Disaster Relief Contractors

With the approach of hurricane season, it’s good to consider your options as a disaster relief contractor. During this time, the United States preps for upcoming disaster relief. There are more and more natural disasters happening in the States every year. Hurricanes are getting stronger and fiercer than ever before and wreaking havoc on the southeast. Earthquakes and forest fires are crippling the west coast. Tornados are crushing the mid-west. The Government awards contracts to contractors who can help with the aftermath of a natural disaster, man-made incidents or terrorist events.

Disasters of every kind, not just hurricanes, require the use of disaster relief contractors for cleanup and repair work. There are many agencies that utilize contractors during times of crisis. The main agency everyone thinks of when disaster plagues a location is FEMA. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security. This federal agency is responsible for leading the efforts to respond to and recover from disasters.

Register with SAM

FEMA employs businesses registered within the System for Award Management (SAM) database to fulfil their contractual obligations for cleanup and repair. SAM is the federal database of all contractors eligible to receive funds from the Government. This is the first thing disaster relief contractors who wants to do business for the Government needs to accomplish. The US Government will not pay you if you aren’t registered. The SAM system is the gateway for all payments to contractors from the Government.

It takes time to register within the SAM database and have your business verified. Keep this in mind: businesses should be registered before the disaster strikes to be utilized in Government recovery efforts. Don’t allow the opportunity to slip away because your business is still being verified.

NAICS Codes for Disaster Relief Contractors

When contractors register within the SAM system, they must declare their NAICS codes. This is how the Government is classifying industries. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is how disaster relief is called into action. There are specific NAICS codes that are relied on to perform the work required for disaster relief contracting.

We have compiled a list of NAICS codes that are predominantly used during a disaster. This list is not exhaustive. There are many other NAICS codes in which relief efforts may require contractors.

• 624230 Emergency and Other Relief Services

The top code during a disaster that encompasses all the services needed during a disaster. Businesses that provide food and shelter, clothing and resettlement, medical relief and counseling for victims. Any of the succeeding codes in this article can apply for contracts under this NAICS code, but during disaster relief efforts only.

Ground Clean Up Crews

There is always massive cleanup required after disastrous events occur. From debris all over the ground to toxic chemical clean up, these contractors are an essential part of recovery efforts.

• 562910 Remediation Services – Specifically for asbestos, lead and toxic chemical clean up. This NAICS code is called in when old buildings and industrial plants are damaged.
• 561720 Janitorial Services – Specifically for the interior cleaning of buildings, transportation equipment (such as ships, planes and trains) and windows.
• 562119 Other Waste Collection – Specifically cleans up debris from damaged buildings, brush from foliage damage or rubble from demolished structures.
• 561730 Landscaping Services – Specifically cleans up trees and foliage that is scattered throughout the streets, on top of buildings and over yards.

Services for Displaced People

• 314910 Textile Bag and Canvas Mills – Tarps and canvases are used during disasters on a massive scale. Not only do they cover damage to structures such as roof damage, they also create temporary shelters for people and supplies.
• 541930 Translation and Interpretation Services – Having people on hand to translate for displaced people who do not speak English. From foreign language to sign language, linguistic companies are called in to aid the effort.
• 722320 Caterers and 424490 Other Grocery and Related Products – People need to eat. People need water. These are necessities that are important during disaster recovery. FEMA and the Red Cross work in tandem with contractors to facilitate this need.
• 339113 Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing – This is required for onsite emergency medical relief. When access to a hospital is limited, people need trained staff with medical supplies.
• 562991 Septic Tank and Related Services – Facilities are required to relieve people of their personal waste. Portable toilets are contracted under this NAICS code.
• 532490 Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing – From forklifts to generators, leased and rented equipment is always a requirement. Leasing/Renting is preferred over manufacturing since it is faster in a disaster situation.

How can Select GCR help you prepare for disaster recovery?

We will get you ready and prepared for when disaster relief contractors are needed. Utilizing our Federal Business Development Advisors, we will make sure you claim the proper NAICS codes to be considered during disaster recovery. Also, our SAM processing team will get your registration and verification process completed quickly so you aren’t missing any opportunities that may arise.

As long as you are doing business under any of the NAICS codes required for relief, you will be ready to go after recovery contracts. We can also get your business certified by your socio-economic status. You will have an edge over other contractors going after recovery contracts. Small business certifications can qualify you for set aside contracts. Of course, this doesn’t have to be done for you to compete on open solicitations, but it will give you viability and edge out your competition. Some contracts during recovery efforts are given specifically to small, certified businesses and, if you fit the bill, that could be you.

Imagine not having to compete for your contract opportunities. Let Select GCR guide you to success.