The
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans to hire an independent
arbitration service to adjudicate disputes that arise over eligibility and
expenses for disaster relief funds, the agency said Tuesday.
The Sandy Recovery and Improvement Act (Public Law 113-2), passed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, directed FEMA to establish procedures for a Dispute Resolution Pilot Program.
After presidential disaster declarations, state and local governments and nonprofit organizations can apply for public assistance (PA) grants from the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund. In a solicitation, FEMA announced its plans to hire an arbitrator for disputes that arise over these funds for eligible disasters dating back toOct.
30, 2012 .
The dispute resolution timeframe therefore would include applications filed
after Hurricane Sandy struck the coast of New Jersey Oct. 29,
2012 .
"On occasion, disputes arise between FEMA and applicants who have applied for federal funding under the PA Program regarding the eligibility and sum of the expenses that should be provided from federal funds to the applicant, pursuant to the Stafford Act and related FEMA regulations set forth in Title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, and agency policies," FEMA said.
FEMA already had an administrative appeals process but the Sandy Recovery Act sought to speed up resolution of disputes between FEMA and public assistance applicants. Under the pilot program, a panel of three neutral arbitrators will weigh arguments in conflicts between FEMA and assistance applicants. Their rulings will become binding. FEMA must set up the pilot program by July 29.
To fulfill the requirement, FEMA will award an indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to arbitration companies. The agency invited potential bidders to submit questions about the project by May 31; responses to the FEMA request for proposals are due June 12. FEMA anticipates a contract award in July, before the implementation deadline.
A successful bidder will have qualified personnel, technical capabilities, an appropriate management approach and past performance in arbitration suitable to fulfill the goals of the Dispute Resolution Pilot Program.
The Sandy Recovery and Improvement Act (Public Law 113-2), passed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, directed FEMA to establish procedures for a Dispute Resolution Pilot Program.
After presidential disaster declarations, state and local governments and nonprofit organizations can apply for public assistance (PA) grants from the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund. In a solicitation, FEMA announced its plans to hire an arbitrator for disputes that arise over these funds for eligible disasters dating back to
"On occasion, disputes arise between FEMA and applicants who have applied for federal funding under the PA Program regarding the eligibility and sum of the expenses that should be provided from federal funds to the applicant, pursuant to the Stafford Act and related FEMA regulations set forth in Title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, and agency policies," FEMA said.
FEMA already had an administrative appeals process but the Sandy Recovery Act sought to speed up resolution of disputes between FEMA and public assistance applicants. Under the pilot program, a panel of three neutral arbitrators will weigh arguments in conflicts between FEMA and assistance applicants. Their rulings will become binding. FEMA must set up the pilot program by July 29.
To fulfill the requirement, FEMA will award an indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to arbitration companies. The agency invited potential bidders to submit questions about the project by May 31; responses to the FEMA request for proposals are due June 12. FEMA anticipates a contract award in July, before the implementation deadline.
A successful bidder will have qualified personnel, technical capabilities, an appropriate management approach and past performance in arbitration suitable to fulfill the goals of the Dispute Resolution Pilot Program.
Judge, jury and executioner, FEMA is being reigned in. There is hope.
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