DHS awarded $19.4M for emergency response program management, highlighting a need for specialized consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,421,682 ($19.4M)

Contractor: Emergency Response Program Management Consultants

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2008-09-23

End Date: 2010-05-31

Contract Duration: 615 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PA TAC

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.4 million to EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS for work described as: PA TAC Key points: 1. The contract value of $19.4 million for emergency response program management suggests a significant investment in specialized expertise. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not fully detailed, but the award type indicates a competitive process. 3. The duration of the contract (615 days) and its Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure warrant scrutiny for cost control. 4. Performance context is linked to emergency response, a critical but often unpredictable sector requiring agile management. 5. This contract positions the agency to leverage external knowledge for enhancing its emergency preparedness and response capabilities. 6. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract structure implies a pre-existing framework for acquiring these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking this $19.4 million contract against similar emergency response program management contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. The duration of 615 days suggests a substantial engagement. Without comparable data on the specific deliverables and the number of hours billed, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the scale of the award indicates a significant need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded as a Competitive Delivery Order, indicating that it was competed among multiple potential offerors. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, the 'full-and-open' competition level suggests a robust process designed to solicit a wide range of proposals. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the agency to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process for this $19.4 million contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it is more likely to result in a fair market price and high-quality services compared to non-competitive awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security and its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who receive enhanced program management for emergency response. Services delivered include expert consulting to improve the planning, execution, and oversight of emergency response programs. The geographic impact is national, as FEMA's emergency response efforts cover the entire United States. Workforce implications may include the augmentation of government personnel with specialized contractor expertise, potentially leading to more efficient operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost uncertainty if not managed rigorously.
The significant dollar value requires diligent oversight to ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds.
The critical nature of emergency response means any performance issues could have serious consequences.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Focus on program management for emergency response addresses a critical government function.
The contract duration indicates a sustained need and commitment to improving response capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) encompasses a wide range of professional services, including those related to program management and consulting for critical infrastructure and public safety. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by needs in defense, infrastructure development, and emergency preparedness. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting government operations, particularly in the high-stakes area of emergency management. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale consulting contracts for federal agencies managing complex, nationwide programs.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly provided for this delivery order. As a competitive award, there may have been opportunities for small businesses to participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors. However, without specific details, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Standard oversight mechanisms would include contract performance monitoring, financial reviews, and adherence to the terms of the delivery order. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Operations Support
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Emergency Preparedness and Response Services
Management and Consulting Services
Government Program Management Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust government oversight to manage contractor performance and costs.
Complexity of emergency response requires specialized and reliable program management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.4 million to EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS. PA TAC

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 $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-23. End: 2010-05-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'emergency response program management' services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS' under the 'Engineering Services' category (NAICS 541330). While the exact scope of work isn't detailed, this typically involves providing expertise in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources for emergency response initiatives. This could encompass developing strategic plans, improving operational procedures, assessing risks, managing interagency coordination, and advising on policy implementation related to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing suggests that the services are labor-intensive and may involve evolving requirements.

How does the $19.4 million award compare to typical spending on similar emergency response consulting services by FEMA?

Without access to a comprehensive database of FEMA's historical spending on specific emergency response program management consulting contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $19.4 million represents a substantial investment, suggesting a significant scope of work or a prolonged period of engagement. FEMA often requires specialized expertise for large-scale disaster recovery and preparedness efforts, which can command high contract values. This award is likely within the upper range for individual consulting engagements of this nature, reflecting the critical and complex demands of national emergency management.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for emergency response program management?

The primary risk with a T&M contract for emergency response program management is the potential for cost escalation. Since the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours and costs, there is less incentive for efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts. If not managed diligently through robust oversight, tracking of hours, and clear definition of tasks, the total cost can exceed initial estimates. For emergency response, where situations can be unpredictable, T&M can offer flexibility, but it necessitates stringent monitoring by the government to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary for the tasks performed.

What does the 'Competitive Delivery Order' award type imply about the contractor selection process and potential value?

A 'Competitive Delivery Order' signifies that this specific task order was competed among multiple vendors, likely under a pre-existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. This implies that FEMA solicited proposals for this particular requirement and evaluated them based on defined criteria, which usually include technical approach, past performance, and price. The competitive nature generally leads to better price discovery and allows the agency to select the offer that provides the best overall value. It suggests that the contractor, VIRGINIA TECH APPLIED SOLUTIONS (VA TAC), was selected based on their ability to meet the requirements competitively.

What is the track record of the contractor, VIRGINIA TECH APPLIED SOLUTIONS (VA TAC), in delivering similar emergency response program management services?

The provided data identifies 'VA TAC' as the contractor, which likely refers to Virginia Tech Applied Solutions, a research and development arm associated with Virginia Tech. While the data confirms they were awarded this $19.4 million contract, it does not detail their specific track record in emergency response program management. Virginia Tech and its affiliated entities often engage in government contracting, particularly in areas requiring technical expertise and research. A thorough assessment would require examining their past performance on similar federal contracts, client feedback, and any documented successes or challenges in managing complex programs, especially within the emergency response domain.

How does the contract duration of 615 days influence the assessment of its effectiveness and value?

A contract duration of 615 days (approximately 20 months) indicates a significant, medium-term engagement. This duration suggests that the services required are substantial and likely involve complex program development, implementation, or ongoing support rather than short-term, ad-hoc tasks. For emergency response program management, a longer duration can allow for the development of deeper expertise, relationship building with stakeholders, and the sustained application of management principles to improve preparedness and response capabilities. It also provides a more stable environment for the contractor to deliver results. However, it also increases the importance of continuous oversight to ensure the program remains on track and delivers value throughout its lifecycle.

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: 3

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: $47,186,828

Exercised Options: $47,186,828

Current Obligation: $19,421,682

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ06D0488

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline