Hermit's Peak Arbitration Support

The United States Congress introduced and passed into law H.R. 7721, known as the Hermit's Peak Fire Assistance Act (“Act”). This Act aims to provide compensation to victims affected by the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, which was caused by a prescribed burn on Federal land in April 2022 resulting in significant devastation, including the burning of 325,340 acres of land and the estimated destruction of 900 homes and structures. To administer the claims resulting from the fire, the Act mandates the establishment of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office (referred to as the “Claims Office”), which is operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Claims Office’s responsibilities include receiving, evaluating, processing, and disbursing actual compensatory damages to the victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The Government seeks an Advisory and Assistance Support (A&AS) Contract to provide qualified arbitrators to the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office. FEMA estimates up to 1,846 arbitrations hearings to take place during the Period of Performance of this contract, with 35% of cases occurring during the Base Period, 55% occurring in Option Period 1, and 10% occurring in Option Period 2. FEMA estimates a weekly average of up to 10 arbitration hearings.