FEMA awards $12M task order for engineering services to support risk mapping and planning

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,956,716 ($12.0M)

Contractor: Advancing Resilience in Communities

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-29

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES TO SUPPORT FEMA REGION 5'S RISK MAPPING, ASSESSMENT, AND PLANNING PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60605

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.0 million to ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES TO SUPPORT FEMA REGION 5'S RISK MAPPING, ASSESSMENT, AND PLANNING PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for FEMA's critical risk assessment and planning initiatives. 2. The task order was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control. 5. Engineering services are vital for understanding and mitigating natural disaster risks. 6. This contract supports FEMA Region 5's efforts, impacting disaster preparedness in that area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $12 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized engineering services supporting a national program. Benchmarking against similar task orders for risk mapping and assessment services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the scope of work. Without direct comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is below, at, or above market rates, but the competitive award suggests a fair price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competitive environment. This approach is intended to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of qualified offerors. The competitive nature of the award suggests that the selected contractor, Advancing Resilience in Communities, offered a compelling technical approach and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently to obtain high-quality services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities within FEMA Region 5, which will receive enhanced risk mapping and planning services to improve disaster preparedness and resilience. The services delivered will support FEMA's mission to reduce the impact of disasters. Geographic impact is focused on the states covered by FEMA Region 5, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The contract supports specialized engineering and technical expertise, potentially impacting the workforce in these fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require vigilant oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure the fixed fee remains justified by the scope of work.
The long duration of the contract (over 5 years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure sustained quality and adherence to objectives.
Lack of specific bidder count in the award data makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
The specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, making it challenging to quantify success beyond the contract's completion.
Reliance on a single task order for critical program support could pose a risk if performance issues arise or if the contractor's capacity is exceeded.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process likely resulted in fair pricing and selection of a qualified contractor.
The contract supports a vital FEMA program (Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning), addressing critical needs for disaster resilience.
The extended performance period (over 5 years) suggests a stable, long-term commitment to addressing complex risk assessment challenges.
The contractor, Advancing Resilience in Communities, is specifically named, allowing for focused performance evaluation.
The contract is for engineering services, a field requiring specialized expertise crucial for effective risk assessment and planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), a critical component of infrastructure development, environmental consulting, and disaster management. The market for these services is substantial, driven by government needs for planning, design, and technical expertise, particularly in areas related to resilience and hazard mitigation. FEMA's spending in this area is crucial for its mission. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar risk assessment and planning programs, often in the multi-million dollar range over several years.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated by this specific award. The primary focus appears to be on securing specialized engineering expertise through a competitive process. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, primarily through the potential for larger prime contractors to engage small businesses as subcontractors on future, potentially smaller, related efforts, or through the general economic activity generated by the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring adherence to the contract terms, and managing payments. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) also provides oversight for DHS contracts, investigating fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available, though detailed performance reports may be internal.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program
Department of Homeland Security - Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Engineering and Architectural Services Contracts
Federal Emergency Management Agency - Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract requires diligent oversight.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained performance monitoring.
Limited information on specific deliverables and performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns in CPFF structure if not managed closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.0 million to ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES. TASK ORDER FOR ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES TO SUPPORT FEMA REGION 5'S RISK MAPPING, ASSESSMENT, AND PLANNING PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCING RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITIES.

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 $12.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-29. End: 2027-09-30.

What is the track record of the contractor, Advancing Resilience in Communities, on similar federal contracts, particularly those involving FEMA or disaster risk assessment?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'Advancing Resilience in Communities' on similar federal contracts, especially those with FEMA or related to disaster risk assessment, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), previous contract awards, and any documented successes or challenges in delivering engineering and planning services for risk mitigation. Without this specific performance history, it is difficult to definitively gauge their expertise and reliability for this critical task order. Further research into federal procurement databases and contractor performance records would be necessary to provide a detailed analysis of their capabilities and past performance.

How does the estimated value of this task order compare to other FEMA contracts for risk mapping and assessment services?

The task order value of approximately $11.96 million over a period of roughly five years (September 2022 to September 2027) represents a significant investment in risk assessment and planning support for FEMA Region 5. To benchmark this value effectively, one would need to compare it against similar task orders awarded by FEMA or other agencies for comparable services. Factors such as the geographic scope, complexity of the risk assessment (e.g., types of hazards considered, level of detail required), and the specific technical expertise needed influence contract values. Generally, large-scale, multi-year engineering support contracts for critical national programs like FEMA's Risk MAP can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. Without access to a database of comparable FEMA contracts, a precise comparison is challenging, but the awarded amount appears consistent with the scale and duration of support typically required for such a vital program.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for this type of service, and how are they mitigated?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure, used for this task order, presents inherent risks primarily related to cost control. The government agrees to pay the contractor's actual allowable costs plus a fixed fee, which represents the contractor's profit. The main risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as cost overruns directly increase the total payment (excluding the fixed fee). Mitigation strategies employed by FEMA would include rigorous oversight of allowable costs, detailed review of invoices, clear definition of the scope of work, and robust performance monitoring. The fixed fee itself is negotiated upfront and should reflect the anticipated effort and risk. Effective contract administration, including regular progress reviews and audits, is crucial to ensure that costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee remains appropriate for the services rendered.

What specific types of 'risk mapping, assessment, and planning' activities are encompassed by this task order, and what is the expected impact on disaster preparedness?

While the provided data specifies the general purpose, the exact 'risk mapping, assessment, and planning' activities are not detailed. Typically, these activities involve analyzing potential natural hazards (e.g., floods, earthquakes, wildfires), mapping areas susceptible to these hazards, assessing the potential impact on communities and infrastructure, and developing plans to mitigate risks and improve preparedness. This could include updating flood insurance rate maps, conducting hazard mitigation planning workshops, developing risk communication strategies, and providing technical assistance to state and local governments. The expected impact on disaster preparedness is significant: enhanced understanding of risks allows for more targeted mitigation efforts, better land-use planning, improved emergency response strategies, and ultimately, reduced loss of life and property during disasters within FEMA Region 5.

How does this contract align with FEMA's broader strategic goals for increasing community resilience and reducing disaster losses?

This task order directly aligns with FEMA's strategic goals, particularly those focused on increasing community resilience and reducing disaster losses. The Risk MAP program, which this contract supports, is a cornerstone of FEMA's efforts to provide data and expertise that empower communities to understand and reduce their risk. By funding engineering services for risk mapping and assessment, FEMA enables the development of accurate hazard data and effective mitigation strategies. This, in turn, supports informed decision-making by local and state governments, facilitates the implementation of mitigation projects, and improves the accuracy of flood insurance rates. Ultimately, this contract contributes to FEMA's overarching mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters by building a stronger foundation for preparedness and resilience.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services related to FEMA's risk assessment programs?

The provided data focuses on a single task order and does not offer historical spending trends for FEMA's risk assessment programs. To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine aggregate data over multiple fiscal years for contracts related to the Risk MAP program and similar initiatives. This would involve looking at the total obligated amounts, the number of contracts awarded, and the types of services procured (e.g., engineering, data analysis, consulting). Such an analysis could reveal whether spending in this area has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify any significant shifts in procurement strategies or program priorities. Without this broader historical context, it's difficult to determine if the $12 million task order represents a typical or exceptional level of investment for this type of support.

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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 AIRSIDE DR, MOON TOWNSHIP, PA, 15108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,956,716

Exercised Options: $11,956,716

Current Obligation: $11,956,716

Actual Outlays: $6,234,753

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline