FEMA's $16.6M mobile home support contract awarded to Smith Research Development & Support Corp. for facilities services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,621,828 ($16.6M)

Contractor: Smith Research Development & Support Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-06-01

End Date: 2007-08-31

Contract Duration: 456 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.5K/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 $16.6 million to SMITH RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT CORPORATION for work described as: MOBILE HOME ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION Key points: 1. The contract's value of $16.6 million for a 456-day duration suggests a significant investment in mobile home support services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are unclear, necessitating further investigation into the bidding process and awarded price. 3. The fixed-firm price contract type indicates a defined cost structure, potentially mitigating budget overruns. 4. Performance context is limited without specific metrics on the effectiveness of mobile home activation/deactivation services. 5. This contract falls under Facilities Support Services, a broad category that requires detailed understanding of the specific services rendered. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) in Louisiana, indicating a focus on disaster relief or preparedness in that region.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $16.6 million contract is challenging without comparable data on mobile home activation/deactivation services. The duration of 456 days provides a rough daily rate, but the specific services rendered are critical for a true value assessment. Comparing this to other FEMA support contracts or similar disaster response logistics would offer more insight into whether the pricing reflects market rates for such specialized services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', which implies some level of competition. However, the number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to assess the extent of competition. A competitive process, especially with multiple bidders, typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition generally ensures that the government secures services at a fair market price, preventing overspending and maximizing the efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits individuals and communities requiring temporary housing solutions, particularly in disaster-stricken areas like Louisiana. The services delivered include the activation and deactivation of mobile homes, crucial for providing rapid shelter post-disaster. The geographic impact is focused on Louisiana, suggesting a response to specific regional needs or ongoing disaster recovery efforts. Workforce implications may include the employment of personnel for the setup, maintenance, and dismantling of mobile housing units.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness and efficiency.
The specific nature of 'mobile home activation/deactivation' is broad and could encompass a wide range of services, impacting cost-effectiveness.
Limited information on the competitive landscape raises concerns about whether the best possible price was secured for taxpayers.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded under a competitive delivery order, suggesting an attempt to leverage market forces.
The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of 456 days indicates a sustained need for these services, potentially reflecting a significant operational requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of services related to the operation and maintenance of facilities. Within this sector, mobile home activation and deactivation are specialized logistical services often crucial in disaster response scenarios. Comparable spending benchmarks would ideally focus on contracts for temporary housing solutions, emergency logistics, or disaster recovery support services, rather than general facilities maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus for this specific contract award. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. This suggests that larger businesses were either the primary bidders or that the nature of the services did not lend itself to small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance clauses and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases, though specific operational details and performance reviews may not always be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Relief Funding
Emergency Management Services
Temporary Housing Programs
Federal Procurement Contracts
Facilities Management Services

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed competition information
Unclear performance metrics
Limited public data on specific services rendered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $16.6 million to SMITH RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT CORPORATION. MOBILE HOME ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SMITH RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT CORPORATION.

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 $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific services are included under 'mobile home activation/deactivation' for FEMA?

The term 'mobile home activation/deactivation' for FEMA typically encompasses a range of logistical and setup services necessary for providing temporary housing. This can include site preparation, delivery and placement of mobile homes, utility hookups (water, sewer, electricity), interior setup (furniture, appliances), ensuring habitability, and subsequent deactivation, which involves disconnection, removal, and site restoration. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which specifies deliverables, timelines, and quality standards. Without the SOW, the precise nature and extent of services remain generalized.

How does the $16.6 million contract value compare to similar FEMA disaster response contracts?

Directly comparing the $16.6 million value of this mobile home support contract to other FEMA disaster response contracts requires access to a broader dataset of similar procurements. FEMA contracts can vary significantly in scope, duration, and service type. For instance, contracts for large-scale debris removal or temporary facility construction might exceed this amount, while smaller, more localized support services could be less. To assess value, one would need to identify contracts with similar objectives (e.g., providing temporary housing solutions post-disaster) and similar durations, then normalize for the number of units supported or the complexity of services. Without such comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if $16.6 million represents a high, low, or average expenditure for this specific type of service.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Smith Research Development & Support Corporation's performance on this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract involving mobile home activation/deactivation would typically focus on timeliness, quality of service, and cost control. Specific KPIs might include: 1. **Activation Time:** The average number of days from request to a mobile home being fully operational and ready for occupancy. 2. **Deactivation Time:** The efficiency of the process for removing and restoring sites post-occupancy. 3. **Quality of Setup:** Metrics related to successful utility connections, absence of defects, and compliance with safety standards. 4. **Customer Satisfaction:** Feedback from occupants or FEMA officials regarding the service. 5. **Cost Variance:** Adherence to the firm fixed price, with minimal unexpected costs. Without access to the contract's SOW or performance reports, these are inferred KPIs based on the nature of the services.

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

Analyzing historical spending patterns for mobile home activation/deactivation services by FEMA requires a review of past contract awards over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts with similar descriptions, such as 'temporary housing support,' 'mobile home deployment,' or 'disaster housing logistics.' By aggregating the total spending and number of contracts awarded annually, one could identify trends, peak spending periods (often correlating with major disaster events), and the average contract value. This analysis would reveal whether FEMA's reliance on such services, and the associated costs, has increased or decreased over time, and identify any significant shifts in procurement strategies or contractor utilization.

What is the track record of Smith Research Development & Support Corporation with federal contracts, particularly with FEMA?

To assess the track record of Smith Research Development & Support Corporation (SRDSC), a comprehensive review of their past federal contract awards is necessary. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for all contracts awarded to SRDSC across various agencies, paying special attention to any prior work with FEMA or similar disaster response organizations. Key aspects to examine include the types of services provided, contract values, performance history (including any reported issues, disputes, or awards), and the duration of their involvement with government contracts. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget performance on relevant contracts would indicate reliability, while a pattern of issues might raise concerns.

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

Offers Received: 39

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5459 PRESCOTT RD APT 134, BATON ROUGE, LA, 90

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, 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: $31,804,815

Exercised Options: $31,804,815

Current Obligation: $16,621,828

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ06D0372

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline