FEMA awarded $15.7M for hurricane-related mobile home services in Florida, with 8 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,732,917 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Windstorm, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-01-10

End Date: 2007-01-14

Contract Duration: 734 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAINTENANCE AND DEACTIVATION OF MOBILE HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS DUE TO HURRICANES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32809

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.7 million to WINDSTORM, INC. for work described as: MAINTENANCE AND DEACTIVATION OF MOBILE HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS DUE TO HURRICANES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in disaster recovery infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a moderately contested market for these specialized services. 3. Contract duration of over two years indicates a sustained need for support. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 5. Services were procured under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 6. The contract was awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), highlighting its role in national disaster response.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.7 million for mobile home maintenance and deactivation services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, FEMA's extensive experience in disaster response suggests a well-defined need. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. The number of bids received (8) indicates a healthy level of interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This means that while specific sources might have been initially excluded for a particular reason (e.g., prior performance issues, specific certifications), the solicitation was broadly advertised to all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements. The receipt of 8 bids suggests that the exclusion criteria did not unduly limit competition, allowing for a robust price discovery process.

Taxpayer Impact: The broad competition, despite potential initial exclusions, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices through market forces and ensured the government secured services from capable providers at a competitive rate.

Public Impact

Residents of Florida impacted by hurricanes received essential services for the temporary housing. The contract supported the deactivation and maintenance of mobile homes used as temporary shelters. Geographic impact was concentrated in Florida, specifically areas affected by major hurricane events. The services likely involved a workforce skilled in mobile home repair, maintenance, and logistical support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen complexities arise in mobile home deactivation.
Dependency on contractor performance for timely and effective disaster recovery support.
Risk of service quality variations among different mobile home units.
Logistical challenges in coordinating maintenance and deactivation across potentially widespread affected areas.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Multiple bids indicate a competitive environment, likely leading to better value.
Contract duration suggests a structured approach to long-term disaster recovery needs.
Award by FEMA signifies alignment with national disaster response priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically addressing specialized needs related to temporary housing during disaster recovery. The market for such services can be niche, often activated during emergencies. While not a typical large-scale construction or maintenance contract, it requires logistical coordination and skilled labor. Benchmarking is challenging due to the disaster-specific nature, but FEMA's consistent need for such support post-disaster indicates a recurring, albeit event-driven, market.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly provided in the data. Given the nature of disaster response and the specialized services, it's possible that larger firms with established disaster recovery capabilities were primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if specific set-aside goals were established.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under FEMA's program management and contracting officers. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a degree of accountability by defining the scope and cost upfront. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General oversight would be applicable if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected during the contract's performance or award.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Programs
Temporary Housing Programs
Federal Disaster Response Operations
Facilities Maintenance and Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for extended recovery timelines impacting service duration.
Logistical complexities in managing mobile assets across affected areas.
Need for specialized maintenance and deactivation skills.
Environmental considerations during mobile home deactivation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.7 million to WINDSTORM, INC.. MAINTENANCE AND DEACTIVATION OF MOBILE HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS DUE TO HURRICANES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINDSTORM, INC..

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 $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-01-10. End: 2007-01-14.

What was the specific nature of the 'maintenance and deactivation' services provided for the mobile homes?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'MAINTENANCE AND DEACTIVATION OF MOBILE HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS DUE TO HURRICANES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.' This suggests services likely included preparing mobile homes for occupancy (maintenance), ensuring they remained functional during their use as temporary housing, and then decommissioning them (deactivation) once no longer needed. Deactivation could involve site cleanup, removal of utilities, and preparing the units for storage or disposal. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not provided here but would specify tasks like inspections, minor repairs, cleaning, utility disconnection, and site restoration.

How does the $15.7 million contract value compare to similar disaster recovery housing contracts?

Directly comparing the $15.7 million value is challenging without knowing the exact number of units serviced, the duration of service per unit, and the specific types of maintenance and deactivation required. However, for large-scale disaster recovery efforts, this figure is within a plausible range for managing temporary housing solutions. FEMA often engages in multi-million dollar contracts for debris removal, temporary housing provision, and associated support services following major disasters. The value reflects the significant logistical and operational demands of supporting displaced populations in the aftermath of hurricanes.

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

Key risks for FEMA included ensuring the timely availability and readiness of mobile homes for displaced residents, maintaining the habitability of these units throughout their deployment, and managing the costs associated with deactivation and site remediation. Potential risks also involved contractor performance issues, such as delays in deployment or inadequate maintenance, which could impact the recovery timeline for affected individuals. Furthermore, unforeseen environmental or structural issues with the mobile homes themselves could lead to scope creep or increased costs. Ensuring compliance with all federal regulations and safety standards during deactivation was also a critical risk area.

What does the contract duration of 734 days imply about the disaster recovery process in Florida?

The contract duration of 734 days (approximately two years) implies a prolonged and substantial recovery period following the hurricanes that necessitated the use of mobile homes. This extended timeline suggests that the damage was widespread and severe, requiring a significant period for residents to find permanent housing solutions. It also indicates that FEMA anticipated a long-term need for managing and eventually decommissioning these temporary housing units, reflecting the complexities and duration of post-disaster rebuilding efforts in affected regions.

Were there any specific performance metrics or standards outlined in the contract?

The provided summary data does not detail specific performance metrics or standards. However, typical contracts of this nature awarded by FEMA would include performance standards related to response times for maintenance requests, quality of repairs, adherence to safety protocols during deactivation, and timely completion of all contractual obligations. Performance would likely be monitored by FEMA contracting officers' representatives (CORs) through site visits, review of service logs, and feedback from end-users (residents). Failure to meet these standards could result in contractual remedies, including financial penalties or termination.

How did the 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition affect the outcome?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause indicates that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential bidders were disqualified based on pre-defined criteria. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed but could relate to past performance, financial stability, or failure to meet specific technical qualifications. The fact that 8 bids were received suggests that the exclusion criteria were not overly restrictive and that sufficient qualified vendors remained to ensure robust competition. This approach allows the government to filter out potentially problematic contractors early while still leveraging market competition among the remaining eligible firms.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 916 N MONROE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,732,917

Exercised Options: $15,732,917

Current Obligation: $15,732,917

Timeline