The federal government anticipates spending over $150 billion dollars for the Katrina and Rita hurricane disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. Contracting opportunities abound for businesses of all sizes and types and there is a great need for varied services and products. Businesses throughout the US can explore the contracting opportunities by following these four steps.
The disaster-related services and products needed in the Gulf states will cover every aspect of life, business and government in the affected areas. Savvy companies are working to fill the needs now. However, this is a long-term, multi-layered process. While initial contracts have already been secured, there will be many more contracts worth billions of dollars to come over the next 6-12-18 months and longer. Those firms that employ both short-term and long-term strategies will be the most successful.
Step 1: Identify the Agencies with the Budgets to Buy What You Sell
This is one of the advantages in doing business with the federal government. Unlike the corporate environment, you can find out what agencies have budgets projected for your products and services and when they are planning to spend it.
The Department of Commerce Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC) will help U.S. businesses, especially minority and small businesses, participate in the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts. The HCIC allows companies to register with government agencies that are providing contracts to rebuild the Gulf Coast. The HCIC also provides basic information on doing business with the government, e-mail alerts regarding specific contracting opportunities, links to other government and local agencies, and information about minority business services.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is constantly changing to best serve the nation’s requirements. The 22 agencies that initially made up the DHS originally maintained independent purchasing power. Now, the eight offices listed here are responsible for all procurement functions of the DHS.
DHS Acquisition Offices:
DHS Headquarters
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Note: FEMA is the key agency responsible for the majority of disaster-related budgets
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
U.S. Coast Guard Office of Procurement Management (USCG)
FedBizOpps is a federal government website that provides a central listing of most current federal contracts. Register at their website to receive the notices of bids and contracts that go through the normal contract advertising process. However, it has been noted on the FedBizOpps web site that many emergency contracts may not make it to this public forum. You may need to contact each agency to determine the specific opportunities available.
For past expenditures, check with the Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC), part of the U.S. General Services Administration. The FPDC manages the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which is the current central repository of historical information on Federal contracting. The system contains detailed information on contract actions over $2,500. The Executive departments and agencies award over $200 billion annually for goods and services. The system can identify who bought what, from whom, for how much, when and where.
