Procurement – Reasonable Costs

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Procurement – Reasonable Costs

WASHINGTON – August 2015 marks the tenth year since the devastating 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Katrina was one of the strongest storms to impact the coast of the United States, causing widespread devastation and affecting an estimated 90,000 square miles along the central Gulf Coast states. Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita and then Hurricane Wilma in October made landfall compounding an already catastrophic situation.

Ten years into the recovery, FEMA continues to support communities and families, working side-by-side with state, local, and tribal partners to finish the job of rebuilding communities that are the economic engines and lifeblood of the Gulf Coast. To date, FEMA has provided $6.7 billion to more than one million individuals and households.  FEMA provided more than $131 billion to the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for public works projects in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to assist with recovery efforts.  

“Today, FEMA has the authority necessary to lean forward and leverage the entire emergency management team in response and recovery efforts,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “This team includes not only government but also the private sector, non-profits, and citizens themselves.  We support survivors and this holistic approach emphasizes the importance of working as a team to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Since 2005, FEMA has significantly improved its ability to assist communities in responding to and recovering from disasters. With the support of Congress, FEMA was provided additional authorities and tools to become a more effective and efficient agency, one that is focused on putting survivors first.  Specifically, the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) of 2006, gave FEMA clear guidance on its mission and priorities, and provided the legislative authorities needed to better partner with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments before, during, and after disasters.  These improvements include:

  • Improved ability to provide support to states and tribes ahead of a disaster. Since 2005, FEMA gained statutory authority to surge resources to states, tribes, and territories ahead of a disaster should the capacity of states, tribes or territories become overwhelmed.  This authority expedites FEMA’s ability to respond to disasters if and when a state, tribe or territory requests support and a disaster is declared by the President. 
  • Development of a National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF). PKEMRA required FEMA, along with its partners, to develop a national disaster recovery strategy to guide recovery efforts after major disasters and emergencies. The NDRF clearly defines coordination structures, leadership roles and responsibilities, and guidance for federal agencies, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and other partners involved in disaster planning and recovery.
  • Establishment of Incident Management Assistance Teams.  These full time, rapid response teams are able to deploy within two hours and arrive at an incident within 12 hours to support the local incident commander. The teams support the initial establishment of a unified command and provide situational awareness for federal and state decision makers crucial to determining the level and type of immediate federal support that may be required.
  • Improved Search and Rescue capability.  Since 2005, FEMA has better integrated search and rescue assets from across diverse Federal agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of the Interior. 
  • Establish the Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Groups (RECCWGs) to serve as the primary focal points for interoperable communications coordination among federal, state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders. The statute charges these RECCWGs with coordinating effective multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency emergency communications networks for use during disasters and emergencies.
  • Enhanced partnerships with the private sector. As part of this effort, FEMA established the National Business Emergency Operations Center that serves as a clearinghouse for two-way information sharing between public and private sector stakeholders in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters.
  • Support for the inclusion of people with access and functional needs. The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination was established to provide technical assistance and guidance for a wide range of emergency management activities, including equal access to emergency programs and services and meeting the access and functional needs of the whole community. This includes: preparedness, exercises, emergency alerting, accessible transportation and shelter accessibility guidance, assistive technology devices for accessible communication, accessible housing and grant guidance to states for accessibility, and partnership and stakeholder outreach.

For more information on FEMA’s continued work to support communities and families along the Gulf Coast, visit our Hurricane Katrina: A Decade of Progress through Partnerships website.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA Outlines a Decade of Progress after Hurricane Katrina

BATON ROUGE, La. – A July 21 amendment to the major disaster declaration for Louisiana following the severe storms and flooding occurring May 18 through June 20 now includes Public Assistance (PA) for an additional parish – Rapides Parish.

Bossier, Caddo, Grant, Natchitoches and Red River parishes were also made eligible to receive PA funding by the July 13 major disaster declaration. PA funding helps repair or rebuild public infrastructure such as roads; bridges; water system; utilities; and schools. It also covers costs involving emergency protective measures and debris removal.

Supplementary funding under the PA program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Under the program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the applicant covers the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on the severe storms and flooding recovery efforts in Louisiana visit http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4228 or www.la.gohsep.gov. Follow the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness on Twitter at https://twitter.com/gohsep. Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) encourages all citizens to visit www.getagameplan.org  for information on how to plan for, and stay safe in, all types of emergencies, including winter weather events.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 

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Another Louisiana Parish is Eligible to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance

What is an SBA disaster loan?

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans are the primary source of federal long-term disaster recovery funds for disaster damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.

SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance is working in conjunction with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help business owners and residents recover, as much as possible, from this declared disaster.

Who is eligible for SBA low-interest loans?

When a federal disaster is declared, the SBA is authorized to offer low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and to individual homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations that have sustained damage in a disaster.

What’s the most common misunderstanding about SBA loans?

The most common misunderstanding about an SBA loan is the assumption that SBA disaster loans are only for businesses. While SBA offers loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords), low-interest loans are always available to individual homeowners, renters, and to private nonprofit organizations alike.

When should survivors apply?

Residents and business owners should apply right away with SBA as part of the overall federal disaster recovery process, and not wait for insurance claims to settle.

Why should survivors apply?

Survivors who do not follow through with the SBA application process because they feel they cannot afford or do not want a loan may end the recovery assistance process for themselves and lose out on additional FEMA dollars.

Whether a loan is wanted or not, the SBA loan application may trigger additional grant assistance through FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. The State of Texas

administers the ONA grant funding.

Some of these additional FEMA grants could include reimbursement for lost personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage expenses.

What is available as part of the SBA low-interest loan programs?

Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 for home repair or replacement of primary residences and eligible homeowners and renters up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. 

Businesses of all sizes can qualify for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover physical damages.

Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact due to the severe weather and flooding can apply for up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

What are the deadlines to apply?

Texas survivors have until July 28, 2015, to apply for SBA loans. Eligible small businesses applying for only the EIDL program have until February 29, 2016.

Disaster survivors who are notified by the SBA that they may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans should work directly with the SBA to complete the application.

How do I apply?

Disaster survivors are urged to call 800-621-FEMA (3362) to register by phone. They may also go into a local Mobile Registration Intake Center or a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA where they also may talk with SBA representatives. Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call           800-462-7585, with Video Relay Service survivors calling 800-621-3362.

What happens after I apply?

Most survivors who register with FEMA are automatically referred to the SBA. They will then be contacted directly by SBA or via an automated call back.

What are the loan terms?

Interest rates for SBA disaster loans can be as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years.

Where do I get specific information about the SBA process?

If you have questions about SBA or the process, or need help to complete the SBA application, help is available. Applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by:

  • Calling 800-659-2955
  • Emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
  • Visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster
  • Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339
  • Survivors may also visit with an SBA representative at any State/FEMA/SBA recovery center.

Continued here: 

SBA Provides Low-Interest Loans to Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters

ATLANTA — Newly revised preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for Richland County, SC will be available for residents to review at a public open house at the Richland County Office Building on June 24, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. Flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.

The open house provides residents of Richland County and its municipalities the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding, and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with a variety of specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more. 

The open house will be held between 4 and 7 p.m. The open house date and location is:

June 24, 2015

Richland County Office Building

2020 Hampton Street

Columbia, SC 29201

The new preliminary maps were produced through a partnership among Richland County, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data make the maps more accurate. The ultimate goal is protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Over time, flood risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors. Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.

Home and business owners, renters, realtors, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend the open house. All who attend can meet with specialists to ask questions and learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their communities. 

Richland County’s preliminary maps have not yet been officially adopted and will become effective after a public comment period. This period allows the public to submit comments and appeals if they can show that any part of the maps is in error. Once all comments are received and addressed, Richland County may adopt the maps. 

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners’, business owners’, and renters’ insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agent. Visit www.floodsmart.gov  for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

 

Original article: 

Digital Preliminary Flood Maps for Richland County Ready for Public Viewing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma residents whose properties were damaged in the recent storms and flooding are warned to be alert for, and urged to report, any potential fraud during recovery and rebuilding efforts, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The aftermath of a disaster can attract opportunists and confidence artists. Homeowners, renters and businesses can follow some simple steps to avoid being swindled.

Be suspicious if a contractor:

  • Demands cash or full payment up front for repair work;
  • Has no physical address or identification;
  • Urges you to borrow to pay for repairs, then steers you to a specific lender or tries to act as an intermediary between you and a lender;
  • Asks you to sign something you have not had time to review; or
  • Wants your personal financial information to start the repair or lending process.

To avoid fraud:

  • Question strangers offering to do repair work and demand to see identification;
  • Do your own research before borrowing money for repairs. Compare quotes, repayment schedules and rates. If they differ significantly, ask why;
  • Never give any personal financial information to an unfamiliar person; and
  • Never sign any document without first reading it fully. Ask for an explanation of any terms or conditions you do not understand.

Disasters also attract people who claim to represent charities but do not. The Federal Trade Commission warns people to be careful and follow some simple rules:

  • Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.
  • If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, whom they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
  • Do not give out personal or financial information – including your credit card or bank account number – unless you know the charity is reputable.
  • Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation.
  • Check out a charity before you donate. Contact the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

If you believe you are the victim of a contracting scam, price-gouging or bogus charity solicitations, contact local law enforcement and report it to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. Find a complaint form online at www.ok.gov/oag. The Federal Trade Commission takes complaints at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

Many legitimate people — insurance agents, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance personnel, local inspectors and actual contractors — may have to visit your storm-damaged property. Survivors could, however, encounter people posing as inspectors, government officials or contractors in a bid to obtain personal information or collect payment for repair work. Your best strategy to protect yourself against fraud is to ask to see identification in all cases and to safeguard your personal financial information. Please keep in mind that local, state and federal employees do not solicit or accept money for their services to the citizens.

All FEMA employees and contractors will have a laminated photo ID. A FEMA shirt or jacket alone is not proof of identity. FEMA generally will request an applicant’s Social Security or bank account numbers only during the initial registration process. However, FEMA inspectors might require verification of identity. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help filling out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damages but do not recommend or hire specific contractors to fix homes.

 

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

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Beware of Fraud in Wake of Disasters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the government of the Federated States of Micronesia under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the government of the Federated States of Micronesia, as amended, due to Typhoon Maysak during the period of March 29 to April 1, 2015. 

The President’s action makes federal funding available for U.S. Government emergency relief and reconstruction assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia in accordance with Public Law 108-188, as amended, including Article X of the Federal Programs and Services Agreement to the Compact of Free Association.  Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori requested a disaster declaration on April 17, 2015.

The United States Agency for Internationa Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance will coordinate U.S. Government disaster assistance efforts in conjunction with FEMA and the government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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President Declares Disaster for the Federated States of Micronesia

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 Office has a new Deputy Administrator. Moises Dugan was officially sworn in today by FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.

“Moises Dugan is an effective leader and brings a wealth of experience to this critically important position at FEMA Region 6,” said Robinson. “As Deputy Regional Administrator, he will work very closely with our federal, state, local and tribal partners in our Region 6 states – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.”

Dugan began his emergency management career in 1989 with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He’s also worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. and North Texas, as well as FEMA Region 6 and FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta, Ga.

During his previous stint with FEMA Region 6, he worked on a number of high-profile federal disasters, including the Cerro Grande fire in New Mexico in 2000 and the loss of the Shuttle Columbia over Texas and Louisiana in 2003. Additionally, Dugan served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps.

“I am happy to be coming back home to FEMA Region 6,” said Dugan. “It’s an honor to again be associated with this group of dedicated and caring emergency management professionals. I know that, together, we will continue to make a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
 

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Moises Dugan Sworn In as New FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $1.4 million to Louisiana for repairs to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

Wind and rain from the storm damaged multiple buildings and structures in the hospital system: the main hospital; the Quaife building; the St. Charles garage; the Gumbel building; the Medical Arts Building; and the Buckman Building/Garage.

The Public Assistance funding pays for repairs to the roofs of many of the buildings, as well as structural components associated with those buildings.

“Southern Louisiana continues to struggle with the recovery of critical infrastructure damaged in Katrina and a number of subsequent disasters over the past nine years, to include Hurricane Isaac.  We appreciate the partnership with FEMA to continue to address our recovery needs,” said Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis.

“Hospitals are a necessary element of any community, so it’s important to ensure medical facilities like Touro Infirmary are fully operational,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to assisting our state and local partners in Louisiana as they continue to repair and rebuild.”

The Public Assistance funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Louisiana; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
 

Continue at source:

Louisiana Receives More Than $1.4 Million for Repairs to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans

DENTON, Texas —The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided more than $554 million in 2014 funding to the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and community partners for disaster recovery, mitigation and preparedness.

“FEMA in partnership with GOHSEP, continues to provide funding to assist communities in recovering from and mitigating against future damage,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to helping Louisiana residents strengthen their resilience.”

The $554 million includes more than $4 million from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, $301 million in Public Assistance dollars for repair and replacement of infrastructure, $225 million in Hazard Mitigation funding, and more than $24 million in Preparedness grants for projects to mitigate damage from future disasters.  

“It is exciting to see the progress made over the past year,” said Kevin Davis, GOHSEP Executive Director. “Our team realizes the importance of working with FEMA in order to help Louisiana citizens recover.”

Some highlights from FEMA’s 2014 federal funding in Louisiana for disasters dating back to 2005 include:
•    The city of New Orleans received more than $79 million for road repairs and American with Disabilities (ADA) ramps for damage incurred after Hurricane Katrina.
•    Plaquemines Parish School Board was funded over $3 million for Phoenix High School repairs to campus facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
•    St. John the Baptist Parish received $26.3 million to fund repairs to five East St. John High School buildings and the Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School following Hurricane Isaac.
•    Jefferson Parish received $2 million for the elevation of 16 homes, severely damaged by previous storms and flooding including Hurricane Gustav.
•    GOHSEP’s statewide generator project was awarded $2.1 million from Hurricane Gustav for the purchase and installation of permanent and portable generators at 19 critical facilities, including Covington, East Baton Rouge, and Jefferson parishes’ fire and police departments, lift stations, and Caddo Parish Child & Family Services.

In addition to providing federal funding, FEMA’s Environmental and Historic Preservation team in partnership with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office helped to facilitate the new listing of New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.  Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA

Original link – 

FEMA 2014 Funding for Louisiana Tops $554 Million

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