Learn about the four-step process your company or organization can follow to do business with FEMA, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Act.
Supports Hurricane and Wildfire Recovery
If you are interested in contracting with FEMA or the government to support recovery from Hurricane Helene AND Hurricane Milton or to California wildfiresread the information on this page carefully and contact FEMA’s Industry Liaison Program for more information.
1. Talk to your Local Apex Accelerator
Government contracting can be complex, especially for small businesses getting involved for the first time. Fortunately, there are offices ready to help you: the National Alliance of APEX Accelerators (NAPEX). It has Apex Accelerator advisors in over 300 countries who will work with you to understand the steps to enter into a government contract. The National APEX Accelerator Alliance also provides guidance and business advice for registering on SAM.gov.
2. Register in the Price Management System (SAM)
Once you understand the process from the PTAC advisor, you must register to do business with the federal government through the System for Award Management (SAM). Registration is free.
You will need a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and your Tax Identification Number (request by visiting www.irs.gov) if your principal business is located in the United States or US territories. The Unique Entity ID is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by SAM.gov. Please note that this replaces the Dun and Bradstreet “DUNS” number that was previously used for new SAM.gov registrations.
During the registration process, you must indicate that you wish to participate in the Disaster Response Registry. This allows contracting officers to locate your company through the Disaster Response Registry Search.
3. Understand FEMA’s mission and goals
FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. This is the primary focus of everyone working for or with FEMA in this area. After there is a presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency, FEMA coordinates and cooperates with federal, state, local and tribal agencies to get help to survivors.
If your company has goods or services that are useful in the situations described below, then proceed to step two.
- Emergency Support Functions (ESF) can be selectively activated for both Stafford Act and non-Stafford Act incidents. Resources coordinated through FMEs are assigned where needed within the response structure. Regardless of where FMEs may be assigned, they coordinate closely with each other to accomplish their missions.
- Mission Assignments: Federal agencies may provide disaster assistance under their own authority or through mission assignments from FEMA, authorized by the Stafford Act.
- FEMA issues mission assignments pending or in response to a presidential declaration of a major emergency or disaster. Mission tasks allow for the deployment, employment, and assistance of a full range of federal resources to support disaster needs.
- State Emergency Management Agencies: During emergencies, each state coordinates the activation and use of resources needed to support local governments in responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
- The National Response Framework guides how the nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies.
Major commodities procured for disasters
Before you begin the process of becoming a contractor with FEMA after a local disaster, review our list of most needed items to find the areas where you can have the biggest impact. For more information, send an email with “CUSI Information Request” in the subject line to FEMA Industry Liaison Program. A program representative will respond if there is a potential basis for doing business.
- Products for Babies/Children
- Durable sets of medical equipment
- Consumable medical supply kits
- Plastic layer
- Tarps
- blankets
- Comfort / Toiletries
- water
- Foods
- Forklift for rent
- Freight vans
- Security Guard Services
- Generators
- Cots
- Joint Field Office Suite
- Copier for rent
- Generators for rent
- Office supplies
- Shredded bins
- Portable toilets
- Sign language
- Temporary Work
- Custodial Services
For more information on Commonly Used Host Items (CUSI), email please with the subject “CUSI Information Request”. Your request will be reviewed and forwarded to the applicable representatives.
4. Monitor the locations of outsourcing opportunities
Contract opportunities are available at sam.gov for people who make, receive, and manage federal awards. This is where organizations within the federal government publish notices of proposed contract actions worth more than $25,000. Direct all questions to the Federal Service Desk at 1-866-606-8220.
FedBid is now Unison Marketplace, a fully managed online marketplace that connects sellers with federal and commercial opportunities. Direct all questions to (877-933-3243) or their customer support form.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Acquisition Planning Forecasting System is a portal for small business vendors to view forecasted contract actions over $250,000.
Additional Resources
Transportation programs
Are you part of the commercial shipping industry? Are you able to quickly move essential items to save and sustain lives after a disaster? Read about possible transportation service options.
Transitional Housing Assistance
Local hotels and motels can participate in FEMA’s Transitional Housing Assistance program, which provides rooms to disaster survivors seeking housing assistance. Learn more about emergency housing assistance.
Volunteer or donate goods
If your organization has goods or services to donate to disaster response and recovery efforts, learn how to contribute.
National Retail Supplier Development Council
The National Minority Supplier Development Council advances business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises and connects them with corporate members.
Showcase your skills or request an appointment
You can inform FEMA of your company’s capabilities, or request an appointment with a FEMA representative, by submitting a Seller profile form. There is no cost associated with submitting a seller profile form.
Complete the seller profile form
Please be specific about how your product(s) and/or service(s) can support FEMA’s mission.
Go to the seller profile form
Please note
The form is used to assist in secondary market research and is voluntary. The information provided should not be proprietary or sensitive in nature.
you not you need a vendor profile form to bid on a contract, but you must be registered with SAM.gov.
you I DO you must submit a seller profile form to request an appointment. There is no guarantee of an appointment, however your skills will be shared with the appropriate FEMA program.
Submitting the seller profile form it doesn’t:
- Place you on a preferred list of vendors to be considered for procurement; FEMA does not maintain such a list.
- Issuance of the contract of guarantee. Please continue to monitor the outsourcing opportunities pages.
- Guaranteed meeting with FEMA Representatives.
CONTACT
For all other questions about doing business with FEMA, please contact the FEMA Industry Liaison Program.
