FEMA awards $2.78M task order for 20,000 housing inspections in Wisconsin disaster zone

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,783,713 ($2.8M)

Contractor: WSP USA Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-10-03

End Date: 2026-02-26

Contract Duration: 146 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOUSING INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR THE PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER DR-4892-WI (REGION 5) AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE BY SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, MUDSLI

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.8 million to WSP USA SERVICES INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOUSING INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR THE PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER DR-4892-WI (REGION 5) AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE BY SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, MUDSLI Key points: 1. Task order supports disaster recovery efforts in Wisconsin following severe storms. 2. Contract focuses on essential housing inspection services for affected communities. 3. Performance period spans over 140 days, indicating a concentrated recovery effort. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. This specific task order is a significant component of the broader disaster response.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $2.78 million for 20,000 housing inspections equates to approximately $139 per inspection. This per-unit cost appears reasonable given the specialized nature of disaster-related housing inspections, which often involve assessing structural integrity and damage in potentially difficult conditions. Benchmarking against similar disaster response contracts would provide further insight, but the initial assessment suggests fair value for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: $139 per inspection

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process suggests that FEMA sought the best value and pricing available in the market for these critical disaster recovery services. This approach is generally favorable for ensuring competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and improves service quality.

Public Impact

Residents of Wisconsin impacted by disaster DR-4892-WI will benefit from timely housing inspections. The services delivered will support the assessment of damage and facilitate recovery processes. Geographic impact is concentrated in Region 5 of Wisconsin, specifically areas affected by severe storms. The contract supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster response mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if disaster damage is more extensive than initially assessed.
Ensuring timely completion of 20,000 inspections within the defined period is a logistical challenge.
Quality control of inspections across a large number of units requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Clear objective to provide a specific number of housing inspections supports focused execution.
The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding under an existing IDIQ contract likely streamlines the procurement process and leverages pre-vetted capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Building Inspection Services sector, a critical component of the construction and professional services industries. This sector is vital for ensuring safety, compliance, and facilitating recovery after natural disasters. The market for disaster response services is often characterized by rapid scaling needs and specialized expertise, with government contracts forming a significant portion of demand during and after major events. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other FEMA disaster recovery contracts or similar state-level emergency management procurements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this task order (ss: false, sb: false). While WSP USA SERVICES INC. is the prime contractor, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans with small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small businesses are involved in the subcontracting chain, which could impact the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring WSP USA SERVICES INC. to deliver the specified number of inspections within the agreed timeframe and quality standards. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed operational reporting may be internal to FEMA. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
Public Assistance Program
Individual Assistance Program
Housing Assistance Programs
State and Local Government Disaster Recovery Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance delays due to logistical challenges in disaster zones.
Ensuring consistent inspection quality across a large volume of properties.
Contract duration may be tight for the volume of inspections required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.8 million to WSP USA SERVICES INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOUSING INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR THE PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER DR-4892-WI (REGION 5) AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE BY SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, MUDSLI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WSP USA SERVICES 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 $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-03. End: 2026-02-26.

What is the track record of WSP USA SERVICES INC. in performing disaster response and inspection services for federal agencies?

WSP USA SERVICES INC. is a large, established engineering and professional services firm with a significant presence in government contracting, including disaster response. They have a history of supporting federal agencies like FEMA on various infrastructure and recovery projects. While specific details on past disaster inspection task orders of this magnitude are not immediately available in this dataset, their broader portfolio suggests experience in managing complex projects and delivering technical services. A deeper dive into their contract history with FEMA and other agencies would reveal their performance metrics, past issues, and overall reliability in similar disaster recovery scenarios.

How does the per-inspection cost of $139 compare to similar disaster housing inspection contracts awarded by FEMA?

The per-inspection cost of approximately $139 is within a reasonable range for specialized disaster housing inspections. FEMA contracts for such services can vary significantly based on geographic location, complexity of damage assessment required, and the urgency of the response. Factors like travel time, reporting requirements, and the need for certified inspectors can influence pricing. Without direct comparative data from contemporaneous contracts for similar disaster events, it's challenging to definitively benchmark. However, this figure does not immediately appear excessive, suggesting fair market value, assuming the scope of work is standard for disaster damage assessments.

What are the primary risks associated with this task order, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include the potential for delays in completing 20,000 inspections within the 146-day period, especially if access to properties is difficult or if the scope of damage requires more intensive assessment than anticipated. Quality control is another risk; ensuring consistent and accurate inspections across numerous sites is crucial. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by WSP USA SERVICES INC., clear communication channels with FEMA, defined quality assurance protocols, and potentially phased delivery schedules. The firm-fixed-price nature also incentivizes efficient completion, while FEMA's oversight should address performance issues.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for this specific disaster recovery contract?

The full and open competition process is designed to maximize value for money by allowing any qualified contractor to bid, thereby fostering a competitive environment. This typically leads to more favorable pricing and better service offerings as contractors vie for the award. For this task order, it suggests that FEMA received competitive proposals, and the selected offer likely represented the best combination of price and technical capability. The effectiveness is further supported by the firm-fixed-price contract type, which locks in costs and encourages efficiency from the contractor.

What is the historical spending pattern for housing inspection services related to disaster recovery by FEMA?

FEMA's spending on housing inspection services for disaster recovery fluctuates significantly year-to-year, directly correlating with the frequency and severity of declared disasters. During major disaster years, spending can reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars across various contracts for inspections, temporary housing, and debris removal. Contracts like this task order represent a portion of that overall spending, focused on specific events and geographic areas. Analyzing historical data reveals a consistent need for these services post-disaster, often utilizing IDIQ vehicles to expedite awards during emergencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Building Inspection Services

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL 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: Enterra Holdings Ltd

Address: 13530 DULLES TECHNOLOGY DR STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,783,713

Exercised Options: $2,783,713

Current Obligation: $2,783,713

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FB8020D00000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline