FEMA awards $18.3M contract for housing mission planning support following Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,288,804 ($18.3M)

Contractor: Dewberry Engineers Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-10-15

End Date: 2025-07-11

Contract Duration: 269 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOUSING MISSION PLANNING SUPPORT TASK ORDER FOR TROPICAL STORM HELENE DR-4827-NC IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

Place of Performance

Location: ASH, BRUNSWICK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28420

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.3 million to DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC. for work described as: HOUSING MISSION PLANNING SUPPORT TASK ORDER FOR TROPICAL STORM HELENE DR-4827-NC IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical post-disaster housing support, indicating a need for specialized planning services. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 269 days points to a focused, short-term need for immediate disaster recovery. 4. The North Carolina location highlights the geographic impact of Tropical Storm Helene. 5. The professional services category suggests a reliance on expert knowledge for complex disaster response.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.3 million for approximately 270 days of support appears reasonable given the scope of disaster recovery operations. Benchmarking against similar FEMA contracts for post-disaster housing mission planning is challenging without more specific service details. However, the pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, allows for flexibility in adapting to evolving needs. The provided benchmark of $67,988 for the contract value relative to its duration suggests a significant investment in specialized expertise for a critical recovery phase.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency sought proposals from a broad range of potential contractors, aiming to secure the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price and reduces the risk of inflated costs.

Public Impact

Residents of North Carolina affected by Tropical Storm Helene will benefit from organized and efficient housing mission planning. The contract will deliver essential support services for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster response efforts. The geographic impact is concentrated in North Carolina, specifically areas impacted by the storm. The contract supports the workforce involved in disaster recovery and housing solutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if disaster impact assessment evolves significantly.
Reliance on contractor expertise requires robust oversight to ensure alignment with FEMA objectives.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Clear task order for specific disaster support, indicating focused objectives.
Contract duration aligns with immediate post-disaster recovery needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting services related to logistics and process management. The market for disaster recovery support services is substantial, driven by the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters. FEMA, as a primary agency in disaster response, frequently procures such services to manage complex recovery operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale federal disaster response contracts for planning and logistical support.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not immediately clear from this award alone, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the successful completion of task order objectives and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
National Response Framework
Post-Disaster Housing Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to evolving disaster needs.
Contractor performance risk requires diligent oversight.
Coordination challenges in multi-agency disaster response.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.3 million to DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC.. HOUSING MISSION PLANNING SUPPORT TASK ORDER FOR TROPICAL STORM HELENE DR-4827-NC IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

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 $18.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-15. End: 2025-07-11.

What is the specific expertise of Dewberry Engineers Inc. in disaster response and housing mission planning?

Dewberry Engineers Inc. is a large, multidisciplinary professional services firm with extensive experience in engineering, architecture, and consulting. They have a dedicated disaster response and recovery practice that assists federal, state, and local governments in managing the aftermath of natural disasters. Their expertise includes damage assessment, recovery planning, housing solutions, and program management. For FEMA, they have supported numerous disaster declarations, providing critical planning and technical assistance to ensure efficient and effective recovery operations. Their capabilities in logistics, physical distribution, and process management are directly applicable to the complex challenges of housing mission planning in disaster-stricken areas, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively to meet the needs of affected populations.

How does the contract value of $18.3 million compare to similar FEMA contracts for post-disaster housing support?

Comparing the $18.3 million contract value requires context on the scale and duration of the disaster and the specific services required. FEMA contracts for disaster response can vary significantly, ranging from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the severity of the event and the complexity of the recovery. For a major event like Tropical Storm Helene impacting North Carolina, this value for housing mission planning support over approximately nine months appears to be within a reasonable range. Similar contracts for large-scale disaster recovery efforts, which often include housing, infrastructure, and debris removal, can be substantially larger. However, for specialized planning and logistical support focused on housing, this figure suggests a significant, but not unprecedented, investment.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of disaster response contract?

Primary risks associated with this disaster response contract include the inherent unpredictability of disaster recovery needs, which can lead to scope creep and cost overruns if not managed effectively. There's also a risk related to the contractor's performance; ensuring Dewberry Engineers Inc. delivers high-quality, timely support aligned with FEMA's objectives is crucial. Furthermore, coordination challenges among various government agencies, non-profits, and the private sector involved in disaster recovery can impede progress. Political and public scrutiny during disaster response is also a factor, requiring transparent and efficient operations. Finally, unforeseen environmental or logistical challenges in the affected region could impact the execution of the housing mission plan.

What is the historical spending pattern for housing mission planning support by FEMA?

FEMA's historical spending on housing mission planning support has fluctuated significantly, directly correlating with the frequency and severity of declared disasters. In years with major hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, spending on planning, logistics, and temporary housing solutions escalates dramatically. FEMA utilizes various contract vehicles, including task orders under larger indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and sole-source awards for specialized immediate needs. While specific line items for 'housing mission planning support' might not always be granularly tracked in public databases, the overall expenditure on disaster housing assistance, temporary sheltering, and related logistical planning services represents a substantial portion of FEMA's annual disaster response budget, often running into billions of dollars during active disaster years.

How does the 'Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services' NAICS code (541614) inform the scope of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541614, 'Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services,' precisely defines the core nature of this contract. It indicates that FEMA is procuring expert advice and services related to optimizing the flow of goods, information, and resources, particularly in the context of disaster relief. This includes developing strategies for the efficient distribution of essential supplies, managing temporary housing logistics, coordinating transportation, and streamlining operational processes for the housing mission. The code suggests that Dewberry Engineers Inc. will be analyzing existing logistical frameworks, identifying bottlenecks, and recommending improvements to ensure that housing resources reach affected populations effectively and efficiently in the post-storm environment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics 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: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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: $36,484,039

Exercised Options: $18,288,804

Current Obligation: $18,288,804

Actual Outlays: $18,288,804

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 50

Total Subaward Amount: $18,820,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FB8024D00000009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline