EMERGENCY DEBRIS REMOVAL SERVICES

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has issued an emergency procurement for Emergency Debris Removal Services, specifically targeting areas impacted by severe flooding in October 2024, with a primary focus on Catron County. The procurement is being conducted under the emergency procurement method outlined in NMSA 1978, Section 13-1-127, which allows for immediate acquisition of services to control serious threats to public health, welfare, safety, or property. The contract, currently awarded to AshBritt, Inc., encompasses comprehensive debris removal services including site setup, mobilization, demobilization, right-of-way assessment, debris identification and categorization, and utilization of GIS information. Key deliverables include establishing temporary facilities, evaluating flood damage, assessing hazardous trees, monitoring debris removal progress, and coordinating with local authorities. The emergency contract is set for a three-month term with a prospective contract amount of $12,000,000, and the procurement documents indicate that proposals must be submitted by December 1, 2024. The contractor is required to mobilize within 48 hours of notification and provide regular reporting on progress and environmental compliance.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations, though standard emergency procurement protocols require competitive processes to the extent practicable under the circumstances. DHSEM is simultaneously pursuing a long-term solution through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process expected to conclude in December 2024, which suggests this emergency contract is a temporary measure to address immediate community needs. The current contractor, AshBritt, Inc., will be responsible for comprehensive environmental and community coordination, including hazardous material management and communication with local authorities. The total contract value is $12,000,000, which represents a significant investment in immediate disaster recovery infrastructure. While the procurement documents do not explicitly list alternative vendors, they emphasize the urgent nature of the services required to mitigate public safety risks associated with flood-related debris. The emergency determination form requires detailed accounting of expenditures, which must be reported to the legislative finance committee and department of finance and administration within sixty days after the end of the fiscal year.