FEMA awards $9.8M for 20,000 housing inspections in North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,836,724 ($9.8M)

Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-29

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 336 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4827-NC. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIAL DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE HELENE.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30341

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.8 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4827-NC. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIAL DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE HELENE. Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide essential housing inspection services following a major disaster declaration. 2. The scope includes 20,000 inspections, indicating a significant need for damage assessment. 3. Vanguard Inspection Services secured the contract, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration of 336 days aligns with the expected recovery timeline. 5. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the agency. 6. Geographic focus on North Carolina highlights targeted disaster relief efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.8 million for 20,000 inspections equates to approximately $492 per inspection. This per-unit cost appears reasonable given the specialized nature of disaster housing inspections, which often require rapid deployment, travel, and detailed reporting. Benchmarking against similar disaster response contracts would provide further insight, but the scale and urgency suggest a fair price point for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: $492 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 approach generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition that likely benefited the government in terms of price and service quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment in disaster recovery services.

Public Impact

North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene will benefit from timely housing damage assessments. The services delivered are critical for initiating recovery processes, including insurance claims and repair planning. The geographic impact is concentrated in disaster-stricken areas of North Carolina. The contract supports a workforce of inspectors, potentially creating temporary employment opportunities in the affected region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays in inspection completion if contractor resources are overstretched.
Quality control of inspections is crucial to ensure accurate damage assessments and fair compensation for residents.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for FEMA.
Clear scope of 20,000 inspections and defined duration aid in performance management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Building Inspection Services sector, a critical component of disaster response and recovery. The market for such services can fluctuate significantly based on natural disaster activity. FEMA's spending in this area is essential for assessing damage and facilitating rebuilding efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be tied to the scale and frequency of natural disasters in specific regions.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). While Vanguard Inspection Services secured the prime contract, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans with small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA typically has established procedures for monitoring contract performance, ensuring compliance with terms, and verifying the quality of services delivered. The Inspector General for DHS may also conduct audits or investigations related to disaster relief spending to ensure accountability and prevent fraud.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Housing Assistance Programs
Emergency Management and Response
Property Inspection Services
Hurricane Relief Efforts

Risk Flags

Potential for quality control issues with a large volume of inspections.
Risk of delays impacting residents' access to aid and recovery.
Contractor performance variability in disaster-stricken environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.8 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4827-NC. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIAL DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE HELENE.

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 $9.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-29. End: 2025-08-31.

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

Information regarding Vanguard Inspection Services' specific track record with FEMA or similar agencies for disaster response contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing past performance databases, contract award histories, and potentially CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports. Agencies typically evaluate a contractor's past performance, including their ability to meet deadlines, quality standards, and manage resources effectively, as part of the source selection process for disaster-related work. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience in handling large-scale inspection efforts post-disaster.

How does the per-inspection cost of $492 compare to other disaster housing inspection contracts?

The per-inspection cost of approximately $492 for housing inspections in response to Hurricane Helene is within a reasonable range for disaster recovery operations. Disaster inspections often involve rapid deployment, travel to affected areas, detailed reporting, and adherence to specific federal guidelines, which can increase costs compared to routine building inspections. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by FEMA or other disaster response agencies following major hurricanes or natural disasters would provide a more precise comparison. Factors such as the geographic spread of inspections, the severity of damage, and the urgency of the need can influence per-unit costs. Generally, costs can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars per inspection depending on these variables.

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 contractor resource limitations or unforeseen logistical challenges in affected areas. Another significant risk is ensuring the quality and accuracy of the 20,000 inspections to prevent incorrect damage assessments, which could impact residents' aid and recovery. Mitigation strategies likely involve FEMA's oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring, quality control checks, and potentially penalties for non-compliance. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract also mitigates financial risk for the government by establishing a clear cost ceiling. Clear communication channels and defined performance metrics are crucial for managing these risks effectively.

What is the expected effectiveness of these inspections in supporting the overall disaster recovery process in North Carolina?

These 20,000 housing inspections are expected to be highly effective in supporting North Carolina's disaster recovery process following Hurricane Helene. The inspections provide the foundational data needed for residents to file insurance claims, apply for federal assistance (like FEMA grants), and begin the process of repairing or rebuilding their homes. Accurate and timely assessments ensure that aid is directed appropriately to those most in need, facilitating a more efficient and equitable recovery. Without these initial assessments, the subsequent stages of recovery, including financial assistance and reconstruction, would be significantly hampered.

How does the $9.8 million award compare to historical FEMA spending on similar disaster inspection services?

The $9.8 million award for 20,000 housing inspections is a significant but not unprecedented amount for a major disaster response. FEMA's spending on inspection services can vary widely depending on the scale and severity of the disaster, the geographic area affected, and the number of properties requiring assessment. For large-scale events like major hurricanes impacting densely populated areas, awards in the millions of dollars for inspection services are common. Historical data from previous major hurricanes (e.g., Katrina, Maria, Harvey) would show similar or even larger contract values for comprehensive inspection efforts. This award appears proportionate to the stated scope of 20,000 inspections in response to a Presidential declared disaster.

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: 70FBR924R00000028

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: $9,838,399

Exercised Options: $9,838,399

Current Obligation: $9,836,724

Actual Outlays: $9,751,871

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