DHS FEMA Awards $9.8M for Risk Map Services to STARR II JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,835,977 ($9.8M)

Contractor: Starr II, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-08-10

End Date: 2026-08-07

Contract Duration: 1,093 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY23 R10 RISK MAP

Place of Performance

Location: BOTHELL, SNOHOMISH County, WASHINGTON, 98021

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.8 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: FY23 R10 RISK MAP Key points: 1. Contract awarded to STARR II, a joint venture, for engineering services. 2. The contract is for FEMA's Risk Map program, indicating a focus on disaster preparedness and mitigation. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The award value of $9.8M over approximately three years warrants scrutiny for value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award value of $9.8M for engineering services over 1093 days suggests an average annual spend of approximately $3.2M. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering services contracts for federal agencies is needed to assess if this pricing is competitive.

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. The specific pricing structure and the number of bids received would further inform the price discovery assessment.

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

Supports FEMA's critical mission of disaster risk assessment and mitigation. The services provided are essential for understanding and managing national flood risks. The joint venture structure may offer specialized expertise but could also impact broader small business participation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in long-term engineering projects.
Ensuring effective performance and delivery of complex risk map data.
Limited visibility into the specific expertise and cost breakdown of the joint venture.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a vital national security and public safety function.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services for risk mapping are crucial for federal agencies like FEMA to assess and manage natural disaster impacts. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on the scale of projects and the complexity of data analysis required.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to a joint venture, and it is noted that small business participation was not explicitly indicated (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis is needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracted or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight mechanisms are necessary to ensure the quality of risk map data and the efficient use of funds.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract duration is substantial (1093 days).
Joint venture structure requires careful performance monitoring.
Small business participation not explicitly detailed.
Engineering services can be prone to scope creep and cost overruns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.8 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE. FY23 R10 RISK MAP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE.

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 $9.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-10. End: 2026-08-07.

What specific engineering services are included in the R10 Risk Map contract, and how do they contribute to FEMA's overall mission?

The contract likely encompasses a range of engineering services related to flood hazard analysis, mapping, and risk assessment. This includes data collection, modeling, technical reviews, and report generation. These services are fundamental to FEMA's mandate of understanding and communicating flood risks to communities, informing mitigation strategies, and supporting the National Flood Insurance Program.

What are the potential risks associated with a joint venture performing complex engineering services for FEMA's Risk Map program?

Risks include potential coordination challenges between joint venture partners, unclear lines of responsibility, and difficulties in assessing the performance of individual member companies. There's also a risk that the structure might not maximize opportunities for smaller, specialized firms if not managed carefully. Ensuring clear communication and accountability within the JV is paramount.

How effectively does the firm fixed price contract type mitigate financial risks for the government in this long-term engineering project?

A firm fixed price (FFP) contract is generally advantageous for the government as it shifts most of the risk to the contractor. It provides cost certainty, assuming the scope of work is well-defined. However, for complex, long-term engineering projects, there's a risk that the initial scope may not fully capture all eventualities, potentially leading to change orders or contractor claims if not managed meticulously.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3901 CALVERTON BLVD STE 400, CALVERTON, MD, 20705

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,835,977

Exercised Options: $9,835,977

Current Obligation: $9,835,977

Actual Outlays: $7,848,195

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline