FEMA Puts Victim Needs First When Hiring Contractors
Release Date: November 4, 2005
Release Number: 1603-139
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it is important to hire local contractors wherever possible, but stressed the welfare of storm victims often dictates who is selected to do a job.
"FEMA recognizes the benefit of putting recovery funds into areas directly affected by a disaster," said Scott Wells, deputy federal coordinating officer for the Louisiana recovery efforts. "Our goal is to maintain a contracting process that follows all proper checks and balances but addresses the need to get assistance to people as quickly as possible."
There are several kinds of contracts FEMA may be involved with:
- FEMA may contract directly with a vendor for specific support of a FEMA operation. For example, FEMA requires extensive support services to operate and maintain its field offices. FEMA will work with a local employment agency to staff necessary positions.
- FEMA may provide reimbursement to applicants under the Public Assistance Program for eligible costs they have incurred responding to the hurricane. For example, a parish may need to establish a temporary operating facility in the aftermath of the storm. Provided the parish follows its normal procurement procedures, it can contract with local vendors for necessary support services in establishing the temporary facility. Eligible costs can then be reimbursed by FEMA.
- FEMA may task another federal department or agency for emergency life-safety measures, and that federal department or agency may in turn rely upon an existing and/or new contract. For example, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is tasked by FEMA with statewide debris removal, USACE uses an existing contract. That standing contractor may in turn subcontract with local businesses through a bidding process to help accomplish the mission.
The public can get information on doing business with FEMA by calling 202-646-4006. Information is also available by visiting www.fema.gov/ofm/business.shtm or the Disaster Contracting Network at www.dcnonline.org .
Contractors are also encouraged to contact local officials to offer clean up services. Visit www.ohsep.louisiana.gov or the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at www.lslbc.louisiana.gov .
Additional contractor opportunities are available with other federal agencies working in the recovery process. Vendors can register with Pro-Net on the Web site of the U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov . Go to the Hot Items link.
Individuals or businesses with large housing resources, such as commercial mobile home parks with a large number of unoccupied lots, large lots with built-in utilities, or vacant commercial buildings that could be converted to multi-family housing, should register at the Southwest Emergency Response Network at www.swern.gov .
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 04-Nov-2005 12:29:53