CERC_PWS_for_SS_Draft.docx

Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration Risk Management Directorate

Performance Work Statement – Community Engagement and Risk Communication Services

Table of Contents

I. DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE OF REQUIREMENT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), Risk Management Directorate (RMD) requires strategic and risk communication, mitigation planning, behavioral science, and partnership services to assist with delivering Community Engagement and Risk Communications (CERC) requirements.

RMD is a catalyst for a safer nation. As such, the Directorate implements several programs including the Risk Mapping Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) Program, the National Dam Safety Program, the Levee Safety Program, the Natural Hazards Risk Assessment Program (NHRAP), the National Mitigation Planning Program, the Building Sciences Program, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), and the Actuarial Sciences Program. RMD engages and provides actionable information to empower and motivate communities to understand and own their risk. Under this procurement, CERC services will support all RMD programs to synchronize communications and engagement across the Directorate.

RMD has operated the Risk MAP Program since 2009. Through collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities, Risk MAP delivers quality data to increase public awareness, and promotes actions that reduce risk to life and property. RMD seeks to empower stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of risk in a way that compels and drives risk reduction.

Risk MAP combines flood hazard mapping, risk assessment tools, and hazard mitigation planning into one program. This integrated program encourages partnerships, and innovative uses of flood hazard and risk assessment data to build more resilient communities. While flooding is the primary focus of Risk MAP, FEMA actively encourages an all-hazards approach, and is focused on enhancing the usability and value of natural hazard risk information. This approach leads to an increase in the public’s understanding of risk, reducing the risk of life and property to communities.

Achieving Risk MAP’s goal of reducing the Nation’s vulnerability to risk requires that individuals, the private sector, non-profit organizations, academia, and all levels of government understand how mitigation investments reduces their risk and that they are incentivized to take action. Partnerships must be built upon clear, consistent communication at all levels. The partnership must work to raise understanding of their community’s flood risk, build their capability to communicate flood risk to the people they serve, and deliver mitigation options tailored to their community’s needs, capabilities, and values. Risk MAP’s community engagement approach outlines a series of important “touchpoints” that occur during each Risk MAP project from the time FEMA sequences a project through the final community meeting.

At the national level, FEMA aims to lead a conversation that increases the public’s appetite for mitigation, through: the adoption of a common vocabulary for risk and mitigation, the development and use of behavioral science-backed communications approaches, strategic partnerships, and effectively identifying and replicating best practices across the ten FEMA regions.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL & PROGRAMMATIC BACKGROUND

FEMA is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FIMA is a subcomponent of FEMA and falls under Resilience.

A. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Strategic Plan

The FEMA Strategic Plan 2018-2022 creates a shared vision for the field of emergency management, and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. This Strategic Plan was developed with input from our external partners – state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector – as well as FEMA employees from offices and directorates across the agency. We listened, and the feedback we received contributed to our Strategic Goals, Strategic Objectives, and overall vision for FEMA over the next five years.

The Strategic Plan has three overarching Strategic Goals:

· Build a Culture of Preparedness

· Every segment of our society, from individual to government, industry to philanthropy, must be encouraged and empowered with the information it needs to prepare for the inevitable impacts of future disasters.

· Ready the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters

· FEMA will work with its partners across all levels of government to strengthen partnerships and access new sources of scalable capabilities to quickly meet the needs of overwhelming incidents.

· Reduce the Complexity of FEMA

· FEMA must continue to be responsible stewards of the resources we are entrusted to administer. We must also do everything that we can to leverage data to drive decision-making and reduce the administrative and bureaucratic burdens that impede impacted individuals and communities from quickly receiving the assistance they need.

B. National Mitigation Investment Strategy

After Hurricane Sandy, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified a need for a coordinated, federal government-wide investment strategy for resilience and mitigation that reduces the nation’s exposure to future losses from disasters. In 2016, the federal government initiated a National Engagement Period and started taking stakeholder input to support its Federal Mitigation Investment Strategy (FMIS) Concept. Based on stakeholder comments, the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG) transformed the FMIS concept from a solely federally focused concept to a document of national significance. The nationally focused mitigation investment strategy considers and recommends actions reflecting input and involvement from, and benefits for, all national stakeholders involved in disaster resilience, including federal, state, tribal, territorial, local and private organizations, and the public. With the National Mitigation Investment Strategy (NMIS), there is an opportunity to be more intentional about setting resilience and mitigation investment priorities. The new strategy will increase the ability of federal departments and agencies to incorporate mitigation for disaster resiliency into plans for using resources and justifying budgets. For the first time on a national scale, the federal government will be encouraged to, on a much broader scale, plan, spend and use its resources specifically to reduce disaster losses in the future.

In January of 2018, FEMA released the draft NMIS. The draft makes a series of recommendations, organized by six desired outcomes which – if met – could result in a nation better equipped for, and less vulnerable to, natural hazards. The draft NMIS provides a national approach to investments in mitigation activities and risk management across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and the private and non-profit sectors.

C. Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)

FIMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and a range of programs designed to reduce future losses to homes, businesses, schools, public buildings, and critical facilities from floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

Mitigation focuses on breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Mitigation efforts provide value to the American people by creating safer communities and reducing loss of life and property. Mitigation includes:

· Complying with or exceeding NFIP floodplain management regulations.

· Enforcing stringent building codes, flood-proofing requirements, seismic design standards and wind-bracing requirements for new construction, or repair to existing buildings.

· Adopting zoning ordinances to steer development away from areas subject to flooding, storm surge or coastal erosion.

· Retrofitting public buildings to withstand hurricane-strength winds or ground shaking.

· Acquiring damaged homes or businesses in flood-prone areas, relocating the structures and returning the property to open space, wetlands or recreational uses.

· Building community shelters and tornado safe rooms to help protect people in their homes, public buildings and schools in hurricane- and tornado-prone areas.

The mission of FIMA is to create safer communities by reducing loss of life and property; enable individuals to recover more rapidly from floods and other disasters; and lessen the financial impact of disasters on the Nation. This is accomplished through three primary objectives:

· Analyze Risk – Determining the impact of natural hazards that lead to effective strategies for reducing risk.

· Reduce Risk – Reducing or eliminating long-term risk from hazards on the existing built environment and future construction.

· Insure for Flood Risk – Reducing the impact of floods on the Nation by providing flood insurance.

D. Risk Management Directorate (RMD)

FIMA is comprised of four directorates: Risk Management, Mitigation, Federal Insurance, and Fund Management. Additionally, there is the Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (OEHP) and the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate (OFIA). RMD’s primary function is delivering quality risk data, modeling and programs that increase the public’s awareness of risk across the range of natural hazards and leads to actions that reduce risk to life and property.

RMD is a catalyst for a safer nation. As such, the Directorate implements several programs including the Risk MAP Program, the National Dam Safety Program, the Levee Safety Program (in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)), the National Mitigation Planning Program, NHRAP, the Building Sciences Program, NEHRP, and the Actuarial Sciences Program. RMD engages and provides actionable information to empower and motivate communities to understand and own their risk.

The CERC provider will support all RMD programs by providing tailored communications counsel and developing appropriate products. Communications across the Directorate will be consistent and coordinated to ensure a singular voice that supports all programs and leverages engagements and resources effectively.

E. Partnerships The Risk Management Directorate has built a partnership with the Natural Hazards Center (NHC) at the University of Colorado at Boulder campus, to strengthen the connection between academic research and applicable practice within mitigation. The NHC will engage researchers to produce academic white papers to provide cutting edge best practice information based on pressing research needs. Additionally, the NHC will create brief mitigation articles for both public and governmental leadership consumption as part of their Research Counts publication, and host monthly educational webinars on mitigation-related topics. FIMA leadership and RMD will also provide topics for NHC to discuss during their annual workshop.

First, the NHC will embark on their next assessment of natural hazards research and applications. Ultimately this assessment will move beyond assessing hazard losses and focus more explicitly on what works in terms of generating and building a culture of preparedness and mitigation in this nation, accounting for losses avoided, and understand the economic and social return on investment research. Secondly, NHC will be embarking on a concept research project to look into a way to solve a common problem within the mitigation field: funds matching.

F. Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program The primary tool for identifying the flood hazard is a flood map. The NFIP established the flood hazard mapping program which was expanded in 2003 with the Flood Map Modernization effort. In order to leverage the successes of Map Modernization and further enhance the usability and value of flood hazard mapping, FEMA developed the Risk MAP program in 2009. Risk MAP combines flood hazard mapping, risk assessment tools and Hazard Mitigation Planning into one seamless program. The intent of this integrated Risk MAP program is to encourage beneficial partnerships and innovative uses of flood hazard and risk assessment data in order to maximize flood loss reduction.

The vision for Risk MAP is to deliver quality data that increases public awareness and leads to action that reduces risk to life and property. Risk MAP identifies flood hazards and assesses flood risk in support of the NFIP and delivers flood hazard and risk products to local governments, the real estate and lending industries, and other stakeholders.

The objectives are to:

· Assess Nation’s flood risk and use this information to increase public awareness of risk. This consistent, quantitative flood risk assessment will be used to track progress toward reducing flood risk and to target resources.

· Increase public awareness of risk from natural hazards and establish a baseline of local knowledge and understanding of risk management concepts.

· Ensure 80 percent of the Nation’s flood hazards are current – the flood hazard data are new, have been updated, or deemed still valid.

· Provide updated flood hazard data for 100 percent of the populated coastal areas in the Nation. This data originates as part of the work required within the Production and Technical Services (PTS) contract, but the Customer and Data Service (CDS) contract is responsible for housing it.

· Evaluate levee status information to ensure the appropriate flood hazards are depicted on Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for counties with levees, including those impacted by expiring Provisionally Accredited Levee status.

· Continue to meet statutory requirements of the NFIP through assessing on a watershed basis, the need to revise and update all floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified, delineated, or established.

The goals include:

· Goal 1: Address gaps in flood hazard data to form a solid foundation for flood risk assessments, floodplain management, and actuarial soundness of the NFIP.

· Goal 2: Ensure that a measurable increase of the public’s awareness and understanding of risk management results in a measurable reduction of current and future vulnerability to flooding.

· Goal 3: Lead and support states, local and tribal communities to effectively engage in risk-based mitigation planning resulting in sustainable actions that reduce or eliminate risks to life and property from natural hazards.

· Goal 4: Provide an enhanced digital platform that improves management of limited Risk MAP resources, stewards information produced by Risk MAP, and improves communication and sharing of risk data and related products to all levels of government and the public.

· Goal 5: Align Risk Analysis programs and develop synergies to enhance decision-making capabilities through effective risk communication and management.

The Coastal Program’s primary goals are to ensure the accurate identification and mapping of coastal flood hazards for all populated coastal areas nationwide and to ensure that coastal communities are provided with useful data and tools needed to mitigate their risk. These goals are supported through the following objectives.

· Objective 1: Ensure an appropriate and technically-credible approach to coastal flood hazard identification and mapping across the Nation.

· Objective 2: Enhance the credibility and usefulness of coastal flood hazard analyses and mapping data and tools through proactive and responsive engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

· Objective 3: Manage short-term and influence long-term coastal policy, improve coastal flood hazard identification, risk analysis and communication, in support of Objective 1.1 and 1.2 of FEMA’s Strategic Plan.

Risk MAP is designed to support communities with their implementation of another element of the NFIP-- floodplain management. If communities participate in the NFIP by actively managing their flood risk, flood insurance will be available to their citizens. Flood insurance helps communities and individuals financially recover from floods. The NFIP sells and administers Standard Flood Insurance Policies in two ways:

1. Through an arrangement with private Write Your Own (WYO) insurance companies (under authority of 44 CFR Section 62.23); and

2. Through a contract with an entity that directly sells and services NFIP policies, the NFIP Direct Servicing Agent (DSA).

G. National Mitigation Planning Program Hazard mitigation planning is the process used by state, local, and tribal governments to understand risks from natural hazards and develop strategies to reduce the long-tern impacts of disasters on people, property, and the environment. Hazard mitigation planning enables a community to manage risks through informed decision-making and targeted mitigation investments prior to a disaster.

The state, local, and tribal mitigation planning, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies play a key role in risk management, and should be leveraged to increase mitigation investments and close the insurance gaps. The National Mitigation Planning Program supports SLTT partners by:

· Engaging early and often: Building strong partnerships, increasing access to mitigation resources, and working directly with SLTTs to provide regulatory and technical guidance, awareness, training, and advice.

· Assisting with planning integration: identifying, documenting, and communicating opportunities to integrate planning processes, improve the customer experience, and increase adoption of mitigation planning strategies.

· Advancing plan implementation: enabling communities to develop and implement mitigation strategies more efficiently and effectively.

H. Building Science Program The Building Science Branch develops and produces multi-hazard mitigation guidance that focuses on creating disaster-resilient communities to reduce loss of life and property. Building Science Branch activities include deploying Mitigation Assessment Teams to conduct post-disaster engineering investigations for both man-made and natural hazard events. The Building Science Branch takes a lead role in developing materials that incorporate the most up-to-date building codes, flood proofing requirements, seismic design standards, and wind design requirements for new construction and the repair of existing buildings.

I. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) was established by the U.S. Congress when it passed the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, Public Law (PL) 95-124. At the time of its creation, Congress’ stated purpose for NEHRP was “to reduce the risks of life and property from future earthquakes in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program.” In establishing NEHRP, Congress recognized that earthquake-related losses could be reduced through improved design and construction methods and practices, land use controls and redevelopment, prediction techniques and early-warning systems, coordinated emergency preparedness plans, and public education and involvement programs.

There are three NEHRP Program Goals:

1. Improve understanding of earthquake processes and impacts.

2. Develop cost-effective measures to reduce earthquake impacts on individuals, the built environment, and society-at-large.

3. Improve the earthquake resilience of communities nationwide.

Under NEHRP, FEMA is responsible for developing effective earthquake risk reduction tools and promoting their implementation, as well as supporting the development of disaster-resistant building codes and standards. FEMA’s NEHRP activities are led by FEMA Headquarters, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), Planning, Safety, and Building Science Division (PBD), Building Science Branch, in strong coordination with the FEMA Regions, the States, the earthquake consortia, and other public and private partners.

J. National Dam Safety Program The National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) is an essential part of the Nation’s comprehensive approach to dam safety and dam risk management. In 1979, Executive Order 12148 established FEMA and provided it the authority to coordinate all national efforts in dam safety, and to “reduce the risk of life and property from dam failure in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective National Dam Safety Program to bring together the expertise and resources of the federal and non-federal communities in achieving national dam safety hazard reduction.” FEMA has continued to act as the lead federal agency on dam safety in the United States and to support the safety of the Nation’s dam infrastructure through state assistance funds, emergency action planning, training, public outreach, researching, and creating new guidance regarding the maintenance and construction of dams.

One of the NDSP strategic goals is to increase awareness of the risks associated with dams and the benefit of federal and state dam safety programs. Two objectives of this goal are to:

· Assist federal and state dam safety programs in effectively communicating with the public

· Educate dam owners on effective risk reduction methods and risk communication related to dams

K. Natural Hazard Risk Assessment Program The Natural Hazards Risk Assessment Program (NHRAP) has the goal of providing risk assessment data, tools, and analyses to support FEMA Strategic Goals in the development of risk communication for all of emergency management. NHRAP maintains the ability develop, adapt, and ingest natural hazard data to create easily understandable, innovative and comprehensive risk profiles at all geographic levels.

L. RMD Provider Overview FEMA has crafted an acquisition strategy to optimize stakeholder acceptance; deliver results; ensuring flexibility and adaptability exist; facilitate a smooth and seamless transition; and provide innovation capabilities to meet the National Flood Mapping Program, and related NFIP programs, challenges. This strategy involves a National Service Provider to provide program management, customer service and many other services required to run the overall effort. The approach currently includes establishing separate contracts to provide five groupings of services:

· Program Management (PM)

The PM provider delivers program management support services to the Risk Management Directorate. The CERC provider is expected to collaborate with the PM provider to inform executive communications, engagement calendars, the RMD risk register, conference support, disaster messaging, and other products within the scope of the PM contract.

· Customer & Data Services (CDS)

The CDS provider is Risk MAP’s Information Technology (IT) provider and responsible for the program’s primary systems and IT services: FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC), Mapping Information Platform (MIP), FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX), FEMA Web and Data Services, and the FEMA Engineering Library. The CERC provider is expected to collaborate with CDS to provide public messaging in support of IT enhancements, post content to FEMA.gov, 508 services (i.e., making documents 508 compliant) to assist the regions in posting some of their content from other sources onto FEMA.gov, and assist the Regions in planning out content for the web sites.

· Production and Technical Services (PTS)

The PTS provider delivers architect and engineering services for the Risk MAP program. PTS supports map development, Risk MAP meetings, and communicating the technical information related to mapping. The PTS provider is the technical expert and provides subject matter expertise communications support and review of materials. There is also integration required for meeting and conference support, outreach materials, and controlled correspondence responses.

· Letter of Map Amendment (MT-1)

The MT-1 process allows property owners to submit property-specific information to FEMA to obtain a definitive determination of the flood zone designation for a property and to, to clarify whether mandatory purchase of a flood insurance policy is required. It specifically includes processing services for Letters of Map Amendment (LOMAs); Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F); Conditional Letters of Map Amendment (CLOMAs); Conditional Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (CLOMR-Fs); and Letters of Determination Review (LODR) in support of the National Flood Mapping Program. The coordination with the MT-1 provider typically is related to ensuring technical accuracy in CERC-led activities and materials and determining communication and messaging needs across MT-1 operations.

· Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC)

CERC services consist of improving community engagement surrounding risk awareness, by leveraging behavioral science to improve risk communications, and to increase flood risk understanding and ways to reduce it. The RMD is also focused on risk reduction activities, and empowering partners and stakeholders to own more risk communications and risk reduction activities.

M. Cooperating Technical Partners (CTPs) FEMA has developed and rigorously supported the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program. The CTP Program is an innovative approach to creating partnerships between FEMA and participating NFIP communities, regional agencies, state agencies, tribes, and universities that have the interest and capability to actively participate in the FEMA flood hazard mapping program.

The CERC provider will be able to augment and/or support various CTPs, at the direction of the appropriate Region. This support will be similar to support provided to the Region, primarily counsel and potentially product development and engagement support.

N. Universal Objectives

While each of the five requirements within Risk MAP is supported by a separate contract, the success or failure of total program success will hinge on the interaction and cooperation of all contractors working as a team to ensure the smooth, seamless flow of information to all stakeholders and partners, both internal and external, and a comprehensive, coordinated approach to provide information and services to customers at all levels. It is the responsibility of these contractors to participate as team members with all other contractors. To this end, RMD has established Universal Objectives for Risk MAP contractors, which are:

Universal Objective A: Leverage technology, relationships, and mutual interests across the public and private sectors to improve project delivery, data interoperability, consistency and effectiveness in order to increase risk awareness, leading to citizens and communities taking mitigation action to substantially reduce risk to life and property and increase the Nation’s resilience to natural hazards.

Universal Objective B: Provide a high level of cooperation and integration across all FIMA contractors, ensuring seamless and integrated program delivery and advance the ability for FIMA to easily exchange data across the Enterprise. Support the Customer Experience strategy of offering an informed, relevant and unified servicing approach for all FIMA stakeholders. Offer subject matter expertise as required (e.g. business requirements, training development, authors, committees, etc.).

Universal Objective C: Implement sound program management practices to enable reliable and efficient operations, support of FIMA Governance structures, and forward-thinking innovation throughout FIMA.

Universal Objective D: Promote integration with FIMA, FEMA, Resilience, DHS, and Other Federal Agencies’ programs.

O. Operational Environment Applicable to CERC

The Risk Management Directorate awarded the initial CERC services contract in January 2015 with the primary intent of improving community engagement during the map production process, leveraging behavioral science to improve risk communications, and increasing understand of flood risk based on the flood hazard mapping program. While that requirement remains, RMD has since clarified its ultimate goal through a number of guiding documents. CERC services are being expanded beyond Risk MAP support to allow for support to all RMD programs in an effort to better synchronize communications and engagement across the Directorate. There is increased focus on driving risk reduction activities rather than prioritizing increasing risk understanding, this is in line with a shift in RMD priorities. RMD is prioritizing synchronization across Regional offices to ensure that best practices and work is being leveraged across the Agency, this will create a more efficient organization and reduce redundancy. There is focus on empower partners and stakeholders to own more risk communications and risk reduction activities.

In 2017, FIMA set the ambitious goals of doubling flood insurance coverage and quadrupling mitigation investment by 2022 through FIMA Moonshots. RMD is leading the effort to organize investments that reduce risk, including pre-disaster mitigation, and reduce disaster costs at all levels and support the Federal Insurance Directorate effort to close the insurance gap. (Strategic Objective 1.2).

FEMA is developing a baseline and approach for tracking progress against the mitigation moonshot. However, many of the most effective strategies for capturing mitigation action are difficult to quantify. A successful CERC provider must understand the suite of mitigation actions available to individuals and communities, understand how best to drive them to action, and support RMD in delivering these strategies at the local and national level regardless of how easily they are quantified.

In calendar year 2019, RMD’s communications team and the CERC provider will focus on:

· Building a capability to gather and display customer feedback for critical RMD customer touchpoints (ForeSee)

· Exploring the development of a national campaign to make mitigation a household name

· Empowering SLTT and NGO partners and stakeholders to communicate risk and drive risk reduction activities through customer-centric language, materials, and outreach

III. VISION FOR SUCCESSFUL CERC SUPPORT

Successful CERC support will advance the Agency’s objectives of catalyzing investments that reduce risk and closing the insurance gap. This PWS aims to improve RMD’s programs stakeholder experience by:

· Delivering targeted messages in plain language that raise risk awareness and drive mitigation investment to increase resilience and reduce financial loss (Tasks 1-6);

· Leveraging behavioral science concepts and resources to effectively communicate and engage with stakeholders on risk education and risk reduction (Tasks 1 & 2);

· Unifying Risk MAP, RMD, and other FIMA messaging to encourage pre-disaster mitigation actions and post-disaster decision making, including mitigation planning, the adoption of higher building codes, and other risk reduction activities (Tasks 1-4);

· Delivering on strategies to increase comprehensive risk awareness and cultivate high value partnerships to advance RMD objectives and empower our partners (Tasks 1, 2, & 4);

· Collaborating with FID and Mitigation Directorate to ensure our customers hear a unified voice, and identify opportunities to leverage RMD communications supporting the closing of the insurance gap (Tasks 1, 2, & 4);

· Creating and meeting public demands for risk education and risk reduction (Tasks 1-6); and

· Effectively identifying and replicating best practices, shared resources, and products across the ten FEMA Regions (Tasks 2 & 5).

IV. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The scope of work required by this PWS is detailed within this section. The performance requirements are separated into X Task Areas that align to the RMD Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Within each Work Area, there are various Tasks identified. The number of Tasks identified in a Work Area are based on the specific support need(s) of that Work Area.

Task 1 – Design and Implement Effective CERC Strategies

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

The purpose of this Task is to promote the design and implementation of CERC strategies and best practices aligning with RMD’s mission. In support of this Task, the Contractor shall:

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - Assist FEMA, and coordinate with the PM Contractor, to update and maintain a National Outreach and Risk Communication Strategy, incorporating Government furnished data and information. This will include specific focus on projects in coastal and levee impacted areas, implementation of programmatic, statutory, legislative changes, and other key program issues; such as, future conditions, Mitigation Planning, building codes, National Hazards Risk Assessment Program (NHRAP), the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), National Dam Safety Program, and Levee Safety Program elements. Information on the current National Outreach Strategy is available in the Virtual Library in the Program Area D folder.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - At the National and Regional level, design and implement community engagement strategies, products, tools, and templates for communities for the entire Risk MAP lifecycle.

· Information on the current strategies, tools, and templates is available in the Virtual Library in the Program Area D folder.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - At the National and Regional level, collaborate across FIMA directorates and Mitigation branches to execute efficient risk communication tools and community engagement strategies.

· RAD.RM.CERC.MS/RMD.CERC.MS - Research, share, and utilize industry best practices demonstrating where successful community engagement has driven actions, especially risk reduction actions. Identify and adapt/tailor these best practices to support FEMA Regions or stakeholders.

· RAD.RM.CERC.CS/RMD.CERC.CS - Assist FEMA’s goal of empowering communities and the public to reduce their risk, including the development of means to measure successful use of products to reduce risk.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - Assist FEMA with the assessment, refining, and development of non-regulatory risk products to improve their effectiveness.

· RAD.RM.CERC.CS/RMD.CERC.CS - Prepare new, refine existing, and deliver web-based and local training to internal and external stakeholders (on provider or Government facilities) on RMD topics.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - Maintain and continue development of a video series geared to explaining flood hazard mapping, mitigation planning, building codes, risk and hazard information, and other RMD programs in plain language to improve understanding.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO – Explore, develop, and maintain risk visualization tools, using technology and behavioral science, to increase risk and hazard understanding and drive risk reduction action. This includes maintenance and delivery of the of the IMMERSED product.

· RAD.RM.CERC.MS/RMD.CERC.MS - Provide subject matter expertise (SME) to assist with the design, implementation, communication, and/or management of new and revised requirements, processes, and procedures resulting from the FEMA Strategic Plan, Presidential Policy Directive-8 (PPD-8), the National Mitigation Framework (NMF), the National Disaster Relief Framework (NDRF), the NMIS, Guides and Standards, and other statutory, legislative, and regulatory changes impacting RMD programs.

· RAD.RM.CERC.MS/RMD.CERC.MS - Provide mission support (e.g. meeting preparation, status reports, serve as a liaison between Regional staff and CERC project staff, etc.) to each Region, ensuring consistent and comprehensive planning, coordination, and management of National Flood Mapping Program projects. Support the Regions in understanding and implementing regionally-tailored approaches to national CERC strategies.

· RAD.RM.CERC.MS/RMD.CERC.MS - Maintain and improve the CERC Playbook, a guide for FEMA Regional staff to communicating flood hazard mapping projects using best practices and behavioral science knowledge.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - Prepare the monthly Congressional Notification regarding mapping project updates, as required under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, and any other congressional notification required under future legislation.

Task 2 – Increase Resilience; Deliver Effective CERC support at the Regional and Project Level to Increase Awareness and Achieve Mitigation Actions

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

The purpose of this Task is to promote the use of RMD products and services at the national, regional, and local level to increase risk awareness and understanding, promote risk ownership, and empower communications and actions to understand and reduce risk. In support of this Task, the Contractor shall:

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - At the Regional level, provide support to FEMA in preparing for and conducting discovery, resilience, flood risk review, and Community Consultation Officer / flood risk open house meetings. The support provided must be tailored to the requirements of each region and project (e.g. location, capabilities, approach, skill sets needed, participation of CTPs, etc.)

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - At the regional level, support the transition from preliminary to effective map by collaborating across the Mitigation branches.

· RAD.RM.CERC.CS/RMD.CERC.CS - Support local community, and other partners, education on risk data value, and explain integration opportunities, and use with other programs and activities via webinars, workshops, demonstrations, etc.

· RAD.RM.CERC.CS/RMD.CERC.CS - Incorporate and communicate Government-Furnished Data and Information from CTPs, PTS Contractors, and other sources. Data delivery and timeframes will be coordinated on a project by project basis in coordination with the Government.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - Use risk communication leading practices and behavioral science to effectively educate stakeholders on hazard and risk information, and risk reduction actions.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PT/RMD.CERC.PT - Identify, leverage, and empower partners to communicate hazard and risk information and risk reduction actions.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PT/RMD.CERC.PT - Coordinate with Regions, CTPs, and PTS Contractors to ensure appropriate regulatory and non-regulatory data and products are provided to communities utilizing customized community strategies. Data and products should be modified to ensure clear and effective community understanding.

· RAD.RM.CERC.MS/RMD.CERC.MS - Deliver data (e.g. project plan, captured unmet needs, etc.), as needed, to PTS, PM, and CDS Contractor(s) for input into various management systems (e.g. Coordinated Needs Management System, Mapping Information Platform, Map Service Center, National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer, etc.)

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO/RMD.CERC.PO - Provide support for rapid disaster response and recovery communications and engagement, as requested by the Government to facility impact comprehension and promote resilient recovern. Where possible and appropriate, incorporate data into Risk Analysis programs and improve program delivery in post-disaster environments.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PM/RMD.CERC.PO - Educate regional staff and assist in implementing the CERC playbook strategies.

· Identify, capture, and adapt best practices and lessons learned from other RMD projects regardless of Region or FEMA component to find program efficiencies and build upon existing work. Ensure there is no duplication of work and that opportunities to identify and create templates or standard processes are executed to provide standardized materials and approaches across programs and geographies.

Task 3 – Support the National Mitigation Planning Program

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

The purpose of this Task is to build resilience in states, local and tribal communities and territories by supporting mitigation planning. This work includes helping FEMA provide plan review and approvals, training and technical assistance, develop new policies and products, and provide communications and outreach on the benefits of mitigation planning. The goal is to promote the use of mitigation planning to integrate RMD products and services at the national, regional, and local level to increase risk awareness and understanding, promote risk ownership, and empower communications and actions. In support of this Task, the Contractor shall:

· RAD.RM.MP - Provide mitigation planning technical assistance (subject matter expertise), plan reviews, develop and deliver training to stakeholders preparing Mitigation Plans, and provide technical support to FEMA planning staff. Technical assistance subjects include land use planning, hazard mitigation planning with state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, comprehensive plan integration, and grant application development.

· RAD.RM.MP.TS - Support the National Mitigation Planning staff with developing and disseminating guidance documents, products, training, toolkits, handbooks, bulletins, webinars, etc. Report and track progress on training, capability building, outreach and technical assistance.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PO - Communicate the importance of mitigation planning in building resilient communities and empowering communities to incorporate mitigation planning into planning efforts.

· Improve the integration of mitigation planning with key RMD/Risk Analysis Branch touchpoints at headquarters and in each regional office, FIMA, Resilience and other FEMA departments and offices to allow leveraging of existing products and expertise and more integrated and effective program delivery.

Task 4 – Assist FEMA to Develop, Maintain, and Strengthen Mutually Beneficial Partnerships:

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

The purpose of this task is to assist RMD in developing, maintaining and strengthening beneficial partnerships with a wide range of entities including other FEMA components; federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies; other Contractors; non-governmental organizations, private sector organizations, and other stakeholders to increase risk and hazard information understanding and to drive risk reduction activities. In support of this Task, the Contractor shall:

· RAD.RM.CERC.PT/RMD.CERC.PT – Provide SME support to continue developing the CTP Program. Additionally, the SME support shall enhance and augment the skills and capabilities of CTPs and other internal and external partners. Information on the current CTP program is available in the Program History section, as well as http://www.fema.gov/cooperating-technical-partners-program/cooperating-technical-partners-program.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PT/RMD.CERC.PT - Provide support to FEMA (e.g. conference attendance and preparation, meeting facilitation, etc.) in coordinating with nongovernmental organizations to include, but not limited to the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA), the American Planning Association (APA), the National Association of Counties (NACO), etc.

· RAD.RM.CERC.PT/RMD.CERC.PT - Support, maintain, and continue development of the Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN). The RNPN currently consists of 160 organizations spanning the private sector, SLTTs, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Other Federal Agencies (OFAs), and various associations. Required support includes the Annual Forum, quarterly calls, and Lunch & Learn sessions. The goal of the RNPN is to foster collaboration and coordination across partners to increase risk understanding and drive risk reduction by leveraging the wide range of resources, expertise, and other capabilities of partners.

Task 5 – Provide Program Management and Subject Matter Expertise in Support of RMD:

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

RAD.RM.CERC.PM/RMD.CERC.PM - The contractor shall implement sound program management practices for the contract to enable reliable and efficient operations, support of FIMA Governance structures, and forward-thinking innovation throughout RMD programs. In addition, provide CERC subject matter expertise to program-wide initiatives such as information technology business and technical requirements development, business and operations architecture, policy analysis, Guides and Standards, information technology and data management, geographic information systems (GIS), programmatic technical working groups (e.g. the Engineering and Mapping Integrated Project Team and its subgroups), Letters of Map Change, and the universal objectives listed above. The SME support in this Objective will support efforts primarily lead by other providers and should be considered separate from the required efforts and coordination with other parties that is required in Objectives 1 through 4 above to accomplish CERC led processes and projects.

Task 6 – Controlled Correspondence:

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

RMD.CERC.MS – The contractor shall prepare special and controlled correspondence (e.g. Congressional Responses), as well as project specific outreach materials and, as needed, provide support and information to the FEMA Map Information Exchange (FMIX) for approximately one hundred (100) phone calls or emails per year.

Task 7 – Provide CERC support for insurance activities at the Regional level

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

The purpose of this Task is to support insurance engagement and activities at the Regional level. In support of this Task, the Contractor shall:

· Collaborate across Regional Mitigation branches to execute efficient risk communication tools and community engagement strategies.

· Design, implement, and maintain engagement strategies, products, tools, and templates for the Region to educate and promote insurance information.

· Build capacity to support campaigns or regional outreach efforts to educate and promote insurance information.

· Use risk communication leading practices and behavioral science to effectively educate and promote insurance information.

· Provide meeting and conference support to Regional offices, including attendance, booth or table setup, meeting facilitation, and material and presentation development.

· Provide support for rapid disaster response and recovery communications and engagement and media analysis, as requested by the Region.

· Apply behavioral science, data science, and strategic communications to promote and educate on flood insurance, in alignment with Federal Insurance Directorate guidance and messaging.

· Research, share, and utilize industry best practices demonstrating where successful community engagement has driven actions, particularly insurance uptake. Identify and adapt these best practices to support FEMA Regions or stakeholders in tailoring appropriate best practices for use.

· Prepare new, refine existing, and deliver web-based and in-person training to internal and external stakeholders (on provider or Government facilities) on insurance topics.

· Support education of communities and other partners on the value of insurance. Provide information on opportunities for integration with other programs and activities through various means such as webinars, workshops, demonstrations, etc.

· Identify, leverage, and empower partners to communicate insurance information and promote the purchase of insurance.

Task 8 – Contract Transition:

(The approximate level of effort estimated for this Objective is X% based on total estimated value of the requirement. This estimate is for solicitation purposes only.)

Subtask 1 – Transition In RAD.RM.TM - The contractor shall complete the successful transfer of business and technical knowledge from the incumbent contractor to the incoming contractor (“CERC Provider”). The transition-in period of performance will be fulfilled within the final ninety (90) days of the incumbent period of performance.

The outcome of this requirement is to effect full contract transition, with activities that will likely span the full extent of the transition-in and transition-out period.