FEMA awards $2.4M contract for 20,000 housing inspections in Wisconsin disaster zone

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,430,470 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-10-03

End Date: 2026-01-26

Contract Duration: 115 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOUSING INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR THE PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER DR-4892-WI (REGION 5) AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE BY SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, MUDSLI

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.4 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOUSING INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR THE PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER DR-4892-WI (REGION 5) AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE BY SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, MUDSLI Key points: 1. Contract aims to address housing damage from severe storms and high winds in Wisconsin. 2. The award supports disaster recovery efforts under DR-4892-WI. 3. Vanguard Inspection Services will perform the housing inspections. 4. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 5. Inspections are critical for assessing damage and facilitating aid distribution. 6. The contract duration is 115 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.4 million for 20,000 housing inspections equates to approximately $121.50 per inspection. This per-unit cost appears reasonable given the specialized nature of disaster-related housing inspections, which often require rapid deployment and detailed assessment in challenging environments. Benchmarking against similar disaster response contracts would provide further context, but the initial assessment suggests a fair price for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: $121.50 per inspection

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple 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. Full and open competition generally leads to more favorable pricing for the government and ensures a wider pool of qualified contractors can participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a broader range of qualified service providers, ensuring efficient use of federal funds for disaster relief.

Public Impact

Residents in Region 5 of Wisconsin affected by severe storms and high winds will benefit from timely housing damage assessments. The contract will facilitate the delivery of essential housing inspection services. The geographic impact is concentrated in the disaster-declared areas of Wisconsin. The contract supports the federal government's disaster response and recovery mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays in inspection completion if contractor resources are overstretched.
Ensuring consistent quality and accuracy across all 20,000 inspections.
Coordination challenges with local authorities and affected residents in a disaster zone.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Clear scope of work for 20,000 housing inspections.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Contract duration aligns with the urgency of disaster recovery efforts.

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 surge capacity needs, where specialized firms are contracted to rapidly scale operations following natural disasters. FEMA's spending in this area is essential for fulfilling its mandate to assist states and local communities in recovery efforts.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have participated directly or indirectly. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is responsible for administering disaster relief funds. Accountability measures would include adherence to the contract's scope of work, quality standards for inspections, and timely delivery. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award announcements and reporting requirements, though specific oversight mechanisms for this task order would need further investigation.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
Housing Assistance Programs
National Flood Insurance Program
Public Assistance Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if damage assessment requirements expand.
Contractor performance risk in a challenging disaster environment.
Data security and privacy concerns for inspected properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.4 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOUSING INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR THE PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER DR-4892-WI (REGION 5) AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE BY SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, MUDSLI

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-03. End: 2026-01-26.

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

Information regarding Vanguard Inspection Services' specific track record with FEMA or other disaster response agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on similar engagements. Understanding their experience in large-scale disaster inspection efforts, particularly in regions affected by severe storms and high winds, would be crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this contract effectively. Their ability to mobilize resources quickly and maintain quality standards under pressure are key factors to consider.

How does the per-inspection cost of $121.50 compare to industry benchmarks for disaster housing inspections?

The per-inspection cost of approximately $121.50 appears to be within a reasonable range for disaster-related housing inspections. These types of inspections often involve travel to affected areas, detailed assessment of structural damage, documentation, and reporting, all under potentially difficult conditions. While specific industry benchmarks for disaster response can fluctuate based on geographic location, urgency, and the complexity of damage, this rate is generally competitive. For comparison, standard home inspections can range from $300-$600, but disaster inspections are often more focused on specific damage types and may have different cost structures due to the nature of the work and the client (government agency).

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

Primary risks include potential delays in inspection completion due to unforeseen logistical challenges in a disaster zone, ensuring the consistent quality and accuracy of 20,000 inspections across potentially widespread damage, and effective coordination with local authorities and affected residents. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by FEMA and Vanguard Inspection Services, clear communication protocols, established quality assurance processes, and contingency planning for resource allocation. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-defined and managed.

How effective is FEMA's current approach to contracting for disaster housing inspections in terms of speed and quality?

FEMA's approach to contracting for disaster housing inspections is designed to rapidly deploy resources to affected areas, which is critical for timely aid distribution. The use of delivery orders under existing contracts or full and open competition for specific disaster events allows for flexibility. The effectiveness in terms of speed is generally high, as demonstrated by the ability to award contracts relatively quickly post-declaration. Quality is managed through contract oversight and performance standards. However, challenges can arise in ensuring consistent quality across a large volume of inspections conducted by various contractors under pressure, which FEMA continuously works to address through improved training and oversight.

What has been the historical spending trend for housing inspection services by FEMA in disaster-declared regions?

Historical spending trends for housing inspection services by FEMA in disaster-declared regions can vary significantly year-to-year, heavily influenced by the frequency and severity of natural disasters. FEMA utilizes various contracting mechanisms, including task orders under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and direct awards for specific events. Spending increases dramatically in years with major hurricanes, floods, or wildfires. Analyzing past disaster declarations and associated inspection contracts would reveal patterns of increased expenditure following large-scale events, highlighting the agency's reliance on such services for damage assessment and recovery support.

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

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: $2,430,470

Exercised Options: $2,430,470

Current Obligation: $2,430,470

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