FEMA awards $13.3M for 25,000 housing inspections in Texas disaster zones

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,320,289 ($13.3M)

Contractor: WSP USA Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-05-20

End Date: 2025-01-15

Contract Duration: 240 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES (HIS) - WSP USA SERVICES, INC. 25,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING.

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77001

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.3 million to WSP USA SERVICES INC. for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES (HIS) - WSP USA SERVICES, INC. 25,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING. Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide essential housing inspection services following presidential disaster declarations. 2. WSP USA SERVICES, INC. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is 240 days, indicating a focused, short-term need. 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. The scope covers a significant number of inspections, highlighting the scale of the disaster. 6. Geographic focus on Texas underscores the localized impact of the disaster.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for FEMA. While a direct per-inspection cost isn't provided, the total award of $13.3 million for 25,000 inspections suggests an average cost of approximately $532 per inspection. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar disaster response inspection contracts, but it appears reasonable given the urgency and specialized nature of post-disaster assessments.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $532 per inspection (estimated)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government selects the most capable offeror. The absence of specific bidder numbers prevents a deeper analysis of the competition's intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality.

Public Impact

Disaster-affected residents in Texas will benefit from timely housing inspections, crucial for recovery efforts. The contract delivers essential building inspection services to assess damage and facilitate aid. The geographic impact is concentrated in areas of Texas affected by severe storms and flooding. The contract supports a workforce of inspectors needed for rapid deployment in disaster zones.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if disaster assessment needs exceed initial 25,000 inspections.
Ensuring inspector quality and consistency across a large volume of assessments.
Logistical challenges in deploying and managing inspectors across potentially widespread disaster areas.

Positive Signals

Clear objective: support disaster recovery in Texas.
Fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on building inspection services. The market for disaster response services is often characterized by rapid scaling needs and specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale disaster recovery contracts managed by FEMA or other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). While WSP USA SERVICES, INC. is a large entity, there may be opportunities for subcontracting to smaller, specialized inspection firms. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting plans were a factor in the award or if they are being utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by FEMA program officials responsible for disaster response and recovery. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of the specified number of inspections. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance metrics and reporting would be subject to specific contract clauses.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
Housing Assistance Programs
Public Assistance Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for delays due to disaster area accessibility
Ensuring data integrity and accuracy of inspections
Managing a large, dispersed inspection workforce

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.3 million to WSP USA SERVICES INC.. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES (HIS) - WSP USA SERVICES, INC. 25,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING.

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 $13.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-20. End: 2025-01-15.

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

WSP USA SERVICES, INC. is a large engineering and professional services consulting firm with a broad range of capabilities, including disaster response and recovery services. While specific details on their past performance for FEMA housing inspections are not provided in this data, the company has a history of engaging in large-scale infrastructure and technical services contracts with various government agencies. Their experience in managing complex projects and deploying technical personnel is likely a key factor in their ability to secure this contract. A deeper dive into their contract history with federal agencies, particularly FEMA, would reveal specific past performance metrics and client feedback relevant to disaster-related services.

How does the per-inspection cost of approximately $532 compare to industry benchmarks for disaster housing inspections?

The estimated per-inspection cost of $532 is a critical metric for value assessment. To benchmark this effectively, it needs to be compared against similar contracts awarded by FEMA or other disaster response agencies for housing inspections in recent years. Factors influencing this cost include the geographic spread of inspections, the complexity of damage assessment required, the urgency of the deployment, and the specific reporting requirements. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively label this cost as high or low. However, given the specialized nature and rapid deployment often required in disaster zones, costs can be higher than routine inspections.

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

Key risks include potential delays in inspection completion due to logistical challenges in disaster-affected areas, the possibility of inaccurate or inconsistent inspection reports affecting aid distribution, and the risk of cost overruns if the scope expands beyond the initial 25,000 inspections, despite the fixed-price nature. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by WSP USA SERVICES, INC., clear communication channels with FEMA, standardized inspection protocols and training for inspectors, and potentially contingency planning for unforeseen circumstances. FEMA's oversight role is crucial in monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to contract terms.

What is the expected effectiveness of these inspections in supporting the overall disaster recovery process in Texas?

The effectiveness of these housing inspections is paramount to the disaster recovery process. They provide the foundational data needed for residents to access crucial financial assistance and aid programs. Accurate and timely inspections ensure that resources are allocated efficiently to those most in need, helping to expedite the rebuilding and restoration of affected communities. The success of this contract directly correlates with FEMA's ability to process claims and disburse aid effectively, thereby contributing significantly to the overall resilience and recovery of the impacted areas in Texas.

How does this contract's value and scope compare to previous FEMA housing inspection contracts?

This contract, valued at $13.3 million for 25,000 inspections, represents a significant but not unprecedented investment in disaster response. FEMA frequently awards large contracts for inspection services following major disasters. To compare, one would need to examine historical data for similar events, such as hurricanes or widespread flooding, to see the typical scale, duration, and cost per inspection. The current contract's fixed-price structure and full and open competition are standard practices. The specific value and number of inspections are driven by the severity and geographic extent of the declared disaster in Texas.

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: $13,333,190

Exercised Options: $13,333,190

Current Obligation: $13,320,289

Actual Outlays: $13,316,613

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