FEMA awards $4.1M for housing repairs in Montana, with a significant portion allocated for residential remodeling

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $413,959 ($414.0K)

Contractor: FED Serve LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-02-17

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 87 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: HOUSING REPAIRS FOR DR4847CTM

Place of Performance

Location: CROW AGENCY, BIG HORN County, MONTANA, 59022

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $413,959 to FED SERVE LLC for work described as: HOUSING REPAIRS FOR DR4847CTM Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of disaster recovery housing repairs. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is relatively short, indicating a focused effort on immediate needs. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. This award falls within the broader category of disaster relief and infrastructure support. 6. The contractor, FED SERVE LLC, has a background in residential remodeling services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.1 million for housing repairs in Montana seems aligned with typical disaster recovery efforts. While specific benchmarks for DR4847CTM are unavailable, similar FEMA contracts for residential repairs in disaster-stricken areas often fall within this range. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined upfront, aiming for cost certainty. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and unit costs to other recent FEMA repair contracts in similar geographic and disaster contexts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to submit proposals. This level of competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring a wide pool of capable providers.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and increasing the likelihood of selecting the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

Residents in the affected disaster area (DR4847CTM) in Montana will benefit from essential housing repairs. The contract will deliver services related to residential remodeling and repair of damaged homes. The geographic impact is focused on the specific region within Montana designated for disaster relief. The contract is expected to support local employment within the construction and remodeling trades in Montana.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial damage assessments are incomplete.
Ensuring timely completion within the short contract duration could be a challenge.
Quality control and adherence to repair standards will be critical for resident satisfaction.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The contractor's specialization in residential remodeling aligns with the contract's needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader construction and residential remodeling sector, specifically focused on disaster recovery. The market for disaster response contracting is significant, often involving government agencies like FEMA to address immediate needs following natural disasters. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other FEMA contracts for similar repair scopes and disaster declarations, as well as general construction market rates for residential remodeling services in the region.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the 'Full and Open Competition' award type, it suggests that large businesses were likely eligible and potentially participated. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may arise if FED SERVE LLC utilizes them for specialized tasks, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent of any subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
HUD Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery
Army Corps of Engineers - Reconstruction and Repair Contracts

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may impact quality and thoroughness.
Potential for scope creep if initial damage assessments are incomplete.
Reliance on contractor's quality control without explicit government inspection details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $413,959 to FED SERVE LLC. HOUSING REPAIRS FOR DR4847CTM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FED SERVE LLC.

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 $413,959.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-17. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the track record of FED SERVE LLC in completing government contracts, particularly those related to disaster recovery?

Information regarding FED SERVE LLC's specific track record with government contracts, especially disaster recovery efforts, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract history, and any documented successes or failures on similar projects. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience and reliability for this specific housing repair initiative. Further investigation into federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be necessary to provide a detailed analysis of their capabilities and history.

How does the awarded amount of $4.1 million compare to the estimated cost of similar housing repair projects in disaster-stricken areas?

The awarded amount of $4.1 million for housing repairs in Montana appears to be within a reasonable range for disaster recovery efforts, though a precise benchmark is difficult without more specific project details. FEMA contracts for residential repairs following natural disasters can vary significantly based on the scale of damage, types of repairs needed (e.g., structural, cosmetic, utility), and local labor/material costs. To provide a more accurate comparison, one would need to analyze the scope of work outlined in this contract and compare it to the unit costs and total values of recently awarded FEMA contracts for similar housing repair projects in other disaster areas. Factors like the number of homes to be repaired and the average repair cost per home would be crucial for a robust comparison.

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

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in project completion due to unforeseen site conditions or weather, quality control issues in the repairs, and potential cost overruns if the scope expands beyond initial assessments. Mitigation strategies are partially addressed by the firm-fixed-price contract type, which places the financial risk of cost overruns on the contractor. However, the short duration (approximately 3 months) presents a risk of rushed work or incomplete repairs if not managed effectively. FEMA's oversight, adherence to building codes, and clear communication channels with the contractor and affected residents are crucial for mitigating these risks and ensuring successful project outcomes.

What is the expected effectiveness of these housing repairs in restoring habitability and resilience for affected residents?

The effectiveness of these housing repairs in restoring habitability and resilience hinges on the thoroughness and quality of the work performed by FED SERVE LLC. Assuming the repairs address structural integrity, safety, and essential living conditions (e.g., roofing, plumbing, electrical), the contract should significantly improve the habitability of affected homes. Resilience, however, may depend on whether repairs incorporate measures to withstand future environmental stressors, which is not explicitly detailed. The success will be measured by the number of homes brought back to safe and livable standards and the satisfaction of the residents with the completed work, ultimately contributing to community recovery.

How does this contract's value and scope compare to historical federal spending on housing repair programs in Montana?

Comparing this $4.1 million contract to historical federal spending on housing repair programs in Montana requires access to detailed historical data, which is not provided. Federal spending on housing repairs in Montana can fluctuate significantly based on the occurrence and severity of natural disasters. This specific contract appears to be tied to a particular disaster declaration (DR4847CTM). To establish a historical context, one would need to analyze FEMA's spending patterns in Montana over several years, identifying the frequency and scale of disaster declarations and the corresponding repair contracts awarded. This would reveal whether this award represents a typical, above-average, or below-average investment for disaster-related housing assistance in the state.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Residential Building Construction › Residential Remodelers

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5012 2ND ST E, WEST FARGO, ND, 58078

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $413,959

Exercised Options: $413,959

Current Obligation: $413,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FBR826D00000002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline