Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

D

Dannyboy81

New member
First of all let me say that I feel really bad for those who were directly affected by the storm and hope they can get back on their feet and find any loveones they might have around the areas hit. Everyone should just find a way to donate something to the cause.

As a business owner, I was planning to seek information on how to contract with the government for the restoration efforts of the effected areas of the hurricane. There was an abundance of information on this website http://www.fedbizopps.gov/katrina.html for contracting information.

I just would like to know anyone's previous experiance on government contracts or the process for applying for one after areas that are declared disaster areas. Should a company such as a small PW company go about it themselves or contract with a larger restoration/landscaping company to try to get work?? What are the chances of landing a contract either by going at it solo, with a larger company, or with other contractors??

Has anyone every conducted work after a disaster area has been affected ( I know I saw an article about disaster cleaning somewhere; either in delco or cleanertimes??) ?? Who makes the days you work and hours and the locations?? Does the contractor of a bigger company do that or is that included in your bid/proposal??

I know this idea really sounds bad to think like that after an event of this magnitude happened and effected so many lives. If I offended anyone for the request of this information those were not my intentions and I'm sorry. I would understand I people start replying negatively about this.

Daniel
Exterior Cleaning Systems LLC
PH: 512-754-5555
Fax: 512-754-5556
 
Daniel- Im interested in what you learn from this post.
Plaese contact me if you learn anything.
 
I AM VERY INTERESTED IN HELPING AS WELL. please let me know how i can help as a small business owner.
 
What I was originally thinking was to contract with a landscape/restoration company and subcontract with one; for example Ashbrite. I know that I have a pressure washing business and have not lost sight on that but for a time like this I think I can think outside the box for a while.
FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has stated that the NEED ALL the contractors they can get for debris removal. My goal was to somehow be contracting/sub-contracting with the government already asap, that way when pressure washing is need for not only for restoration efforts but for health issues also.
I was considering removal of debris via dump trucks and using automobile vehicles (ex: a Belgin for concrete cleaning and vacuuming) to help clean-up trash and other debris. Pressure washing would hopefully come in to play for government, state, and local (school,chuches, etc.) down the line but probably months away. From what I gathered thiers endless work to be done and endless opportunities. Again, I'm looking at it as a business owner perspective.
The government (FEMA, US corps., etc.) will provide you with gas (gas tanks, and a place for temp. lodging for some contractors. Contractors or individuals who participate with the clean-up will be exposed to strict rules. Such as receipts and documented logging of services performed and expenses paid (food, shelter, gas, etc.).
Here's a website where the counties are listed in order and what they are doing. Their's also alot more detailed contact numbers for additional information: http://www.house.gov/israel/issues/hurricane.htm
Beware of price gogging and signifacantly marking up your prices/bids/proposals because once you sign theirs no turning back. Contractors who want to go should triple and quadruple check the business expenses and probably bump them up a certain percentage to be prepared for the unexpected. I you decide to change them be prepared to go home!!
Subcontractors should ideally seek collaboration with the contractors that have been handling situations like these before or the one that is mostly in charge of the specific area they are planning to perform services.

Again, I would understand if I get some neggative feedback on my ideas and comments.
 
City officials have fired the FEMA-certified contractor who was on standby to remove debris following a hurricane.

Along came Katrina and the contractor wanted more money, Vincent Creel, city spokesman, told the Sun Herald on Tuesday.

"The one we had on standby - he was awarded the contract in June - wanted to change the terms of the contract," said Creel. "We can't have that."

But Biloxi won't be without help to remove the trash Katrina created. The city has temporarily hired the second-lowest bidder to perform the work during a 70-hour period to allow other contractors to bid on the job.

"The one we had on standby had agreed to get X-amount of dollars per cubic square yard of debris removed," said Creel.

Now, the contractor has asked for hourly wages and a mileage allowance, said Creel.

"We can't allow that."

The name of the contractor was not immediately available, nor was the price the city agreed to pay per cubic square yard.

Immediate removal of debris is critical from several standpoints. Foremost, utility workers and emergency personnel need access to roads, said Creel. They need to restore power, water and phone service. They need to be able to reach burning homes, traffic accidents and people with life-threatening conditions.

The city spent thousands of dollars for debris removal from less devastating natural disasters in recent years - Hurricane Georges in 1998 and Tropical Storm Isadore in 2002

Officials aren't depending on a contractor to remove all the debris from Katrina. City work crews also will help.

The city hasn't announced a time frame for debris pickup or locations where debris can be left.

"We're going to have more debris than we've ever had to handle," said Creel.

Following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, debris removal in Biloxi cost nearly $362,000. The contract allowed a charge of $9.65 per cubic yard, with 37,500 cubic yards removed. The price tag for debris removal across the coastal counties was $2.76 million, most paid through state and federal funds.

Once again, be careful on who you subcontract with or your bids/proposals.
Some might even consider to contract directly with FEMA or the US Corps..
 
Maybe we should ban together and offer our services as a whole rather than bidding independently?

I would be very interested in internal clean up of schools,post office-Etc.
 
Thats what I was thinking. Maybe several contractors can come together. This could cover everthing that has to do with cleaning the surface/buildings.
I havn't really seen any other contractors interested to go except some on the Delco message board. Just trying to get some advice of contractors that have
done work in disaster areas before to try to get some insight information on what is required and expected when applying for a contract with the gov..

Here's the sight I called and contacted, (all the hotlines, voice-mail boxes are full or busy) --- http://www.ashbritt.com/sub_conract.shtml

I've heard that the water should subside in between 3-5 weeks so theirs not that much time available to do something.
 
when everyone get together let me know i would be more than happy to go in together. if it works out where we all can make a good living going to help i'll be there just let me know.
 
Here is an idea

Why don't you call and see if the powerwashing companies in the New Orleans and surrounding destroyed areas if they need anything.

Like maybe

New Equipment
Rental Equipment to help clean their own area
Chemical donations
money
food
water
house
you get the point

Instead of what was that making a good living quote.
Donate something to help these men and women get back on their feet since most probably lost all of their belongings including equipment. Help them rebuild their businesses and homes to support their families. Let them enjoy that they are helping their OWN TOWN rebuild, while making money to help them. There is more than enough work in your own town, unless you are a horrible sales person and maybe worse shoddy company. Let these hundreds of other powerwashing folks rebuild. Give them a call and see if they need any help, or donations. Do not take more money out of their pockets that they most likely have lost already. If you showed up in my town after a tragic event like this to take money out of my pocket or my families. I would treat you like a looter. Please don't give me an excuse that you meant differently, because I know where every one is going with this and I see this all the time. Help the other contractors to regain ground. :mad:
 
good point. i was not thinking in that direction. i see where you are coming from. but i would still go down and help if needed.
 
Maybe those of us who are fortunate enough to have it together can sub out work to those that have not been so fortunate.
You would think a emphisis on local contractors will be employed.
 
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