Blog | EE&G

March 1, 2020by Olga Loreto Olga Loreto No Comments

What Is a FEMA STEP Contract?

A FEMA STEP contract is a Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program that reimburses applicants at least 75 percent of eligible costs.

A sample of a FEMA STEP CONTRACT IS FEMA Approves $54 Million for North Carolina’s Implementation of STEP Program. This program was approved in the North Carolina Office of Emergency Management for instituting the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program following Hurricane Florence, which struck the area in September 2018.

The STEP program, which is free to participating eligible homeowners in 12 counties, was instituted at the request of North Carolina Emergency Management. This program provides partial, temporary repairs so Hurricane Florence survivors can return to their homes while longer-term repairs continue.

The program funds are used for project management, materials needed for repair and construction contracts, where needed. FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state and local governments, and to certain types of private nonprofit organizations to reimburse for the cost of debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and permanent repair work to damaged infrastructure.

FEMA’s Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program that reimburses applicants at least 75 percent of eligible costs and the remaining costs are covered by the State of North Carolina. FEMA’s share for the STEP program was $40.5 million.

For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Florence, visit ncdps.gov/Florence and FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393. Follow us on Twitter:

@NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.

EE&G Companies, BECOME A FEMA CONTRACTOR

February 18, 2020by Olga Loreto Olga Loreto No Comments

How Do I Become a FEMA Contractor?

FEMA does not pay contractors directly. Instead, local parishes are the entities that hire and ultimately pay contractors for their work. Local governments that hire contractors and are seeking federal funds must follow all federal, state and local procurement practices.

How Do I Become a FEMA Contractor? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Register with Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
Your company must be registered with CCR before doing business with FEMA. If you have not
registered, please go to www.ccr.gov. If you have any questions about the CCR mandate, please
contact the CCR Assistance Center at (888) 227-2423.

Step 2: Request a Vendor Profile
Contact the FEMA regional support staff via email at FEMA-Industry@dhs.gov to request a
vendor profile.

Step 3: Complete and return the Vendor Profile
Upon receipt of the Vendor Profile, complete and return the profile to the FEMA Industry email
account at FEMA-Industry@dhs.gov. This is the most expedient way to have your profile
information posted for review by acquisition officers.

Step 4: If the vendor does not have an electronic means to request or send the Vendor
Profile
If the vendor does not have the capability to respond electronically due to the disaster, please call
the Acquisitions Industry Liaison Help Desk at (202) 646-1895. Please note, this step is not in
lieu of step 3.

Once a vendor profile has been processed, the vendor will receive confirmation of receipt. Please
allow 24 – 48 business hours to input profile information. The registration process captures your
companyís information and service offering to help FEMA program offices and contract
professionals identify potential vendors for disaster recovery efforts.

Please be patient as FEMA acquisition professionals seek to fulfill all program requirements that
require immediate needs in impacted areas. If there is an opportunity to utilize your services, and
acquisitions professional will contact your company as needed to fulfill necessary requirements.

*This correspondence or process does not promise, commit, or imply that a contract will be awarded.
This process is an additional market research tool that will provide your companyís information to
FEMA program offices and contract professionals seeking vendor assistance during this disaster.

February 18, 2020by Olga Loreto Olga Loreto No Comments

How to be Mold-Free?

Whether it is a cold, damp winter or a warm, humid summer, activities at home can result in moisture indoors and the appearance of mold.
Mold can grow on walls, clothes, books, toys, and even CDs. It can turn prized possessions into musty relics that only look fit for the garbage. But is it also a health hazard? What effects can mold have on a person’s body? This article looks at what mold is, why it grows, its impact on a person’s health, and how to stop it.

Molds are a form of fungus. There are many different types, and they can occur both indoors and outdoors.

Molds produce spores, which spread by floating around in the air. Mold spores are present in all indoor environments. There is no way to prevent spores, and they can persist in conditions where mold itself cannot grow. Mold spores thrive in environments that are moist and warm, so when they land on a damp spot, they begin to grow.

Molds can grow on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic. As they grow, they may digest the material they are growing on. Read the following recommendations:

Always ask for mold testing first. Professional mold removal and prevention services offer laboratory analysis of samples taken from air ducts. At times, the collection of dust and cobwebs can look like mold. The only way to confirm an infestation is to run a conclusive test.
Get to know your HVAC system. Find out the primary material of your ductwork. It can be fiberglass, flex duct or metal sheet. The cleaning methods and the charges usually vary depending on the duct material type.
The air duct cleaning services should always follow the National Air Duct Cleaning Association’s standards for the procedure. They should use EPA registered/approved products and processes for the effective removal of mold.
Ask for references and client testimonials from service providers. A reputed HVAC mold removal service provider should be able to provide more than enough satisfactory and genuine client reviews and recommendations from their previous stints.
Request frequent and periodic inspection of ducts and vents to prevent mold buildup. Mold problems can be recurrent. Ask for professional HVAC tips that can help you keep your indoor air clean in the future. Services should include yearly inspection of the cooling and heating systems along with the placement of moisture prevention systems within the HVAC.

Keeping your home clean is easy, but keeping the air inside your house fresh is more than challenging. It is a huge responsibility to ensure that the air you and your loved ones are breathing is free of harmful particles, VOCs, and mold. With the persistent humidity, warmth and water buildup, it is easy for fungus to find a home within your abode. You must be vigilant to keep this uninvited guest out of your home to ensure the proper health of your family and pets.

For over a decade EE&G Air Conditioning Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing have been the leading service provider near you for HVAC services such as air duct cleaning, a/c, and heating system repair and installations. For any other information on how to get rid of mold in air ducts please contact us for a free consultation.

February 14, 2020by Olga Loreto Olga Loreto No Comments

Removing Lead-Based Paint With Abatement Methods

Lead abatement is an activity to reduce levels of lead, particularly in the home environment, generally to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, in order to reduce or eliminate incidents of lead poisoning.

Lead abatement may be undertaken in response to orders by state or local government. It requires specialized techniques that local construction contractors typically do not have. It includes activities such as lead-based paint inspections, risk assessments, and lead-based paint removal.

In the United States, lead abatement activities are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Lead abatement companies are governed by the EPA and the EPA requires individuals and firms that conduct lead-based paint activities, including abatement, to be licensed. The lead abatement company, its supervisors, and all of the workers have to take classes and receive a certificate of completion. State agencies work with the EPA to enforce state and federal laws.

Lead abatement is distinguished from Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) programs, which are typically performed at the option of the property owner for aesthetic or other reasons, or as an interim control to minimize lead hazards. RRP programs are not designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards.

The Process

Prior to beginning work, a lead abatement service firm should notify EPA of the work being planned. The notification notice should include:

- Type of notification — either original or updated
- The expected start date of lead abatement activities
- The expected completion date of lead abatement activities
- Name, address, contact numbers, and certification of the firm performing abatement
- Property name or project description
- Type of structure where lead abatement will be carried out
- Location of the project including units being worked on and their respective id number
- Copy of documentation showing lead abatement emergency order (if applicable)
- Name and EPA certification number of the project supervisor

Total square feet to be abated
Description of the lead abatement activities that will be performed
Signature of the representative of the certified firm