FEMA awarded $9.9M for South Dakota flood disaster architectural services to Fluor Enterprises Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,895,383 ($9.9M)

Contractor: Fluor Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2004-09-28

End Date: 2010-08-14

Contract Duration: 2,146 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - PDA FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FLOODING

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.9 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - PDA FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FLOODING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for architectural services related to disaster relief, indicating a need for specialized expertise in post-event recovery. 2. The contract duration of over 2000 days suggests a long-term commitment to addressing the impacts of the South Dakota flooding. 3. A single award was made, highlighting the specific capabilities required for this particular disaster response. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the total cost was determined upfront, providing budget certainty. 5. The agency's use of architectural services points to the need for planning, design, and potentially oversight of reconstruction efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of architectural services provided. However, the total award of nearly $10 million over a period of approximately six years suggests a significant investment in disaster recovery. Comparing this to similar large-scale disaster recovery architectural contracts would be necessary for a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that Fluor Enterprises Inc. bore the risk of cost overruns, which can sometimes lead to higher initial pricing but offers budget predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a competitive environment, which generally benefits the government by driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The specific number of bidders (3) is a moderate level of competition for a contract of this nature and value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Citizens and businesses in South Dakota affected by the flooding are the primary beneficiaries, receiving support for rebuilding and recovery. Architectural services are being delivered to assess damage, plan reconstruction, and potentially design new infrastructure or repair existing facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in South Dakota, specifically in areas affected by the 2004 flooding. The contract supports the workforce within the architectural and engineering sector, potentially including local firms through subcontracting opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration and disaster-related nature of the work.
Ensuring the architectural plans meet current building codes and resilience standards for future events.
Monitoring contractor performance to ensure timely and effective delivery of services over the multi-year period.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract addresses a critical need for public assistance following a natural disaster.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) services sector, specifically focusing on disaster recovery. The market for disaster recovery services can be specialized, often requiring firms with experience in emergency response and rebuilding. While specific benchmarks for disaster architectural services are difficult to pinpoint, large-scale infrastructure and public works projects often involve multi-million dollar contracts. FEMA's spending in this area is crucial for national resilience and preparedness.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. However, given the nature of architectural services for a large-scale disaster, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to Fluor Enterprises Inc. Further investigation into the contract's subcontracting goals would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA typically has established procedures for contract monitoring, performance evaluation, and financial oversight. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Public Assistance Program
Disaster Relief Fund
Infrastructure Reconstruction Projects
Emergency Management Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep and performance issues.
Disaster recovery projects can be complex and subject to unforeseen challenges.
Need to ensure architectural plans meet evolving building codes and resilience standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.9 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - PDA FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FLOODING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLUOR ENTERPRISES 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 $9.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-28. End: 2010-08-14.

What specific architectural services were included in this $9.9 million contract for South Dakota flooding?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Architectural Services' (NAICS code 541310) related to 'PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - PDA FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FLOODING'. While the exact scope is not detailed, typical services under such a contract could include damage assessments, feasibility studies, preliminary design, detailed architectural and engineering design for repairs or new construction, development of construction documents, and potentially construction phase support. Given the disaster context, these services would focus on restoring public infrastructure and facilities impacted by the flooding, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and building codes.

How does the $9.9 million award compare to typical FEMA spending on disaster recovery architectural services?

Directly comparing this $9.9 million award to typical FEMA spending on disaster recovery architectural services is challenging without more granular data on FEMA's historical contract awards for similar events. FEMA's spending fluctuates significantly based on the scale and frequency of disasters. However, for a major flooding event impacting a state, an award in the multi-million dollar range for comprehensive architectural services over several years is plausible. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to analyze FEMA's contract databases for similar-sized disaster declarations and the corresponding architectural service contracts awarded.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from Fluor Enterprises Inc. under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. However, for architectural services in a disaster recovery context, typical deliverables would include detailed reports on damage assessments, cost estimates for repairs, design plans and specifications for reconstruction, environmental compliance documents, and potentially oversight during the construction phase. Performance would likely be evaluated based on adherence to project timelines, quality of design, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations.

What is the track record of Fluor Enterprises Inc. in performing similar disaster recovery or public works contracts?

Fluor Enterprises Inc. is a large, well-established engineering and construction company with a significant track record in various sectors, including government contracts and infrastructure projects. While specific details on their performance for this particular FEMA contract are not in the provided data, Fluor has historically been involved in large-scale projects, including those related to disaster recovery, infrastructure development, and public works. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, and their history with federal agencies like FEMA.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration contract (2146 days) for disaster recovery architectural services?

Long-duration contracts for disaster recovery architectural services present several potential risks. Firstly, the scope of work may evolve significantly over time as the recovery process progresses and new information or challenges emerge, potentially leading to change orders and cost increases if not managed carefully. Secondly, there's a risk of contractor performance degradation over an extended period. Thirdly, ensuring continuity of key personnel and institutional knowledge within the contractor's organization can be challenging. Finally, market conditions, material costs, and regulatory requirements can change, impacting the project's feasibility and cost-effectiveness over its lifespan.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type impact the government's financial exposure and the contractor's risk?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type means that the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This significantly benefits the government by providing cost certainty and predictability, as the total expenditure is known upfront. For the contractor, Fluor Enterprises Inc., this means they assume the primary risk of cost overruns. If their actual costs exceed the fixed price, their profit margin will decrease, or they may incur a loss. Conversely, if they can perform the work more efficiently than anticipated, their profit will increase. This contract type incentivizes the contractor to control costs and manage the project efficiently.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Fluor Corporation (UEI: 006907190)

Address: ONE ENTERPRISE DR, ALISO VIEJO, CA, 40

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,453,000

Exercised Options: $12,453,000

Current Obligation: $9,895,383

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ04D0126

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline