Emergency and Disaster Contracting Guide 2025: FEMA and Federal Response Opportunities

Quick Answer: What is Emergency Contracting?

Emergency contracting refers to expedited federal procurement during disasters, national emergencies, or urgent situations. Normal competition requirements are relaxed under FAR Part 18, allowing agencies to contract quickly. FEMA, USACE, and other agencies award billions in contracts for debris removal, temporary housing, infrastructure repair, and other disaster response services.

$20B+

Annual Disaster Spending

Rapid

Response Required

Local

Preference

Pre-Position

Before Disaster

What is Emergency Contracting?

Emergency contracting occurs when federal agencies need goods and services urgently to respond to disasters, emergencies, or other time-critical situations.

Emergency Authority Types

Natural Disasters

• Hurricanes and tropical storms
• Earthquakes and tsunamis
• Wildfires
• Floods and tornadoes

Other Emergencies

• Public health emergencies
• National security threats
• Critical infrastructure failures
• Civil emergencies

Stafford Act

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is the primary federal law governing disaster response. Presidential disaster declarations unlock federal funding and authorize emergency contracting authorities.

FEMA Contracting

FEMA is the primary federal agency for disaster response contracting. Understanding FEMA procurement is essential for emergency contracting.

Common FEMA Contract Categories

Debris Removal

Clearing roads, removing damaged structures, disposing of debris. Often the largest and fastest-awarded contracts after disasters.

Temporary Housing

Mobile homes, manufactured housing units, and temporary sheltering solutions for displaced populations.

Infrastructure Repair

Emergency repairs to roads, bridges, utilities, and public facilities. Often administered through USACE.

Logistics and Supply

Food, water, generators, medical supplies, and other emergency provisions.

Technical Services

Damage assessment, environmental monitoring, project management support.

Key FEMA Contracting Offices

→FEMA Office of the Chief Procurement Officer
→Regional FEMA offices (10 regions)
→Joint Field Offices (established after disasters)

Types of Emergency Contracts

Pre-Positioned Contracts

IDIQ contracts awarded before disasters occur:

→Already competed and awarded
→Task orders issued when disaster strikes
→Fastest response mechanism
→Compete for base IDIQ before disaster season

Post-Disaster Awards

Contracts awarded after disaster declaration:

→Expedited procurement under FAR Part 18
→Simplified acquisition thresholds increased
→Local preference for affected area contractors
→Very short turnaround times

Mission Assignments

FEMA tasks other agencies to perform work:

→USACE for infrastructure and debris
→GSA for supplies and logistics
→HHS for medical response
→These agencies then contract for services

Getting Registered

Required Registrations

☐SAM.gov registration (required for all federal contracts)

☐FEMA Industry Liaison Program registration

☐Disaster Response Registry (optional but recommended)

☐State emergency management registrations

NAICS Codes for Disaster Work

NAICS	Description
562111	Solid Waste Collection (debris removal)
236220	Commercial Building Construction
321992	Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing
484110	General Freight Trucking
541620	Environmental Consulting

Rapid Response Requirements

What Agencies Need

Immediate Mobilization

Often within 24-72 hours of award. You must have resources ready to deploy or access to rapidly mobilize equipment and personnel.

Self-Sufficiency

Disaster areas lack normal infrastructure. Contractors must be self-sufficient for lodging, fuel, food, and communications.

Experienced Personnel

Workers must have disaster response experience. OSHA certifications, hazmat training, and safety protocols are essential.

Financial Capacity

Expenses accrue before payment. Bonding and working capital requirements are significant for large debris contracts.

Positioning for Opportunities

Pre-Disaster Preparation

1.Compete for pre-positioned IDIQ contracts during non-disaster periods

2.Build relationships with FEMA regional offices and USACE districts

3.Attend FEMA industry days and vendor outreach sessions

4.Develop capabilities in high-demand areas like debris removal

5.Obtain necessary certifications and training for personnel

6.Secure bonding capacity for large contracts

Local Contractor Preference

Federal law requires preference for local contractors in disaster areas when feasible. If you are based in a disaster-prone region, this is a significant advantage. Register with your state emergency management agency and local governments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly are emergency contracts awarded?

Pre-positioned IDIQ task orders can be issued within hours. New contracts may take days to a few weeks, but still much faster than normal procurement.

Is competition waived in emergencies?

Not entirely. FAR Part 18 allows increased thresholds and expedited procedures, but agencies still seek competition when possible. Pre-positioned contracts were competitively awarded.

Can small businesses compete for disaster contracts?

Yes—small business set-asides still apply. Many disaster contracts are set aside or have small business subcontracting requirements. Local small businesses have additional advantages.

What are the risks of emergency contracting?

Challenging working conditions, cash flow strain due to rapid expense accrual, scope changes, and intense oversight. Past performance in emergencies is highly scrutinized for future opportunities.

Find Emergency Contract Opportunities

Track FEMA and USACE pre-positioned contract opportunities. Get positioned before the next disaster with BidFinds.

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USACE Contracts Guide

Army Corps of Engineers contracting

IDIQ Contracts Guide

Pre-positioned contract vehicles