistance contract?
Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on the quality and timeliness of the technical assistance provided. This could include metrics such as the accuracy and completeness of monitoring reports, adherence to construction timelines and budgets (as advised), compliance with building codes and standards, and the effectiveness of recommendations provided to housing construction projects. Other KPIs might involve the contractor's responsiveness to FEMA's requests, the efficiency of their on-site presence, and the overall contribution to the successful completion of permanent housing units. The contract's success is ultimately tied to facilitating safe, resilient, and timely housing solutions for affected populations.
What is the historical spending trend for technical assistance related to permanent housing construction by FEMA?
FEMA's spending on technical assistance for permanent housing construction can fluctuate significantly based on the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Following major events, there is typically an increase in demand for such services to support recovery efforts. Historical data would show peaks in spending after large-scale disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes. Analyzing trends requires looking at FEMA's overall budget allocations for disaster recovery and specifically for housing programs, as well as the number and value of contracts awarded for technical support, engineering, and construction management services over multiple fiscal years.
Are there any specific risks associated with providing technical assistance in remote or geographically challenging locations like the Northern Mariana Islands?
Yes, providing technical assistance in locations like the Northern Mariana Islands presents unique risks. These can include logistical challenges related to travel and access, potential delays due to weather or limited infrastructure, higher costs for personnel deployment and equipment, and cultural or language barriers that might affect communication and collaboration. Ensuring consistent oversight and quality control can also be more difficult when personnel are geographically dispersed or operating in environments with limited local resources. The contractor must have robust plans to mitigate these risks, including contingency planning for unforeseen issues.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Dewberry Companies LC, the
Address: 8401 ARLINGTON BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,996,649
Exercised Options: $28,996,649
Current Obligation: $28,996,649
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $6,464,845
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70FB8018D00000037
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-05-30
Current End Date: 2022-06-04
Potential End Date: 2022-06-04 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-11-27
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