The aftermath of recent tornados created an unanticipated contracting opportunity for many vendors in North Carolina who provide storm recovery services.
Given the urgency of the situation, arrangements needed to be managed quickly, efficiently and in accordance with the sometimes complicated rules and codes.
According to an officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Division of Purchase & Contract performed its role with distinction.
In a recent email to partner agencies, DHS Regional Contracting Officer Annette R. Wright said she “wanted to share a great success story of the federal contracting staff partnering with the state purchasing staff.”
Noting that disaster declarations were issues for 18 North Carolina counties, Wright wrote that FEMA worked closely with State Purchasing Manager Jim Westbrook and Rebecca Barbour of Commerce’s SBTDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center “to make sure 90 percent of federal contracting dollars were awarded to local businesses in North Carolina.
“Jim helped FEMA source local vendors for all types of commercial buys. The support of the local businesses in North Carolina was awesome. They partnered with the federal team to help in the recovery and response efforts.
“It was quite refreshing for me as a Contracting Officer/Purchasing professional to see my tax dollars awarded to economically uplift and rebuild the community after such a major event,” Wright continued. “This was the first time that FEMA and our state counterpart partnered to host a vendor outreach session set aside for small businesses in the affected area. What a great success it was to see state and federal come together for the common good of the survivors/state.”