How REI Systems helps FEMA utilize technology to prevent, mitigate, respond, and recover from a disaster
We at REI Systems recognize that disasters can be unpredictable, unavoidable, and complex—not just for the immediate risk they pose to life and property, but for the long-term challenge they present to management and recovery for individuals, businesses, and communities. For nearly 20 years, REI Systems has been delivering full life-cycle system engineering capabilities to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Modernizing, operating, and sustaining more than 70 mission-critical systems across the agency, REI’s primary focus is to support FEMA’s mission of “helping people before, during, and after disasters.” REI has successfully delivered over 500 software releases as part of FEMA IT programs that support the life cycle of FEMA’s roles. These include:
→ National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS)
→ Emergency Management Mission Integrated Environment (EMMIE)
→ Non-Disaster Grants system (ND-Grants)
→ Assistance to Firefighters Grant system (AFG)
→ Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance systems (MT eGrants)
→ Enterprise Application Development, Integration, and Sustainment (EADIS)
Through these programs, and other initiatives, REI’s partnership with FEMA has strengthened the Agency’s ability to deliver disaster support for State and Local Governments, Tribal entities, and Territories. We have particularly focused on improving user experience for grant recipients as well as IT system users employed by FEMA. At the same time, we remain mindful and passionate about FEMA’s mission priorities around mitigation, response, and recovery.
CHALLENGE:
Administer Grants Quickly to Support People and Organizations that Prepare for and Face a Disaster
Administer Grants Quickly to Support People and Organizations that Prepare for and Face a DisasterREI recognizes that the nature of FEMA’s work requires it to administer grants more quickly than any other agency in government —speedy action is needed to help Americans when they are at their most vulnerable, as disaster victims. At the same time, FEMA’s work is particularly challenging because some victims may have lost documentation that provides evidence of their eligibility to meet grant criteria. Thus, while pressure on FEMA is heightened to move quickly, the Agency also faces greater risks of grantee ineligibility, non-compliance, or misused funding than if the timeframe were more relaxed to permit additional data and judgment.
SOLUTION:
Reliable, Stable, and Proven Technologies, Efficiently Operated and Maintained
REI developed and helped pilot test the FEMA Data Exchange (FEMADex) to apply emerging technologies to shape data-driven decision-making by making data from multiple systems and sources available across FEMA and its State, Local, Tribal and Territorial partners (SLTTs). FEMADex uses a multi-cloud platform to deliver insightful reports and dashboards in diverse geographies across America. Instead of information remaining siloed, offices and programs across headquarters, regions, and the field will be able to share their data with one another, working off the same information and a common operating picture. The FEMADex prototype and pilot phase, followed by the “Lessons Learned and Planning” transition phase, laid out the critical functionalities groundwork upon which the system depends:
→ Integrated advanced analytics capabilities into the DevSecOps pipeline to identify legacy issues slowing down FEMA analysts’ ability to spin up a team workspace on-demand, including cloud-based tools and services
→ Make data more secure, accessible, and resilient via cloud computing by using the secure FedRAMP-certified Amazon Web Services and Azure Government cloud
→ Provide a centralized hub for FEMA data using Lakehouse data architecture and intelligent search tools, so that information, dashboards, and reports are easy to find and share
→ Share information quickly and easily with SLTTs to help disaster responders save lives
→ Serve as a key enabler of the FEMA administrator’s initiative to analyze Agency operations for equitable mission delivery and outcomes
REI is proud to have efficiently developed, enhanced, and maintained NEMIS, which FEMA uses to officially declare emergencies and disasters. NEMIS also includes the Hazard Mitigation Grants Program, which helps reduce risk and impact of disasters before they happen. FEMA relies on NEMIS to support planning, development, and implementation services in support of emergency coordination and incident management mission requirements. The NEMIS system also interfaces with FEMA’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) to obligate and award grant funding. And those roles, of course, mean that NEMIS is a key source for data that FEMA uses to track incidents across states and territories, such as COVID-19 response and management. As with many FEMA systems, NEMIS is used throughout FEMA HQ, regional, and disaster field offices. But REI also supports NEMIs’ use by emergency management officials at State, local, territorial, and tribal offices—the full range of FEMA stakeholders and partners.
In helping to develop, modernize and sustain EMMIE, REI has supported FEMA with its current core, enterprise-wide grant system. EMMIE reliably and stably accommodates more than two dozen disaster-focused grants programs in one web-based application—easing the burden for SLTT partners and FEMA staff who often work across multiple grant programs. We are proud to have enhanced EMMIE to automate many business processes across both non-disaster and disaster grant programs. We have also supported FEMA to standardize financial grant procedures across the agency by implementing an e-grants program.
To develop the ND Grants system, REI analyzed FEMA’s policies and procedures across many grant programs to create a reusable grants management framework. This flexibility
allows FEMA to accommodate changes in law, policy, and customer needs by quickly and efficiently implementing dozens of grant programs, as well as changed business rules—all with a minimum number of software releases. This flexible design also minimizes the need to change processes or re-train staff and ensures that grant management systems integrate seamlessly into other enterprise systems, e.g., for finance and analytics.
By operating, maintaining, and providing user support for the AFG system and MT eGrants, REI helps FEMA satisfy customers and has gained a deep understanding of system users both in and outside FEMA.
In addition to front-end applications, REI has helped FEMA to strengthen and modernize IT platforms, services, and infrastructure through the Agency’s EADIS program. EADIS has transformed FEMA’s IT infrastructure from a set of siloed applications that use multiple platforms, standards, and hosting environments into one unified IT architecture. REI has provided program and project management in a complex multi-vendor environment. We have also delivered applications development, network, and infrastructure support to FEMA, as well as major successful efforts to migrate applications and technology platforms to a more efficient and stable data center. REI contributed significantly to the reliability and efficiency of FEMA’s overall IT, by helping provide:
→ Infrastructure, Configuration, and Database Management
→ Security and Process Management
→ Functional/Requirements Development
→ Design, Development, and System Testing
→ Technical Leadership for Sustainment and Modernization Activities
Together, REI’s experience in supporting FEMA for so many years means that REI understands FEMA and its mission, the functions FEMA needs from its technology, and the strengths of FEMA’s current IT. We also see opportunities to improve both the structure and operation of IT that FEMA needs to continue and increase its success in helping people before, during, and after disasters.
PARTNERSHIP IMPACT:
A Clear Roadmap for Modernization, Reliable Management, and Enhancement of FEMA’s Most Essential Technologies
The benefits and impact of REI’s partnership with FEMA include:
→ Definition and implementation of an IT modernization roadmap for multiple FEMA lines of business (e.g. Grants, Preparedness)
→ Successful delivery of over 500 software releases for FEMA mission systems
→ A stable, controlled, and predictable application development environment
→ Implementation of a CMMI Level 3 approach to software engineering
→ Application release management that follows DHS’ Systems Engineering Life Cycle and CMMI 3 processes
→ Development and implementation of an enterprise data warehouse solution
→ Automated system & security testing efforts
→ Support Americans with Disabilities Act (section 508) Compliance
→ Effective collaboration in a multi-team environment on EADIS
→ Partnerships with key FEMA offices such as OCIO/IT, OCFO, Mitigation, Public Assistance, Grants Program Directorate, Community Information System, and the Information Sharing and Analysis Center
ABOUT REI:
REI Systems provides reliable, effective, and innovative technology solutions that advance federal, state, local, and nonprofit missions. Our technologists and consultants are passionate about solving complex challenges that impact millions of lives. We take a Mindful Modernization™ approach in delivering our application modernization, grants management systems, government data analytics, and advisory services. Mindful Modernization is the REI Way of delivering mission impact by aligning our government customers’ strategic objectives to measurable outcomes through people, processes, and technology. Learn more at REIsystems.com.
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