AC Disaster Consulting -- to post UPDATED redacted.pdf

I

March 3, 2026

Craig Palik Procurement Contract Officer State of Nebraska Purchasing Bureau 1526 K Street, Suite 130 Lincoln, NE 68508

RE: Request For Proposal for Services Contract | Solicitation No. 124469 O5

Dear Mr. Palik and Members of the Selection Committee:

AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC), a certified Small Business Administration (SBA) Woman- Owned Small Business (WOSB), is pleased to submit this proposal to the State of Nebraska Purchasing Bureau in support of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). ACDC brings decades of hands-on experience supporting states and local governments in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs administered under the Stafford Act and National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA).

Emergency management continues to evolve as hazards increase in complexity, federal requirements shift, and funding frameworks change. Nebraska communities, particularly rural and agricultural areas, must manage these challenges while maintaining day-to-day operations with limited staff capacity. The State’s risk profile includes severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, riverine and localized flooding, winter storms, and ice events, along with the secondary impacts these hazards have on transportation systems, energy, water, and communication infrastructure, agricultural operations, and public facilities. These dynamics call for technical support that is practical, responsive, and aligned with how Nebraska communities operate.

ACDC closely monitors Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operational trends, policy interpretations, and regional review practices to support the State based on the real-time application of critical federal programs. This awareness will help NEMA and its subrecipients anticipate potential issues, protect eligibility, and keep recovery and mitigation activities moving forward without unnecessary delays, ultimately maximizing the federal investment in Nebraska’s recovery and long-term resilience.

OUR CAPACITY + EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT NEBRASKA

Plainly stated, we are an emergency management organization through and through. As such, ACDC has intentionally built a team with experience supporting state and local government in federal grant compliance, eligibility, documentation, insurance coordination, and closeout. This expertise enables us to protect funding while remaining mindful of operational realities, particularly for rural communities managing complex projects with limited internal resources.

To support NEMA’s needs, ACDC has partnered with AECOM, combining a state-embedded, client-focused approach with national technical experience supporting FEMA through the Public Assistance Technical Assistance Contract (PA-TAC), Consolidated Resource Center (CRC), and Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program (HMTAP).

Together as the ACDC team, this partnership provides additional insight into FEMA review expectations while maintaining an on-the-ground presence in NEMA offices, applicant communities, and disaster-impacted areas, as requested by the State.

ACDC brings experience supporting disaster recovery and mitigation efforts nationwide, along with a strong working presence in FEMA Region VII. We are currently supporting Kansas in a similar capacity and maintain collaborative working relationships with FEMA regional staff that help resolve issues efficiently while respecting state priorities.

ACDC’S THREE C’S: COMPETENT, CARING, + CONNECTED

Our work is guided by three core principles: Competent. Caring. Connected. These values serve as the foundation for everything we do, from how we operate as a firm to how we deliver exceptional service to our clients. Our approach to serving the State reflects our central values as follows:

• Competent: With a bench of over 145 professionals across 30 states, we deliver expert technical assistance and advisement in disaster recovery, mitigation, and compliance. ACDC boasts 3 CEMS, and 10 PMPs. This team has successfully managed over $75B in federal disaster recovery funds across FEMA Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

• Caring: We lead with empathy, recognizing the critical need for focused solutions that align with state priorities. We recognize the pressures facing Nebraska communities and focus on clear, realistic support that aligns with local capacity and priorities.

• Connected: In partnership with AECOM, we combine local familiarity with national FEMA review experience. Our proposed Senior Advisor for Public Assistance, Molly Bargmann, previously served as Nebraska’s State Coordinating Officer and State

Public Assistance Officer, bringing institutional knowledge and long-standing relationships within Nebraska’s emergency management community.

COMMITMENT TO NEBRASKA

While we bring experience from across the country, we approach every engagement with the understanding that each state and disaster is diversely different. We work closely with our clients to understand how they operate and tailor our level of support to match state priorities, local capacity, and preferred ways of working. With staff based in Seward, Lincoln, and Omaha, and additional team members who have spent significant time supporting recovery efforts across Nebraska, we bring both national perspective and local familiarity to our work.

ACDC’s commitment to emergency management is long-standing. While we have built strong technical capability in grant compliance and program oversight, our foundation remains in supporting emergency management agencies as they serve their communities.

We understand the responsibilities NEMA carries, the expectations placed on local governments, and the importance of delivering recovery and mitigation outcomes that are practical, compliant, and sustainable…work that ultimately supports the people, communities, and way of life that make Nebraska The Good Life.

ACDC acknowledges addendum one.

Thank you for considering our proposal. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss our capabilities and qualifications with the State of Nebraska.

Sincerely, Table of Contents

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

Bidder Identification + Information

Financial Statements

Change of Ownership

Office Location

Relationships with the State

Bidder's Employee Relations to State

Contract Performance

Summary of Bidder’s Corporate Experience

Subcontractors

TECHNICAL RESPONSE

Understanding of the Project Requirements

Approach to Providing Public Assistance Technical Services

Approach to Providing Individual Assistance Technical Services

Approach to Providing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Technical Services

HOURLY RATES

Attachment A Bidder Questionnaire

RFP 124469 O5

Bidder Name: AC Disaster Consulting LLC

Bidder should provide a response to all questions in this attachment to meet the requirements of the RFP.

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

1.1

BIDDER IDENTIFICATION AND INFORMATION

The bidder should provide the full company or corporate name, address of the company's headquarters, entity organization (corporation, partnership, proprietorship), state in which the bidder is incorporated or otherwise organized to do business, year in which the bidder first organized to do business and whether the name and form of organization has changed since first organized.

COMPANY INFORMATION

REQUESTED INFORMATION ACDC COMPANY INFORMATION

Company Name: AC DISASTER CONSULTING LLC

Address of Headquarters: 1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202

Entity Organization: Corporation

State of Incorporation / Organization:

Texas

Year of Organization: 2018

Changes to Name or Form: No Changes to Name or Form Since Incorporation

Table 1

TEAM OVERVIEW

ACDC

ACDC was founded by our CEO, Alyssa Carrier, in 2018 as a full-spectrum emergency management firm with a singular goal: to provide competent, caring, and connected consulting services to communities engaged in disaster response, recovery, and resilience.

Alyssa’s north star was to build an emergency management consulting firm that encompassed her core values with the goal of helping whole communities prepare, recover, and rebuild a better more resilient future.

As a premier provider of emergency management solutions, ACDC offers our clients creative and collaborative services, including planning, response, recovery, mitigation, and program management. We are proud of the services and expertise our nationally recognized team of professionals bring to each of the clients and communities we support. It is an honor for us to be entrusted with helping manage some of the most impactful disasters and catastrophic incidents our nation has experienced with a commitment to competence, compassion, and connectivity.

ACDC has been actively engaged in offering disaster recovery services throughout the U.S., including consultancy and advisory roles for projects across the country. ACDC partners with governmental agencies, businesses, and non-profit entities of all sizes to ensure comprehensive awareness of potential threats and hazards facing their communities. We aim to equip our clients with the essential tools and processes to minimize risk, mitigate losses, effectively respond to emergencies, and facilitate a streamlined recovery process.

Figure 1: Alyssa Carrier, Founder + CEO, and Team Arriving On-site in Oregon Following the Historic Oregon Wildfires

The ACDC team has successfully managed over $75B in federal disaster recovery funds across FEMA Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). We specialize in providing technical assistance and strategic advisement that ensures regulatory compliance, minimizes risks, and maximizes federal investments in Nebraska’s recovery and long-term resilience. Aligned with the State’s Scope of Work (SOW), we bring expertise in the following areas:

• Pre-Disaster Planning: Strengthening the State’s readiness through training and proactive strategy alignment.

• Project Worksheet Management: Ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely documentation to secure funding.

• Grant Closeout + Risk Mitigation: Delivering efficient, audit-ready solutions that reduce administrative burdens.

• Strategic Advisement: Providing actionable insights to streamline recovery processes, align priorities, and expedite outcomes.

ACDC also integrates applicant-focused outreach, training, and education into our delivery model to strengthen statewide recovery capacity. Through consistent engagement and a regional approach to applicant support, we help communities of all sizes improve their understanding of eligibility, documentation, and compliance requirements, reducing preventable delays while supporting equitable access to recovery resources in Nebraska. We also understand the larger economic landscape in which disaster recovery takes place.

Nebraska's farming and ranching communities, small municipalities, and rural infrastructure face unique vulnerabilities that extend well beyond physical damages.

Our team brings expertise in supporting economically vulnerable and historically underserved communities, meeting applicants where they are and helping them fully navigate the recovery process (from initial damage documentation through final closeout).

Figure 2

Figure 3: Image of TEMA (Tennessee) Applicant Briefing pertaining to Tropical Storm Helene

This experience is underpinned by staff that deeply understand the State’s communities, landscape, and needs, many of whom have previous experience working with NEMA and state-level Nebraska agencies:

Molly Bargmann of ACDC is a resident of Nebraska and brings more than a decade of progressive emergency management experience within the state, having served in multiple state-level roles with NEMA, as well as at the county level in Adams County. From 2014 - 2022, Molly advanced through key recovery and PA leadership positions, beginning as a Planning Specialist in Response and Recovery and later serving as Recovery Section Supervisor and Recovery Section Manager.

She currently volunteers as Conference Chair for the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management Conference and serves as the Nebraska Representative for IAEM Region 7 Leadership Board.

Grace Fennelly of ACDC is a resident of Nebraska and brings direct state-level experience with NEMA, providing her with a strong understanding of Nebraska’s emergency management landscape and recovery operations. From July 2021 through November 2024, she served as the State PA Officer and acted as the state’s subject matter expert (SME) on the FEMA PA program, including governing policies and guidance.

Ashton Tennis of ACDC is an experienced emergency management professional specializing in disaster recovery, PA, and federal grants management. Ashton brings direct experience supporting Nebraska’s disaster recovery operations through prior service with NEMA in Lincoln, Nebraska during the largest disaster in the State’s history (DR-4420).

Mark Schaffer of ACDC is a Nebraska resident with extensive experience supporting state-level FEMA PA programs. At ACDC, Mark has worked on several contracts with state emergency management agencies across 20+ declared disasters providing programmatic analysis and support to ensure the efficient administration, compliance, and financial oversight of FEMA PA funding.

AECOM

AECOM is a multi-disciplinary firm offering integrated services across the full spectrum of disaster recovery, grants management, planning, design, and public outreach. AECOM has a long history of responding to federal and state disaster declarations, including floods, fires, and other natural disasters. With over 25 years of experience delivering FEMA PA, IA, and Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, AECOM is well-equipped to navigate funding gaps, regulatory hurdles, and logistical challenges. The firm’s extensive expertise has supported thousands of grantees and subrecipients, helping them avoid common pitfalls and maximize resources for seamless disaster recovery. For Nebraska, this means a trusted partner who understands the unique challenges of the region and can tailor solutions to meet local needs.

Katie Ringland of AECOM brings over 12 years of state-level Nebraska experience working with The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Division of Floodplain Management, seven years of which were the Chief of the Floodplain Management Section.

Her experience includes managing FEMA’s CTP program, State

NFIP Coordination, and Flood Mitigation Assistance grants.

AECOM’s strategic approach integrates best practices in program management, technology-driven solutions, and deep regulatory expertise. AECOM’s teams utilize GIS mapping and data analytics to streamline documentation, improve transparency, and reduce the administrative burden for applicants. The firm prioritizes compliance with FEMA’s PA program requirements while optimizing workflows to minimize delays and maximize funding utilization. This commitment contributes to efficient and impactful recovery efforts in Nebraska.

As the only firm to lead all three FEMA staff augmentation contracts (PA Technical Assistance [PA-TAC], Consolidated Resource Center [CRC], and Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program [HMTAP]), AECOM possesses unmatched insight into FEMA’s processes and decision-making. This expertise allows AECOM to guide clients

Figure 4 through shifting responsibilities, maintaining compliance and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle. The firm’s strong advocacy for appeals, alternate projects, and mitigation initiatives has consistently resulted in favorable outcomes for its clients.

AECOM has managed over 700 disaster events and developed more than 30,000 SOWs specifically for PA projects. The firm’s proven ability to oversee significant recovery initiatives includes managing approximately $50B in recovery projects across the nation.

This scale of experience allows us to deliver results that meet FEMA standards and timelines effectively. AECOM’s Program Delivery Model (PDM) creates a seamless approach to optimizing reimbursements while advancing FEMA grant programs. By integrating resiliency and sustainability initiatives while maintaining transparency through robust tracking systems, AECOM provides effective and accountable support tailored to Nebraska’s needs.

1.2

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The bidder should provide financial statements applicable to the firm. If publicly held, the bidder should provide a copy of the corporation's most recent audited financial reports and statements, and the name, address, and telephone number of the fiscally responsible representative of the bidder’s financial or banking organization.

If the bidder is not a publicly held corporation, either the reports and statements required of a publicly held corporation, or a description of the organization, including size, longevity, client base, areas of specialization and expertise, and any other pertinent information, should be submitted in such a manner that solicitation evaluators may reasonably formulate a determination about the stability and financial strength of the organization.

Additionally, a non-publicly held firm should provide a banking reference.

The bidder must disclose any and all judgments, pending or expected litigation, or other real or potential financial reversals, which might materially affect the viability or stability of the organization, or state that no such condition is known to exist.

The State may elect to use a third party to conduct credit checks as part of the corporate overview evaluation.

FINANCIAL CAPACITY AND JUDGEMENT HISTORY

ACDC has provided the company’s most recent audited financial statements and a banking reference letter as a separate attachment. We respectfully request that all financial statements and associated information be treated as confidential.

ACDC affirms that there are no judgements, pending or expected litigation, or other real, or potential financial reversals which might materially affect the viability or stability of the organization to disclose.

1.3

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP

If any change in ownership or control of the company is anticipated during the twelve (12) months following the solicitation response due date, the bidder should describe the circumstances of such change and indicate when the change will likely occur. Any change of ownership to an awarded bidder(s) will require notification to the State.

There is no anticipated change to ownership or control of the company over the next 12 months.

1.4

OFFICE LOCATION

The bidder’s office location responsible for performance pursuant to an award of a contract with the State of Nebraska should be identified.

LOCAL PRESENCE

ACDC's office is located at 1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202. Our team is committed to on-site presence in support of NEMA and its subrecipients; staff will not work remotely unless prior written approval is obtained from the State. Several of the key professionals who will service this contract are Nebraska residents and are positioned to provide immediate, in-person support at NEMA offices, applicant locations, and disaster sites across the state. If needed, ACDC will establish a physical office space in Nebraska to support program needs.

Figure 5

1.5

RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STATE

The bidder should describe any dealings with the State over the previous ten (10) years. If the organization, its predecessor, or any Party named in the bidder’s solicitation response has contracted with the State, the bidder should identify the contract number(s) and/or any other information available to identify such contract(s). If no such contracts exist, so declare.

HISTORY OF STATE LEVEL CONTRACTS

Over the past 10 years, ACDC has not entered into a formal contract with the State of Nebraska that included a State contract number.

Over the past 10 years, AECOM has entered into the following contracts with the State of Nebraska.

Agency Contract Number

Nebraska Department of Roads

• BK23331-000

• BK23331-001

• BK2330_001

• BK2330_000

• BK2306_001

• BK2306_000

• BK2305_000

• BK2113_000

• BK2027_002

• BK2027_001

• BK2027_000

• QK2215_000

• BK2049_001

• BK2049_000

• VK1625_002

• VK1625_001

• VK1625_000

• QK1708_000

• QK1613_000

Nebraska Department of Roads

• BK1619_000

• BK1621_000

Nebraska Military Department

• CON88370

• CON79239

• CO175491

• CON75491

Nebraska Public Power District • Nebraska Public Power MSA #19A-MS7

Table 2

1.6

BIDDER'S EMPLOYEE RELATIONS TO STATE

If any Party named in the bidder’s solicitation response is or was an employee of the State within the past twelve (12) months, identify the individual(s) by name, State agency with whom employed, job title or position held with the State, and separation date. If no such relationship exists or has existed, so declare.

If any employee of any agency of the State of Nebraska is employed by the bidder or is a subcontractor to the bidder, as of the due date for solicitation response submission, identify all such persons by name, position held with the bidder, and position held with the State (including job title and agency). Describe the responsibilities of such persons within the proposing organization. If, after review of this information by the State, it is determined that a conflict of interest exists or may exist, the bidder may be disqualified from further consideration in this solicitation. If no such relationship exists, so declare.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY WITH THE STATE

No party listed in this proposal has been employed by the State of Nebraska within the past 12 months. ACDC does not employ any current employee of the State of Nebraska, nor does ACDC utilize any current State of Nebraska employee as a subconsultant.

Figure 6

1.7

CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

If the bidder or any proposed subcontractor has had a contract terminated for default during the past ten (10) years, all such instances must be described as required below.

Termination for default is defined as a notice to stop performance delivery due to the bidder’s non-performance or poor performance, and the issue was either not litigated due to inaction on the part of the bidder or litigated and such litigation determined the bidder to be in default.

It is mandatory that the bidder submit full details of all termination for default experienced during the past ten (10) years, including the other Party's name, address, and telephone number. The response to this section must present the bidder’s position on the matter. The State will evaluate the facts and will score the bidder’s solicitation response accordingly. If no such termination for default has been experienced by the bidder in the past ten (10) years, so declare.

If at any time during the past five (5) years, the bidder has had a contract terminated for convenience, non-performance, non-allocation of funds, or any other reason, describe fully all circumstances surrounding such termination, including the name and address of the other contracting Party.

ACDC

During the past 10 years, ACDC has not had any contracts terminated for default. Within the past 5 years, ACDC had one contract terminated with Hardee County, Florida. This termination was not related to performance or contract compliance. Rather, it resulted from a change in county administration, during which existing agreements were reviewed and certain contracts were discontinued as part of broader cost-containment and administrative restructuring efforts.

AECOM

During the past 10 years, AECOM has had no contracts terminated for cause. Over the past 5 years, AECOM has had the following contracts terminated for convenience:

Termination Date

Client / Agency Reason for Termination Point of Contact

12/02/2021 City of South Tucson

Environmental services contract terminated for convenience

Veronica Morena 1601 S. 6th Ave, South Tucson, AZ 85713 / (520) 792-2424

05/02/2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Client placed aspects of project on hold

Wendy Gifford 333 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA 94404 / (650) 574-3000

05/12/2022 Burbank- Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority

COVID pause; restart required program reboot

Frank Miller 2627 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 / (818) 840-

05/31/2023 Norfolk Southern Railway Company

Services contract terminated for convenience

Aaron Bondurant

07/27/2023 Clarke Energy USA (Veolia Project)

Subcontract PO terminated for convenience

Andy Malcolm N19W24400 Riverwood Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188 / (262) 565-5020

06/17/2024 Southwestern Energy Company

Agreement terminated for convenience

Camille Doig PO Box 12559, Spring, TX 77391

06/20/2024 City of Carlsbad Terramar CEQA project terminated for convenience

Eric Zielke 1635 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008 / 760-602-2795

09/2024 (eff.

12/31/24 + 3/31/25)

ExxonMobil Terminated for convenience due to pending dispute

Claudia Stinson Claudia.c.stinson@exxonmo bile.com

10/29/2024 (eff.

11/28/24)

CRS Commerce Center, LC

Contractual termination right; no breach/penalties

John Harrison; 1900 Reston Metro Plaza, Floor 10, Reston, VA 20190 / (703) 230-1985

10/29/2024 (eff.

11/28/24)

CRS-RR Hotel, LLC

Contractual termination right; no breach/penalties

John Harrison; 1900 Reston Metro Plaza, Floor 10, Reston, VA 20190 / (703) 230-1985

03/27/2025 County of Fresno Dept. of Public Works & Planning

Chevron discontinued permit/EIR preparation

David Randall drandall@fresnocountyca.gov

03/31/2025 Equilon Enterprises LLC

Terminated by mutual agreement

Barbara Stoykes

09/23/2025 Miami-Dade County (Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces)

PSA terminated for convenience

Mahe Brunet 275 NW 2nd St, Miami, FL 33125 / (305) 755-7800

11/24/2025 Virginia Tech Terminated due to award of new term contract (policy)

Not available

12/16/2025 (eff.

12/31/25)

Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co.

(Vectren)

EPCM agreement terminated for convenience

Not available

Table 3 mailto:Claudia.c.stinson@exxonmobile.com mailto:Claudia.c.stinson@exxonmobile.com

1.8

SUMMARY OF BIDDER’S CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

The bidder should provide a summary matrix listing the bidder’s previous projects similar to this Solicitation in size, scope, and complexity. The State will use no more than three (3) narrative project descriptions submitted by the bidder during its evaluation of the solicitation response.

The bidder should address the following:

i.Provide narrative descriptions to highlight the similarities between the bidder’s experience and this Solicitation. These descriptions should include:

a. The time period of the project,

b. The scheduled and actual completion dates,

c. The bidder’s responsibilities,

d. For reference purposes, a customer name (including the name of a contact person, a current telephone number, a facsimile number, and e-mail address); and

e. Each project description should identify whether the work was performed as the prime Vendor or as a subcontractor. If a bidder performed as the prime Vendor, the description should provide the originally scheduled completion date and budget, as well as the actual (or currently planned) completion date and actual (or currently planned) budget.

ii.Bidder and Subcontractor(s) experience should be listed separately. Narrative descriptions submitted for Subcontractors should be specifically identified as subcontractor projects.

iii.If the work was performed as a subcontractor, the narrative description should identify the same information as requested for the bidders above.

In addition, subcontractors should identify what share of contract costs, project responsibilities, and time period were performed as a subcontractor.

THE ACDC TEAM’S PREVIOUS PROJECT EXPERIENCE

The ACDC team brings practical experience in program management, disaster recovery, and grant compliance, supporting government partners across the country. Our staff have worked on a wide range of emergency management, preparedness, hazard mitigation, and resilience efforts, supporting communities impacted by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to traditional disaster events, we have successfully tackled non-traditional and complex challenges, including the Surfside, Florida building collapse; the fentanyl crisis in Portland, Oregon; migrant sheltering in New York and Colorado; and housing and homelessness crises nationwide. We work closely with our clients to identify and mitigate risks, improve recovery outcomes while reducing timelines, and ensure compliance with program requirements at every stage of the recovery process.

We bring a whole community approach, compassionate guidance, and decades of hands-on experience to all our projects. We are innovative and results-oriented, and we focus on actionable solutions in complex situations. Our solution framework includes immersion in the many nuances of grant programs and an ability to successfully navigate each program’s unique requirements. We bring an unwavering record of accomplishment with successful project closeouts and client satisfaction, as evidenced by our many repeat clients in the emergency management, disaster recovery, and grant management disciplines.

We are fully prepared to support the State in ensuring appropriate management and compliance as it pertains to state and Federal laws, regulations, and guidance to maximize reimbursement for eligible disaster expenditures. The ACDC team has assisted thousands of subrecipient applications for PA funding. Our team understands the challenges faced at a local level in navigating the FEMA PA system and our staff is experienced in how to assist local municipalities, tribes, counties, and Private Non-Profits (PNP) through the process to streamline results and speed recovery.

The ACDC team has also provided technical assistance staffing and program management support for recovery operations including HMGP, long-term recovery, disaster closeout assistance, state Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) update efforts, and support for finance divisions in multiple states. Over the course of many projects, we have provided both hazard mitigation and PA support staff who act on behalf of our clients to work together with sub-recipients and guide them through the FEMA grant process, support application development, and Benefit-Cost Analyses (BCAs) as well as provide oversight up to and through closeout. Additionally, we have provided staff for damage assessments and debris management for contracts in multiple regions of the U.S.

The following pages provide an overview of our extensive PA/recovery experience, noting our team’s portfolio runs deeper than just the contracts shown herein. Key states are identified either because they are within Region VII or our team has a programmatic level role in their state recovery initiatives.

Figure 7

Table4

PROGRAM EXPERIENCE NARRATIVES

Oregon Emergency Management Program Delivery Manager for Grants (PDMG) on Six Federally Declared Disasters

Project Overview Project Time Period: 08/2024 – 09/2025

Scheduled | Actual Completion Date: 09/2025 | 09/2025

Contractor Role: Prime (ACDC)

Authorized Project Budget | Project Value to date:

$15,300,000 | $15,270,032.00

Bidder Responsibilities: FEMA PA Technical Guidance

Financial Oversight

Eligibility Reviews

ROE + Call Center

Duplication of Benefits

PIO / Stakeholder Coordination Disasters: DR-4432; DR-4452; DR-4499; DR-4519; DR-4562; DR-4599

Customer Reference Information Name of Contact: Julie Slevin Email: Julie.slevin@state.or.us

Telephone #: (503) 378-2235 Fax #: N/A

ACDC served as the Oregon Emergency Management’s (OEM’s) FEMA PDMG on six federally declared disasters for applicants within the State of Oregon, totaling more than $1.7B in anticipated damages. This role included serving as a liaison between applicant/FEMA/state, providing guidance on federal regulations, cost reimbursement best practices, and discussing other funding opportunities for mitigation measures. This role requires a deep understanding of FEMA reimbursement policies, including reviewing costs to avoid duplication of benefits. Over the years, we have supplied 11 PA, 12 debris oversight, 5 call center representatives, and 4 data team members.

A key area of work was for Oregon’s Labor Day 2020 Wildfire, which was the state’s largest disaster in modern history. On September 7, 2020, the State of Oregon experienced historical wildfires, with over 1M acres burned and over 4,000 structures damaged or destroyed. The below provides highlights of our PDMG services for this event.

Recovery Project Management: Our team provided comprehensive disaster recovery grant management, administrative services, and project management support. Key

Table 5 mailto:Julie.slevin@state.or.us services included FEMA PA technical guidance, ensuring subrecipients complied with grant requirements (such as procurement, contracting, and cost documentation, and eligibility reviews) to verify expenditures met federal, state, and local regulations. The team provided technical assistance to subrecipients for project formulation within FEMA systems, conducted compliance reviews for reimbursement requests, and supported project amendments and closeouts. To date, over 2,305 projects have been obligated worth $2,399,561,752.

Right-of-Entry: Working in coordination with OEM, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), FEMA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to facilitate obtaining Right-of-Entry (ROE) forms from impacted residents. These ROE permits grant access to EPA to conduct hazardous waste cleanup, the first phase before the larger debris cleanup begins. ACDC staff liaised between the nine impacted counties as well as the state and FEMA to ensure effective and timely communication with residents. Our team developed a data management tracking system to manage the ROE permits received, completing Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Checks on all forms to ensure accurate information. This information was then passed to the EPA to map out the areas ready for the first phase of the cleanup mission. This first phase of the cleanup mission was extremely time-sensitive, requiring our team to conduct outreach in 9 counties to thousands of residents in 4 weeks. Considering the widespread nature of the fires and proximity to many rivers, hazardous waste contamination was a significant concern and mitigation was a top priority. There were 4,499 ROEs, 3,316 requests, and 1,183 paper ROEs.

ROE Call Center: ACDC created and staffed a call center to take phone calls from property owners who sustained damage from the Oregon wildfires of Labor Day 2020 (DR- 4562). Staff were equipped to receive calls from residents to assist them in enrolling in the state's debris removal program, provide guidance on completing an online questionnaire describing the debris and specifics of their property, and answer questions ranging from insurance to anticipated timing of work on their property. The call center was also structured to make calls to property owners to reaffirm the ROE authorization status and to notify them as work orders were issued for debris removal. Since the call center’s inception in December 2020, ACDC has provided bilingual representatives 7 days a week to assist over 3,500 Oregonians impacted by the fires.

Duplication of Benefits: As ODOT’s consultant for the Oregon Wildfire Recovery – Debris Insurance Collection Program, ACDC is assisting ODOT in recovering property insurance proceeds or benefits for property owners affected by the 2020 Oregon Wildfires. Our assistance mitigates any Duplication of Benefits (DOB) between federal aid and insurance benefits available to property owners. ACDC has deployed a highly collaborative team that, in conjunction with ODOT, has collected these wildfire recovery insurance proceeds and ensured strict adherence to FEMA compliance for maximum reimbursement. We also integrated specialized software to streamline data collection and management, providing real-time updates and ensuring compatibility with ODOT systems. Additionally, ACDC has supported ODOT as a SME on FEMA reimbursements, advising on appeals related to liability assessments within the Debris Insurance Collection Program. Our efforts also include robust public outreach and technical expertise, ensuring seamless stakeholder coordination.

PIO / Stakeholder Coordination: Multiple stakeholders, DEQ/OEM/ODOT on the task force, and we had to coordinate debris removal through all three, including local and Federal partners involved. We were embedded locally in the emergency operations center (EOC), spun up a call center, reported to all levels (including FEMA, providing owner’s representative services to ensure contract compliance from every side of the fence [consultants, environmental firms, haulers, monitors]), and engaged with ODOT Public Information Officer (PIO) team to communicate quickly changing guidance and wildfire resources (dashboards, website, etc.).

The Oregon engagement demonstrates ACDC's model of embedded, on-site support, as staff were physically present at the EOC, in the field conducting damage assessments, and deployed across nine counties to engage directly with residents and local agencies. This is the same model we bring to Nebraska: our team does not provide remote-only advisement.

We show up.

Figure 8: Snapshot of the Oregon Wildfires from above

Tennessee Emergency Management – Disaster Recovery Staff Augmentation

Project Overview

Project Time Period: 10/2024 – Ongoing Scheduled | Actual Completion Date: 10/2028 | 10/2028 Contractor Role: Prime (ACDC) Authorized Project Budget | Project Value to date: $18,297,320.00 | $8,963,649.00

Bidder Responsibilities: FEMA PA Technical Guidance Applicant Briefings Development of Damage Inventories Grant Management

Disasters: DR-4832; DR – 1909; DR-4293; DR-4427; DR-1974; DR-4476; DR-4541; DR-

4550; DR-4878; DR-4514; DR-4594; DR-4645; DR-4691; DR-4601; DR-4609; DR-4637;

DR-4701; DR-4742; DR-4712; DR-4729; DR-4735; DR-4751; DR-4792; DR-4832

Customer Reference Information

Name of Contact: Craig Hanrahan Email: Craig.Hanrahan@tn.gov

Telephone #: (615) 390-9001 Fax #: N/A

ACDC, under the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Staff Support Contract, plays a critical role in augmenting the state’s recovery capabilities following DR- 4832 (Hurricane Helene). Our dedicated team of 28 professionals is providing comprehensive recovery services across all 13 of Tennessee’s declared counties, State Agencies, the Nashville metro area, and qualified Private Non-Profit (PNP) organizations.

In addition to providing this robust team composition, our team also creates additional value add by supporting TEMA’s efforts in closing out past project workflows for their existing “non-Helene” disasters. Managing this extra work within our existing capabilities reflects ACDC’s commitment to supporting Tennessee's recovery efforts efficiently and effectively. ACDC’s professionals are physically deployed across each of the Helene-impacted areas and the regions to support closing out their legacy disaster work. By operating on-site with our TEMA counterparts, we aim to embody the Connected principle of our 3 C's by being present where it matters most.

Working in collaboration with TEMA, our team delivers essential public assistance services, including project formulation, documentation, compliance reviews, and grants management, ensuring alignment with the Stafford Act and FEMA’s PA guidelines. Our

Table 6 approach emphasizes consistent communication with local, state, and federal officials, precise project reporting, and a focus on meeting recovery objectives while maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements. Specialists are strategically deployed in both field operations and centralized offices to address local needs and statewide priorities.

We can effectively track the progress of their various PA recovery processes in real time with customized dashboards for executive reporting on the various workflow deliveries.

Our project management team also ensures seamless staffing and operational logistics, managing deployment and risk, while delivering regular technical and operational updates to TEMA leadership.

Figure 9: Debris in Eastern Tennessee following Tropical Storm Helene

USACE Omaha District – Waconda Levee Repair Final Design

Project Overview

Project Time Period: 09/2019 - 06/2023 Scheduled | Actual Completion Date: 06/2023 | 06/2023 Contractor Role: Prime (AECOM) Authorized Project Budget | Project Value to date: $12M | $12M (Construction)

Bidder Responsibilities: Dams + Levees Relief Wells Channel Modifications Floodwalls

This project showcases AECOM’s understanding of Nebraska’s landscape and local stakeholders, in addition to state and federal laws and regulations. AECOM maintains good working relationships with federal agencies and understands permitting requirements.

Through this experience, AECOM is able to provide expertise and support in obtaining permits to local stakeholders and help certify that all permit conditions are met, maximizing the likelihood that grant conditions are met and the stakeholders are able to provide a complete project package to both NEMA and FEMA.

Customer Reference Information Name of Contact: Lowell J. Blankers Email: lowell.j.blankers@usace.army.mil

Telephone #: 402-378-2852 Fax #: N/A

In March 2019, Missouri River floodwaters rose to within 12 inches (0.3 m) of the levee crest, causing under-seepage distress to the Lake Waconda Levee and resulting in internal erosion of foundation soils. AECOM was contracted to perform emergency design repairs following a geotechnical investigation and land and overwater surveys.

Repairs included under-seepage berms, roadway restoration, and a specialized seepage barrier.

Subsequently, during the spring 2019 flood, significant damage occurred to the 2.5-mile Waconda Lake Dike and Levee, which stands 15–20 feet high and protects nearly 200 homes adjacent to the Missouri River on a recreational lake. This area has a history of seepage control issues, evidenced by sand boils, seepage zones, stakeholder pumping efforts out of the lake, and dock movement during flood events. AECOM was tasked with rapidly designing repairs and mitigation measures before the next flood season.

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The team completed field investigations, alternatives analysis, and construction documents within 145 calendar days and under strict budget constraints.

Field Investigation. AECOM executed a rapid field investigation while the river remained in flood stage, which included the following:

• Topographic and bathymetric surveys

• 18 Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs)

• 6 Hollow Stem Auger (HSA) borings

• Soil sampling and laboratory testing at a United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-certified facility for index and advanced engineering properties

Geotechnical Analysis. AECOM conducted geotechnical analyses using numerical modeling to evaluate under-seepage and internal erosion issues following the 2019 Missouri River flood using Seep/W, reviewing a wide range of solutions, including berms, relieve wells and toe drains. The team also assessed slope stability for existing and proposed levee designs using limit equilibrium software Slope/W. Based on these geotechnical analyses, AECOM determined that the most cost-effective solution is a combination of 100-250-foot-wide berms in select areas where space constraints were not an issue, providing the lowest cost option, and a soil-cement-bentonite cutoff wall where space constraints did not allow other options.

The proposed solutions were developed considering sponsor preferences and site-specific constraints, including the following:

• Passive designs to reduce flood-fighting and maintenance requirements

• Proximity of houses adjacent to the levee limiting construction options

• Presence of only one exit to the neighborhood increases the risk to residents should a failure occur

• Levee alignment through a historical river channel with poor subsurface conditions (clean sands without a blanket and close entry-exit conditions)

• Overall cost-effectiveness of the design

Specialized Experience + Technical Competence

AECOM applied its levee design expertise to develop an innovative solution for rehabilitating a section of levee that experienced under-seepage during the flooding event.

This section of the levee had spatial constraints eliminating berms as a remedial option.

Numerical modeling indicated insufficient drainage head for relief wells without pumping.

Consequently, a cutoff wall was selected as the preferred option. AECOM determined that a soil-cement-bentonite cutoff wall would provide greater stability and cost efficiency compared to a weaker cement-bentonite wall, which posed a risk of slope instability due to weak soils at the toe.

The optimal location for the cutoff wall was determined to be at the toe of the embankment, avoiding significant degradation of the levee centerline. However, traditional trenching methods were unsuitable because adjacent embankment weight could cause trench collapse and create safety hazards. AECOM recommended and designed USACE’s first one-pass trench cutoff wall for levee systems, achieving an estimated construction cost savings of approximately $5M. Due to the complexity of maintaining quality during one-pass trench construction, AECOM developed stringent specifications and collaborated closely with the contractor onsite to monitor compliance. Additionally, AECOM reviewed all quality assurance testing results to confirm that the cutoff wall was constructed in accordance with the approved specifications.

Civil Design. The civil design scope included updating topography and bathymetric survey data, repair alignment and plans and profiles, river channel bank erosion repair, and roadway repairs and modifications to accommodate the new seepage control features.

Design Documentation. AECOM prepared construction documents under a compressed schedule and tight budget. Deliverables included the following:

• Alternatives analysis report

• Construction drawings and specifications

• Updates to the local sponsor’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual

• Revisions to the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to incorporate new design features and flood monitoring procedures

The team also provided engineering support during advertisement and construction, including submittal reviews, RFI responses, field meetings, and quality assurance site visits. By providing a complex, cost-effective design within an accelerated schedule and leadership during construction of a method never previously overseen by USACE, AECOM earned a ‘Very Good’ CPARS rating in all categories (a distinction difficult to achieve).

This project showcases AECOM’s expertise in levee innovation through the design of a 1,900-foot riverside seepage barrier using the one-pass trench mixing method. As this method had not previously been applied to federal levee system, AECOM implemented a rigorous Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) program.

Figure 10: Waconda Lake Dike and Levee emergency design repairs

Florida Department of Emergency Management – Program Management/EOC Support (Multiple Events)

The ACDC team has a rich history and diverse experience with FDEM, supporting several statewide events since March 2020. ACDC has provided longstanding staff augmentation support for statewide events over the last five years and our team’s ability to scale as needed to meet the needs of the State. These experiences have allowed ACDC to establish multi-level partnerships throughout Florida, including state agencies, city/county municipalities, local stakeholders, and additional community members through various management consulting services in planning, response, and recovery activities at every level.

These roles have included serving as mutual aid liaisons for FDEM, supporting COVID-19 planning, response and recovery efforts at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), and most recently staffing key SEOC roles during the response efforts to Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Ian, and Debby. Additionally, we have provided critical recovery support by

Project Overview Project Time Period: 03/2020 – Ongoing

Scheduled | Actual Completion Date:

06/2026 | 06/2026

Contractor Role: Prime (ACDC)

Authorized Project Budget | Project Value to date:

$50,000,000 | $48,453,510.78

Bidder Responsibilities: FEMA PA Technical Guidance FEMA PA Recovery + Technical Guidance Grant Management EOC Staff Augmentation Eligibility Reviews Statewide Mutual Aid Call Center Debris Management Shelter Operations F-ROC Training Development + Facilitation Credentialing

Disasters: DR-4399; DR-4486; EM-3533; EM-3560; FSA-2360; DR-4680; DR-4673; DR-

4734; DR-4794; DR-4806; DR-4828; DR-4834

Customer Reference Information Name of Contact: Kevin Guthrie Email: Kevin.Guthrie@em.myflorida.com

Telephone #: (850) 294-8250 Fax #: N/A

Table 8 conducting damage assessments, overseeing debris removal operations and assisting communities with recovery planning. Our PA program management expertise spans multiple events where we have successfully guided applicants through the complexities of the FEMA PA process. We have also supported statewide initiatives such as the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (F-ROC) program, which empowers counties to strengthen their FEMA Public Assistance readiness as well as Elevate Florida, a new statewide Residential Mitigation Program. Our comprehensive approach includes training, guidance, and innovative solutions that enhance local capacity and maximize funding opportunities. Through these events, we have established multi-level partnerships with state and local governments, community organizations, and stakeholders to deliver comprehensive response, recovery, and grant administration services.

The following experience highlights our direct support to FDEM and the depth, adaptability, and technical expertise we bring to emergency management missions.

EOC Staff Augmentation Provided trained personnel to aid lead and supporting agencies and organizations for each of Florida’s 20 Essential Support Functions (ESFs) including Planning, Logistics, Operations, Finance for the past seven years - including specialized leadership…