FEMA awards $13.2M for flood hazard mapping in Texas, with competition indicating fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,184,560 ($13.2M)

Contractor: Compass PTS JV, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAPPING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MULTIPLE WATERSHED BASE LEVEL ENGINEERING, AND RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT AND SEVERAL WATERSHED OR LOCALITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAPPING FLOOD HAZARDS.

Place of Performance

Location: DENTON, DENTON County, TEXAS, 76209

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.2 million to COMPASS PTS JV, THE for work described as: MAPPING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MULTIPLE WATERSHED BASE LEVEL ENGINEERING, AND RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT AND SEVERAL WATERSHED OR LOCALITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAPPING FLOOD HAZARDS. Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.2M for flood hazard mapping services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration of 4 years, ending September 2026. 4. Services include watershed base level engineering and risk assessment. 5. Contract awarded to COMPASS PTS JV. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.2 million for flood hazard mapping services appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes base level engineering and risk identification across multiple watersheds. While specific cost breakdowns are not provided, the full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely benchmarked against market rates. The fixed-fee component of the contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for cost control while incentivizing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government receives offers from a wide range of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the process itself suggests a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive bidding environment that drives down costs.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in Texas watersheds will benefit from improved flood hazard information. Services will enhance the accuracy of flood maps, aiding in disaster preparedness and mitigation. Geographic impact is focused on various Texas watersheds identified by FEMA. The contract supports the engineering and mapping sector, potentially involving specialized technical workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex mapping and risk assessment projects.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical flood mapping data.
Ensuring data accuracy and adherence to engineering standards throughout the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Clear objective to improve flood hazard mapping accuracy.
Utilizes a competitive procurement process to ensure value.
Contract duration allows for thorough execution of mapping activities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on geospatial analysis and risk assessment for flood hazards. The market for such services is driven by government agencies like FEMA, as well as private sector entities requiring detailed environmental and hazard data. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other federal or state contracts for hydrological studies, environmental consulting, and mapping services, often in the multi-million dollar range for comprehensive watershed analyses.

Small Business Impact

This contract did not include a small business set-aside. As a result, small businesses were not specifically targeted for this procurement. The prime contractor, COMPASS PTS JV, is a joint venture, which may include small business participation as a subcontractor, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, which requires detailed cost reporting and justification. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly listed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Flood Insurance Program
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance
USGS National Map Program
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contracts if not closely monitored.
Ensuring data integrity and accuracy for critical flood hazard information.
Scope definition challenges in complex environmental engineering projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.2 million to COMPASS PTS JV, THE. MAPPING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MULTIPLE WATERSHED BASE LEVEL ENGINEERING, AND RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT AND SEVERAL WATERSHED OR LOCALITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAPPING FLOOD HAZARDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMPASS PTS JV, THE.

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 $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of COMPASS PTS JV in delivering similar flood mapping or engineering services?

Information regarding the specific track record of COMPASS PTS JV in delivering flood mapping or engineering services is not detailed in the provided data. As a joint venture, its performance history may be a composite of its member companies. A thorough review would require examining past performance evaluations, contract completion records, and client feedback for COMPASS PTS JV or its constituent firms on similar federal or state contracts. Understanding their experience with FEMA's specific mapping standards and requirements would be crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this contract.

How does the $13.2 million contract value compare to similar flood mapping initiatives by FEMA or other federal agencies?

The $13.2 million contract value for comprehensive flood hazard mapping across multiple watersheds in Texas appears to be within a reasonable range for such extensive work. FEMA and other agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Army Corps of Engineers often award contracts for hydrological studies, risk assessments, and mapping that can range from several hundred thousand to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the geographic scope, complexity of the terrain, and required level of detail (e.g., base level engineering vs. detailed flood insurance rate mapping). The full and open competition suggests that this price was vetted against market offerings.

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

Primary risks include potential inaccuracies in the mapping data, delays in project completion, and cost overruns, particularly given the complexity of assessing flood hazards across multiple watersheds. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes mandated by FEMA, clear performance metrics within the contract, and the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure which incentivizes efficient cost management. The 4-year duration allows for phased completion, potentially mitigating risks associated with rushing the project. Regular progress reviews and adherence to established engineering standards are also key mitigation factors.

How effective is the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for ensuring value in complex engineering services like flood mapping?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type aims to balance cost control with flexibility for complex, evolving projects like flood mapping. It allows the contractor to incur all allowable costs while providing a predetermined fixed fee as profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize their fee, while the government benefits from a defined profit margin. For services where the scope might be difficult to precisely define upfront, CPFF can be effective. However, it requires diligent government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and to prevent potential overruns if the scope significantly expands beyond initial estimates.

What is the historical spending pattern for flood hazard mapping services by FEMA, and does this contract align with it?

FEMA has consistently allocated significant funding towards flood hazard mapping, primarily through its Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program. Historical spending patterns show multi-million dollar investments annually for updating flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and conducting related studies across the nation. This $13.2 million contract for mapping activities, including base level engineering and risk identification, aligns with FEMA's ongoing efforts to improve flood risk data. The agency regularly procures such services through competitive processes, making this award consistent with established spending priorities and methodologies.

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: 3101 WILSON BLVD, SUITE 900, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,184,560

Exercised Options: $13,184,560

Current Obligation: $13,184,560

Actual Outlays: $10,235,993

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $684,293

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline