FEMA awards $1.98M contract for Maui wildfire assessment services to STARR II JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,975,978 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Starr II, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-04-25

End Date: 2026-06-24

Contract Duration: 790 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HAWAII WILDFIRES MAUI ASSESSMENT TEAM

Place of Performance

Location: LAHAINA, MAUI County, HAWAII, 96761

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.0 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: HAWAII WILDFIRES MAUI ASSESSMENT TEAM Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential post-disaster assessment services. 2. STARR II, a joint venture, secured the award. 3. Competition method was full and open, suggesting market availability. 4. The contract value is relatively modest for disaster response efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility in disaster response. Benchmarking against similar engineering services contracts for disaster assessment is difficult without more granular data, but the value appears reasonable for the scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors could bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the direct cost of the contract, which is a necessary expenditure for assessing and recovering from the devastating wildfires.

Public Impact

Supports critical recovery efforts in Maui following devastating wildfires. Ensures professional assessment of damage and needs for effective rebuilding. Provides employment opportunities for specialized engineering and assessment personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus contracts.
Dependence on a single joint venture for critical assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports vital disaster recovery mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, a sector crucial for infrastructure assessment and rebuilding after natural disasters. Spending in this area can fluctuate significantly based on the frequency and severity of such events.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to a joint venture, STARR II. Information on the specific small business participation within this joint venture is not provided, but the award itself does not appear to be directly set aside for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security, through FEMA, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for cost-plus contracts would apply, focusing on performance, cost tracking, and adherence to the fixed fee.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost-plus contracts can be prone to cost overruns.
Limited visibility into small business participation.
Potential for scope creep in disaster response scenarios.
Dependence on a single entity for critical assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.0 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE. HAWAII WILDFIRES MAUI ASSESSMENT TEAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE.

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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-25. End: 2026-06-24.

What specific engineering services are included in the assessment, and how do they directly contribute to the recovery process?

The contract likely includes structural assessments, environmental impact studies, and infrastructure damage evaluations. These services are crucial for determining the scope of rebuilding efforts, prioritizing repairs, and ensuring safety standards are met, directly informing the allocation of recovery resources and guiding the long-term reconstruction of affected areas.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for STARR II to ensure effective and timely assessment?

Key performance indicators would likely include timely completion of assessment reports, accuracy of damage evaluations, adherence to safety protocols during site visits, and effective communication with FEMA officials. Meeting these KPIs ensures that recovery efforts are based on reliable data and can proceed efficiently, minimizing further delays and costs associated with the disaster.

How will FEMA ensure that the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure does not lead to unnecessary inflation of costs for the assessment services?

FEMA will likely implement rigorous monitoring of direct costs incurred by STARR II, requiring detailed documentation and justification for all expenses. Regular audits and performance reviews will be conducted to ensure that costs are reasonable and directly related to the contract's objectives. The fixed fee component provides a ceiling on contractor profit, incentivizing efficiency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 70FA6021R00000015

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3901 CALVERTON BLVD STE 400, CALVERTON, MD, 20705

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,975,978

Exercised Options: $1,975,978

Current Obligation: $1,975,978

Actual Outlays: $930,173

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6021D00000005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline