FEMA awards $12.1M for 20,000 housing inspections in Florida disaster zones

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,132,592 ($12.1M)

Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-29

End Date: 2025-03-28

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $67.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4828-FL. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING.

Place of Performance

Location: HORSESHOE BEACH, DIXIE County, FLORIDA, 32648

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.1 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4828-FL. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scale of disaster response. 2. Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Short performance period indicates a focused, urgent need. 4. Geographic concentration in Florida highlights regional disaster impact. 5. Fixed-price contract shifts performance risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.1 million for 20,000 inspections equates to approximately $606 per inspection. This rate is within a reasonable range for specialized disaster response services, which often involve rapid deployment, extensive travel, and detailed reporting. Benchmarking against similar FEMA disaster inspection contracts would provide further context, but the initial assessment suggests fair value for the required services.

Cost Per Unit: $606 per inspection

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 process is designed to foster a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service quality for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust market for these services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding, ensuring the government secures services at the best possible price.

Public Impact

Residents in Florida impacted by severe storms and flooding will benefit from timely housing inspections. The contract supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster response efforts. Services are geographically focused within Florida, addressing immediate post-disaster needs. The contract will likely involve a surge in demand for inspection professionals in the affected region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for rapid deployment challenges impacting inspection timelines.
Ensuring consistent quality and accuracy across 20,000 inspections.
Managing contractor performance during a high-stress disaster recovery period.

Positive Signals

Clear scope of work for 20,000 housing inspections.
Defined performance period aligns with urgent disaster recovery needs.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for FEMA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Building Inspection Services sector, a critical component of the construction and professional services industries. The market for disaster response services is often characterized by rapid scaling and specialized expertise. FEMA frequently procures such services following major natural disasters. The value of this contract is modest in the context of large-scale federal disaster relief spending, but significant for the specific task of housing inspections.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business participation, including set-asides or subcontracting plans, was not provided in the data. Full and open competition does not inherently exclude small businesses, but their ability to compete depends on their capacity and resources to meet the contract's demands. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by FEMA contracting officers and program managers responsible for disaster response. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a set cost. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, but specific performance monitoring details are not available.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Housing Assistance Programs
Federal Disaster Relief Funding
Post-Disaster Infrastructure Assessment Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance delays due to disaster complexity.
Ensuring consistent quality across a large volume of inspections.
Contractor's capacity to rapidly scale operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.1 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4828-FL. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING.

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 $12.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-29. End: 2025-03-28.

What is Vanguard Inspection Services' track record with FEMA or similar disaster response contracts?

Vanguard Inspection Services' specific track record with FEMA for disaster response contracts requires further investigation beyond the provided data. While the contract award indicates they were selected for this task, their history with similar large-scale, rapid-response inspection services is crucial for assessing performance risk. A review of past performance evaluations, contract history databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS), and any publicly available performance metrics would illuminate their experience in handling the volume and urgency associated with disaster recovery. Understanding their past success rates, any performance issues, and their capacity to scale operations quickly in response to declared disasters would provide valuable insight into their reliability for this $12.1 million contract.

How does the $606 per inspection cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar disaster response services?

The per-inspection cost of approximately $606 is a key metric for value assessment. To benchmark this effectively, comparisons should be made with other federal contracts awarded by FEMA or other agencies for similar housing inspection services in disaster-declared areas. Industry reports on disaster recovery costs and private sector pricing for rapid inspection services would also be valuable. Factors influencing this rate include the geographic spread of inspections, the complexity of damage assessment required, reporting standards, and the urgency of the deployment. If comparable contracts show significantly lower or higher rates, it would indicate whether this contract represents excellent value, is priced competitively, or potentially warrants further scrutiny for cost efficiency.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential delays in inspection completion due to the rapid and widespread nature of disaster recovery, ensuring the quality and accuracy of 20,000 inspections across potentially dispersed locations, and managing contractor performance under high-pressure conditions. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance standards outlined in the contract, regular progress reporting requirements from Vanguard Inspection Services, and active oversight by FEMA personnel. The firm fixed-price structure also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and timelines efficiently. However, unforeseen logistical challenges or a surge in demand beyond initial estimates could still pose risks to timely completion and quality.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring program effectiveness for disaster response?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective for disaster response services like housing inspections because it provides cost certainty for the government and incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. For FEMA, knowing the total cost upfront is crucial for budget management during a crisis. The FFP structure places the risk of cost overruns on Vanguard Inspection Services, encouraging them to manage resources effectively to meet the 20,000 inspection target within the $12.1 million budget. This can drive efficiency and timely delivery, which are critical in disaster recovery. However, if the scope of work proves more complex than anticipated, the contractor might face pressure to cut corners, potentially impacting quality if not adequately monitored.

What is the historical spending pattern for housing inspections by FEMA in Florida or similar disaster events?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for housing inspections by FEMA in Florida or during comparable disaster events is essential for context. This contract's $12.1 million value should be compared against previous FEMA expenditures for similar-sized disasters or specific inspection requirements in the region. Understanding whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending can indicate trends in disaster impact, response strategies, or procurement costs. For instance, if past spending was significantly lower for similar events, it might warrant investigation into the reasons, such as increased disaster severity, inflation, or changes in inspection scope. Conversely, if spending aligns with historical norms, it suggests consistency in FEMA's approach to disaster recovery resource allocation.

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: 70FBR424R00000025

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $12,134,230

Exercised Options: $12,134,230

Current Obligation: $12,132,592

Actual Outlays: $11,751,210

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