DHS FEMA awards $3.6M for risk mapping and planning services, highlighting engineering expertise

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,599,193 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Risk Assessment, Mapping, and Planning Partners (ramp-P)

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2012-07-02

End Date: 2017-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,916 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RISK MAPP.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10278

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.6 million to RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P) for work described as: RISK MAPP. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Fixed Price Award Fee contract type indicates performance incentives for the contractor. 3. The contract duration of 1916 days (over 5 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The contractor's location in New York may indicate regional focus or presence. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to specialized engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $3.6 million over approximately five years for risk assessment and mapping services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale federal risk mapping contracts, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price award fee structure suggests an effort to control costs while incentivizing performance. The number of bids received (implied by 'full and open competition') would provide further context for value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates there were 4 bids received. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy market for these specialized engineering services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better value for taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies, specifically FEMA, who require robust risk assessment and planning capabilities. The services delivered include risk mapping and planning, crucial for disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. The geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of FEMA's mission, though specific project locations are not detailed. The contract supports the engineering services sector, potentially impacting specialized firms and their workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if award fee targets are not met or if scope creep occurs.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical risk assessment services could pose a risk if performance falters.
The long contract duration might lead to outdated methodologies if not actively managed and updated.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market and potentially good value.
Fixed Price Award Fee structure incentivizes contractor performance and cost control.
The contract duration suggests a sustained commitment to critical risk management functions.
The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a potentially larger, established framework contract.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, particularly those focused on risk assessment, mapping, and planning, is critical for national security and disaster management. This contract falls under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Federal spending in this area is often driven by regulatory requirements, national security concerns, and the need for proactive risk mitigation strategies across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus was likely on large, established engineering firms capable of handling complex risk assessment and planning projects. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not explicitly detailed in this award information. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether prime contractors engage them for specialized tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a fixed-price award fee contract, performance monitoring and evaluation would be crucial to determine the award fee. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Contracts
Federal Emergency Management Agency Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Risk Assessment and Management Services
Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require active management to ensure relevance.
Performance evaluation for award fee needs clear and objective criteria.
Potential for scope creep in complex engineering projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.6 million to RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P). RISK MAPP.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P).

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 $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-07-02. End: 2017-09-30.

What is the contractor's track record with similar federal contracts, particularly within FEMA or DHS?

Without the specific contractor's name, a detailed track record cannot be provided. However, for contracts of this nature and value, agencies typically vet potential awardees based on past performance, technical capabilities, and financial stability. FEMA and DHS maintain performance evaluation records (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) which inform future award decisions. A review of the specific contractor's history would reveal their experience with similar risk mapping, planning, and engineering services, as well as their adherence to schedule and budget on previous federal engagements.

How does the $3.6 million award compare to other federal spending on risk mapping and planning services?

The $3.6 million award over approximately five years represents a moderate investment in risk assessment and planning services. Federal spending in this domain can vary significantly based on the scope, duration, and specific agency needs. Larger, multi-year programs or contracts encompassing broader national security or infrastructure resilience initiatives could easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, task-order-specific contracts might be in the hundreds of thousands. This particular award appears to be a substantial, but not exceptionally large, commitment for specialized engineering services supporting FEMA's mission.

What are the primary risks associated with a fixed-price award fee contract for engineering services?

A primary risk with Fixed Price Award Fee (FPAF) contracts is the potential for the government to pay the maximum award fee even if performance is only marginally above satisfactory, depending on the award criteria. Conversely, if the criteria are too stringent or subjective, contractors may be disincentivized. For the government, risks include ensuring the award fee structure accurately reflects true performance and value, and avoiding potential disputes over performance evaluations. Scope creep is also a risk, as it can increase costs beyond the initial fixed price if not managed carefully through contract modifications.

How effective are FEMA's risk mapping and planning services in mitigating disaster impacts?

The effectiveness of FEMA's risk mapping and planning services is crucial for disaster mitigation and response. These services provide essential data and strategic frameworks that inform resource allocation, infrastructure development, and emergency preparedness protocols. High-quality risk assessments help identify vulnerabilities and potential impacts, enabling proactive measures to reduce loss of life and property damage. While the direct impact of any single contract is hard to isolate, the cumulative effect of sustained investment in these capabilities is intended to enhance national resilience. Success is often measured by reduced disaster recovery times, lower economic losses, and improved public safety outcomes.

What has been the historical spending trend for engineering services (NAICS 541330) by FEMA over the last five years?

To determine the historical spending trend for engineering services (NAICS 541330) by FEMA, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for contracts awarded under this NAICS code by FEMA over the past five fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the total dollar amount obligated annually, the number of contracts awarded, and potentially the types of engineering services procured. Such a trend analysis would indicate whether FEMA's reliance on external engineering expertise in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, providing context for the current award's significance.

What does the 'delivery order' designation imply about this contract's structure?

The designation 'delivery order' typically implies that this contract is a task order issued under a larger, pre-existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of multiple-award contract. IDIQ contracts establish terms and conditions, including pricing and performance standards, under which multiple task or delivery orders can be issued over a specified period. This approach allows agencies to procure services or supplies as needed, often with streamlined ordering processes compared to initiating a new competitive procurement for each requirement. The $3.6 million represents the value of this specific delivery order, not necessarily the total value of the underlying IDIQ contract.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE (M)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 ORCHARD RIDGE DRIVE, SUITE 101, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,599,193

Exercised Options: $3,599,193

Current Obligation: $3,599,193

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ09D0369

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline