Costs Eligilbilty

Engineering and Design Services

Detailed Discussion

Engineering and Design Services necessary to complete eligible work are eligible for public assistance. For estimating purposes, these services generally fall into three categories.

 Basic engineering services performed by an architectural- engineering firm and required to complete a project;  these services are common to many construction projects  and include preliminary engineering analysis and design, final design, and construction inspection. For large projects,  FEMA generally  estimates  the cost of these services when determining the grant  amount for a project by using a percentage of the estimated project cost. See Public Assistance Guide, pages 56-61.

When complex facilities must be repaired or replaced, FEMA

may first provide  a grant  using the estimate  for basic engineering services based on a scope of work so that the applicant can retain an Architecture and Engineering firm to design the new facility. Once  the facility is designed, FEMA can then  develop  the grant  for construction using the design.

 Special services: these services, which are not required on every restoration project, include engineering surveys, soil investigations, services of a resident engineer, and feasibility studies. These services must be specifically described and must be shown to be necessary for completing the eligible scope of work before  FEMA can approve  a grant  for them.  These costs are estimated separately  from the Cost Curves A and B and are added to the Project Worksheet.

 Construction inspections: some projects  do not require engineering and design but may require full-time construction inspection

services because  of unusual situations.  Work would include checking engineering specifications, checking the quality of materials, reviewing shop drawings, and making work site inspections. If a clear need  for such services is evident when a project estimate  is prepared, FEMA may approve  a grant  that does not exceed  3 percent of the estimated construction cost.

Estimates for engineering and design services are typically not included in small project estimates  (see Small Projects), except  for complex projects or projects  where  specific services (such as a geotechnical analysis) are required.

Engineering and Design Services necessary to complete eligible work are eligible for public  assistance. For estimating purposes, these services generally fall into three  categories.
   †  Basic  engineering services performed by an architectural- engineering firm and  required to complete a project; these services are common to many  construction projects and include preliminary engineering analysis and  design, final design, and construction inspection. For large projects, FEMA  generally estimates the cost of these services when determining the grant  amount for a project by using a percentage of the estimated project cost. See  Public Assistance Guide,  pages 56-61.
   When complex facilities must be repaired or  replaced, FEMA may first provide a grant using the estimate for basic  engineering services based on a scope of work so that the applicant can  retain an Architecture and Engineering firm to design the new facility.
   Once the facility is designed, FEMA can then  develop the grant for construction using the design.
   †  Special  services: these services, which are not required on every restoration  project, include engineering surveys, soil investigations, services of a  resident engineer, and feasibility studies. These services must be  specifically described and must be shown to be necessary for completing the  eligible scope of work before FEMA can approve a grant for them. These costs  are estimated separately from the Cost Curves A and B and are added to the Project Worksheet.
   †  Construction  inspections: some projects do not require engineering and design but may  require full-time construction inspection services because of unusual  situations. Work would include checking engineering specifications, checking  the quality of materials, reviewing shop drawings, and making work site  inspections. If a clear need for such services is evident when a project  estimate is prepared, FEMA may approve a grant that does not exceed 3 percent  of the estimated construction cost.
   Estimates for engineering and design services  are typically not included in small project estimates (see Small Projects), except for complex  projects or projects where specific services (such as a geotechnical  analysis) are required.
   Reference: Public Assistance Guide, FEMA 322,  pages 41, 56-61


Related Guidance Categories

This website  is intended as a national source of information about  the delivery of  financial recovery services. It includes resources on eligibility, procurement, grant management delivery, and issues related to various Federal Programs currently supporting FEMA  Public Assistance program  financial recovery for governments and non-profits. This website is not affiliated or endorsed or sponsored  by  FEMA  or any other Federal grant program. The information provided in various webpage documents is derived largely from Federal  published materials. In general, under section 105 of the Copyright Act, such works are not entitled to domestic copyright protection under U.S. law and are therefore in the public domain.  The goal is to help navigate the various Federal websites and summarize grant information and requirements. It does not constitute legal advice or grant management advise and is provided for general informational purposes only. Only the Federal Agency responsible for grants can make determinations on eligibility and grant amounts. You should consult with your professional services advisors and State and Federal Grant Coordinators for more detailed guidance on specific FEMA Public Assistance financial recovery issues.

Please review the Terms of Use and Disclaimers and your continued use confirms your acceptance