Federal, State, and Local: Vendor & Services Needed during a Disaster

After Sandy: The Government Needs You Now
It's unfortunate that it takes a natural disaster to bolster business in the government marketplace, but it's the truth.  Sandy, our most recent destructive visitor has left much of the northeast in ruins. Many state and local agencies can purchase directly through the General Services Administration (GSA) when disaster strikes, doing so enables closing the deal quickly and getting the contract underway asap.  President Obama said he doesn't want any red-tape to slow down recovery projects. Timeliness is crucial, and the lengthy bid process has to be circumvented to address the urgency.  Sandy won't be the last storm to pound us, we all know- there's more to come.  Get in line now, if you are too late to sell yourself for this recovery, position yourself to assist the government next time.  At this rate, next time is right around the corner. More information for GSA Schedule holders - GSA Disaster Recovery Program Register with FEMA - Recovery work for Sandy with generally go to contractors who currently have relationships with FEMA. Subcontracting is always an option, locate the primes while you are doing the leg work to create relationship for future business opportunities. If your business is certified under one of the government's small business preference programs, the primes are looking for you.  This list of prime contractors for the Department of Homeland Security including primes working for FEMA. One thing is certain, the government is always open for business, let them know you are out there and always ready to sell. If you're unsure of how to: Contact buyers or end user Create relationships (how and with who) Find business opportunities Obtain a GSA schedule Respond to an Request for Proposal (RFP) Get certified under a small business preference program Get FREE information and resources about all aspects of government sales Pick up the phone, call 888 661 4094, Ext. 2, or we will call you

GSA. Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program

Disaster Recovery Purchasing

Under the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program, state and local government entities may purchase a variety of products and services from contracts awarded under GSA Federal Supply Schedules to facilitate recovery from a major disaster, terrorism, or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack.

This Disaster Recovery Purchasing authority is limited to GSA Schedule contracts and does not include any other GSA programs. GSA eLibrary (formerly Schedules e-Library) contains a list of all GSA Schedules subject to Disaster Recovery Purchasing.

Schedule contractors participating in the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program are identified in GSA eLibrary with the Disaster Recovery Purchasing icon. This icon is also used to identify those products and services available for Disaster Recovery Purchasing on GSA Advantage!®, GSA's online shopping and ordering system.

Schedule contractors that previously declined to participate in the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program, but now wish to do so, should contact their GSA Administrative Contracting Officers (ACOs) for instructions on modifying their contracts to allow participation in this program.

State and local government entities may use GSA Schedule contracts to purchase products and services in advance of a major disaster declared by the president, as well as in the aftermath of an emergency event. State and local government entities are responsible for ensuring that the products or services purchased are to be used to facilitate recovery.

The Disaster Recovery Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provide information as to how the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program actually works and the benefits it provides to Schedule contractors and state and local entities. FAQs are also available for the following areas of interest to customer agencies and vendors:

• GSA Schedules (general FAQs);
• Blanket Purchase Agreements;
• Contractor Team Arrangements; and
• Cooperative Purchasing.

The shortcut to this page is www.gsa.gov/disasterrecovery.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters

• Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide
  Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach for assisting survivors of disaster and terrorism. PFA was developed in partnership with the National Center for PTSD. Access all versions of Psychological First Aid (PFA), including translations and adaptations here.
• Psychological First Aid Online is a free 6-hour interactive course in the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. Appropriate for those new to disaster response and seasoned professionals, PFA Online features activities, video demonstrations, and tips from trauma experts and survivors. This project was funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Center for PTSD, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials. 
• PFA Mobile™
  Following disasters or emergencies, the PFA Mobile™ app can assist responders who provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to adults, families, and children. Materials in PFA Mobile™ are adapted from the Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition).
• Terrorism, Disaster, and Children Speaker Series flier (PDF)
  

http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters