Industry Liaison Program

The Industry Liaison Program (ILP) establishes strategic relationships with suppliers and stakeholders; serves as an information provider for suppliers seeking to do business with FEMA; and connects suppliers with program offices in support of FEMA’s mission.

If you are seeking to do business with FEMA in support of a disaster recovery effort, please be aware that in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Act (specifically Section 307), FEMA’s goal is to seek local companies within the disaster area for goods and services related to a specific disaster when practical and feasible.

How to do Business with FEMA

The ILP created a four step process that provides guidance for Vendors seeking FEMA contracting opportunities to meet FEMA’s missions and goals. The ILP encourages you to review the information referenced below.

If you do not have a CAGE code, one will be assigned after your registration is completed.

1. Find your Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Center (APTAC)

   If you are looking for assistance doing business with local, state, and Federal Government agencies, you are encouraged to visit the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (www.aptac-us.org) website. APTAC is the professional organization of and for Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) funded Procurement Technical Assistance Programs.  APTAC supports the PTACs by providing them important information, professional networking, comprehensive training opportunities and a voice in national government contracting assistance and policy arenas.

2. Register with Login.gov for System for Award Management (SAM)

   To further increase security and deter fraud, SAM.gov is partnering with Login.gov to implement multi-factor authentication for registering SAM.gov users. With a login.gov account, you can sign into multiple government websites with the same username and password. 

   To get started you must complete the following: 

   Login.gov

   1. Create a login.gov account – you only need to do this once.
   2. Enter an email address – use the same email address for use for SAM.gov.
   3. Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) – login.gov will send you a security code.

   Existing SAM Users
   Use the same email address you registered with in SAM.gov so the account can automatically link to your login.gov account. If a different email address is used, the account will not automatically link.

   New SAM Users
   Create a new SAM profile once you complete the login.gov authentication
    
   SAM.gov
   SAM registration is a requirement to do business with the Federal Government. Register your entity in the System for Award Management (SAM), at NO COST, at https://www.sam.gov for federal contracts and other procurement opportunities in accordance with FAR Subpart 4.11 System for Award Management. Direct all questions regarding the SAM registration process to the Federal Service Desk (FSD) at 1-866-606-8220.

   There is no registration/application process or fee for doing business with FEMA.
   There are companies that replicate services of Federal Government entities and there are typically fees associated with their services. Most Federal Government services, if not all, are free of charge. Always make it a practice to reach out to the appropriate Federal agency first to inquire about the validity of the service, specifically if a fee is associated with it.

   Complete the following steps before starting your registration:
   • Company DUNS Number. You can request a DUNS Number for free by visiting Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
   • Taxpayer identification number (TIN). You need your company’s tax identification number (TIN) and taxpayer name to obtain a TIN.  Visit www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html to apply for a Tax Identification Number
3. Understand FEMA’s mission and goals

   FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. When the President declares a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act, FEMA collaborates with Federal agencies local, state and tribal to provide federal assistance to survivors.

   • Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). ESFs may be selectively activated for both Stafford Act and non-Stafford Act incidents. Resources coordinated though ESFs are assigned where needed within the response structure. Regardless of where ESFs may be assigned, they coordinate closely with one another to accomplish their missions.
   • Robert T. Stafford Act. If you are seeking to do business with FEMA in support of a disaster recovery effort, please be aware that in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Act (specifically Section 307), FEMA’s goal is to seek local companies within the disaster area for goods and services related to a specific disaster when practical and feasible.
   • State Emergency Management Agencies: During emergencies each state coordinates the activation and use of resources needed to support the local governments to respond and recover from emergency and disasters.
   • National Response Framework: A guide to how the Nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies.
4. Monitor contracting opportunity sites
   • Federal Business Opportunities – Federal Business Opportunities is a free web-based portal which allows vendors to review Federal Procurement Opportunities over $25,000: www.fbo.gov. Direct all questions regarding the use of FBO to the Federal Service Desk (FSD) at 1-866-606-8220.
   • FedBid - FedBid is a fully managed online marketplace connecting Sellers to federal and commercial opportunities. Register at: www.fedbid.com/. Direct all questions regarding FedBid to 877-9FEDBID (877-933-3243)
   • DHS Advance Acquisition Planning System - Monitor the forecast of DHS contract opportunities at: apfs.dhs.gov/.

FEMA’s Procurement Needs During a Disaster

Top Commodities Procured for Disasters

* For additional information on the Commonly Used Sheltering Items (CUSI), please submit inquiry to FEMA-Industry@fema.dhs.gov, with the email subject titled ‘CUSI Information Request’. Upon review, the inquiry will be distributed to applicable representatives.

Debris Removal

Become a member of the Corps of Engineers Contractor Registry if you are interested in performing disaster response and recovery work; e.g. debris removal.  Follow this link, www.usace.army.mil/Missions.aspx, to access their website.  We encourage you to explore all the links under “Emergency Operations”.  Useful information is provided regarding the Corps of Engineers support role to FEMA during disasters. In addition, the U.S. Government uses the Disaster Response Registry, in the System for Award Management (SAM), for contractors to register their business information, including capabilities and locations served to provide debris removal services. Get a quick overview of the Disaster Response Registry in SAM, learn how to search the Disaster Response Registry in SAM, or visit www.SAM.gov to get started.

Additionally, many debris removal operations are contracted by local, state, tribal or territorial government officials. Please check with the specific government entities within the declared disaster areas for their contracting and bidding procedures.

Transportation Services

FEMA procures its transportation needs through the General Services Administration (GSA). Please follow this link, www.moveit.gsa.gov, to (GSA’s Transportation Management Services Solution (TMSS) to seek GSA approval. Additionally, to view GSA's Standard Tender of Service (STOS), which contains the rules and regulations for doing (freight) business with GSA and its customer agencies under the GSA Tenders program, please use this link, https://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21192, which contains various PDF links related to the Tenders program. Also, be sure to sign up for email notification to ensure you're kept up to date on all things GSA Freight (training opportunities, announcements of open Bid Cycle windows, release of Request For Offers, etc.) at the above link; scroll down to the bottom of the page, enter your email address and subscribe.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance

Hotels/motels are able to participate in FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which offers rooms to disaster survivors seeking housing aid. The program is also referred to as “Emergency Lodging Assistance”. For information on how a hotel/motel can participate by setting up an account with Corporate Lodging Consultants please visit, https://ela.corplodging.com/.

Resources

• Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). ESFs may be selectively activated for both Stafford Act and non-Stafford Act incidents. Resources coordinated though ESFs are assigned where needed within the response structure. Regardless of where ESFs may be assigned, they coordinate closely with one another to accomplish their missions. https://emilms.fema.gov/IS230c/FEM0104160text.htm
• Local Emergency Management Agency or Office. If you're looking for specific State Emergency Management Agencies and Offices.
• National Response Framework. A guide to how the Nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies. It is built on scalable, flexible, and adaptable concepts identified in the National Incident Management System to align key roles and responsibilities across the Nation. https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/117791
• Volunteer and/or donate goods. If your organization has goods or services to donate to disaster response and recovery efforts, please visit FEMA’s Volunteer & Donate Responsibly page.
• Desire to extend your facility to house FEMA qualified disaster survivors. Sign up on-line at https://ela.corplodging.com/index.php using the Hotel Enrollment section. 
• FEMA Small Business Program - All Small Business inquiries should be directed to FEMA-SB@fema.dhs.gov.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  Obtain information that assists small businesses in preparing for and navigating business opportunities.  Visit SBA at www.sba.gov.
• Department of Homeland Security Vendor Outreach Session - www.dhsvoms.moriassociates.com.
• Seek Acquisition Insight.  Acquisition.gov is an E-Gov Initiative that aggregates federal acquisition content by providing one website for regulations, systems, resources, opportunities, and training.  Visit www.acquisition.gov.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC).  Reach out to your state Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) nearest your location.  These centers offer a variety of resources that prepare you for work with the Federal Government, as well as procurement opportunities at the state and local levels.  Following this link www.aptac-us.org/new/index.php will assist you in locating the PTAC in your area.
• Become a member of the Corps of Engineers Contractor Registry if you are interested in performing disaster response and recovery work; e.g. debris removal.  Follow this link to access their website www.usace.army.mil/Missions.aspx.  We encourage you to explore all the links under “Emergency Operations”.  Useful information is provided there regarding the Corps of Engineers support role to FEMA during disasters.
• Seek construction, facilities management, leasing and retail services opportunities with the General Services Administration (GSA).  Visit GSA’s website at www.gsa.gov/portal/category/22013.
• Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPPS-NG). The Government needs to understand where tax dollars are spent. The ability to look at contracts across government agencies, in greater detail, is a key component in establishing trust in our government and credibility in the professionals who use these contracts. FPDS-NG contains contracting data that allows for this kind of insight. It is also relied upon to create recurring and special reports to the President, Congress, Government Accountability Office, federal executive agencies and the general public. Visit https://www.fpds.gov/fpdsng_cms/index.php/en/.

Helpful Tips

1. Promote your services in government-wide databases. FEMA uses the System For Award Management (SAM) database. Registering with this database will allow FEMA and other federal agencies to locate your business.
2. Federal Business Opportunities Website – www.fbo.gov (also known as FedBizOpps or FBO). FedBizOpps is the single point-of-entry to search, monitor, and retrieve Federal procurement opportunities. You will also find subcontractor, award notifications, supplier and teaming opportunities here.
3. Accept the government credit card. The purpose of the Government Purchase Card is to simplify the administrative effort associated with procuring goods and services under the micro-purchase threshold.
4. Promote your business in electronic catalogs. GSA Advantage and other electronic commerce initiatives will allow you to list your product(s)/service(s) for government browsing.
5. Link your catalog listing to your Web site. Having a website will allow interested buyers to access additional information regarding your company after reviewing product descriptions.
6. Make your website sell. Brag on your experience and past performance record, as well as your product listing and financial stability.
7. Pursue state opportunities. Federal grants to the states make up half an agency’s budget in some cases.
8. Team, partner, or form a joint venture. If you are strong in one business area, but inexperienced in another, find a subcontractor or teaming partner who can compensate in your areas of weakness.
9. Persevere. Making the right connection can take time.
10. Submit your company capabilities or request a meeting through submission of the FEMA Voluntary Vendor Profile Form. The vendor profile form can serve as a secondary market research or vendor presentation meeting resource. Information supplied should not be proprietary or sensitive in nature. Please be specific about how your product(s) and/or service(s) can support FEMA’s mission.
    Complete the ILP Vendor Profile form and submit to fema-industry@fema.dhs.gov (File name structure: Company Name_State_MMDDYY; ie: Best Vendor_DC_123117)

Please note:
Submission of the vendor profile form does not:

• Place you on a preferred list of vendors to be considered for procurements; FEMA does not maintain such a list.
• Guarantee contract award. Please continue to monitor contracting opportunity sites.
• Guarantee meeting with FEMA Representatives.

***The form is used to assist in secondary market research and is voluntary***

Contact Information

If you are a contractor and desire to send correspondence, please contact the following FEMA programs:

FEMA - Industry Liaison Program

Email: FEMA-Industry@fema.dhs.gov