Advance hurricane planning should include vendors, too
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, government entities spent millions of dollars for supplies and services. Many worked with local providers to provide rescue and relief operations.
The General Services Administration helped government agencies obtain more than $1 billion in supplies, equipment and services. Purchases included, but were not limited to, the following:
- 1.5 million gallons of jet fuel, unleaded gasoline and diesel gasoline;
- 414,000 cots, beds, blankets and sheets;
- 20,000 air mattresses;
- 4,000 tents, tent bags and sleeping bags;
- 2,000 travel trailers for evacuee staging areas;
- 978 bags of clothing;
- 600 pallets of ice;
- 213 ambulances; and
- 74 trucks.
In just four short months after the hurricane hit, the federal government - through the Health and Human Services Commission - made more than 1,100 purchases.
It's important to understand that the federal government restricts its procurement to firms already positioned in such situations.
For instance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was tasked with providing 85 million liters of water, 176 million pounds of ice and 46.5 million meals. States were reimbursed for expenditures to private-sector establishments for things like shelters, phones, medical staff, bus and taxi service, security and janitorial services. FEMA's purchases were made through federal contracting programs.
Following Hurricane Ike in 2008, private-sector contractors provided services such as debris removal, building repairs, reconstruction, new construction and road repairs for more than a year.
Now is the time for vendors and service providers to contact public officials and make certain they are certified and approved for procurement services. Contracting mandates should be met in advance. And, it is important to make sure public officials know what products and services vendors can supply.
When disaster strikes, government entities at all levels will move quickly to secure whatever is needed from the private sector, but only firms that have paved the way in advance are likely to be selected as contractors.
