DHS FEMA awards $18M for Technical Assistance to support Emergency Response Program Management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,992,737 ($18.0M)

Contractor: Emergency Response Program Management Consultants

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-07-01

End Date: 2012-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,161 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.0 million to EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS for work described as: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. The contract value of $17.99M over six years indicates a significant investment in specialized consulting services. 2. Competition was likely limited given the specific nature of emergency response program management, though the award type is 'Competitive Delivery Order'. 3. Potential risks include scope creep and ensuring the effectiveness of technical assistance in critical emergency situations. 4. The Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) often involves complex, high-value contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract was awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The awarded amount of $17.99M over six years suggests a substantial budget, but without specific performance metrics or benchmarks, assessing value for money is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

Awarded as a 'Competitive Delivery Order', suggesting multiple vendors were considered. However, the specific nature of 'Emergency Response Program Management Consultants' may limit the pool of qualified bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized consulting to enhance emergency response capabilities, aiming for improved efficiency and effectiveness in critical situations.

Public Impact

Enhances the nation's ability to respond to emergencies by providing expert guidance. Supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in critical operational functions. Investment in technical assistance could lead to more efficient resource allocation during crises. The long duration of the contract suggests ongoing support needs for emergency preparedness and response.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
Limited competition potential for specialized emergency response consulting.
Ensuring measurable outcomes from technical assistance is crucial.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical government function (emergency response).
Competitive award process utilized.
Long-term engagement allows for sustained support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, a sector that often requires specialized expertise for complex government operations. Spending in this area is driven by the need for technical solutions and program management support, particularly within agencies like FEMA that manage large-scale operations and disaster response.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'Competitive Delivery Order' award type suggests a degree of oversight in the selection process. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates robust monitoring by FEMA to ensure costs remain within budget and services are effectively delivered.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Risk of vendor lock-in given the specialized nature of the service.
Difficulty in measuring the direct impact and ROI of consulting services.
Potential for limited competition impacting overall value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.0 million to EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS.

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 $18.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-07-01. End: 2012-05-31.

How effectively did the technical assistance improve FEMA's emergency response program management capabilities?

Assessing the effectiveness requires examining performance reports, post-contract reviews, and any documented improvements in response times, resource management, or overall program efficiency. Without specific metrics tied to the contract, it's difficult to quantify the direct impact of the technical assistance on FEMA's operational outcomes.

What was the primary driver for selecting a Time and Materials contract type for this service?

Time and Materials contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to evolve, common in consulting or technical assistance where requirements may change based on emerging needs. This flexibility allows for adaptation but requires stringent oversight to control costs and prevent scope creep.

Were there alternative, more cost-effective methods to achieve similar emergency response program management improvements?

Exploring alternatives would involve comparing the cost and benefits of this contract against options like in-house expertise development, fixed-price contracts for well-defined tasks, or leveraging existing inter-agency resources. The long duration and significant value suggest a perceived need for specialized, sustained external support.

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: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)

Address: 3101 WILSON BOULEVARD, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,068,610

Exercised Options: $18,068,610

Current Obligation: $17,992,737

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ06D0488

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline