Nearly 200 vendors braved uncertain weather conditions in Atlanta on Jan. 8, 2018 to participate in an event designed to assist vendors navigate the government’s policies and procedures for engaging in disaster recovery contracting activity.
The event — dubbed “Before the Storm” — was sponsored by the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) and held at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center.
Attendees heard from officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Public Health Service, and GTPAC’s counseling team.
Presentation Materials Made Available
Copies of all presentation materials used during the day’s event, plus internet links to important supplementary information, are now posted on GTPAC’s training page at: http://gtpac.org/training-video.
Break-out workshops were conducted in the afternoon on the topics of Subcontracting, Cybersecurity, GSA and Army Corps of Engineers, and Vendor Registrations.
Need for Advance Preparation Stressed
Presenters told vendors to arrange, in advance of contracting, adequate lines of funding because of the likelihood of increased requirements and changed conditions. Disaster recovery contracts can be demanding — requiring 24/7 service — and require flexibility in the face of changing requirements. Too often, contractors fail because they have not adequately prepared themselves for these challenges.
In addition to recommending that vendors familiarize themselves with the National Response Framework, speakers at the event told vendors to review the Stafford Act and FAR Part 18 which govern Emergency Acquisitions.
