FEMA's $13M mobile home activation contract awarded to Jacquet Construction Services, LLC for facilities support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,972,709 ($13.0M)

Contractor: Jacquet Construction Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-06-01

End Date: 2007-08-31

Contract Duration: 456 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 39

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOBILE HOME ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION

Place of Performance

Location: BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE County, LOUISIANA, 70802

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.0 million to JACQUET CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC for work described as: MOBILE HOME ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the services rendered, considering the emergency response context. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting a healthy market for these specialized services. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the fixed-price nature and defined period of performance. 4. Performance context is tied to disaster relief efforts, highlighting the critical nature of timely service delivery. 5. Sector positioning is within facilities support services, crucial for emergency management operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $13 million for mobile home activation and deactivation services over a 13-month period seems aligned with the scope of work. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on the number of units and specific services provided, the fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control. Benchmarking against similar disaster response contracts would provide further insight into value for money, but the amount is not inherently excessive given the potential scale of emergency needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 39 bids suggests a competitive marketplace for these services. A high number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government, as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition in this instance likely benefited taxpayers by driving down prices and ensuring the government received competitive offers for essential disaster response services.

Public Impact

Disaster-affected residents in Louisiana benefited from the rapid deployment and setup of temporary housing. Essential services including activation and deactivation of mobile homes were delivered. Geographic impact was concentrated in Louisiana, supporting recovery efforts in the state. The contract supported a workforce involved in construction and facilities management during a critical time.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if disaster conditions worsen or extend beyond initial projections.
Logistical challenges in rapidly deploying and managing mobile home units in affected areas.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure limits financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially good value.
Defined period of performance provides clear deliverables and timelines.

Sector Analysis

The Facilities Support Services sector encompasses a wide range of activities related to maintaining and managing physical infrastructure. Within the context of federal spending, this sector is critical for operational support across various agencies, particularly during emergency response and disaster recovery. FEMA's reliance on such services highlights the importance of a responsive and capable market for rapid deployment of resources like temporary housing.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the services and the scale of the contract, it is possible that larger firms or joint ventures were primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation, if any, in the execution of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency with established oversight mechanisms for disaster relief spending. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting on performance metrics and any challenges encountered during execution. Inspector General oversight would apply to ensure funds were used appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Housing Assistance
Emergency Management Services
Temporary Housing Solutions
Facilities Maintenance and Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope expands beyond initial disaster relief needs.
Logistical complexities in remote or damaged areas impacting service delivery timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.0 million to JACQUET CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC. MOBILE HOME ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACQUET CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, 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 $13.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-06-01. End: 2007-08-31.

What was the specific nature of the 'activation' and 'deactivation' services provided under this contract?

The 'activation' and 'deactivation' services likely refer to the process of preparing mobile homes for occupancy and then preparing them for removal or storage after their use. Activation could include site preparation, utility hookups (water, sewer, electricity), leveling, securing the unit, and ensuring it meets habitability standards. Deactivation would involve disconnecting utilities, securing the unit for transport, and potentially site restoration. Given the context of FEMA and disaster response, these services were crucial for quickly providing shelter to displaced populations and then efficiently managing the housing assets post-disaster.

How does the cost per mobile home unit compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?

Determining a precise per-unit cost is challenging without knowing the exact number of mobile homes serviced and the specific tasks performed for each. However, the total contract value of approximately $13 million over 456 days (roughly 1.25 years) suggests a significant operation. Industry benchmarks for mobile home setup and teardown can vary widely based on location, site conditions, and the complexity of hookups. If we assume, for illustrative purposes, that 1,000 units were serviced, the average cost per unit would be around $13,000. This figure would need to be compared against detailed cost breakdowns from similar FEMA operations or private sector deployments to assess its competitiveness.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's success?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for such a contract would likely include: timeliness of activation (e.g., time from request to habitable unit), quality of setup (e.g., number of defects reported), efficiency of deactivation, adherence to safety protocols, and overall resident satisfaction with the temporary housing setup. FEMA would have likely monitored these aspects through site inspections, resident feedback mechanisms, and project management reports to ensure the contractor met the contract's objectives effectively during a critical response period.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the contract performance?

The provided data does not specify any significant challenges or disputes during the performance of this contract. However, contracts of this nature, especially those related to disaster response in areas like Louisiana (indicated by 'ST': 'LA'), often face logistical hurdles, weather-related delays, and coordination issues with other relief efforts. A thorough review of contract performance reports or agency records would be necessary to identify any specific issues that may have arisen and how they were resolved.

What is the historical spending pattern for mobile home activation/deactivation services by FEMA?

Historical spending patterns for mobile home activation/deactivation services by FEMA can fluctuate significantly based on the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Following major events like hurricanes Katrina and Rita (which impacted Louisiana around the contract period), FEMA's expenditure on temporary housing solutions, including mobile homes and associated services, typically increases substantially. This contract, awarded in 2006, falls within a period of heightened activity for FEMA in the Gulf Coast region. Analyzing FEMA's budget and contract awards in the years preceding and following this period would reveal trends in demand and spending for these critical services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSFEHQ06R8ALA

Offers Received: 39

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4044 OLD GENTILLY RD, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 02

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Emerging Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,781,334

Exercised Options: $31,781,334

Current Obligation: $12,972,709

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ06D0371

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline