FEMA Continuous Improvement Division (CID) Blanket Purchase Agreement

Other / Unclassified

This document is FEMA Directive #107-1, Revision 2, concerning the agency's Continuous Improvement Program (CIP). It supersedes a previous version and establishes the responsibilities and functions of the CIP, outlining requirements for its staff and leadership's intent for fostering a culture of learning. The directive details the program's guiding principles, structure, and operational processes, including after-action reviews, discovery, validation, action, and evaluation phases. It also covers national collection analysis priorities, incident support operations, program consulting, and technical assistance programs for external partners.

While this document is an internal FEMA directive and not a solicitation, it provides critical context about how FEMA operates and learns from its disaster response activities. Understanding FEMA's internal processes for continuous improvement, assessment, and learning from past events can offer insights into the agency's operational priorities and how it seeks to enhance its effectiveness. This knowledge may be indirectly relevant for contractors or partners who engage with FEMA, particularly those involved in disaster response, recovery, or preparedness initiatives, as it sheds light on FEMA's commitment to learning and adapting its processes.

Other / Unclassified (Agency Instruction)

FEMA Instruction 107-1-2 establishes the requirements and standardized procedures for the Action and Evaluation phases of the agency’s Continuous Improvement Program (CIP). It provides a structured framework for managing findings derived from After-Action Reviews (AARs) and ensuring that operational improvements are implemented and assessed for effectiveness. Key components include:

• Finding & COA Development: Procedures for identifying operational gaps and creating recommended Courses of Action (COAs).
• Review & Referral: The process for vetting findings through Regional Leadership and Continuous Improvement Working Groups (CIWGs) before referring them to a Responsible Program Office (RPO).
• Action Implementation: Requirements for RPOs to assign Action Managers, develop implementation plans, and provide progress updates every 90 calendar days.
• Post-Action Evaluation: A formal process to assess whether completed actions successfully addressed the root causes of the original findings.
• Information Systems: Guidance on using the Continuous Improvement Information System (CIIS) as the authoritative data source and the Comprehensive After-Action Review Analysis Tool (CAARAT) for agency-wide transparency.

This document is a critical reference for vendors providing disaster management, program evaluation, or strategic consulting services to FEMA. It is relevant to bidders because:

• Understanding FEMA’s Quality Framework: It defines the internal metrics and workflows FEMA uses to identify operational deficiencies and track corrective measures.
• Contractual Alignment: For contractors supporting AAR processes or program assessments, this instruction dictates the mandatory reporting cycles, documentation standards, and evaluation criteria they must follow.
• Operational Context: It provides insight into how FEMA prioritizes risks (using Likelihood and Consequence scales) and how the agency determines the "Level of Responsibility" (Field, Region, or HQ) for various operational tasks.
• System Requirements: It identifies the specific IT systems (CIIS and CAARAT) that contractors may be required to interact with or provide data for during the performance of related work.

Other / Unclassified (Implementation Plan)

This document is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) 2022-2026 Implementation Plan. It serves as a strategic roadmap to formalize the CIP's role in supporting FEMA’s mission by building a "culture of learning" through systematic data collection, analysis, and organizational change. The plan outlines four primary lines of service: Evaluation, Advisory and Decision Support, Program Consulting and Support, and Technical Assistance.

The plan details 11 specific activities to be matured over the four-year period, including:

• Evaluation: Conducting after-action reviews (AARs) and systematic data analysis to improve operations.
• Incident Management & Support: Managing the deployment and qualification of CIP staff to field incidents and supporting coordination centers (NRCC/RRCC).
• Issue Resolution: Tracking observations and improvement actions to ensure the agency learns from real-world events.
• Technical Assistance (CITAP): Helping state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners build their own continuous improvement capabilities.
• Training: Developing the skills of the CIP workforce and establishing a standardized learning system.

While this is a programmatic strategy document rather than a specific solicitation, it is highly relevant to vendors for the following reasons:

• Contracting Opportunities: Activity 9 (Technical Assistance) explicitly mentions the potential for "awarding and executing a technical assistance contract" to support long-range CITAP efforts. Activity 2 (Incident Management) also notes the coordination of contractor deployments for mission requirements.
• Strategic Alignment: Vendors providing services in data analytics, software development (e.g., the Issue Resolution System), professional training, or management consulting can use this plan to align their offerings with FEMA’s specific goals for 2022-2026.
• Performance Metrics: Appendix B provides detailed metrics and indicators FEMA will use to measure success, offering insight into the KPIs that may be required in future related contracts.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential bidders regarding the solicitation for the FEMA Continuous Improvement Division (CID) GSA-BPA, along with the government's responses. It clarifies various aspects of the solicitation, including submission requirements, personnel qualifications, evaluation criteria, and contract details.

• Page Limitations: The technical quotation submittal remains limited to 15 pages, single-sided, 12-point font (10-point for charts/graphs/tables). The government will not consider increasing this limit for Factor 1.
• Personnel Experience: Requirements for BPA Project Manager and CIIS Project Lead experience have been revised to 10 years and 8 years, respectively, aligning the Price Schedule with the PWS.
• Labor Categories: Offerors must ensure proposed labor categories are on their GSA Schedule at the time of proposal submission. Labor categories for Tier 1 National AAR have been added to Option Periods 1 and 3, and experience requirements for various roles have been updated for Option Periods 2 and 4.
• Submission Format: Hyperlinks are not accepted for supporting documents. Files exceeding the 10MB email limit must be submitted in parts.
• Evaluation: Phase I proposals will be evaluated using Factor 1 (Technical Approach) and Factor 2 (Two Sample Project Scenarios). The combined merit of non-price factors is significantly more important than price.
• Incumbent Contractor: The CNA Corporation is the incumbent contractor for BPA #70FA2020A00000001.
• Background Investigations: All personnel actively supporting the contract require a DHS background check.
• GSA MAS: The requirement is solicited under GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), not MOBIS. Offerors do not need to have the specific NAICS code within their GSA schedule but must meet the size standard.
• Project Scenarios: For Phase I, bidders should demonstrate sufficiency of proposed Key Personnel and resources without naming specific individuals; resumes are required for Phase II. Offerors can provide additional narrative for scenarios but must adhere to page limits.
• ODC Costs: Overall cost formulas for all option periods have been corrected to include ODCs.

This document provides critical clarifications and revisions that bidders must consider when preparing their proposals. Key changes include updated experience requirements for specific roles and the addition of certain labor categories to option periods. Bidders should carefully review all responses to ensure compliance with the revised requirements and submission guidelines.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, 70FA2026Q00000001, is for a single-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provide Enterprise Program and Technical Support Services to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Continuous Improvement Division (CID). The objective is to enhance FEMA's capabilities in disaster continuous improvement, fulfill statutory requirements (PKEMRA), foster a culture of continuous improvement, and transition to real-time problem-solving. The BPA will be issued under GSA's Multiple Award Schedule/Professional Services Category (FAR 8.4).

• Services: Program Management Support, Data Collection, Analysis, Product Development, Training and Technical Assistance, Systems Support, Disaster Readiness and Operations, Disaster After-Action Reviews, and Program Consulting and Support.

• Specific Tasks (PWS Attachment A): Include developing assessment reports, guidance, tools, training materials, system design/development, and conducting after-action reviews.

• Key Personnel: Designated positions include BPA Program Manager, Deputy BPA Program Manager, CIIS Project Lead, CIIS Senior System Engineer, CITAP Project Lead, and Disaster After-Action Review Lead, each with specific experience and education requirements.

• Security & Privacy: Compliance with DHS policies for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and Sensitive PII (SPII). Mandatory background investigations (NACI, MBI, BI) based on risk level, IT Security Awareness, and Privacy Training. Prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment and services (e.g., TikTok, Kaspersky, specific foreign entities).

• Contract Type: Single-award GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Call Orders will be hybrid Time and Materials and/or Fixed Price.

• Estimated BPA Value: $41,500,000.00 (inclusive of options), not guaranteed.

• Period of Performance: A 12-month base period with four 12-month option periods, for a total potential duration of 60 months.

• NAICS Code: 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services).

• Size Standard: $21.5 Million.

• Quotation Due Date: February 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

• Vendor Questions Due: January 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

• Submission Method: Electronically via email to gregory.crouse@fema.dhs.gov.

• Quotation Structure: Proposals are submitted in two phases:

  • Phase I (Technical Quotation): Max 15 pages, addressing Technical Approach and Two Sample Project Scenarios (Attachment C). Phase I factors are more important than Phase II.
  • Phase II (Technical & Business Quotation): Max 30 pages for technical, no page limit for business. Addresses Staffing Plan & Key Personnel, Corporate Experience, Management Approach, and Price.

• Evaluation Criteria: Most advantageous to the Government, considering price and other factors. Non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price. A "Low Confidence" rating on any factor will remove the offeror from consideration.

• Pricing: Offerors must use Attachment D (Pricing Worksheet) for labor categories and rates, which must be on their GSA Schedule. Best discounted rates are encouraged. No profit/fee, material handling, or indirect costs are allowed for travel or Other Direct Costs (ODCs).

• Set-Aside: Unrestricted.

• Eligibility: Must hold a GSA Multiple Award Schedule/Professional Services Category contract.

• Attachments: The solicitation includes Attachment A (Performance Work Statement), Attachment B (Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan), Attachment C (Project Scenarios), Attachment D (Pricing Worksheet), and Attachment E (Solicitation Questions Template).

• Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI): Offerors must disclose any potential OCI and submit a mitigation plan if applicable.

Other / Unclassified

This document, FEMA Instruction 107-1-1, establishes a standardized framework for conducting After-Action Reviews (AARs) following Stafford Act Major Disaster Declarations (MDDs). It provides guidance for FEMA's Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) personnel on implementing AARs across headquarters, regional, and field operations. The instruction details a three-tiered approach (Tier I, II, III) for AARs, categorizing incidents by scale, cost, scope, and complexity. For each tier, it specifies distinct processes for data collection (including surveys and deployments), analysis, validation, and product finalization, along with maximum timelines (e.g., 180 days for Tier III, 300 days for Tier I). It also defines various AAR products such as After-Action Reports and Quick-Look Reports.

For potential bidders, this instruction offers critical insight into FEMA's internal continuous improvement and evaluation processes for disaster operations. Understanding FEMA's structured approach to AARs, including its tiered system, data collection methodologies (e.g., NCAP surveys, interviews, document reviews), and product types, can inform proposals for services related to program evaluation, performance measurement, data analytics, and disaster management consulting. Bidders can leverage this knowledge to demonstrate alignment with FEMA's internal review standards and to anticipate the agency's needs for identifying strengths, best practices, and areas for improvement in future disaster response and recovery efforts.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing worksheet for the CID BPA Recompete (Solicitation Number 70FA2026Q00000001). It details the cost breakdown for labor, travel, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) across the base period and four option periods.

• Overall Cost Sheet: Provides a summary of the total estimated cost for the entire period of performance (May 2025 - May 2030), including the base period and four option periods. The total estimated cost is $970,463.05.
• Period of Performance (PoP): May 2025 - May 2030 (Base + 4 Options).
• Base Period (May 2025 - May 2026): Total Cost: $229,489.52 (Labor: $0.00, Travel: $228,989.52, ODC: $500.00).
• Option Period 1 (May 2026 - May 2027): Total Cost: $163,013.37 (Labor: $0.00, Travel: $162,513.37, ODC: $500.00).
• Option Period 2 (May 2027 - May 2028): Total Cost: $238,760.90 (Labor: $0.00, Travel: $238,260.90, ODC: $500.00).
• Option Period 3 (May 2028 - May 2029): Total Cost: $169,599.63 (Labor: $0.00, Travel: $169,099.63, ODC: $500.00).
• Option Period 4 (May 2029 - May 2030): Total Cost: $169,599.63 (Labor: $0.00, Travel: $169,099.63, ODC: $500.00).
• Labor Sheets (Base and Options): Detail various government labor categories, mapped GSA Schedule labor categories, experience requirements, estimated hours, and proposed fully burdened labor rates. Notably, all proposed labor costs are $0.00, with costs primarily attributed to travel and ODCs.

This worksheet is critical for bidders to understand the cost structure and estimated expenditures for the contract. Bidders must use this template to formulate their own pricing proposals, ensuring alignment with the government's estimates for travel and ODCs, and to detail their proposed labor rates and hours for each labor category. The zero labor cost indicates a potential focus on pass-through travel and ODC costs, which bidders should carefully consider in their proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing worksheet for the CID BPA Recompete (70FA2026Q00000001). It details the cost breakdown for labor, travel, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) across the base period and four option periods.

• Period of Performance (PoP): May 2025 - May 2030 (Base + 4 Options).
• Cost Breakdown: Includes Labor, Travel, and ODC for each contract year.
• Labor Categories: Details various government labor categories, their experience requirements, and estimated hours for the base period. Notably, all proposed labor costs are listed as $0.00 in the provided sheets, with a note for offerors to insert estimated hours.
• Travel Costs: Specified for each period, ranging from $162,513.37 to $238,260.90.
• ODC Costs: Consistently $500.00 for each period.
• Total Costs: The overall total is $967,963.05.

This worksheet provides a detailed structure for bidders to propose their pricing. Bidders must populate the labor hours and rates, as the provided labor costs are $0.00. The travel and ODC costs are pre-defined, offering a clear framework for cost proposal development. Understanding these cost components is crucial for preparing a competitive bid.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for bidders to submit questions or clarifications regarding the solicitation. It is intended to standardize the format of inquiries to the government.

• Item #: A unique identifier for each question/comment.
• Solicitation Reference: The solicitation number to which the question pertains (70FA2026Q00000001).
• Questions / Clarifications / Comments: The section where bidders should clearly state their questions or comments.

Bidders should use this template to formally submit any questions or seek clarifications on the solicitation (70FA2026Q00000001). Following this format ensures that all inquiries are logged and addressed systematically by the government, aiding in a clear understanding of the requirements before proposal submission.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Enterprise Program and Technical Support Services for FEMA's Continuous Improvement Division (CID). The government is procuring these services to enhance FEMA's ability to provide continuous improvement support for disasters and to achieve program objectives.

Services will be provided under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) established against GSA's Multiple Award Schedule/Federal Supply Schedules/Professional Services Category. The work will be performed under Call Orders, which will specify the exact nature of services and authorize work. Key work areas include:

• Program Management Support

• Data Collection

• Analysis

• Product Development

• Training and Technical Assistance (TA)

• Systems Support

• Disaster Readiness and Operations

• Disaster After-Action Reviews

• Program Consulting and Support

• Contract Type: Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) against GSA Multiple Award Schedule/Federal Supply Schedules/Professional Services Category.

• Period of Performance: Base Period of 12 months with four 12-month option periods.

• Estimated BPA Amount: $41,500,000.00 (inclusive of options). This amount is not guaranteed.

• Offerors must submit a quotation in accordance with the instructions provided in Sections D and E.

• Quotations will be evaluated based on technical approach, sample project scenarios, staffing plan, key personnel, corporate experience, management approach, and price.

• The government anticipates BPA award based on initial quotations without exchanges.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Vendor Questions Due: 01/16/2026, 12:00 PM ET
  • Quotation Due Date: 02/13/2026, 12:00 PM ET

• The acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• A complete GSA solution is required, meaning no open market services or supplies are permitted.

• Offerors must use the provided templates for submissions.

• Specific details regarding evaluation factors, submission requirements, and contract clauses are provided within the solicitation documents.