Transportation Commission adds storm debris assessment contracts, plans IDIQ bidding and FEMA coordination
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Summary
The commission added three small-purchase debris-assessment contracts for districts 1–3 after a winter ice storm, authorized advertising for debris-removal IDIQs, and heard that initial assessments will be submitted next week to support FEMA funding requests.
The Mississippi Transportation Commission on Feb. 4 added three small-purchase contracts to assess storm debris after a winter ice event and authorized steps to secure broader debris-removal contracts.
Speaker 4 presented addendum items authorizing initial debris assessments: Thompson Consulting LLC for MDOT District 1 (up to $70,916.60), True North Emergency Management for District 2 (up to $146,580), and Debris Tech LLC for District 3 (up to $109,800). The commission also directed staff to advertise for indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity master contracts to support statewide debris removal and related services.
“You will go and quantify and document all the debris, the trees that are down due to the storm,” Speaker 4 said, describing the work scope for the assessment firms. Speaker 4 added that initial assessment reports are expected next week and that staff will need FEMA numbers and funding to pursue reimbursement.
Commissioners asked whether highway damage from the storm—particularly potholes caused by freeze-thaw cycles—would be covered by FEMA. Speaker 7 said district engineers have observed potholes in some areas and are developing remedial plans; staff will track and document damages for possible insurance and FEMA claims.
The items were added by addendum during the meeting and called up for consideration as part of the consent/agenda process. The commission approved the agenda as amended and then moved into a closed "labor session" to address attorney-identified matters later in the meeting.
What happens next: staff will collect and submit initial assessment data next week, advertise for IDIQ/master debris-removal contracts, and pursue FEMA coordination and insurance claims where appropriate.