FEMA Awards Contracts Worth Up To $250 Million For Flood Studies

Release Date: October 28, 2003
Release Number: R9-03-97

» 2003 Region IX News Releases

Oakland, CA - In an effort to reduce the loss of life and property due to flooding, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded five contracts, each with a maximum value of up to $50 million, for services to support FEMA Region IX's work to update regional flood maps. The contracts will include support for the map modernization efforts in Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii and several Pacific island jurisdictions.

"Flooding is one of our most frequent and costly hazards," said Jeff Griffin, regional director FEMA Region IX. "We are pleased that these companies will be supporting our regional efforts to modernize flood maps that can help communities and homeowners make important decisions before flooding occurs."

Flood hazard maps are critical tools that communities and individuals utilize to locate potential flood zones and make construction and insurance decisions that can reduce the loss and suffering associated with floods. FEMA's map modernization project is working to update the flood hazard maps in areas that are experiencing rapid growth and development.

Under the five-year contracts, the companies will provide a variety of services to support the map modernization efforts such as collecting topographic map data, conducting aerial and other field surveys, conducting modeling studies and coastal flood assessments and providing technical assistance during disaster operations.

The five contracts were awarded to the following:

Mapping Alliance Partners IX - Mainland, a joint venture consisting of URS Group, Inc. of San Francisco, Dewberry & Davis LLC of Fairfax, Va., Schaaf & Wheeler of Santa Clara, Calif., Airborne 1 Corporation of Los Angeles, and Terra Point, LLC of The Woodlands, Texas.
FEMA Services Group, a joint venture consisting of Nolte & Associates, Inc. of Sacramento, Calif., DHI Inc. of Newton, Pa., and William Lettis & Associates, Inc. of Walnut Creek, Calif.
Philip Williams & Associates of San Francisco.
R.M. Towill Corporation and URS Group, Inc., a joint venture consisting of R.M. Towill Corporation of Honolulu, URS Group, Inc., Dewberry & Davis LLC, Airborne 1 Corporation, Terra Point, LLC and Sea Engineering, Inc. of Waimanalo, Hawaii.
HDR of Folsom, Calif.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA, makes federally backed flood insurance available in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood losses by regulating new construction. It is estimated that NFIP building standards prevent $1 billion in flood losses annually and reduce the burden of disaster relief costs on all taxpayers. More information on the NFIP is available on FEMA's Web site at www.fema.gov/nfip.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Oct-2003 08:34:29