Stafford Act Helps Facilitate Disaster Contracting

September 21, 2017

Hurricane Recovery Contractors Beware

Lexology, Todd R. Overman, September 19, 2017

The level of devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas and Florida, respectively, is estimated to have caused $150-200 billion in damages. With this devastation comes a multibillion-dollar recovery effort that will bring federal money and procurement into the affected areas. With past natural disasters as a guide, much of the work needed for short and long-term cleanup and rebuilding will be contracted to government contractors. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 (Stafford Act) will help facilitate these contracts but come with unique preference requirements aimed to favor the affected communities.

How does the Stafford Act assist in hurricane recovery?

The Stafford Act provides the legal authority for the federal government’s assistance to affected states during declared major disasters and emergencies. It allows the federal government to provide states with technical, financial, logistical, and other assistance when the magnitude of a disaster overwhelms the state’s resources. Under the Stafford Act, the federal government has access to the Disaster Relief Fund worth several billion dollars. This fund allows the federal government and contractors to work together in the wake of disasters to provide local communities with some form of relief, whether that be delivering supplies, removing debris, or permanent rebuilding. READ MORE….

Contact your nearest PTAC to learn about disaster and government contracting.

 

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For help with Government Contracting: contact your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Funded through Cooperative Agreements between the U.S. Department of Defense and state and local governments/institutions, PTACs provide free and low-cost assistance in virtually all areas of government contracting.