FEMA awards $13.4M for 20,000 housing inspections in Texas following Hurricane Beryl

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,410,324 ($13.4M)

Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-07-13

End Date: 2025-03-09

Contract Duration: 239 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4798-TX. A TOTAL OF 20,000 INSPECTIONS TO BE PERFORMED IN RESPONSE TO DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE BERYL.

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77001

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.4 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4798-TX. A TOTAL OF 20,000 INSPECTIONS TO BE PERFORMED IN RESPONSE TO DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE BERYL. Key points: 1. Contract aims to address significant housing damage, indicating a substantial need for inspection services. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and budget, potentially limiting cost overruns. 3. A full and open competition was utilized, implying a broad market search and potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of 239 days aligns with the scale of disaster response required. 5. Geographic focus on Texas highlights the specific impact of Hurricane Beryl on the region. 6. The award to Vanguard Inspection Services suggests a need for specialized disaster response capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $13.4 million for 20,000 inspections translates to approximately $670 per inspection. This rate appears reasonable when compared to typical costs for specialized housing inspections, especially those conducted under emergency conditions and requiring rapid deployment. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar disaster response inspection contracts would offer further insight, but initial assessment suggests fair value given the urgent need and scope.

Cost Per Unit: $670 per inspection (estimated)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government. The agency's commitment to open competition suggests a thorough evaluation process to select the most capable and cost-effective provider.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the opportunity for taxpayers to receive the best possible value by encouraging multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Residents of Texas affected by Hurricane Beryl will benefit from timely housing damage assessments, facilitating recovery efforts. Approximately 20,000 housing units will undergo inspection, providing crucial data for FEMA's disaster relief operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas, addressing the immediate needs of communities devastated by the hurricane. 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 rapid deployment challenges given the scale of inspections required.
Ensuring consistent quality and thoroughness across 20,000 inspections is a logistical challenge.
Coordination with local authorities and residents for access to damaged properties may present difficulties.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for FEMA.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process for the contractor.
Clear objective of 20,000 inspections provides a measurable performance target.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on building inspection services. The market for disaster response and recovery services is often characterized by a need for rapid mobilization and specialized expertise. FEMA frequently contracts for such services following major natural disasters. The benchmark for building inspection services (NAICS 541350) is broad, but the specific application here is tied to emergency response, which can command different pricing dynamics due to urgency and required certifications.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. Given the scale and urgency of disaster response, large, experienced contractors are often better positioned to manage such operations. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for specific support roles, though this is not explicitly mandated by the award information provided.

Oversight & Accountability

FEMA, as part of the Department of Homeland Security, is subject to various oversight mechanisms. The Inspector General's office within DHS provides independent oversight of FEMA's programs and contracts to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The firm-fixed-price contract type and the defined scope of 20,000 inspections provide clear metrics for performance monitoring and accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
Housing Assistance Programs
Post-Disaster Recovery Services
Building Inspection Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if damage assessment requirements expand beyond initial estimates.
Contractor performance risk related to timely completion and quality of inspections.
Logistical challenges in accessing all damaged properties within the contract timeline.
Ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all affected homeowners during the inspection process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.4 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO DR-4798-TX. A TOTAL OF 20,000 INSPECTIONS TO BE PERFORMED IN RESPONSE TO DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE BERYL.

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 $13.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-13. End: 2025-03-09.

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

Information regarding Vanguard Inspection Services' specific track record with FEMA or other government agencies for disaster response contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar awards, including contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes. Agencies typically maintain internal records of contractor performance, and public databases may offer some insights into previous awards. Understanding their experience with large-scale, rapid-response inspection efforts is crucial for evaluating their capability to meet the demands of this contract.

How does the per-inspection cost of $670 compare to similar disaster inspection contracts awarded by FEMA?

The estimated per-inspection cost of $670 is a preliminary figure derived from the total award value and the number of inspections. To accurately benchmark this against similar contracts, one would need to analyze historical FEMA awards for housing inspections following major disasters. Factors such as geographic location, urgency, specific inspection criteria (e.g., structural, mold, flood damage), and the prevailing economic conditions at the time of award significantly influence pricing. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if $670 is high or low, but it appears within a reasonable range for specialized, emergency-deployed services.

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

Key risks include the potential for delays in accessing damaged properties, ensuring the quality and consistency of 20,000 inspections, and managing the logistical challenges of deploying inspectors rapidly across affected areas in Texas. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear communication protocols between FEMA, the contractor, and property owners, robust quality assurance processes for inspectors, and efficient scheduling and deployment plans. The firm-fixed-price contract also mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs, provided the scope remains unchanged.

How will the effectiveness of these inspections be measured to ensure they accurately reflect housing damage?

The effectiveness of the inspections will likely be measured through several mechanisms. FEMA will probably establish detailed inspection protocols and training for the inspectors to ensure consistency and accuracy. Quality assurance checks, potentially including supervisory reviews of a sample of inspection reports and site visits, will be critical. Furthermore, the data gathered from these inspections will feed into FEMA's overall damage assessment and resource allocation process, with the accuracy of this data being a key indicator of inspection effectiveness. Feedback from affected homeowners and local officials may also be considered.

What is the historical spending pattern for housing inspection services by FEMA in response to major hurricanes?

FEMA's spending on housing inspection services typically escalates significantly following major hurricanes that cause widespread damage. Historical data indicates that contracts for inspections, damage assessments, and related services can range from millions to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale of the disaster and the affected region. For instance, following hurricanes like Harvey, Maria, or Ian, FEMA has awarded numerous contracts for various phases of recovery, including initial damage assessments and individual assistance inspections. The specific amount awarded for this contract ($13.4 million) reflects the severity of Hurricane Beryl's impact on Texas.

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: $13,411,808

Exercised Options: $13,411,808

Current Obligation: $13,410,324

Actual Outlays: $13,375,324

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