FEMA Spends $19.7M on Travel Trailers in 2005, Awarded to Sims RV World, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,717,650 ($19.7M)

Contractor: Sims RV World, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-11-18

End Date: 2005-11-26

Contract Duration: 8 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5M/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAVEL TRAILERS

Place of Performance

Location: PORTER, MONTGOMERY County, TEXAS, 77365

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.7 million to SIMS RV WORLD, INC for work described as: TRAVEL TRAILERS Key points: 1. Significant expenditure on travel trailers highlights a substantial need for temporary housing solutions. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price advantages and market exploration. 3. The short duration of the contract (8 days) suggests an urgent, immediate need. 4. The sector is recreational vehicle dealers, a niche market for federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $19.7 million for 8 days of delivery is high. Without a competitive bid, it's difficult to assess if this price reflects fair market value for the travel trailers provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This method bypasses the typical price discovery process found in open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Emergency response and disaster relief efforts often require rapid procurement of essential supplies like temporary housing. The use of travel trailers points to a specific type of immediate housing solution needed by FEMA. The significant dollar amount suggests a large-scale deployment or a high unit cost for the trailers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value for short duration
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Fulfilled an immediate need for housing

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the recreational vehicle dealer sector. Federal spending in this area is typically driven by disaster relief or specific logistical needs, rather than routine operations. Benchmarks for such emergency procurements are difficult to establish due to their ad-hoc nature.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. The focus appears to be on fulfilling a large-scale requirement, potentially favoring larger suppliers.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competed nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government received fair value. Oversight should focus on the justification for sole-source procurement and the reasonableness of the price paid.

Related Government Programs

Recreational Vehicle Dealers
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about price fairness.
High contract value for a short delivery period.
Potential for emergency procurement to be less cost-effective.
Absence of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.7 million to SIMS RV WORLD, INC. TRAVEL TRAILERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIMS RV WORLD, 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 $19.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-11-18. End: 2005-11-26.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was it adequately documented?

The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source is available or when there is an urgent, compelling need that cannot be met through competition. A thorough review would require access to the contract file to verify the documented rationale and ensure it met federal procurement regulations.

How does the per-unit cost of these travel trailers compare to market rates or similar government procurements?

Without specific details on the number of units purchased or the per-unit price, a direct comparison is impossible. However, the total value of $19.7 million for a short-term delivery suggests a potentially high cost per unit, especially given the lack of competition which typically drives down prices.

What was the intended use and duration of deployment for these travel trailers, and were they effectively utilized?

The data indicates the contract was for 8 days, suggesting a rapid deployment need, likely for disaster relief. The effectiveness of their utilization would depend on the specific emergency situation FEMA was addressing. Post-deployment assessments or reports would be necessary to determine their actual effectiveness and impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Other Motor Vehicle Dealers › Recreational Vehicle Dealers

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 24752 HIGHWAY 59, PORTER, TX, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,435,300

Exercised Options: $39,435,300

Current Obligation: $19,717,650

Timeline