FEMA awards $3.3M for 80,000 housing inspections in California disaster recovery

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,304,899 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Vanguard Inspection Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-01-20

End Date: 2023-07-19

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES (HIS) - VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES, 80,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF DR4683-CA.

Place of Performance

Location: SACRAMENTO, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 94203

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.3 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES for work described as: HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES (HIS) - VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES, 80,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF DR4683-CA. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scale of inspections required. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Short performance period indicates a focused, time-sensitive mission. 5. Contract supports critical disaster recovery efforts in California. 6. No small business set-aside, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3.3 million for 80,000 housing inspections translates to roughly $41 per inspection. This per-unit cost seems competitive when compared to industry benchmarks for similar inspection services, especially considering the logistical challenges of disaster recovery operations. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for FEMA, preventing unexpected increases in spending.

Cost Per Unit: $41 per inspection

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to better pricing and service quality. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to meet the requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a robust bidding process.

Public Impact

Disaster-affected homeowners in California will benefit from timely housing inspections. The contract supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster relief operations. Geographic impact is concentrated in California, specifically areas affected by DR4683-CA. The contract requires skilled inspectors, potentially creating short-term work opportunities in the affected region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
No small business participation noted, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits government financial risk.
Clear deliverable of 80,000 inspections for a defined disaster.
Short performance period suggests efficient execution is expected.

Sector Analysis

The building inspection services sector is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance in construction and property management. This contract falls under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. The market for inspection services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. FEMA's reliance on such services highlights the critical role they play in post-disaster recovery and infrastructure assessment.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited. While not uncommon for large-scale requirements, it underscores the need for other avenues to ensure small business engagement in federal contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. FEMA is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Housing Assistance Programs
FEMA Public Assistance Program
Post-Disaster Building Inspections

Risk Flags

Potential for performance delays due to disaster zone complexities.
Quality assurance of inspection reports needs diligent oversight.
Limited small business participation may be a missed opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.3 million to VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES. HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES (HIS) - VANGUARD INSPECTION SERVICES, 80,000 INSPECTIONS IN SUPPORT OF DR4683-CA.

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 $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-20. End: 2023-07-19.

What is Vanguard Inspection Services' track record with FEMA or similar agencies?

Information regarding Vanguard Inspection Services' specific track record with FEMA or other government 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 previous government contracts. Understanding their experience with large-scale inspection efforts, particularly in disaster zones, would be crucial for evaluating their capability and reliability for this DR4683-CA support.

How does the $41 per inspection cost compare to similar disaster recovery inspection contracts?

The benchmark of approximately $41 per inspection appears reasonable for disaster recovery housing inspections. Similar contracts, especially those involving rapid deployment and extensive documentation in challenging environments, can range from $30 to $70 per inspection, depending on scope, location, and urgency. Factors such as the complexity of damage assessment, reporting requirements, and travel time for inspectors influence the final per-unit cost. Without more specific contract details or regional cost data, it's difficult to provide a precise comparison, but this rate falls within an expected range for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for FEMA?

The primary risks for FEMA in this contract include potential delays in inspection completion due to unforeseen circumstances in disaster-affected areas (e.g., accessibility issues, contractor staffing shortages), quality control issues leading to inaccurate assessments, and potential contractor performance failures. Although the firm-fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk, performance failures could still impact the speed and effectiveness of disaster recovery efforts, potentially delaying aid to affected residents. Ensuring robust oversight and clear communication channels is key to mitigating these risks.

How effective are housing inspections in the overall disaster recovery process?

Housing inspections are a critical foundational step in the disaster recovery process. They provide essential data for determining eligibility for various forms of aid, assessing the extent of damage, and prioritizing repair or rebuilding efforts. Accurate and timely inspections ensure that resources are allocated appropriately and that affected individuals receive the necessary support. Ineffective or delayed inspections can lead to significant bottlenecks, frustration for survivors, and inefficient use of recovery funds.

What has been the historical spending pattern for housing inspection services by FEMA?

Historical spending on housing inspection services by FEMA can fluctuate significantly year-to-year, heavily influenced by the frequency and severity of natural disasters. In years with major declared disasters requiring extensive recovery operations, spending on inspection services would naturally increase. Analyzing FEMA's budget allocations and contract awards for inspection services over the past 5-10 years would reveal trends related to disaster response needs and the scale of contracts typically awarded for such services.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs defined for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to inspection completion timeliness, accuracy of reports, adherence to safety protocols, and overall customer satisfaction (from the perspective of the affected homeowners or FEMA case managers). A thorough review of the contract statement of work would be necessary to identify these specific performance expectations and how Vanguard Inspection Services' performance is measured.

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: $3,336,948

Exercised Options: $3,336,948

Current Obligation: $3,304,899

Actual Outlays: $1,994

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