FY2020_NOFO_CTPProgramFINAL_withAppendices.pdf

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program

NOTE: If you are going to apply for this funding opportunity and have not obtained a

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and/or are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), please take immediate action to obtain a DUNS

Number, if applicable, and then to register immediately in SAM. It may take 4 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding DUNS and

SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO, subsection, Content and Form of Application

Submission.

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA), Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)

2. Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

Number)

97.045

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title)

Cooperating Technical Partners

4. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) Cooperating Technical Partners

5. Funding Opportunity Number

CTP – Headquarters DHS-20-MT-045-00-01

CTP Region 2 DHS-20-MT-045-02-01

CTP Region 3 DHS-20-MT-045-03-01

CTP Region 4 DHS-20-MT-045-04-01

CTP Region 5 DHS-20-MT-045-05-01

CTP Region 6 DHS-20-MT-045-06-01

CTP Region 7 DHS-20-MT-045-07-01

CTP Region 8 DHS-20-MT-045-08-01

CTP Region 9 DHS-20-MT-045-09-01

CTP Region 10 DHS-20-MT-045-10-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Pub. L. No. 90-448), as amended (42 U.S.C. § 4101) and The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-82/pdf/STATUTE-82-Pg476.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2018-title42/USCODE-2018-title42-chap50-subchapIII-sec4101

2012 (Pub. L. No. 112–141), 126 Stat. 916 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4101b)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020, P.L. 116-93

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

The Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program exists to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CTP Program supports Strengthening National Preparedness and Resilience, one of five basic missions of the DHS 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. Additionally, the program supports the National Mitigation Investment Strategy, a supporting document to

Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-8) on National Preparedness and Strategic Goal One and Two of FEMA’s Strategic Plan, Building a Culture of Preparedness and Readying the

Nation for Catastrophic Disaster. It helps achieve these goals by fostering strong federal, state, tribal, regional and local partnerships to identify flood risks, reduce flood losses and promote community resiliency.

The goals of the CTP Program are to primarily support the mission and objectives of the

NFIP’s Flood Hazard Mapping Program through FEMA’s flood hazard identification and risk assessment programs, including the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk

MAP) initiative. The vision for Risk MAP is to deliver quality data that increases public awareness of flood hazard risk and leads to action that reduces flood risk to life and property. The CTP supports Risk MAP to develop flood hazard data and maps for communities that have never had identified risks as well as building on effective flood hazard data and flood insurance rate maps (FIRMS); increase public awareness of risk and potential mitigation options to reduce risk and better inform mitigation planning.

Additional information about Risk MAP (including goals, strategies, progress and success stories), can be found on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/risk-mapping-assessment-and-planning-risk-map.

For additional information on the CTP Program, please visit the CTP Program website located at https://www.fema.gov/cooperating-technical-partners-program.

The CTP program supports the FY 2020 Risk MAP Program Objectives as they continue to sharpen focus on advancing mitigation actions and prioritizing the technical credibility of its data and community engagement throughout the Risk MAP lifecycle. Furthermore, Risk MAP’s FY 2020 approach will continue to focus on:

• Initiating new projects in watersheds with high risk; significant flood hazard data update needs;

• Integrating data developed by mapping partners and data provided by other stakeholders into mitigation planning, risk assessments as well as informing development of actionable mitigation strategies;

https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2018-title42/USCODE-2018-title42-chap50-subchapIII-sec4101b https://www.congress.gov/public-laws/116th-congress http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/2014-qhsr-final-508.pdf https://www.fema.gov/strategic-plan https://www.fema.gov/risk-mapping-assessment-and-planning-risk-map https://www.fema.gov/risk-mapping-assessment-and-planning-risk-map https://www.fema.gov/cooperating-technical-partners-program

• Helping create the potential to generate community actions to reduce flood risk;

and

• Partnering to maximize funds spent at local, state and federal level and ensure they are used in concert reducing duplication.

Focusing on these areas will allow Risk MAP to continue to pursue our key program measures and commitments that are reported externally and will provide the necessary management tools to assess performance and demonstrate Risk MAP’s value and effectiveness to program sponsors and stakeholders.

The CTP helps achieve the Risk MAP measures and targets for FY 2020 which are provided in Table 1 below. The Regional Targets for the Risk MAP measures below were developed in partnership with the Regional Offices. Any changes to these established targets will be based on joint Headquarters – Regional discussions.

Table 1: Fiscal Year 2020 Targets for Risk MAP Measures

10. Performance Metrics

New, Validated, and Updated

Engineering (NVUE) Initiated

(Riverine)

Initiated Prelim Effective

1 3,800 4 3 -

2 6,700 0 - 1

3 3,000 5 6 7

4 21,800 0 - -

5 2,500 9 4 12

6 21,774 6 13 2

7 22,500 0 6 10

8 9,000 9 - -

9 200 6 7 1

10 575 0 - 10

National Targets 85,000

79.5% 39 39 43

FY20 Regional Targets

Levee Systems

Expected Expected

Region

The CTP program supports the establishment or update of flood-risk zone data in areas being updated via Risk MAP projects and makes estimates with respect to the rates of probable flood caused loss for the various flood risk zones for these projects. The program added the requirement for Performance Measures in 2015, which help track and quantify the effectiveness of the program. They ensure that FEMA has better visibility on the timeliness, adherence to standards, fiscal responsibility and quality issues associated with projects. Please refer to Appendix D: Performance Measure

References for the suggested CTP performance metrics that are required to be integrated into each Scope of Work and Mapping Activity Statement.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $102,500,000

2. Projected number of Awards: 95

3. Period of Performance:

27 Months for Program Management, Community Outreach and Mitigation Strategies, Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Review Projects and Special Projects as defined in

Appendix C: CTP Project Categories and Requirements

51 Months for Technical Hazard Identification, Risk Analysis and Mapping Projects as defined in Appendix C: CTP Project Categories and Requirements.

An extension to the period of performance is permitted. Please see Section H of this

NOFO for details on the steps recipients must follow and what information must be included in the justification for an extension to be considered.

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 07/01/2020

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2022 and 09/30/2024

6. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

The CTP Program provides federal assistance through a cooperative agreement to eligible recipients to perform various projects and activities that stimulate and support the ability of NFIP state coordinating agencies and NFIP- participating communities (as defined in

44 C.F.R. § 59.1) to continue their ongoing regulatory NFIP responsibilities as well as support the ability of states, communities and the public and private sector to mitigate flood risk.

CTP awards are cooperative agreements due to the level of substantial involvement required by FEMA, which is detailed below. FEMA will be substantially involved in the activities of the recipient beyond the level involved with typical award administration activities.

CTP Program activities, especially mapping-related activities, have a direct and substantial impact on the success and sustainability of the NFIP, e.g., the development of map data which is used to determine insurance and floodplain management requirements.

Additionally, these activities provide for a significant benefit to recipients and the communities they serve by having improved data and resources to implement the NFIP program.

FEMA must provide substantial oversight to maintain quality control of deliverables and to ensure accountability for appropriate use of CTP Program funds. Due to the project complexity and length, FEMA collaborates with the recipient on programmatic activities to minimize risk to the NFIP and local implementation of the Flood Hazard Mapping

Program. Additionally, certain statutory programmatic activities require federal approval and involvement, such as coordination with the Office of the Federal Register to publicize notices of proposed and final flood hazard changes.

FEMA will provide technical assistance and support (as required or necessary) and approve deliverables while closely monitoring performance.

Program authority and responsibility under cooperative agreements reside with FEMA.

FEMA will work with recipients to review and refine work plans to ensure program goals and objectives can be effectively accomplished. The following bullets provide examples of FEMA’s substantial involvement in cooperative agreement partnership projects.

FEMA will participate in cooperative agreements by:

• Identifying community training, outreach and development needs, and ensuring activities undertaken to address needs are mutually beneficial, comply with NFIP requirements and are performed appropriately with qualified personnel.

• Coordinating and approving technical assistance activities provided to communities to advance mitigation activities.

• Collaborating with the recipient to align and integrate state and local mapping needs with national mapping needs for prioritization (as defined in 44 C.F.R. Parts 59 and

60) as well as any Congressional priorities related to mapping.

• Confirming that communication with local governments is executed according to statutory and regulatory program requirements.

• Collaborating with the recipient to develop, and/or review and approve, project-related communications and messaging that is considered sensitive or high-profile

(such as media inquiries or congressional inquiries).

• Coordinating efforts among project team members to identify due dates, maintain schedules and ensure communication and collaboration.

• Performing National Quality Review checks (QR1-QR8) per Standard 508 in

FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mapping Standards (https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313) to ensure products and deliverables comply with programmatic policies and standards, including audits through FEMA’s Independent

Verification and Validation (IV&V) process for mapping products.

• Providing the base Hazards US (HAZUS) Level 1 National Average Annualized Loss

(AAL) risk assessment for the project area and reviewing and assessing the recipient’s enhanced annualized loss risk assessments and HAZUS model run results.

• Attending community meetings and performing certain statutory or regulatory https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313 processing requirements, such as publication of Federal Register notices, Scientific

Review Panel activities (as necessary), and distribution of final determination documents.

• Performing activities associated with the post-processing of a Letter of Map Revision

(LOMR), including processing activities as a result of FEMA’s final determination on a LOMR request such as distribution of final determination documents, publication of

Federal Register and newspaper notices, and regulatory appeal period processing.

• Processing regulatory fees associated with Conditional Letters of Map Revision

(CLOMRs) and LOMRs that recipients receive for review (note: recipients must forward the fee to FEMA for processing).

The recipient shall not develop or engage in the development of tasks not approved in the

MAS and/or SOW without post-award approval from the program office, and the issuance of a cooperative agreement amendment from FEMA. FEMA will monitor the project on a continual basis by maintaining ongoing contact with the recipient and will provide input to the program's direction, in consultation with the recipient, as needed.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible for funding under this the CTP Program:

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education

• Institutions of higher education as defined by section 101of the Higher

Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. § 1001)

• Public Housing Authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Special district governments

• Territories

• State governments, including the District of Columbia

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

The recipient and any subrecipients must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations regarding the National Flood Insurance Program, including specifically:

• The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Flood

Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).

• The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–141, 126 Stat. 916).

• The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-89).

• The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Parts 59 through 72.

Potential recipients must have also entered into a signed Partnership Agreement

(Memorandum of Agreement) with FEMA confirming they are a partner in FEMA’s https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/7277 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-%20congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-%20bill/3370/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22publiclaw11%203-89%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3370/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2011-title44-vol1/CFR-2011-title44-vol1-chapI-subchapB-subjectgroup-id467 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2011-title44-vol1/CFR-2011-title44-vol1-chapI-subchapB-subjectgroup-id467

Cooperating Technical Partners Program to receive funds under the CTP Program. The details for how to enter into a Partnership Agreement with FEMA are described under

Appendix B: Establishing a Partnership Agreement.

In addition, an applicant must meet the following additional eligibility criteria to qualify for federal assistance through a cooperative agreement under the CTP Program. The recipient must have:

• The capability to comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and terms and conditions for accepting and managing grants or cooperative agreements, including the systems and processes necessary for appropriate management of federal funds;

• Demonstrated capability and capacity to perform, implement, or contract the activities for which it is applying. This demonstrated ability may be indicated through (but not limited to) a FEMA review of the products or support previously prepared or provided by the recipient and the existing processes or systems the recipient intends to use for program-related activities. If the work for any portion of an activity is contracted, the recipient of the award must have in-house staff with the technical capability to monitor the contractor(s) and approve the product(s) developed by the contractor(s). For the purpose of these awards:

“capability” means demonstrated experience in the performance of, or management through contracting of, similar activities;

• Evidence of continued maintenance, through non-federal funds, of the processes or systems in place to support the collection, development, evaluation, dissemination and communication of flood hazard and risk assessment data and mapping (e.g., continued data collection related to changes in flood hazards and development in flood-prone areas; continued upgrades to data collection or mapping capabilities to incorporate new technologies; preparation of multiple-year mapping or data collection plans; maintenance of hardware, software, licenses and certifications, etc., necessary to complete, review, monitor and report on the work; etc.).

• The ability to achieve CTP Program performance metrics outlined in Appendix

D: Performance Reporting References, Federal Award Administration

Information of this NOFO and provide timely and accurate reports to FEMA documenting performance and achievements; and

• The recipient must perform and manage work, when applicable, in FEMA’s

Mapping Information Platform (MIP) and update the activities within the MIP every 30 days in the Studies Workflow and more frequently within the Revisions

Workflow. Where the award activities are not capable of being performed and managed within a MIP workflow, the recipient is expected to develop and report on cost and performance schedules.

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

As a federal agency, FEMA is required to consider the effects of its actions on the environment and/or historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by the agency, including grants-funded projects, comply with federal EHP regulations, laws and Executive Orders as applicable. FEMA has prepared a Memo for Record; dated

1/28/2020 that documents EHP compliance for the range of activities (see Appendix C:

CTP Project Categories and Requirements) eligible for funding under this NOFO pursuant to FEMA’s Instruction On Implementation of the Environmental Planning and

Historic Preservation Responsibilities and Program requirements, FEMA Instruction 108-

1-1.

4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE)

There is no Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement.

5. Cost Share or Match

Cost Share or Match is not required.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 03/02/2020

b. Application Submission Deadline: 05/01/2020 at 5:00:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than

07/30/2020

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/01/2020

All applications must be received by the established deadline. The Non-Disaster (ND)

Grants System has a date stamp that indicates when an application is submitted.

Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of the full application.

Applicant must confirm receipt of this message. If it is not received, the applicant must reach out to FEMA staff immediately and prior to the close of the application submission period. A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G: DHS Awarding Agency

Contact Information. FEMA will not review applications that are not received by the deadline or consider them for funding. FEMA may, however, extend the application deadline on request for any applicant who can demonstrate that good cause exists to justify extending the deadline. Good cause for an extension is defined as technical problems outside of the applicant’s control that prevent submission of the application by the deadline, or other exigent or emergency circumstances. If you experience technical issues, you must notify FEMA as soon as possible. Failure to timely notify FEMA of the issue that prevented the filing of the application within the required timeframe will preclude consideration of the cooperative agreement. “Timely notification” of FEMA means the following: prior to the application deadline and within 48 hours after the applicant became aware of the issue.

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this

NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov.

Hard copies of this NOFO can be downloaded from the common electronic “storefront” at grants.gov or via email from the Awarding Office point of contact listed in Section G:

DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information of this NOFO.

In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal

Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: 1 (800) 462-7585

Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal

4. Steps Required to Submit an Application, Unique Entity Identifier, and System for

Award Management (SAM)

Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. To ensure that an application is submitted on time applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission.

Applicants are encouraged to register early. The registration process can take four weeks or more to be completed. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. Please review the table above for estimated deadlines to complete each of the steps listed.

To apply for an award under this program, all applicants must:

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and Employer ID Number (EIN)

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining DUNS Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid EIN Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Starting application in

Grants.gov One week before actual submission deadline

Submitting complete and final application in ND Grants By applications submission deadline http://www.grants.gov/

b. In the application, provide a valid Data Universal Numbering System DUNS number, which is currently the unique entity identifier;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

d. Register for, update, or verify their SAM account and ensure the account is active before submitting the application;

e. Create a Grants.gov account;

f. Add a profile to a Grants.gov account;

a. Establish an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

b. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

g. Submit the final application in ND Grants; and

h. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency.

Applicants are advised that DHS/FEMA may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when DHS/FEMA is ready to make a federal award. Further, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, DHS/FEMA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

5. Electronic Delivery

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity. For this funding opportunity, FEMA requires applicants to submit applications through Grants.gov.

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Registering in Grants.gov is a multi-step process. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to https://www.login.gov/ apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but, as noted above, DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational

DUNS" on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

2) Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with

SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

3) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with

Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

4) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

5) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for

Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR

(Authorized Organization Representative) role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

6) Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

7) Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the

AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

7. How to Submit an Initial Application to DHS via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NOFO, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

a. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

b. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

c. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS number.

To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first.

Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the

Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-

48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My

Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number

1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov

Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist

DHS/FEMA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants

After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by DHS/FEMA and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in ND Grants. Applicants can register early with ND Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND Grants registration at the time of this announcement or at the latest, seven days before the application deadline. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their application.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov

Applicants needing assistance registering for the ND Grants system should contact ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 865-4076. For step-by-step directions on using the ND

Grants system and other guides, please see https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system.

Additional materials required for submission under this NOFO are described under

Section C.10: Content and Form of Application Submission.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application in Grants.gov will receive an acknowledgement of receipt, a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov, and an Agency Tracking

Number (EMX-2020-XX-XXXX) with the successful transmission of its initial application. This notification does not serve as proof of timely submission, as the application is not complete until it is submitted in ND Grants.

All applications must be received in ND Grants by 05:00 PM ET on the application deadline. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by ND Grants. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by ND Grants. Additionally, the applicant(s) listed as contacts on the application will receive a system-generated email to confirm receipt.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

Funding in FY 2020 for CTP cooperative agreements in support of Risk MAP measures includes the following project categories, which are explained in more detail in

Appendix C: CTP Project Categories and Requirements of this NOFO:

• Program Management (PM)

• Community Outreach and Mitigation Strategies (COMS)

• Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Review Activities

• Special Project(s)

• Technical Hazard Identification, Risk Analysis and Mapping

To qualify as complete, applicants must coordinate with their respective FEMA Regional or HQ representative identified in Section G: DHS Awarding Agency Contact

Information in this NOFO in advance of applying, and the application must include the documents described below.

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information as described below. The Standard Forms are auto generated in ND Grants, but applicants may access these forms in advance through the Forms tab under the SF-424 family on

Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required:

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-construction)

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-construction)

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://portal.fema.gov/famsVuWeb/home https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or Proposal, submitted as an attachment in ND

Grants if the budget includes indirect costs. See further information below regarding allowability of indirect costs and documentation requirements, including if the applicant does not have or is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal.

These forms can be found online.

Applicants will also be required to submit copies of the following in ND Grants:

In addition, there are two formal agreements involved in the CTP Program that need to be attached in ND Grants in order to receive a cooperative agreement:

a) Partnership Agreement; and

b) Mapping Activity Statement (MAS) or Statement of Work (SOW).

a) Partnership Agreement

The application must include a copy of the recipient’s signed Partnership Agreement with

FEMA. The Partnership Agreement is a prerequisite to any further activities under the

CTP Program. The Partnership Agreement is discussed in greater detail in Section C:

Eligibility Information in this NOFO.

b) Mapping Activity Statement (MAP)/Scope of Work (SOW)

For all project categories, recipients are encouraged to work with FEMA in advance of the application to understand FEMA program priorities, objectives and measures, and to identify specific tasks to undertake in FY 2020. In support of program objectives, FEMA may provide technical assistance, training, and/or data to a recipient to enhance the activities within the project categories outlined above. Any funds FEMA provides through a cooperative agreement to complete project activities are in addition to the leveraged resources and data, which may be provided by the recipient to complete the tasks agreed upon in the SOW or MAS. When awarded a cooperative agreement through the CTP Program in support of program objectives and to advance program measures, the recipient must comply with the requirements outlined in this announcement, the terms and conditions of the award (previously referred to as the Articles of Agreement), as well as the Partnership Agreement and the associated FEMA-approved SOW or MAS.

As a recipient and FEMA collaborate to identify specific activities to perform under their

Partnership Agreement, they will develop a Mapping Activity Statement (MAS) or

Statement of Work (SOW) to define the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in a flood risk project (see Section E: Application Review Information in this NOFO for additional information).

The MAS or SOW supplements the Partnership Agreement and defines the activities that will be accomplished for a particular project. A cooperative agreement is the award mechanism by which FEMA provides federal funds to qualified recipients to complete certain partnership activities. For additional information on qualifications for entering into a Partnership Agreement or receiving federal assistance for partnership activities, see

Section C: Eligibility Information in this NOFO.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

The application must include a copy of the draft SOW and/or MAS which will be finalized prior to actual award if award is made. The SOW and/or MAS is used as a supplement to the Partnership Agreement and defines the activities that will be accomplished for a particular project, including the responsible entity(is), how the proposed activities are funded, and the nature of the working partnership between FEMA and the recipient. The SOW and MAS specifically define the project scope as well as the roles and responsibilities of the recipient, the role of FEMA and, if applicable, the role of

FEMA’s contractors involved in a particular project and/or particular tasks. The national

SOW and MAS templates, may be viewed and downloaded from the FEMA web site at https://www.fema.gov/cooperating-technical-partners- program. The recipient must work directly with the appropriate FEMA office when developing a SOW and MAS, preferably prior to application, to ensure that any regional or local modifications to the template are incorporated as appropriate. For additional information and details regarding these activities for each SOW or MAS, see Appendix C: Project Categories and

Requirements.

The application must include a detailed budget for the funds requested. The budget must be complete, reasonable, and cost-effective in relation to the proposed project, and must identify any anticipated leverage or cost share/match. The budget must provide the basis of computation of all project-related costs, any appropriate narrative, and a detailed justification of Indirect or Management and Administrative (M&A) costs.

Unit costs listed in FEMA’s Blue Book cannot be used as the basis for estimating or justifying the requested budget to complete a proposed project. Blue Book unit costs are intended only to provide an estimate of the value of partner contributions to a project

(i.e., non-FEMA funded leveraged data).

If you need assistance registering for the ND Grants system, please contact ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 865-4076.

11. Other Submission Requirements

None

12. Intergovernmental Review

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s

Single Point of Contact (POC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order

12372.

13. Funding Restrictions

Federal funds made available through this award may only be used for the purposes set forth in this award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award.

Award funds may not be used for matching funds for any other federal grants/cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings.

In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the federal government or any other government entity.

https://www.fema.gov/cooperating-technical-partners-program https://www.fema.gov/cooperating-technical-partners-program mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov

The recipient is prohibited from transferring award funds to agencies or organizations other than those identified in the approved SOW or MAS without prior approval from

FEMA.

CTP Program funds must be used to supplement existing funds and cannot replace

(supplant) funds that have been budgeted for the same purpose (whether federal, state or local). Recipients may be required to supply certification and/or documentation validating that a reduction in resources for program-related activities occurred for reasons other than the receipt or expected receipt of funds through a CTP cooperative agreement.

Explanation of Cost restrictions associated with the CTP Program:

• Organization costs are not allowable under the CTP Program.

• Training: Costs associated with training provided by the recipient as part of the project scope are allowable in accordance with the approved scope and budget of the award. Funding to address training requests or needs of the recipient is allowable at the discretion of FEMA’s awarding office. Training requests or needs must be fully identified in the draft SOW or MAS submitted with the application.

The recipient must also identify if the training will be direct cost or indirect cost.

For instance, funding may be allowable as a direct cost for the recipient to attend or deploy training provided by FEMA associated with risk analysis tools such as

HazardsUS (HAZUS). However, training for finance personnel to attend grants management courses would not be allowable as a direct cost under this award but may be allowable as part of the indirect cost rate agreement.

• Mitigation Planning Technical Assistance: Funding in this cooperative agreement shall not be used to update all or any portion of a mitigation plan or develop actual construction designs for specific projects. However, technical assistance in support of mitigation planning is an allowable cost under the CTP Program.

• Equipment and software costs are not allowable under the CTP Program.

• Exercise costs are not allowable under the CTP Program.

• Domestic travel costs are allowable under this program.

• International travel is not an allowable cost under this program unless otherwise approved in advance by the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration

Deputy Associate Administrator via the FEMA HQ CTP Program Lead.

• Operational overtime costs are not allowable under this program.

• Construction and renovation costs are not allowable under this program.

14. Allowable Costs

a. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs directly related to developing the application or sub application and/or directly related to grant implementation after the application period has opened, but prior to the date of the cooperative agreement award or final approval, are allowed.

Applicants seeking pre-award costs must clearly articulate this request in the budget narrative and justification and must include details regarding the costs, such as the project activities/scope to which costs are related, when costs were (or will be) incurred and whether they are included as direct or indirect costs. The FEMA awarding office will review the request and negotiate the costs as appropriate. Upon written concurrence from the FEMA Project Officer, the Awarding Officer will include the appropriate statement in the Terms and Conditions affirming the parameters for allowable pre-award costs.

b. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

Management and Administration costs are allowed under this program. Management and Administration costs are activities directly related to implementing the award.

FEMA will allow recipients to use up to 4 % of the amount of the award for their

M&A and sub recipients may use up to 4% of the amount they receive for M&A.

Funding levels for these costs must be negotiated on a per-project basis with the appropriate awarding office and should include an itemized listing of specific costs associated with M&A

M&A costs include direct charges to the cooperative agreement related to the administration aspects of implementing the award, such as salaries and benefits of human resources, administrative or finance personnel who support the execution of the cooperative agreement but are not completing specific project activities.

Costs such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries in direct support of the administration of the award are also examples of typically allowable M&A costs.

Other M&A costs might include general operating costs when direct billed. However, M&A costs are not allowable as direct charges to the award when these costs are included in a recipient’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.

Certain administrative costs are not considered to be M&A costs, and are not subject to the M&A cap of 4% when those costs are directly related to a specific award activity. For example, a program management award may include staffing a mapping coordinator position as one of the specifically-awarded activities of the cooperative agreement. In this situation, the portion of the associated salary and fringe benefits of the mapping coordinator that are funded by the award are considered part of the award costs and not included in M&A costs.

c. Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs

Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in 2 C.F.R. §

200.414. Applicants with a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement that desire to charge indirect costs to an award must provide a copy of their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement at the time of application. Applicants that are not required by 2 C.F.R.

Part 200 to have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement but are required by 2 C.F.R.

Part 200 to develop an indirect cost rate proposal must provide a copy of their proposal at the time of application. Post-award requests to charge indirect costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis and based upon the submission of an agreement or proposal

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

FEMA evaluates applications and CTP partnerships for performance, effectiveness, merit, and risk. FEMA bases its evaluation of the partner’s demonstrated performance on the following criteria:

• Commitment to and continued support of flood hazard identification and mapping activities and other program activities (such as risk assessments, risk communication and technical assistance for mitigation action) conducted with and…