Bill Summary
The "Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act of 2025" is legislation aimed at improving the procurement processes for local governments involved in disaster relief efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
The Act mandates that the President develop regulations within 180 days of its enactment to allow local governments to utilize Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) procurement methods. This approach enables local governments to manage construction projects more effectively by engaging a construction manager who assumes the risk for the project's cost and completion timeline. It applies to various activities outlined in Section 406 of the Stafford Act and encompasses all necessary goods and services.
Additionally, the Act amends existing procurement thresholds by increasing the limit specified in Section 422(a) of the Stafford Act from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. This change allows local governments to use the streamlined procurement process for larger projects, facilitating quicker and more efficient disaster response and recovery efforts.
Possible Impacts
The "Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act of 2025" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Faster Recovery from Disasters**: By allowing local governments to use Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) procurement methods, the legislation can expedite the recovery process after disasters. This means that damaged infrastructure can be repaired or rebuilt more quickly, allowing affected residents to return to normalcy sooner. For example, communities that have suffered from severe storms or floods would see quicker restoration of essential services like roads, bridges, and public buildings.
2. **Increased Local Control and Flexibility**: The legislation empowers local governments by providing them with the ability to choose CMAR procurement methods, which may be more suited to their specific needs and circumstances. This flexibility can lead to more effective and tailored solutions for disaster recovery projects, enabling local officials to work closely with contractors who understand the unique challenges of their communities, potentially resulting in better outcomes for residents.
3. **Higher Project Funding Limits**: By raising the project funding limit from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 for simplified procurement procedures, the legislation allows local governments to undertake larger projects without the need for extensive bidding processes. This can lead to more comprehensive rehabilitation efforts and improvements in community infrastructure, benefiting residents through enhanced safety, accessibility, and quality of public services. For example, a local government could undertake a significant community center renovation or a large-scale road repair project that directly impacts residents' quality of life.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5533 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5533
To direct the President to ensure that local governments may use
Construction Manager at Risk procurement methods in carrying out
certain activities under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 19, 2025
Mr. Steube introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the President to ensure that local governments may use
Construction Manager at Risk procurement methods in carrying out
certain activities under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Streamlining FEMA Procurement
Procedures Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. USE OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK PROCUREMENT METHODS.
(a) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall issue such regulations as
are necessary to ensure that, with respect to any activity carried out
under section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172), a local government may use
Construction Manager at Risk procurement methods, including
qualifications-based procurement procedures, for the acquisition of any
goods or services, whether professional, technical, construction-
related, or non-professional, necessary to complete such activity.
(b) Simplified Procedure.--Section 422(a) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189(a)) is
amended by striking ``$1,000,000'' each place it appears and inserting
``$3,000,000''.
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