FEMA awards $10.8M for 20,000 housing inspections in Georgia disaster relief

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,781,177 ($10.8M)

Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-10-02

End Date: 2025-08-29

Contract Duration: 331 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4830-GA. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING.

Place of Performance

Location: SAVANNAH, CHATHAM County, GEORGIA, 31408

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $10.8 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4830-GA. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AS A RESULT OF SEVERE-STORMS AND FLOODING. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential services for disaster recovery, directly supporting affected residents. 2. Vanguard Inspection Services secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration of 331 days aligns with typical disaster response timelines. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the agency. 5. Geographic focus on Georgia highlights targeted disaster relief efforts. 6. The scope of 20,000 inspections indicates a significant need for damage assessment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $10.8 million for 20,000 housing inspections translates to roughly $539 per inspection. This rate appears reasonable when considering the specialized nature of disaster-related housing inspections, which often involve detailed assessments of structural integrity, safety hazards, and damage extent following severe weather events. Benchmarking against similar disaster response contracts would provide further insight, but the price seems within an expected range for such critical services.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $539 per inspection.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award suggests that FEMA sought the best value and pricing available in the market. This approach generally leads to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves service quality.

Public Impact

Homeowners and renters in Georgia affected by severe storms and flooding will benefit from timely housing inspections. The services delivered include detailed assessments of housing damage to facilitate recovery efforts. The geographic impact is concentrated in Georgia, specifically addressing the needs of disaster-stricken areas. The contract supports a workforce of inspectors, contributing to employment in the inspection services sector.

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 appropriate aid distribution.
Coordination challenges between the contractor and local/state emergency management agencies could arise.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for FEMA.
Clear scope of work (20,000 inspections) allows for focused execution.
Contract duration is defined, enabling performance monitoring.

Sector Analysis

The building inspection services sector is critical for ensuring safety and compliance, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for disaster response services can be highly dynamic, with demand fluctuating based on the frequency and severity of natural events. FEMA's spending in this area is essential for its mission to help people before, during, and after disasters.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no specific mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific award appears limited. However, the prime contractor, Vanguard Inspection Services, may engage small businesses as subcontractors if it aligns with their operational needs and strategy, though this is not explicitly mandated by the contract details provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and verifying the quality of services rendered. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General jurisdiction is not detailed here, the DHS Office of Inspector General typically oversees federal contracts to detect fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Relief Fund
Public Assistance Program
Individual Assistance Program
Housing Assistance Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for quality control issues in high-volume inspection environment.
Risk of schedule delays impacting disaster recovery timelines.
Dependence on contractor's ability to mobilize sufficient qualified personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $10.8 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4830-GA. 20,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA 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 $10.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-02. End: 2025-08-29.

What is Vanguard Inspection Services' track record with FEMA and other government agencies for disaster response contracts?

Vanguard Inspection Services has a history of performing inspection services for government agencies, including disaster response. While specific details on past FEMA contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their ability to secure this $10.8 million contract through full and open competition suggests a demonstrated capability. Government contracting databases often track past performance, including contract values, types of services rendered, and client agencies. A deeper dive into these databases would reveal the extent and success of their previous engagements, including any performance ratings or awards received. Their experience likely encompasses various types of inspections, potentially including housing, infrastructure, and environmental assessments, crucial for disaster recovery operations.

How does the cost per inspection ($539) compare to similar disaster housing inspection contracts awarded by FEMA or other agencies?

The cost per inspection of approximately $539 is a key metric for value assessment. To benchmark this effectively, it's necessary to compare it against similar contracts awarded by FEMA or other federal agencies for disaster housing inspections. Factors influencing this cost include the geographic scope, the complexity of damage assessment required (e.g., structural, environmental, mold), the urgency of the response, and the prevailing labor rates in the affected region. Contracts awarded during major disaster declarations often see higher per-unit costs due to the surge in demand and the need for rapid deployment. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if $539 is high or low, but it falls within a plausible range for specialized disaster response services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks include potential delays in inspection completion due to contractor resource limitations or unforeseen logistical challenges in affected areas. Another significant risk is the quality and accuracy of the inspections, which directly impacts the aid provided to disaster victims. Inaccurate assessments could lead to under- or over-allocation of resources. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by FEMA, including performance monitoring, quality assurance checks, and clear communication channels. The fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently, while the defined scope and duration provide a framework for accountability. FEMA may also have contingency plans for supplementing contractor resources if needed.

How effective is the current approach of using external contractors like Vanguard for large-scale disaster housing inspections?

Utilizing external contractors for large-scale disaster housing inspections is a common and often effective strategy for federal agencies like FEMA. It allows FEMA to rapidly scale up inspection capacity during critical disaster periods without maintaining a large permanent workforce. This approach leverages specialized expertise and existing infrastructure of private companies. The effectiveness hinges on careful contractor selection, clear performance expectations, and diligent oversight. When managed well, it enables timely assessments crucial for disaster recovery. However, challenges can arise in ensuring consistent quality and managing potential cost overruns if contracts are not structured and monitored appropriately.

What has been the historical spending trend for housing inspection services by FEMA in recent years, and how does this contract fit?

FEMA's spending on housing inspection services fluctuates significantly year-to-year, heavily influenced by the number and severity of declared disasters. In years with widespread natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, wildfires), spending on inspections can increase dramatically. This $10.8 million contract for Georgia, while substantial, represents a portion of FEMA's overall disaster response budget. Historical data would show peaks in spending following major events. This contract fits within FEMA's established practice of outsourcing such services to meet surge demands, ensuring that affected populations receive necessary assessments promptly. Analyzing past spending patterns helps in forecasting future needs and budgeting for disaster preparedness.

Are there any performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to measure success?

While the provided data does not explicitly list performance metrics or KPIs, contracts of this nature typically include them. Common KPIs for housing inspection services during disaster response include: timeliness of inspection completion (e.g., percentage of inspections completed within X days of assignment), accuracy of damage assessments (measured through quality reviews or audits), and adherence to safety protocols. FEMA's contract management team would monitor these KPIs to ensure Vanguard Inspection Services meets its obligations. The fixed-price structure also implies performance expectations tied to delivering the full scope of 20,000 inspections within the specified timeframe and quality standards.

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: 70FBR424R00000027

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: $10,782,857

Exercised Options: $10,782,857

Current Obligation: $10,781,177

Actual Outlays: $10,590,694

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