DHS FEMA awards $13.4M for a 30-day base camp for 2000 first responders in Texas

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,384,839 ($13.4M)

Contractor: Rapid Deployment Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2008-09-14

End Date: 2008-10-30

Contract Duration: 46 days

Daily Burn Rate: $291.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)

Sector: Other

Official Description: BASE CAMP FOR 2000 FIRST RESPONDERS WITH AN INITIAL 15-DAY GUARANTEE FOR A 30-DAY REQUIREMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON County, TEXAS, 77705

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.4 million to RAPID DEPLOYMENT INC for work described as: BASE CAMP FOR 2000 FIRST RESPONDERS WITH AN INITIAL 15-DAY GUARANTEE FOR A 30-DAY REQUIREMENT. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a rapid deployment base camp serving 2000 personnel. 2. Competition dynamics are unclear due to limited information on the delivery order. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the short duration and critical nature of the requirement. 4. The contract supports emergency response capabilities, a key function of FEMA. 5. This falls within facilities support services, a broad category with varying cost structures.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $13.4 million for a 46-day period (including the 15-day guarantee) averages approximately $291,000 per day. This daily rate for supporting 2000 first responders with a base camp, including facilities and services, seems within a plausible range for emergency deployments. However, without specific details on the services provided (e.g., shelter, sanitation, catering, power), a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar rapid deployment contracts would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', suggesting it was awarded under an existing contract vehicle. However, the level of competition for this specific delivery order is not detailed. It is unclear if it was competed among multiple vendors or if it was a sole-source task order under a pre-existing agreement. The number of bidders and the specific competition method would significantly impact price discovery and overall value.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of transparency regarding the competition for this delivery order makes it difficult to ascertain the direct impact on taxpayers. A more competitive process typically leads to better pricing and potentially higher quality services for the government.

Public Impact

First responders in Texas benefit from essential support infrastructure during critical events. Services include the provision of a base camp capable of supporting 2000 personnel. The geographic impact is localized to Texas, where the emergency response is needed. Workforce implications include the deployment of personnel to set up and manage the base camp.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited information on competition for this specific delivery order.
Short performance period could indicate urgency, potentially impacting cost control.
Lack of detailed service breakdown makes precise value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Supports critical first responder needs during emergencies.
Awarded by FEMA, a key agency for disaster relief.
Contract type suggests it was competed, though details are sparse.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210), a broad sector encompassing a wide range of services for maintaining and managing facilities. The market for emergency response base camps is specialized, often involving companies with rapid deployment capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific service details, but large-scale event support or disaster relief contracts can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars depending on duration, scale, and services.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside for this award. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or actual performance related to small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is not discernible from the data.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under an existing contract, oversight would likely be managed by the issuing agency (FEMA) through contract officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the base contract and the delivery order. Transparency is limited by the available data, which does not detail the specific oversight mechanisms or reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Emergency Management Support Services
Disaster Relief Operations
Temporary Facilities Provision
First Responder Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Short performance duration
Lack of detailed service scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.4 million to RAPID DEPLOYMENT INC. BASE CAMP FOR 2000 FIRST RESPONDERS WITH AN INITIAL 15-DAY GUARANTEE FOR A 30-DAY REQUIREMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAPID DEPLOYMENT 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 $13.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-14. End: 2008-10-30.

What specific services were included in the base camp to support 2000 first responders?

The provided data does not specify the exact services included in the base camp beyond the general description of 'BASE CAMP FOR 2000 FIRST RESPONDERS'. Typically, such services for emergency response could include temporary shelter (tents, trailers), sanitation facilities (latrines, showers), catering and food services, power generation, communication systems, water supply, waste management, and potentially medical support. A detailed breakdown of these components would be necessary to fully understand the scope and cost drivers of the contract.

How does the daily cost of this base camp compare to similar emergency deployment contracts?

The total award of $13,384,839.43 over a 46-day period (45 days of performance plus a 15-day guarantee for a 30-day requirement) equates to approximately $290,975 per day. Benchmarking this daily rate requires comparison with similar rapid deployment contracts for emergency response. Factors like geographic location, specific services offered (e.g., level of catering, type of shelter), duration, and the number of personnel supported significantly influence costs. Without access to a database of comparable contracts with detailed service scopes, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for supporting 2000 individuals in a potentially austere environment, this daily rate appears within a plausible range for specialized emergency logistics.

What was the procurement process for this competitive delivery order?

The contract was issued as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER'. This indicates that it was awarded under a pre-existing contract vehicle (likely an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity or IDIQ contract) that was itself competed. The delivery order itself was then competed among the awardees of the base contract. However, the data does not specify how many vendors were solicited for this particular delivery order or the specific method of competition used (e.g., request for quotation, proposal). Understanding the number of bidders and the evaluation criteria would provide more insight into the competitive dynamics.

What is the track record of Rapid Deployment Inc. in providing similar emergency base camp services?

The provided data identifies 'RAPID DEPLOYMENT INC' as the contractor. However, it does not offer details on their past performance, track record, or experience with similar large-scale emergency base camp deployments. To assess their reliability and capability, one would need to review their contract history, past performance evaluations (if available in federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any relevant certifications or qualifications they possess for disaster response operations.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration, high-demand contract like this?

Short-duration, high-demand contracts, especially for emergency response, carry several risks. These include potential for cost overruns if the scope expands or unforeseen logistical challenges arise. There's also a risk of performance issues if the contractor is unable to mobilize resources and personnel quickly enough to meet the critical 30-day requirement. Furthermore, the urgency might lead to less rigorous vetting of subcontractors or materials. Ensuring adequate oversight and clear communication channels is crucial to mitigate these risks. The 15-day guarantee period suggests an attempt to build in some buffer, but the overall tight timeline remains a factor.

How does this spending compare to FEMA's overall budget for facilities support or emergency response?

This single contract award of approximately $13.4 million represents a specific expenditure for a particular event or need. To contextualize it within FEMA's overall budget, one would need to compare it against FEMA's annual appropriations for facilities support services and its broader emergency response and disaster relief funding. FEMA's budget can fluctuate significantly year-to-year based on the number and severity of declared disasters. While $13.4 million is a substantial sum for a single contract, it may represent a small fraction of FEMA's total operational spending during a year with significant disaster activity.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1521 AZALEA RD, MOBILE, AL, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,419,000

Exercised Options: $13,909,000

Current Obligation: $13,384,839

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ07D1009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline