FEMA leases 4 commercial pads for $1.52M to support housing mission in Georgia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,200 ($15.2K)

Contractor: Livin-On-Wheels

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-06-27

End Date: 2026-04-26

Contract Duration: 303 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEASE FOUR (4) COMMERCIAL PADS AT LIVIN ON WHEELS MOBILE HOME PARK IN SUPPORT OF THE FEMA HOUSING MISSION FOR DR-4830-GA.

Place of Performance

Location: DOUGLAS, COFFEE County, GEORGIA, 31533

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $15,200 to LIVIN-ON-WHEELS for work described as: LEASE FOUR (4) COMMERCIAL PADS AT LIVIN ON WHEELS MOBILE HOME PARK IN SUPPORT OF THE FEMA HOUSING MISSION FOR DR-4830-GA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential housing support during disaster recovery. 2. Lease duration of 303 days indicates a focused, short-term need. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies. 4. Geographic focus on Georgia for DR-4830-GA. 5. FEMA's housing mission relies on flexible, rapid deployment of resources.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.52 million for leasing four commercial pads over approximately 10 months appears to be a reasonable cost for emergency housing support. However, without specific details on the size and amenities of the commercial pads, a direct comparison to market rates is difficult. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competition may have limited opportunities for price negotiation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded on a sole-source basis to LIVIN-ON-WHEELS. This approach suggests that either there were no other viable options available in the immediate vicinity or that the circumstances of the disaster response necessitated a rapid, direct award. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have potentially driven down the price.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent, potentially resulting in a less favorable price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Public Impact

Disaster survivors in Georgia affected by DR-4830-GA will benefit from temporary housing solutions. The contract provides essential infrastructure for FEMA's disaster housing mission. The geographic impact is concentrated in Georgia, specifically where the mobile home park is located. The contract supports the operational capacity of FEMA to respond to natural disasters.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the justification for a sole-source award.
Potential for price not being optimized due to absence of bidding.

Positive Signals

Provides critical infrastructure for disaster relief efforts.
Supports FEMA's essential housing mission during a declared disaster.
Firm-fixed-price contract offers budget certainty.

Sector Analysis

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 721211, 'RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds,' falls within the broader accommodation and food services sector. This contract specifically leverages commercial land suitable for mobile home or RV placement, a niche service often utilized during emergency response scenarios when traditional housing is unavailable. The market for such services is typically localized and demand spikes significantly during disaster events.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award is made directly to LIVIN-ON-WHEELS, and there is no indication of provisions for engaging small businesses within the scope of this particular agreement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, which is responsible for auditing and investigating federal programs to ensure efficiency and prevent fraud. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with further details on the justification and performance monitoring not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Housing Assistance
Emergency Management Services
Temporary Housing Solutions

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $15,200 to LIVIN-ON-WHEELS. LEASE FOUR (4) COMMERCIAL PADS AT LIVIN ON WHEELS MOBILE HOME PARK IN SUPPORT OF THE FEMA HOUSING MISSION FOR DR-4830-GA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIVIN-ON-WHEELS.

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 $15,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-27. End: 2026-04-26.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, likely due to the urgent and specific needs of FEMA's housing mission in response to disaster DR-4830-GA in Georgia. In disaster situations, agencies may need to act quickly to secure essential services like temporary housing sites. Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or when urgent and compelling circumstances preclude full and open competition. Without further documentation, the precise reason for this sole-source determination remains unspecified, but it is common in rapid disaster response scenarios where time is critical and specific site requirements must be met immediately.

How does the lease cost compare to similar emergency housing support contracts?

Benchmarking this lease cost against similar emergency housing support contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific services and amenities provided by LIVIN-ON-WHEELS. The $1.52 million for leasing four commercial pads over 303 days translates to approximately $5,013 per pad per month. This rate needs to be evaluated in the context of the location (Georgia), the type of commercial land, and the specific support FEMA requires (e.g., utility hookups, security, site management). Emergency response contracts often command premium pricing due to urgency and limited availability of suitable sites during a crisis. A comprehensive comparison would require access to FEMA's historical data on similar leases in disaster-affected areas and market analysis of commercial land rental rates in that specific region.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for disaster housing?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for disaster housing is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive bidding. Taxpayers may end up paying more than necessary if multiple vendors were available but not considered. Another risk is the potential for suboptimal service delivery if the sole-source provider is not adequately vetted or lacks the capacity to meet the demand, although FEMA would presumably conduct due diligence. Furthermore, a lack of competition can reduce transparency and make it harder to ensure accountability for performance and value for money. While sole-source awards are sometimes necessary in emergencies, they warrant careful justification and oversight to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected performance standard for LIVIN-ON-WHEELS under this contract?

While the specific performance standards are not detailed in the provided data, it can be inferred that LIVIN-ON-WHEELS is expected to provide four functional commercial pads suitable for FEMA's housing mission. This likely includes ensuring basic utility access (water, sewer, electricity), maintaining the grounds, and potentially providing security or other site management services as required by FEMA. The contract is firm-fixed-price, meaning the contractor is obligated to perform the agreed-upon services for the stated price. FEMA will likely monitor the site's readiness, safety, and suitability for housing disaster victims throughout the contract period, with performance issues potentially leading to contract disputes or non-renewal.

How does this contract fit into FEMA's broader disaster response strategy for Georgia?

This contract is a tactical component of FEMA's broader strategy to provide temporary housing solutions following a major disaster (DR-4830-GA) in Georgia. FEMA's strategy typically involves a multi-pronged approach, including direct temporary housing, rental assistance, and home repair programs. Securing suitable land for temporary housing, such as mobile homes or recreational vehicles, is a critical early step. By leasing commercial pads, FEMA can rapidly deploy housing units without needing to acquire or develop new land, thus expediting assistance to affected populations. This specific contract addresses the immediate need for physical space to accommodate displaced individuals and families.

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: 72006 GA HIGHWAY 46 E, METTER, GA, 30439

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,400

Exercised Options: $15,200

Current Obligation: $15,200

Actual Outlays: $6,400

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline