FEMA awards $8400 contract for RV park leases to support Hurricane Laura survivors

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,400 ($8.4K)

Contractor: Paradise 55 LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-12-29

End Date: 2024-12-28

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RENT PAD LEASES FROM GIFFORD 1 MHP TO PLACE SURVIVORS IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE LAURA DR4559LA

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE CHARLES, CALCASIEU County, LOUISIANA, 70607

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $8,400 to PARADISE 55 LLC for work described as: RENT PAD LEASES FROM GIFFORD 1 MHP TO PLACE SURVIVORS IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE LAURA DR4559LA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential temporary housing services. 2. Focus on providing immediate shelter solutions for disaster-affected individuals. 3. Short-term duration suggests a response to an ongoing or immediate need. 4. Geographic focus on Louisiana, a region prone to natural disasters. 5. Contract type is a Purchase Order, indicating a streamlined acquisition process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8400 for a one-year lease of RV park space is relatively small. Without specific details on the number of units or the duration of the lease per unit, a direct value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, given the emergency nature of disaster response, the pricing is likely benchmarked against immediate availability and local market rates for temporary accommodations. The cost appears reasonable for providing a basic level of support in a crisis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or through other non-competitive means due to urgency or specific circumstances related to disaster relief. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity to solicit multiple bids, which could potentially lead to higher costs than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially resulting in a higher cost for the services provided compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Provides temporary housing for survivors of Hurricane Laura. Benefits individuals and families displaced by the natural disaster. Geographic impact is concentrated in Louisiana. Supports the immediate needs of disaster-affected populations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have led to suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency on the specific services and units leased.
Short-term nature of the contract may not address long-term housing needs.

Positive Signals

Addresses an immediate and critical need for disaster survivor housing.
Timely award to provide support following Hurricane Laura.
Focus on a specific geographic area impacted by the disaster.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of government support services, specifically emergency management and temporary housing. The market for such services typically involves providers of lodging, campgrounds, and potentially mobile housing solutions. In disaster scenarios, the government often relies on expedited procurement methods to secure necessary resources quickly, which can sometimes limit the scope of competition.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements or specific set-aside provisions for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, this particular award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

As a Purchase Order issued by FEMA, oversight would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General. Transparency for this specific award is limited due to its small value and non-competitive nature. Accountability would be measured by the successful provision of the leased RV park spaces as intended for disaster survivor support.

Related Government Programs

Hurricane Disaster Relief Programs
Emergency Temporary Housing
FEMA Individual Assistance Programs

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of detailed service description
Limited contractor performance data available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $8,400 to PARADISE 55 LLC. RENT PAD LEASES FROM GIFFORD 1 MHP TO PLACE SURVIVORS IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE LAURA DR4559LA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARADISE 55 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 $8,400.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-29. End: 2024-12-28.

What specific amenities and capacity were included in the RV park lease?

The provided data does not specify the exact amenities or the total capacity of the RV park leased from Paradise 55 LLC. It only indicates that the lease is for 'RENT PAD LEASES FROM GIFFORD 1 MHP TO PLACE SURVIVORS'. To fully assess the value and effectiveness of this contract, further details on the number of RV pads leased, the duration each pad was rented, and the included services (e.g., utility hookups, security, waste management) would be necessary. This information is crucial for understanding the scope of support provided to Hurricane Laura survivors.

How does the $8400 cost compare to market rates for similar RV park leases in Louisiana?

Benchmarking the $8400 cost for a one-year lease of RV park space is challenging without knowing the exact number of pads and the specific location within Louisiana. However, typical daily rates for RV park spots can range from $30 to $70, depending on amenities and location. If this $8400 covers 365 days for a single pad, the daily cost would be approximately $23, which appears to be below average market rates, suggesting a potentially favorable price. If it covers multiple pads, the per-pad cost would be even lower. This suggests the pricing might be cost-effective, especially considering it's for disaster relief purposes where expedited access might be prioritized over premium pricing.

What is the track record of Paradise 55 LLC in providing government services?

The provided data does not contain information regarding the track record of Paradise 55 LLC in providing government services. This contract is a Purchase Order awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To assess the contractor's reliability and past performance, a search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or issues would be required. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their experience and capability in fulfilling government contracts, particularly in emergency response scenarios.

What are the specific criteria used by FEMA to justify a sole-source award for this contract?

The data indicates this contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which strongly suggests a sole-source or limited-competition award, likely justified by urgency under disaster response protocols. FEMA often utilizes emergency acquisition flexibilities during declared disasters, allowing for non-competitive awards when immediate action is required to save lives, protect property, or mitigate damage. Specific justifications could include the unavailability of other suitable resources within the required timeframe, the need to provide immediate shelter to displaced individuals following Hurricane Laura, or a lack of sufficient time for a competitive bidding process due to the exigency of the situation. Formal justification documents would typically be on file with the agency.

What is the historical spending pattern for RV park leases by FEMA in Louisiana?

The provided data is for a single contract award in December 2023. It does not offer historical spending patterns for RV park leases by FEMA in Louisiana. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over multiple fiscal years, filtering by agency (FEMA), service type (e.g., lodging, temporary housing, RV parks), and geographic location (Louisiana). This would reveal trends in contract volume, average award values, and the frequency of non-competitive awards for such services, providing context for the current contract's significance and FEMA's reliance on these types of resources.

What are the potential risks associated with using a non-competed contract for essential services like temporary housing?

The primary risk associated with using a non-competed contract for essential services like temporary housing is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through competition. Without multiple bids, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most competitive rate. Additionally, non-competitive awards can sometimes lack transparency regarding the selection process and the justification for choosing a specific vendor. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the most capable or experienced, although in emergency situations, speed and availability often take precedence. Oversight becomes critical to ensure fair pricing and adequate service delivery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps › RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1961 CHARLES BREAUX RD, LAKE CHARLES, LA, 70615

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,600

Exercised Options: $8,400

Current Obligation: $8,400

Actual Outlays: $4,480

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline