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FEMA Contracting Enhancements And Improvements Post Katrina

More than two years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA is committed to the recovery of the Gulf Coast region. The communities in the Gulf Coast continue to press forward and make progress toward rebuilding. Thus far, thousands of families have moved out of temporary housing and back into their homes, a sign of progress in the rebuilding process.

Since Hurricane Katrina

FEMA has learned many lessons from its experiences during Hurricane Katrina and has implemented numerous changes in order to improve its operations.  Furthermore, post-Katrina legislation has enabled the Agency to create a vision for a "New FEMA." Some of the improvements include:

• Pre-Positioned Contracts - Pre-positioned contracts are negotiated and awarded prior to disasters; they ensure reasonably priced and competitive agreements.  Furthermore, these contracts allow for a more responsive industry focus; enabling quick mobilization of resources, and ensure that regional operators have the right supplies and services to respond to disasters. 
  
  
• Emergency Acquisition Field Guide - This guide ensures that non-contracting personnel can effectively and appropriately contract for goods and services in an emergency situation.  It is specifically designed to define the critical elements of an emergency acquisition in plain language so that any member of the disaster support team can understand and apply proper procedures.  The guide includes information on purchase cards, program management and contracting.
  
  
• COTR Training Curriculum - The training program ensures that Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTRs) have the requisite skills and competencies to perform required functions.  The refresher training includes key acquisition concepts such as Statements of Work, Independent Government Cost Estimates, payment provisions, etc.  This training ensures that COTRs are better equipped to effectively manage the Agency's many contracts. 
  
  
• Disaster Training Course - This course is designed to ensure contracting professionals are trained on how to award contracts during a disaster.  The course includes compliance with recent legislation.  FEMA has required all acquisition personnel at Headquarters and at Regional offices take the course.  The Federal Acquisition Institute recently adopted the course and offers it throughout the federal government.
  
  
• Contract Administration Plans (CAPs) - CAPs are designed to facilitate efficient and effective administration planning and outline required levels of surveillance, contract terms and conditions for contract administration, performance milestones, and reporting requirements.  FEMA's CAPs will improve the Agency's post-award operations, to include providing a consistent guide on ordering, competing and administering procedures for task orders.  They ensure competition of individual task orders for the current Individual Assistance contracts while employing effective contract administration procedures.  In addition, these plans establish an enterprise-wide contract administration process for the COTRs in various locations.
  
  
• New Contract Writing System (PRISM) - When implemented, PRISM will provide better workload tracking, more consistent and accurate reporting, and improved contract writing and overall management of FEMA contracts.  Furthermore, PRISM is utilized by approximately 60 percent of agencies, allowing for FEMA to more effectively use other contracting personnel during a major disaster should the need arise. 
  
  
• Interagency Agreement (IAA) with Housing Urban Development (HUD) establishing the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) - This program provides another housing alternative for displaced citizens after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  DHAP is a temporary housing rental assistance and case management program for eligible individuals and households displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  It will be administered through HUD's existing infrastructure of Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).  Households receiving assistance under FEMA's Rental Assistance program will be transitioned to HUD's DHAP program. 
  
  
  • In addition to the DHAP, FEMA has implemented many policies affecting housing requirements in the Gulf Coast.  A Gulf Coast Housing Action Plan identifies the Agency's priorities and initiatives for reducing the number of households living in temporary housing units.  It also addresses the closing of group sites; this plan has resulted in the closure of 106 group sites thus far.  A priority is placed on quickly moving families who are affected or concerned about formaldehyde exposure, as well as moving families out of the group sites.  Another housing initiative is the use of rental resource teams.  They are identifying available rental units and working with landlords to enroll them into FEMA's rental assistance programs.  The Agency caseworkers are working with each family to help transition them to more permanent housing solutions.  Housing policies have been implemented to assist field caseworkers in transitioning families into more permanent housing options with emphasis on moving families into rental units. 

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 13:05:39 EDT