FEMA Awards $6.37M for 10,000 Hurricane Ida Housing Inspections in New Jersey
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,374,744 ($6.4M)
Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2021-09-07
End Date: 2026-04-09
Contract Duration: 1,675 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES FOR 10,000 INSPECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE IDA, DR-4614-NJ
Place of Performance
Location: MANVILLE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 08835
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $6.4 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES FOR 10,000 INSPECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE IDA, DR-4614-NJ Key points: 1. Contract supports critical post-disaster recovery efforts in New Jersey. 2. Vanguard Inspection Services secured the award. 3. Spending is tied to a specific disaster event, indicating a need-based requirement. 4. The sector is primarily disaster response and infrastructure support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost of $6.37 million for 10,000 inspections averages $637 per inspection. Without specific benchmarks for disaster housing inspections, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but this appears high compared to routine inspections.
Cost Per Unit: $637
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the 'COST NO FEE' contract type might limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs if not managed carefully.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential disaster relief services, aiming to expedite recovery for affected residents.
Public Impact
Provides essential housing inspection services to support Hurricane Ida recovery. Aims to expedite the assessment of damaged homes in New Jersey. Supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster response mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost per inspection appears high.
- Contract type 'COST NO FEE' may not incentivize cost efficiency.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical disaster recovery.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under building inspection services, a niche within professional services. Spending is directly linked to disaster relief, making it event-driven rather than a recurring operational cost. Benchmarks for disaster-specific inspection services are scarce.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
FEMA is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure the timely and accurate completion of housing inspections, crucial for disaster recovery and aid distribution.
Related Government Programs
- Building Inspection Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- High per-unit cost.
- Potential for cost overruns with 'COST NO FEE' contract.
- Lack of detail on small business participation.
- Contract duration extends significantly beyond immediate post-disaster needs.
Tags
building-inspection-services, department-of-homeland-security, nj, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $6.4 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES FOR 10,000 INSPECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE IDA, DR-4614-NJ
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES.
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 $6.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-07. End: 2026-04-09.
What is the typical cost range for post-disaster housing inspections of this nature, and how does this contract's per-unit cost compare?
Determining a precise 'typical' cost for post-disaster housing inspections is challenging due to the variable nature of damage, location, and urgency. However, costs can range significantly, often from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars per inspection, depending on complexity. This contract's $637 per inspection falls within a plausible, albeit potentially high, range for disaster-related assessments, necessitating careful monitoring of the scope and quality of work performed.
What are the specific risks associated with a 'COST NO FEE' contract type in a disaster response scenario?
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type, while common in urgent disaster situations, carries risks. It means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but does not pay a fee. This can potentially lead to less incentive for the contractor to control costs rigorously, as their profit isn't directly tied to efficiency. Oversight is critical to ensure costs are reasonable and necessary for the disaster response objectives.
How effectively will these inspections contribute to the overall speed and accuracy of Hurricane Ida recovery aid distribution in New Jersey?
The effectiveness of these inspections hinges on several factors: the thoroughness and accuracy of the inspectors, the speed at which reports are processed, and the integration of inspection data into FEMA's aid distribution systems. If executed efficiently, these 10,000 inspections should significantly expedite the assessment of damage, enabling faster and more accurate allocation of recovery funds and resources to affected households in New Jersey.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Building Inspection Services
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 70FBR221R00000013
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4030 W BOY SCOUT BLVD STE 700, TAMPA, FL, 33607
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,374,744
Exercised Options: $6,374,744
Current Obligation: $6,374,744
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70FB8020D00000003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-07
Current End Date: 2026-04-09
Potential End Date: 2026-04-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-10
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