Corps of Engineers Executes Operation Blue Roof in Texas for Hurricane Rita Response.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing to provide assistance to homeowners affected by Hurricane Rita who are in need of temporary roofing. The Corps manages the Operation Blue Roof program as part of its mission, as assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to provide temporary roof covering.

The Corps of Engineers has established numerous Right-of-Entry Collection Centers. Right-of-Entry forms simply give the Corps and its contractor permission to enter the property to put on the temporary roof covering. Homeowners will receive assistance at the Centers in completing the Right-of-Entry form which must be completed before temporary roof covering can be installed. If residents qualify, Corps contractors will install the temporary covering at no cost. More information about Operation Blue Roof can be found at http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/hurricane/index.asp. For locations of the Collection Centers, call the toll free number at 1-888-ROOF-BLU.

In order to meet citizen needs quickly, the Corps is using a "best-value" contract that was competitively awarded to LJC Defense Contracting in July 2005 for the Blue Roof operation. The contract, awarded under the "Advanced Contracting Initiatives" or ACI, was developed and put in place by the Corps specifically to provide an immediate, urgent response in the event of a significant natural disaster, such as Hurricane Rita. This contract will be in effect until December 12, 2005.

LJC will comply with the Stafford Act, which is included in the contract, which gives preference to subcontractor organizations, firms or individuals residing or conducting business in the disaster area to the maximum extent feasible and practicable. LJC Contracting is actively compiling information from experienced businesses including Small, Disadvantaged Business (SDB); Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB); Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB); Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB); and Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone). Information from these types of businesses should be forwarded to Gene Oden, Senior Project Manager at 334-677-8519 or Cell Phone: [phone], or e-mail at [e-mail]. In addition to these subcontracting opportunities, the Corps is seeking small businesses to compete for new contracts to provide additional roofing capability.

The Corps is also requesting that all contractors interested in performing work related to Hurricane Rita register and provide information about their company or firm at http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/hurricane/RitaRegister.asp.

If your area has received a Federal Disaster Declaration, register for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired.

Additional information may be obtained at www.swf.usace.army.mil.