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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