Disaster Relief Opportunities Continue after the Disaster

Did you know that clean-up efforts from Hurricane Katrina continue to this day, over two years after the hurricane struck? With the massive property damage sustained during natural disasters such as storms, floods and wildfires, disaster-related contracts are made available long after the initial push for relief efforts has dissipated. In areas such as southern California, where wildfire risk is high each year, or the Gulf Coast, which is often battered by tropical storms, rebuilding may be an ongoing process. Competing for disaster relief contracts not only gives companies a chance to help out in their communities, but can also be a good source of government contract revenue.

Planning for Disaster Relief Contracts

If your business is interested in disaster relief contracts in your area, consider at what point in the disaster timeline your products or services may be needed. In areas that are more disaster-prone, agencies may be stocking up on supplies such as fire suppression equipment, sand and sandbags, etc. as part of their annual restocking efforts. Thanks to new legislation enacted earlier this year, state and local agencies can now order from federal contracts in times of natural disaster or acts of terrorism. This allows the GSA to get support to communities that need it as quickly as possible.

State and local governments can purchase goods and services before disaster hits, so there’s no need to wait until disaster season to begin marketing. Find the agency contact person in charge of disaster relief purchasing, to make sure your marketing efforts reach the right ears and keep your company at top of mind for disaster contracts. When disaster hits, that person will have a lot going on, so recognition of your company name and reputation will go a long way toward landing that disaster relief contract. Unfortunately, agency personnel and their contact information can change from year to year, so it’s important to have the freshest data possible. Consider cutting to the chase with a custom contact list from a business intelligence company. They can help you find the right people to call, with the most up-to-date information out there.

After Disaster Hits

Contracts that are earmarked for disaster relief spending will continue to be issued as long as damage remains. For businesses such as general construction, flood abatement and remediation companies (to name just a few), there may actually be more opportunities after the initial flurry of post-disaster activity has subsided. The Onvia Disaster Contracting Center is a free service that lists a select number of disaster relief contracts that are currently available, updated weekly. To keep tabs on all the disaster recovery efforts in your area, a business intelligence company can send you e-mail alerts whenever a new disaster relief contract opportunity is announced.

Ray Biscoe said,

October 21, 2008 @ 8:38 am

I am currently establshing an up and coming business call T.R.U.E Brothers Roofing and Contracting. I am EPDM Certified and would like to be placed on your list of natural disasters to offer our contracting services in your time of need.

Thank You
Mr. Ray Biscoe

editor said,

October 23, 2008 @ 10:12 am

Hi Ray,

Thanks for your interest! There’s no need to get on a list - the Onvia Disaster Contracting Center offers new disaster contracting opportunities weekly and is free of charge. Check it out at http://dcc.onvia.com.

keith e schmidt said,

March 2, 2009 @ 10:44 am

i would like to bring my services at your time of need. i am master roofer of 28 yrs and am in need of work myself

keith e schmidt said,

March 2, 2009 @ 10:46 am

i am a master roofer of 28 yrs, and can offer my services as well, i am looking for work also

editor said,

March 2, 2009 @ 11:07 am

Hi Keith,

For more disaster contracting opportunities, visit http://dcc.onvia.com.

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