DHS FEMA Awards $6.47M for Risk Map Engineering Services Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,466,982 ($6.5M)

Contractor: Starr II, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2027-06-29

Contract Duration: 1,397 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: R9 FY23 RISK MAP PTS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $6.5 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: R9 FY23 RISK MAP PTS Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized engineering services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk related to contract duration and delivery order structure. 4. Focus on risk mapping indicates critical infrastructure or disaster preparedness support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $6.47 million for engineering services appears reasonable given the contract duration and the specialized nature of risk mapping. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is taxpayer-favorable, as it aims to secure the best value through a competitive process.

Public Impact

Enhances FEMA's capability to assess and map risks, crucial for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Supports national security and public safety by improving understanding of potential threats. The engineering services provided will likely contribute to more effective resource allocation during emergencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration of nearly 4 years with multiple delivery orders could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess effectiveness upfront.
Potential for vendor lock-in if STARR II becomes the sole provider for ongoing risk map updates.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm fixed price contract type helps control costs.
Supports a critical government function (FEMA) for public safety.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to risk assessment and mapping. Spending in this area is often driven by regulatory requirements, disaster preparedness initiatives, and national security concerns.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure the delivery orders align with FEMA's evolving risk assessment needs and that the firm fixed price remains adhered to throughout the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to long contract duration and delivery order structure.
Risk of outdated risk mapping if technology or threat landscapes evolve rapidly.
Dependence on a single joint venture for critical risk assessment services.
Lack of transparency on small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $6.5 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE. R9 FY23 RISK MAP PTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE.

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 $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2027-06-29.

What specific risk mapping methodologies and technologies will be employed under this contract, and how do they align with current best practices?

The specific methodologies and technologies are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the agency (FEMA) and the nature of risk mapping, it's expected to involve geospatial analysis, data modeling, and potentially advanced simulation tools. Alignment with best practices would require reviewing the vendor's proposed approach against industry standards and FEMA's strategic objectives for risk assessment.

How will the performance of STARR II be evaluated to ensure the quality and accuracy of the risk maps produced, especially given the long contract duration?

Performance evaluation will likely involve regular reviews of deliverables, adherence to project milestones, and potentially independent validation of the risk map outputs. FEMA's contract officers and technical monitors will be responsible for assessing the quality and accuracy, possibly through defined metrics within the delivery orders and periodic performance reports from the contractor.

What is the projected long-term impact of these risk maps on FEMA's resource allocation and disaster response planning?

Accurate and comprehensive risk maps are foundational for effective disaster response and mitigation planning. They enable FEMA to better identify vulnerable areas, prioritize investments in resilience, and pre-position resources. The long-term impact is expected to be improved public safety, reduced economic losses from disasters, and more efficient use of taxpayer funds in emergency management.

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

Solicitation ID: 70FBR923R00000004

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3901 CALVERTON BLVD STE 400, CALVERTON, MD, 20705

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,466,982

Exercised Options: $6,466,982

Current Obligation: $6,466,982

Actual Outlays: $4,110,681

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline