Scope of Work

Appeal Brief Appeal Letter Appeal Analysis

Appeal Brief

Disaster1909-DR-TN
ApplicantNashville-Davidson County
Appeal TypeSecond
PA ID#037-52004-00
PW ID#5533
Date Signed2014-10-14T00:00:00

Conclusion:  Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.223, the work items excluded in the original version of PW 5533 are eligible under the PA Program.  In addition, the Applicant provided sufficient documentation to substantiate $189,355.06 in additional PA funding.

Summary Paragraph

In May 2010, extensive flooding throughout Nashville-Davidson County caused damage to the Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Facility).  The Facility is the sole source of wastewater treatment for the northeast area of Nashville-Davidson County.  FEMA drafted PW 5533 to address damage to the Digester Building of the Facility.  FEMA obligated PW 5533 for $45,644.11.  In the first appeal, the Applicant asserted that FEMA made several errors concerning the scope of work and associated funding necessary to restore the Facility to its pre-disaster condition for PW 5533.  The Regional Administrator (RA) partially approved PW 5533 for $33,689.67 for resident engineering costs, pipe insulation, and associated construction management costs.  However, the RA determined that the first appeal did not provide the level of information necessary to make eligibility determinations on the other excluded items.  In the second appeal, the Applicant asserts that FEMA failed to include funding for pumps and motors, lighting instrumentation, an air compressor, actuators, and wiring throughout the building. 

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • Stafford Act § 406, 42 U.S.C. § 5172.
  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a).
  • OMB Circular A-87, 2 C.F.R. § 225.
  • FEMA P-348, at 2-27, 2-28, and 3.3-2.
  • FEMA 543, at 2-50.
  • FEMA P-936, at 4-22.
  • FEMA P-942, at 5-26.

Headnotes

  • Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a), an eligible item of work must be required as the result of the disaster event.
    • Based on FEMA P-348, FEMA 543, FEMA P-936, and FEMA P-942, and substantiated by analysis from a Professional Engineer, FEMA determined that the work items excluded from the original version of PW 5533 are eligible under the PA Program as they were required as a result of the disaster.   
  • Pursuant to OMB Circular A-87, allowable procurement costs must, among other things, be adequately documented. 

The Applicant provided adequate documentation, such as bid documents, invoices, and cancelled checks, to demonstrate actual costs for the requested work items. 

Appeal Letter

October 14, 2014

David Purkey
Interim Director
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
3041 Sidco Drive, P.O. Box 41502
Nashville, TN 37204-1502

Re: Second Appeal – Nashville-Davidson County, PA ID 037-52004-00, FEMA-1909-DR-TN, Project Worksheet (PW) 5533 – Scope of Work

Dear Mr. Purkey:

This is in response to a letter from your office dated December 11, 2013, which transmitted the referenced second appeal on behalf of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (Applicant).  The Applicant is appealing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial of $189,355.06 in Public Assistance (PA) funding for various items excluded from PW 5533.

As explained in the enclosed analysis, I have determined that, pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.223, the work items excluded in the original version of PW 5533 are eligible under the PA Program.  In addition, the Applicant provided sufficient documentation to substantiate $189,355.06 in additional PA funding.  Therefore, I am granting the appeal contingent upon the Applicant’s ability to produce documents substantiating proper procurement and actual costs.  By copy of this letter, I am requesting the Acting Regional Administrator take appropriate action to implement this determination. 

Please inform the Applicant of my decision.  This determination is the final decision on this matter pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.206, Appeals.

Sincerely,

/s/

William W. Roche
Director
Public Assistance Division

Enclosure

cc:  Andrew Velasquez, III
      Regional Administrator
      FEMA Region IV

Appeal Analysis

Background

In May 2010, extensive flooding throughout Nashville and Davidson County caused damage to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s (Nashville-Davidson or Applicant) Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Facility).  The Facility is the sole source of wastewater treatment for the northeast area of Nashville-Davidson County.  FEMA drafted PW 5533 to address damage to the Digester Building of the Facility, including the building’s Accumulator Room, Equipment Gallery, and a stairwell leading to the basement.  FEMA obligated PW 5533 for $45,644.11 based on a project cost estimate using RS Means and other sources.   

First Appeal

In the first appeal letter, dated June 8, 2011, the Applicant asserted that FEMA made several errors concerning the scope of work and associated funding necessary to restore the Facility to its predisaster condition for PW 5533.  In that appeal the Applicant presented five distinct issues.  First, the Applicant disagreed with FEMA’s decision to reclassify the Direct Administrative Costs (DAC) as indirect costs, thereby reducing the eligible amount in PW 5533.  Second, the Applicant requested that FEMA revise PW 5533 to reflect the actual effort expended for on-site resident engineering tasks associated with the recovery of the Facility.  Third, the Applicant asserted that it should be reimbursed for removal, disposal, and replacement of contaminated pipe insulation because such action complied with FEMA policy and guidance regarding mold remediation.  Fourth, the Applicant asserted that, pursuant to FEMA Publication 348, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage (FEMA P-348), FEMA should authorize the complete replacement of all electrical wires and cables because the Facility was submerged in nine feet of contaminated floodwaters and the electrical equipment was not salvageable.[1]  Finally, the Applicant asserted that a Technical Memorandum, prepared by Brown and Caldwell Engineers (Consulting Engineers), identified several areas where damaged items were missed and should have been included in PW 5533.[2]    

In a letter dated September 27, 2013, the Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) partially granted the appeal, approving $33,689.67 for the second and third issues presented by the Applicant (i.e., resident engineering costs, pipe insulation, and associated construction management costs).  However, the RA determined that Nashville-Davidson had not provided sufficient information to substantiate additional direct administrative costs, complete replacement of all electrical wires and cables, or other items that were excluded from the PW (first, fourth, and fifth issues, respectively). With specific regard to issues four and five, the RA determined that the format in which the Applicant documented costs made no distinction between existing line item costs included in PW 5533 and the appealed scope addition or cost increases.

Second Appeal

In the second appeal, dated December 5, 2013, the Applicant requests reimbursement for issues four and five (i.e., excluded work described above), in the amount of $189,355.06.  The second appeal  includes $80,973.69 for replacement of wires, conduits, flow tubes, sump pump panels, and other mechanical items, $15,426.67 for lighting and receptacle replacement, $69,583.60 for other lighting instrumentation, and $23,317.10 for an air compressor, actuators, and wiring—all of which the applicant claims were excluded in the original PW.  The Applicant raises no issue with regard to the Direct Administrative Costs.

The Applicant also asserts that the original PW only includes sensing or primary elements while the bid documents provided to FEMA list all damaged components.  In addition, the Applicant explains it used these bid documents to establish the cost to restore the Facility to predisaster condition.  In the Applicant’s second appeal, it contends that, had FEMA used its bid documents during the preparation of PW 5533, the excluded work items that were damaged as the result of the disaster would have otherwise qualified for PA funding.  

Discussion

Work Eligibility

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), Section 406, authorizes FEMA to make contributions to a local government to restore eligible facilities on the basis of the design of such facilities as they existed immediately prior to the disaster.[3]  Pursuant to Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 C.F.R.) § 206.223(a), which implements that provision, an eligible item of work must be required as the result of the disaster event, be located within a designated disaster area, and be the legal responsibility of the applicant.[4] The Applicant has fulfilled the latter two requirements of § 206.223(a); the issue on appeal is whether the work is required as a result of the disaster event.

As stated earlier, in the first appeal determination, the RA noted that the items excluded from the scope of work may be eligible for Public Assistance (PA) funding.  However, the RA could neither determine whether all items were damaged by the disaster nor distinguish between line item costs already included in PW 5533 and additional scope or cost increases not previously included in PW 5533.

It must be noted that, among other things, the Applicant’s Consulting Engineers conducted a detailed flood damage assessment of the Facility.[5]  The assessment included high water mark locations and an inventory of equipment that was reviewed by a licensed Professional Engineer.[6]  The inventory list is a detailed record that accounts for all of the Facility’s electrical equipment

and distinguishes between disaster-damaged and non-damaged equipment.[7]  The inventory list was the basis for the scope of work in bid documents.[8]  In addition to the water mark locations and inventory list, the assessment asserts that the floodwater was contaminated and, therefore, likely had harmful impacts on electrical components.[9]  The Consulting Engineers substantiate this claim by providing laboratory reports that indicated the presence of contaminating factors, including pH and corrosivity levels above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended levels.[10]

Generally, FEMA policy and guidance states that wet electrical components must be replaced.[11]  Specifically, FEMA P-348 recommends replacing any wire or cable that is listed for dry locations that has been submerged in water[12] and notes that “sediments and contaminants contained in water may find their way into the internal components of installed electrical products and may remain there even after the products have been dried or washed….”[13]  Furthermore, it explains that “[i]nundation of electrical equipment in a building creates the danger of short circuits, electrical shock, damage of electric components and appliances, injury, fire, or even death.”[14]  Accordingly, FEMA P-348 recommends replacing damaged electrical components with new undamaged products because the damaged components are not suitable for continued use.[15]

FEMA 543, Design Guide for Improving Critical Facility Safety from Flooding and High Winds (FEMA 543), further explains that, in general, if electrical components get wet, they are likely to be damaged or destroyed.[16]  It provides that “electrical systems and components, and electrical controls of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, are subject to damage simply by getting wet, even for short durations.”[17]  Additionally, unless specifically designed for wet locations, switches and other electrical components can short out due to deposits of sediment, or otherwise not function even when allowed to dry before operation.[18]  FEMA 543 also notes that wiring and components that have been submerged may be functional, although generally it is more cost-effective to discard flooded outlets, switches, and other less expensive components than to attempt thorough cleaning.[19]

In addition to FEMA 543, FEMA Publication 936, Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings (FEMA P-936), describes conditions under which wiring and cables should be considered damaged.[20]  Specifically, FEMA P-936 explains that cable systems cannot be cleaned if floodwaters have entered the exterior sheaths of the cables.[21]  However, conduits inundated with flooding may be cleaned, provided the floodwaters are not corrosive or otherwise damaging and the conduits are routed and installed to prevent water from accumulating inside them.[22]  Furthermore, after flooding it should be assumed that conductors are damaged unless it can be proven otherwise.[23]

Based upon the Applicant’s supporting documents, and FEMA policy and guidance, FEMA has determined that contaminated floodwater inundated the Facility and, therefore, likely had detrimental impacts on its electrical components.[24]  As such, the items excluded from the original scope of work in PW 5533 are eligible for Public Assistance funding.

Allowable Costs

Pursuant to the Stafford Act § 406, FEMA is authorized to provide reimbursement for the associated expenses incurred by a local government during the repair, restoration reconstruction, or replacement of a facility damaged as the result of a declared disaster.[25]  Generally, costs that can be directly tied to the performance of eligible work are eligible for FEMA reimbursement.[26]  However, these costs must, among other things, be reasonable and necessary to accomplish the work, comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and procurement requirements, and be adequately documented.[27]  Adequate documentation in this instance would include documents that validate actual costs for work items claimed in this appeal.

As explained above, the work items requested by the Applicant are necessary to restore the Facility to predisaster condition, design, and function.  With the second appeal, the Applicant provided bid documents, invoices, order forms, accounting reports, and other documentation that validate the scope and actual costs for the work items requested in this appeal.[28]  The costs associated with the requested work items were adequately documented by the Applicant.  Accordingly, the costs are eligible for FEMA reimbursement.

Conclusion

Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a), the work items excluded in the original version of PW 5533 are eligible under the PA Program.  In addition, pursuant to OMB Circular A-87, the Applicant provided sufficient documentation to substantiate its request for additional PA funding.  Accordingly, this appeal is granted contingent upon the Applicant’s ability to produce documents substantiating proper procurement and actual costs.  Final costs for PW 5533 will be reconciled by FEMA during the closeout process. 


[1] See Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage, FEMA P-348, at 2-27 (Nov. 1999) [hereinafter FEMA 348].

[2] See generally Technical Memorandum from Maintenance and Reliability Specialist, Brown and Caldwell, prepared for Nashville Metropolitan Water Services, (Sep. 7, 2010) [hereinafter Technical Memorandum 1].

[3] The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 93-288, § 406, 42 U.S.C. § 5172 (2007).

[4] 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a) (2009).

[5] See generally Technical Memorandum 1.

[6] Id.

[7] Id.

[8] Second Appeal, Nashville-Davidson County, FEMA-1909-DR-TN, at 3-4 (Dec. 5, 2013).

[9] Id.

[10] Id.; see also Technical Memorandum from Professional Engineer, Brown and Caldwell, prepared for Metropolitan Water Services Nashville, at Attachment A (May 27, 2011) (referencing the National Electric Code (NEC) that forbids the use of electrical equipment and connections “…deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating” as support for the Applicant’s assertion that various electrical components had to be replaced)    [hereinafter Technical Memorandum 2].

[11] See Design Guide for Improving Critical Facility Safety from Flooding and High Winds, FEMA 543, (Jan. 2007) [hereinafter FEMA 543]; see also Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936, (July 2013) [hereinafter FEMA P-936].

[12] FEMA P-348, at 2-27. 

[13] Id., at 2-28.

[14] Id., at 3.3-2.

[15] Id., at 2-28. 

[16] FEMA 543, at 2-50.

[17] Id.; see also FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) Report: Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York, FEMA P-942, at 5-26 (Nov. 2013) (providing, “[i]n general, all inundated electrical components had to be replaced, including electric controls and SCADA systems. Other equipment and systems damaged by floodwater included boilers, communication systems, fire protection systems, settling tanks, and biological systems for treatment.”) [hereinafter FEMA P-942].

[18] FEMA 543, at 2-50.

[19] Id.

[20] See FEMA P-936, at 4-22.

[21] Id.

[22] Id.

[23] Id. (providing that, “conductors should be replaced after flooding unless it can be confirmed that they have not been damaged from inundation”).

[24]During evaluation of the second appeal, FEMA consulted a professional engineer (PE) regarding the validity of the Applicant’s assertions regarding the excluded work items.  The PE reviewed the Applicant’s appeal documentation submitted on first and second appeal, FEMA policy, and FEMA guidance to form a professional opinion regarding the eligibility of work items the Applicant claims were improperly excluded in PW 5533.  The PE concluded that the Applicant’s documentation was sufficient to establish that the excluded items were damaged by the flood.  See generally Email from Professional Engineer, FEMA to PA Appeals Analyst, FEMA (Aug. 15, 2014, 5:24 pm) (on file with FEMA).

[25] Stafford Act § 406(a)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. § 5172.

[26] Public Assistance Guide, FEMA 322, at 40 (June 2007).

[27] See Office of Mgmt. & Budget, Exec. Office of the President, OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, at Attachment A  (2004) (codified at 2 C.F.R. § 225).

[28] Nashville-Davidson County, FEMA-1909-DR-TN, Attachments.

 

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