FEMA's Risk Map Program awarded $18.4M for technical services, highlighting engineering and mapping needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,432,854 ($18.4M)

Contractor: Risk Assessment, Mapping, and Planning Partners (ramp-P)

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-12-01

End Date: 2010-11-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEMA RISK MAP PROGRAM 12/01/2009 - 11/30 2010

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.4 million to RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P) for work described as: PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEMA RISK MAP PROGRAM 12/01/2009 - 11/30 2010 Key points: 1. The contract focused on essential risk assessment and mapping services, crucial for disaster preparedness. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting a healthy market for these specialized engineering services. 3. The cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance but requires careful monitoring of costs. 4. This award falls within the broader context of federal efforts to understand and mitigate natural disaster impacts. 5. The services provided are foundational for FEMA's mission to reduce risk to life and property.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.4 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized engineering and technical services supporting a critical national program like FEMA's Risk MAP. Benchmarking against similar contracts for risk assessment and mapping services would provide a more precise valuation, but the scope suggests a significant undertaking. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, while common for complex services where exact costs are hard to predict, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure value for money and prevent cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. With four bidders participating, the competition level suggests a reasonably active market for these specialized services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition with multiple bidders typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best possible value through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies, particularly FEMA, which gains enhanced capabilities for risk assessment and mapping. Services delivered include technical support for risk analysis, mapping, and planning, directly contributing to disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. The geographic impact is national, as FEMA's Risk MAP program aims to improve understanding of risks across all regions of the United States. Workforce implications include the employment of engineers, scientists, GIS specialists, and technical support staff within the contracting organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus award fee contracts require rigorous oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that award fees are justified by performance.
The duration of the contract (one year) may limit long-term strategic planning for the program if not followed by subsequent awards.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace for these services.
The contract supports a critical national program (FEMA Risk MAP) focused on public safety and disaster resilience.
The number of bidders (4) suggests sufficient market interest and capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a segment of the professional services market focused on applying scientific and engineering principles to design, develop, and manage projects. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, particularly for infrastructure, defense, and environmental management. Spending in this area is often driven by national security needs, regulatory requirements, and public safety initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government databases tracking engineering and technical support contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless significant subcontracting opportunities arise. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, performance monitoring and justification for award fees are critical oversight functions. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Risk MAP Program
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Programs
Geospatial Information Services
Engineering Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Cost-plus award fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure value.
The one-year duration may limit long-term program continuity if not followed by subsequent awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.4 million to RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P). PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR THE FEMA RISK MAP PROGRAM 12/01/2009 - 11/30 2010

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P).

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 $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-12-01. End: 2010-11-30.

What is the track record of the contractor, RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P), with FEMA or similar agencies?

Information on the specific track record of 'RISK ASSESSMENT, MAPPING, AND PLANNING PARTNERS (RAMP-P)' is not directly available in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would typically research past performance evaluations, contract history with government agencies, and any reported issues or successes on similar projects. Agencies like FEMA often maintain internal performance metrics and may have publicly available past performance information. A thorough review would involve checking databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency-specific contract management systems for details on their prior awards, performance ratings, and any disputes or claims.

How does the $18.4 million contract value compare to other FEMA Risk MAP program contracts?

The $18.4 million contract value for one year of services for the FEMA Risk MAP program represents a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to analyze historical spending data for the Risk MAP program, looking at the average contract size, duration, and scope of work for similar technical and mapping services. FEMA often awards multiple contracts for different aspects of the Risk MAP program, and the total annual spending can fluctuate based on program priorities and funding. Without access to a broader dataset of FEMA Risk MAP contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if $18.4 million is high, low, or average, but it indicates a substantial allocation for these critical services.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for technical services?

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, while offering flexibility for complex or uncertain projects, carry inherent risks. A primary risk is the potential for cost escalation, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that includes a base amount and an award amount tied to performance. This structure can incentivize contractors to incur costs to achieve higher award fees if performance metrics are not tightly defined or monitored. For taxpayers, the risk lies in potentially paying more than necessary if cost controls are weak or if the award fee criteria are not sufficiently rigorous. Effective oversight, clear performance metrics, and robust auditing are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How effective are engineering services contracts like this in improving national disaster resilience?

Engineering services contracts, such as this one for FEMA's Risk MAP program, are fundamentally important for improving national disaster resilience. They provide the technical expertise needed to identify, assess, and map hazards like floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. This information is critical for informing land-use planning, developing mitigation strategies, updating building codes, and guiding emergency response efforts. By enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of risk data, these contracts enable more informed decision-making at federal, state, and local levels, ultimately leading to reduced vulnerability and better preparedness for natural disasters.

What is the historical spending trend for FEMA's Risk MAP program over the last five years?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for FEMA's Risk MAP program over the last five years would require access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Typically, such analysis would involve querying databases like FPDS or USAspending.gov to aggregate contract obligations related to the Risk MAP program. Spending can vary year-to-year based on congressional appropriations, program priorities, and the initiation of new mapping cycles or major initiatives. A trend analysis might reveal periods of increased investment driven by major disaster events or shifts in policy, or periods of stable funding. Without specific data, it's impossible to provide precise figures or trends.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 ORCHARD RIDGE DRIVE, SUITE 101, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,220,296

Exercised Options: $27,220,296

Current Obligation: $18,432,854

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ09D0369

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline