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The FEMA Report Lets You Know What They Buy and How They Buy
Former Program Specialist
Contract Oversite Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Durable Medical Equipment Kits | • Tools/Equipment |
• Consumable Medical Supplies Kits | • Trucks/Forklifts |
• Infant/Toddler Products | • Generators |
• Plastic Sheeting/Tarps | • Building Materials |
• Blankets/Cots | • Office Supplies |
• Comfort/Hygiene Kits | • Portable Toilets |
• Water | • Medical Professionals/Temp Labor |
• Meals | • Janitorial Services |
FEMA contracts are pre-competed and awarded contracts for goods and services that are required for disaster response and recovery. Recipients of these contracts must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible to compete for FEMA contract opportunities. FEMA contracts are typically used for recurring disaster response and recovery requirements, such as the provision of temporary housing, debris removal, and infrastructure repair. FEMA contracts can also be used to procure supplies and equipment needed for immediate disaster response, such as food, water, and medical supplies. By procuring goods and services through FEMA contracts, responders can save time and money while ensuring that they have the resources they need to effectively respond to disasters.
As anyone who has been through a disaster knows, the aftermath can be just as challenging as the event itself. One of the top priorities for FEMA is procurement, or the process of acquiring goods and services to support response and recovery efforts. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, there is a great need for durable medical equipment kits, consumable medical supplies, generators, tarps and plastic sheeting, building materials, and comfort/hygiene kits. FEMA also contracts with businesses for meals, trucks and forklifts, infant and toddler products, office supplies, cots and blankets, portable toilets, janitorial services, and water. To be eligible to do business with FEMA during disasters, contractors must register in SAM.gov. By having pre-qualified contractors in place before a disaster strikes, FEMA is able to provide much-needed assistance quickly and efficiently.
To help our country be better prepared the Department of Homeland Security has established FEMA’s Industry Liaison Program (“ILP”). The ILP creates strategic relationships with suppliers and stakeholders; serves as an information provider for suppliers seeking to do business with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”); and connects suppliers with program offices in support of FEMA’s mission.
FEMA seeks to work with local companies within the disaster area for goods and services related to a specific disaster when practical and feasible. Potential contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management, and other appropriate state, and/or local databases to be eligible for contract awards. Contractors should make sure their company information is complete, compliant, and optimized across all registrations, including keywords, industry codes, and capabilities narrative. In addition, companies should have a current website that clearly describes their goods and services so that they can be easily found.
FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. This is the top focus of everyone working for or with FEMA in the field. Once there is a presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency, FEMA coordinates and collaborates with federal, state, local and tribal agencies to get assistance to survivors.
While this report primarily deals with FEMA’s $9.4 billion in FY2021 federal award contracts, the majority of FEMA dollars spent flow down to the states through grants for local spending. It is important to establish relationships with state and local government procurement offices. Often these offices control much of the work that is done. In fact, FEMA doesn’t do anything without request and concurrence from the state, local and (when applicable) tribal governments. The type, kind and quantity of assistance FEMA provides is entirely up to state and local authorities. If debris removal contracts are already in place for routine incidents, such as wind or ice storms, those contracts will probably be used for major disasters first. So make sure that you are registered in any applicable state/local databases – not only those local to you, but those in areas you might travel to in response to a disaster.