This is a SPECIAL NOTICE to announce an INDUSTRY DAY for the Public Assistance (PA) Division's multi-vendor Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity Technical Assistance Contracts.  The Industry Day shall be held on Thursday, September 25, 2008, from 9:00 AM ET to 12:00 PM ET.  Sign-in shall begin at 8:15 AM ET on September 25, 2008. 

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency requires architect-engineer services to support the PA Program's disaster-related operations in accordance with the statutory authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §5121-5206 (hereinafter referred to as the Stafford Act).  The PA Program provides supplementary Federal assistance to State and local governments, certain private nonprofit organizations, and Indian Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages under Presidential major disaster declarations to clear debris; implement emergency protective measures for the preservation of life and property; repair or replace infrastructure, such as streets, bridges, and water control facilities; repair or replace public buildings and related equipment; repair or restore public utilities; and repair or restore public recreational facilities and parks.  These program activities are highly visible and require the services of professional engineers, consultants, and other related technical specialists with knowledge, experience, and expertise in the professional field of architect-engineer services.

To support this requirement, contractors shall provide architect-engineer, consultant, and other related professional services to FEMA in support of the PA Program and the PA Division's other programs, which include the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program and the Community Disaster Loan Program.  The services shall cover FEMA operations in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, and augment FEMA's capacity to respond to natural catastrophes, with emphasis on riverine and coastal flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis, or regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion.  More information on the requirement can be found in the draft Statement of Objectives, which is attached to this Notice.

THIS IS AN INDUSTRY DAY ANNOUNCEMENT for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government.  This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals.  No reimbursement shall be made for vendor costs associated with participation in this Industry Day.

FEMA has made arrangements for up to 100 participants.  Since space is limited, each vendor may only send up to two (2) representatives.  Registration shall be open through 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, and shall be accepted only via e-mail to Ms. Lorine Boardwine at Lorine.Boardwine@dhs.gov.  The subject line of the e-mail shall read "PA TAC Industry Day."  In the body of the e-mail, each vendor shall:

•Ø       Provide the name of the firm, and the names and contact information of the attendees (i.e., addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses);

•Ø       Submit any requests for special accommodations for attendees;

•Ø       Identify the functional area that most closely corresponds to the vendor's expertise and capabilities; and

•Ø       Submit any questions to be answered during a Question and Answer session on Industry Day.

Each vendor shall be notified that its attendance request has been accepted.

The FEMA Point of Contact for this Industry Day is Lorine Boardwine, Chief of the PA TAC Management Branch, Public Assistance Division, Disaster Assistance Directorate.  Ms. Boardwine's e-mail address is Lorine.Boardwine@dhs.gov. 

The Industry Day shall be held at the Holiday Inn-Discovery II Room

550 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20024

(202) 479-4000