GSA Opens Contracts to State, Local Governments for Disaster Recovery

Feb 21, 2007 12:00 AM, By Staff

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that state and local
governments will be able to order products and services from federal contracts
to support recovery from major disasters and acts of terrorism. GSA has begun
contract modifications to make this new support available by spring of 2007.
GSA Administrator Lurita Doan said, #34;Opening our Federal Supply Schedules
means unprecedented delivery speed and best value for state and local agencies
directly helping Americans who need it most.#34;
For state and local governments to use federal disaster relief and recovery
contracts normally available only to federal agencies, purchases must be for
recovery from a major disaster as declared by the President under the Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or an act of terrorism. However,
GSA's rule allows state and local governments to purchase these goods
and services in advance of such a disaster to allow for rapid response and recovery.
GSA has been working with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal
agencies to implement this new program. DHS has determined all goods and services
on GSA Federal Supply Schedules could be used for disaster recovery, but GSA
contracts for Disaster Relief, Homeland Security, and Wildland Fire and Equipment
should be among the first available to state and local responders.
#34;We're taking steps today to make most critical contracts available
as soon as possible,#34; said GSA Chief of Staff John Phelps. #34;This
fits perfectly with our reaffirmed agency commitment to focus GSA contracts
and expertise where they're needed most in an emergency.#34;
Beyond these initial offerings, GSA's entire Federal Supply Schedule
of more than 10 million products and services will be opened for state and local
disaster relief.