To waive certain provisions in the case of an emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
This bill would temporarily suspend certain federal procurement rules for specific U.S. territories and jurisdictions when an emergency is declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Specifically, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would not require the application of Chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code (which governs federal procurement procedures, including competitive bidding) for purchases or contracts issued by Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands in those emergencies. The aim is to speed up disaster response and recovery by reducing bureaucratic hurdles in purchasing and contracting for the named jurisdictions during Stafford Act emergencies.
Key Points
- 1The waiver applies only in emergencies declared under Section 501 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5191), which covers presidentially declared disasters and major emergencies.
- 2The waiver would be issued by the FEMA Administrator and would apply to purchases made or contracts issued by Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- 3The rule being waived is Chapter 83 of Title 41 U.S.C., which encompasses federal procurement requirements (including competitive bidding and related procurement protections).
- 4The bill does not specify a sunset or expiration date within the text provided, so the waiver’s duration is tied to the emergency declaration unless amended later.
- 5The bill’s sponsor is Mrs. Radewagen; it was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.