FEMA awards $16.3M engineering services contract to BAKERAECOM, LLC for California disaster recovery

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,284,120 ($16.3M)

Contractor: Bakeraecom, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-09-28

End Date: 2014-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAP MOD

Place of Performance

Location: OAKLAND, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94607

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $16.3 million to BAKERAECOM, LLC for work described as: MAP MOD Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and scope of disaster recovery engineering. 2. Competition was robust with 4 bidders, suggesting fair market pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a fixed-price award fee structure incentivizing performance. 4. This contract supports critical post-disaster infrastructure resilience in California. 5. The engineering services sector is vital for government response and recovery efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $16.3 million award for 5 years of engineering services for disaster recovery in California appears to be a fair value. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific task orders, the fixed-price award fee structure generally promotes cost control. The number of bidders suggests a competitive environment that likely influenced pricing favorably.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, with four bids received. The presence of multiple bidders indicates a healthy level of market interest and competition for this type of engineering service. This competitive process is expected to have driven a more favorable price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently, as multiple firms vied to provide these essential services at a competitive rate.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in California affected by disasters will benefit from improved infrastructure recovery. Engineering services will be delivered to assess damage, design repairs, and oversee reconstruction. The geographic impact is focused on California, specifically areas designated for disaster recovery. The contract supports a workforce of engineers, project managers, and technical specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Fixed Price Award Fee structure aligns contractor incentives with government objectives.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially better pricing.
Contract duration of 5 years allows for sustained support during long-term recovery efforts.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of government contracting, particularly for disaster response and infrastructure projects. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services market, which is characterized by specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks for disaster recovery engineering can vary significantly based on the scale and nature of the disaster.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of disaster recovery engineering services, it is common for larger, established firms to compete for these contracts. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the award information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. Performance would be monitored against the terms of the delivery order, with the award fee component providing an incentive for meeting or exceeding performance expectations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Relief Fund
Public Assistance Program
Engineering and Architectural Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $16.3 million to BAKERAECOM, LLC. MAP MOD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAKERAECOM, LLC.

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 $16.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-28. End: 2014-09-28.

What specific types of engineering services were included in this delivery order?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Engineering Services' (NAICS code 541330). While the specific task orders are not detailed here, typical services under such a contract for disaster recovery could include structural assessments, geotechnical investigations, environmental impact studies, civil engineering design for repairs and reconstruction, construction management, and technical consulting related to rebuilding infrastructure like roads, bridges, utilities, and public buildings.

How does the $16.3 million value compare to similar disaster recovery engineering contracts?

Directly comparing the $16.3 million value requires knowledge of the specific disaster events and the scope of work. However, for a 5-year engagement supporting disaster recovery in a large state like California, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range. Larger-scale disasters or more complex infrastructure projects would naturally command higher contract values. The fixed-price award fee structure suggests that the base price was negotiated, with additional fees earned based on performance, which is a common approach for managing costs in long-term service contracts.

What is the track record of BAKERAECOM, LLC with federal contracts, particularly FEMA?

BAKERAECOM, LLC (now AECOM Technical Services, Inc. after acquisitions) has a significant history of performing federal contracts, including numerous awards with FEMA and other agencies involved in infrastructure and disaster response. Their experience typically spans engineering, program management, and technical support for large-scale projects. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the extent and success of their past performance, including any relevant disaster recovery or resilience projects.

What are the potential risks associated with this type of engineering services contract?

Potential risks include scope creep, where the defined tasks expand beyond the original agreement, leading to cost overruns. Schedule delays can occur due to unforeseen site conditions, permitting issues, or contractor performance. Technical risks involve the accuracy of assessments and designs, which could lead to rework or performance failures. Contractor performance risk is also present, though mitigated by the award fee structure. Finally, changes in federal funding or policy could impact the project's continuity.

How has FEMA's spending on engineering services evolved over time, especially post-disaster?

FEMA's spending on engineering services has generally increased over time, particularly following major disaster declarations. This reflects a growing need for expertise in assessing damage, planning resilient recovery, and managing complex reconstruction projects. The agency relies heavily on these services to implement its Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs effectively. Trends often show a greater emphasis on resilience and climate adaptation in recent years, influencing the types of engineering services procured.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE (M)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3601 EISENHOWER AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22304

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,284,120

Exercised Options: $16,284,120

Current Obligation: $16,284,120

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ09D0368

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline