FEMA awards $28.5M for technical support to Florida disaster operations, highlighting administrative management needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,540,233 ($28.5M)

Contractor: Fluor Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-03-01

End Date: 2020-07-13

Contract Duration: 500 days

Daily Burn Rate: $57.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE 93 TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DR-4337-FL, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DISASTER OPERATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32809

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.5 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE 93 TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DR-4337-FL, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DISASTER OPERATIONS. Key points: 1. Contract value of $28.5 million for specialized technical support services. 2. Services are critical for managing public assistance program disaster operations. 3. Contract awarded to Fluor Enterprises, Inc., a significant player in government contracting. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 indicates a focus on management consulting. 5. Performance period spans from March 2019 to July 2020, covering a significant disaster recovery phase. 6. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 7. No small business set-asides were utilized for this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.5 million for technical support services appears reasonable given the scope of disaster operations managed by FEMA. Benchmarking against similar large-scale disaster response contracts would provide further context, but the duration and specialized nature of the support suggest a significant investment is warranted. The award to Fluor Enterprises, Inc. indicates a reliance on established contractors with demonstrated capabilities in complex government projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of award suggests a healthy level of competition was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently for essential services.

Public Impact

Citizens and businesses in Florida impacted by disaster events benefit from efficient public assistance program operations. Technical specialists provide crucial support for the administration and management of disaster relief efforts. The geographic impact is focused on Florida, specifically in areas affected by disaster DR-4337-FL. The contract supports the workforce involved in disaster recovery and management, ensuring adequate staffing for critical functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if disaster scope expands beyond initial projections.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical technical support could pose risks if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contractor (Fluor Enterprises, Inc.) likely has experience with large-scale government contracts.
Services directly support critical disaster relief operations, indicating high program importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a broad category encompassing professional services essential for government operations. The market for such services is substantial, particularly for agencies like FEMA that require specialized expertise during emergencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale support contracts for disaster response and management across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a large prime contractor like Fluor Enterprises, Inc. suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise, potentially overlooking opportunities for small business participation in this specific instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and potentially the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General. Mechanisms likely include performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds for disaster operations.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Public Assistance Program
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
Federal Disaster Management Programs
Government Administrative Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unpredictable disaster scope.
Performance risks associated with specialized technical support delivery.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.5 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES, INC.. PROVIDE 93 TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DR-4337-FL, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DISASTER OPERATIONS.

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 $28.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-03-01. End: 2020-07-13.

What is the track record of Fluor Enterprises, Inc. in supporting federal disaster response efforts?

Fluor Enterprises, Inc. has a significant history of engaging in large-scale government contracts, including those related to infrastructure, engineering, and support services for federal agencies. Their involvement in disaster response is often characterized by managing complex logistical challenges and providing essential technical expertise. While specific details for DR-4337-FL are limited in this data, their general profile suggests they are a capable contractor for such demanding operations. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and contract histories with agencies like FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and others involved in emergency management to assess their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to timelines and budgets in similar contexts.

How does the $28.5 million contract value compare to similar technical support contracts for disaster operations?

The $28.5 million contract value for technical support services for FEMA's disaster operations in Florida is substantial, reflecting the complexity and scale of managing public assistance programs during and after major events like Hurricane Michael (DR-4337-FL). To benchmark this value, one would compare it to other large-scale support contracts awarded by FEMA or other disaster response agencies (e.g., Army Corps of Engineers, HUD) for similar services. Factors such as the duration of the contract (approximately 16 months in this case), the specific technical expertise required (e.g., engineering, financial management, program administration), and the geographic scope of the disaster are critical for a fair comparison. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high or low value, but it aligns with the significant financial commitments typically associated with federal disaster recovery efforts.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of technical support contract for disaster management?

The primary risks associated with this technical support contract for disaster management include scope creep, where the demands of the disaster response exceed initial projections, leading to increased costs and extended timelines. There's also a risk of contractor performance issues, such as delays in service delivery, inadequate quality of support, or failure to meet critical deadlines, which could impede the efficiency of disaster relief operations. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for specialized technical expertise can create vulnerabilities if the contractor faces financial instability or operational challenges. Ensuring robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning are crucial to mitigate these risks. The specific nature of disaster response also introduces inherent unpredictability, making accurate forecasting and resource allocation challenging.

How effective are technical support services in expediting disaster recovery and public assistance distribution?

Technical support services are generally considered highly effective in expediting disaster recovery and public assistance distribution by providing specialized expertise that government agencies may lack internally or require in surge capacity. These services can streamline complex processes such as damage assessments, application processing, financial management, and compliance verification. By leveraging external technical specialists, agencies like FEMA can accelerate the review and approval of aid requests, ensure accurate allocation of funds, and maintain compliance with federal regulations. This ultimately helps affected individuals and communities receive the necessary support more quickly. The effectiveness is contingent on the quality of the services provided, the clarity of the contract's objectives, and the level of coordination between the technical support team and the primary agency.

What is the historical spending pattern for technical support services related to FEMA disaster operations?

Historical spending patterns for technical support services related to FEMA disaster operations tend to fluctuate significantly year-to-year, directly correlating with the frequency and severity of declared disasters. In years with major hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, FEMA's spending on support services, including technical, administrative, and logistical assistance, increases dramatically. These services are crucial for managing the surge in workload associated with disaster declarations. Contracts often involve large dollar amounts and extended durations to address long-term recovery efforts. Analyzing historical data would reveal peaks in spending following significant natural events and a general trend of increasing reliance on external expertise to manage the complexities of modern disaster response and recovery programs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management 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

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: $28,540,233

Exercised Options: $28,540,233

Current Obligation: $28,540,233

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 14

Total Subaward Amount: $23,442,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FB8018D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline