In episode 50 of FedBiz'5, Jesse Sherr welcomed Senior Contract Specialist, Frank Krebs, for a deep dive into how businesses can effectively collaborate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during disaster response initiatives.
The Role of FEMA During Disasters
When natural disasters strike, as was seen with Hurricane Idalia in Florida, FEMA's role intensifies. Its goal? To partner with suppliers and stakeholders in rebuilding and relief efforts. The bridge between the agency and potential suppliers is the Industry Liaison Program (ILP).
Getting Noticed by FEMA
Frank Krebs explained the importance of businesses ensuring their products or services align with FEMA’s needs. This means:
- Keeping registrations up-to-date.
- Ensuring that the "disaster response registry" box in the System for Award Management (SAM) registration is checked.
- Referring to resources like FedBiz Access's 2020 FEMA Annual Agency Report to understand FEMA’s buying habits.
What Does FEMA Purchase?
FEMA’s requirements cover a vast spectrum, particularly after a declared disaster. They might need water, hygiene kits, mobile homes, temporary labor, janitorial services, debris cleanup and removal, or even power tools. The list is extensive.
Navigating FEMA's Acquisition Process
Unlike other federal agencies, FEMA's acquisition process is characterized by immediacy. Most contracts issued by FEMA are of a direct, immediate nature in response to recent disasters. After identifying a need, FEMA conducts market research, prepares a solicitation, and then either announces the opportunity on SAM.gov or follows the simplified acquisition process. Contractors identify these solicitations, prepare responses, bid, and FEMA evaluates these bids, issuing awards based on established criteria.
Understanding Acquisition Thresholds
Frank cleared up some common terminology for listeners:
- Micro Purchase Threshold: Allows small purchases without multiple quotes. Typically set at $10,000 for various projects but increases to $20,000 during disasters.
- Simplified Acquisition Threshold: Normally up to $250,000, but during declared disasters, this jumps to $750,000. This design aims at facilitating swift purchases and expanding the market for small businesses in government contracting. Only small businesses can participate in simplified acquisitions.
- Additional Advice for Businesses Eyeing FEMA Contracts
Visibility and trust reign supreme. It’s crucial to ensure that FEMA knows about your business and your capabilities. Contracting officials often favor businesses they recognize, making it essential to boost visibility through engagement and marketing. If you need help, FedBiz Access provides various solutions to put contractors in front of the right buyers.
Frank emphasized that partnering with FEMA goes beyond business—it's about supporting communities in their rebuilding endeavors. Working with FEMA is not solely a business transaction. It’s a contribution to rebuilding communities hit by disasters.
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Interested in diving deeper into how FEMA collaborates with government contractors? Download our free FEMA Guide to learn more about the ins and outs of this partnership. Visit FedBiz Access at fedbizaccess.com
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FedBiz5 Episode 50: FEMA: How to Help Rebuild Communities
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
FEMA, jesse, declared disaster, purchases, government contracting, disaster, contracts, registration, solicitation, agency, process, threshold, awards, business, small businesses, janitorial services, access, increases, today, simplified acquisition
Jesse Sherr 00:00
Hi. My name is Jesse and I work with small businesses in the Government Marketplace. You're listening to FedBiz'5, where you get informed, get connected, and get results on everything government contracting.
Jesse Sherr 00:17
Hello, and welcome to another episode of FedBiz'5. Today we have our Senior Contract Specialist Frank Krebs, who is here to give a little insight into the world of emergency federal contracts, especially or more particularly FEMA. Happy to have you.
Frank Krebs 00:30
Hey, thanks, Jesse.
Jesse Sherr 00:31
So, we've recently seen the disaster event from Hurricane Idalia hitting Florida and with such disasters, FEMA's role becomes really crucial. From a business perspective, how can companies get noticed by FEMA for cleaning up the disaster or other related contracts?
Frank Krebs 00:48
Jesse, that's a great question. FEMA, which most of us recognize as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has something known as the Industry Liaison Program, or ILP. The ILP is instrumental in forging partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders. So, its main role is to bridge the gap between suppliers and FEMA's program offices.
Jesse Sherr 01:13
Okay. Oh, well, that's interesting. So how exactly does a company make its presence known to FEMA?
Frank Krebs 01:19
Well, first, they need to ensure that FEMA is interested in what they are selling. So, your registrations need to be up to date. And make sure you include the box in your SAM registration for disaster response registry, ensure that has been checked. Also, if you're curious about specifics, like what does FEMA buys and from whom, FedBiz Access's 2020 FEMA Annual Agency Report is a comprehensive resource, and it's available from our website fedbizaccess.com.
Jesse Sherr 01:55
So, what kind of items or services is FEMA typically looking for?
Frank Krebs 01:59
FEMA has a wide range, Jesse. It extends from water, hygiene kits, mobile homes to temporary labor, janitorial services, debris cleanup, and removal, and even power tool purchases. Their needs are vast, especially during a declared disaster.
Jesse Sherr 02:18
All right. Now, if a business wants to get involved, what's FEMA 's acquisition process?
Frank Krebs 02:24
Well, Jesse, it's systematic, and it takes multiple forms. FEMA, unlike any other federal agency, awards many of their contracts in the now as opposed to other agencies that are procuring products and services for the future. So, what I mean by this is, most of the contracts of FEMA issues are of an immediate nature, right after a disaster, such as the recent hurricane, tornado or floods, the products and services being procured are needed immediately for assistance. These contracts are handled very quickly. FEMA identifies the need to conduct market research when applicable, then they prepare a solicitation and based on the urgency and dollar value, either announce the opportunity on SAM.gov or follow the simplified acquisition process. Contractors in turn identify these solicitations, prepare responses, submit bids, FEMA evaluates, and issues awards based on their set criteria.
Jesse Sherr 03:31
I've also come across terms like micro purchase threshold and simplified acquisition threshold. Can you explain those to our audience?
Frank Krebs 03:40
Sure, the micro purchase and its threshold is about making small purchases without the need for acquiring multiple quotes. Now, typically, the federal government has this set at $10,000 for supplies, services, construction projects, etc. But this maximum increases to $20,000 during a disaster. The simplified acquisition process also has a typical threshold, which is set with a value of up to $250,000. However, this threshold is higher during declared disasters and increases to $750,000. This design therefore facilitates quick, efficient purchases and broadens the market for small businesses and government contracting. Only small businesses can participate in a simplified acquisition.
Jesse Sherr 04:38
Okay, very insightful. So, before we wrap up any advice for businesses trying to get in front of FEMA or similar agencies?
Frank Krebs 04:46
Well, certainly. Like in any business, it's about visibility and trust. You need to make sure that you are known to the agency and that your capabilities are in front of FEMA, the contracting officials in particular. As with all contracting officials, they prefer businesses that they are familiar with. So, leveraging platforms like FedBiz Access can also streamline these processes and enhance your visibility, making the journey from registration to award considered really smoother.
Jesse Sherr 05:19
Thank you so much for this valuable insight today. Folks, if you want to explore more about this topic, check us out on our website. Frank, once again, thank you for coming on and we hope to have you on again soon.
Frank Krebs 05:30
Hey, Jesse, it’s been a pleasure. Remember, working with FEMA is not just about business. It's about helping communities rebuild.
Jesse Sherr 05:39
Absolutely. Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. Once again, thank you and take it easy. All right.
Jesse Sherr 05:44
This concludes this week's episode of FedBiz'5, where you get informed, get connected, and get results. Today's podcast sponsored by FedBiz Access, government contracts, made simple. Visit them at fedbizaccess.com or contact them at 888-299-4498