FY_2020_IBSGP_NOFO_FINAL_Strikethru 3.20.20_508ML.pdf

FY 2020 IBSGP NOFO

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2020 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP)

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), Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)

2. Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number) 97.057

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title) Intercity Bus Security Grant Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title Intercity Bus Security Grant Program

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-20-GPD-057-000-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 1513 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. No. 110-53) (6 U.S.C. § 1182)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. No. 116-93)

8. Announcement Type New http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

Overview The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the DHS to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against potential terrorist attacks. IBSGP provides funds to intercity bus companies to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism. Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the 2018 DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the IBSGP supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience.

The 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for managing the risks posed by terrorism and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. IBSGP supports the goals of Building a Culture of Preparedness and of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a more prepared and resilient nation.

Finally, for FY 2020, DHS is focused on the criticality of information sharing and collaboration to building a national culture of preparedness and protecting against terrorism and other emerging threats to our national security. DHS and its homeland security mission were born from the “failures among federal agencies and between the federal agencies and state and local authorities to share critical information related to the threat of terrorism” prior to the September 11, 2001, attacks.1 The threat profile has changed in the last two decades – we now face continuous cyber threats by sophisticated actors, threats to soft targets and crowded places, threats to our democratic election process and threats from new and emerging technologies. But information sharing and cooperation between state, local, and tribal authorities and federal agencies, including all DHS officials, is just as vital, and perhaps even more vital, today. Therefore, for FY 2020, we have identified three priority areas, tied to some of the most serious threats that recipients should address with their IBSGP funds. Perhaps most importantly, DHS will be focused on forging partnerships to strengthen information sharing and collaboration in each of these priority areas and looking for recipients to remove barriers to communication and cooperation with DHS and other federal agencies.

Objectives The objective of the FY 2020 IBSGP is to provide funds to eligible private operators of intercity over-the-road bus transportation systems to protect critical transportation infrastructure and travelling public from acts of terrorism, and to increase the resilience of the transit infrastructure.

1 Homeland Security Act of 2002: Report Together with Minority and Dissenting Views 222, Select Committee on Homeland Security: 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives (2002) (H. Rpt. 107-609).

Priorities Given the evolving threat landscape, it is incumbent upon DHS/FEMA to continuously evaluate the national risk profile and set priorities that help ensure appropriate allocation of scarce security dollars. In assessing the national risk profile for FY 2020, three areas attract the most concern:

1) Enhancing cybersecurity;

2) Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places; and

3) Addressing emerging threats (e.g., transnational criminal organizations, weapons of mass destruction [WMD], unmanned aerial systems [UASs], etc.).

Likewise, there are several enduring security needs that crosscut the homeland security enterprise. The following are second-tier priorities that help recipients implement a comprehensive approach to securing critical transportation infrastructure:

1) Effective planning;

2) Training and awareness campaigns;

3) Equipment and capital projects; and

4) Exercises.

The table below provides a breakdown of these priority areas for the FY 2020 IBSGP, showing both the core capabilities enhanced and lifelines supported, as well as examples of eligible project types for each area. A detailed description of allowable investments for each project type is included in the Preparedness Grants Manual. As discussed in Section E, projects that sufficiently address one or more of the three National Priorities (enhancing cybersecurity; enhancing the projection of soft targets/crowded places; or addressing emerging threats) will have their final review scores increased by a multiplier of twenty (20) percent.

FY 2020 IBSGP Funding Priorities Priority Areas Core Capabilities Lifelines Example Project Types

National Priorities Enhancing Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Cybersecurity risk assessments

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments o Improving cybersecurity of critical infrastructure to meet minimum levels identified by CISA

• Cybersecurity training and planning https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291

Priority Areas Core Capabilities Lifelines Example Project Types Enhancing the Protection of Soft Targets/Crowded Places

• Operational coordination

• Public information and warning

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Physical security enhancements at bus stations located in historically eligible Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) cities o Security cameras (CCTV) o Security screening equipment and technology for people and baggage o Access controls Fencing, gates, barriers, etc.

• Remote disabling technology for over-the-road bus fleets

• Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology

• Global Positioning Software (GPS)

Addressing Emerging Threats, such as Transnational Criminal Organizations, WMD and UAS

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search and detection

• Physical protective measures

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) detection equipment at bus stations located in historically eligible UASI jurisdictions o Security screening equipment and technology for people and baggage

• Stand-off detection systems

Enduring Needs Planning • Planning

• Risk management for protection programs & activities

• Risk & disaster resilience assessment

• Threats and hazards identification

• Operational coordination

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Development of:

o System-wide Security Risk

Management Plans o Continuity of Operations Plans o Response Plans/Station Action Plans o Risk assessments o Asset-specific remediation plans

• Efforts to strengthen governance integration between/among regional partners

Training & Awareness

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Public information & warning

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Security training for employees, to include:

o Basic security awareness o Active shooter/attacker

• Public awareness/preparedness campaigns Exercises • Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Security exercises to enhance prevention, response, and coordination capabilities related to the effects of a terrorist attack scenario

10. Performance Metrics Performance metrics for this program are as follows:

• Percentage of funding allocated by the recipient to core capabilities to build or sustain the national priorities identified in the section above.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $2,000,000

2. Period of Performance: 24 months

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 9/01/2020

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 8/31/2022

5. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants Private operators providing intercity over-the-road bus transportation that have also completed a vulnerability assessment and developed a security plan, which the Secretary of Homeland Security has approved as described in Section 1531 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act) (Pub. L. No. 110-53) (6 U.S.C. § 1181). Private Operators are non-governmental entities that may include, but are not limited to, sole proprietorships, affiliates, parent companies and subsidiaries.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria Eligibility for funding is further limited to applicants that meet one or both of the following criteria:

• Operate fixed-route intercity bus transportation providing services to one or more historically eligible Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdictions as indicated below.

• Operate a charter bus service using over-the-road buses and provide a minimum of 50 trips annually to one or more historically eligible UASI jurisdictions as indicated below.

The following definitions are applicable for the purpose of meeting FY 2020 program eligibility requirements:

• Charter bus service is defined as a bus service that operates neither over fixed-routes nor on regular schedules. Note: A charter bus service is characterized by the rental of a bus and the services of a driver to a person or group where all passengers embark and disembark at the same point. A charter bus service must use over-the-road buses.

• Fixed-route intercity bus service is defined as passenger transportation service provided to the general public for compensation over specified, predetermined, and published routes between cities or terminals using over-the-road-buses.

• An over-the-road bus is defined as a vehicle designated for long-distance transportation of passengers, characterized by integral construction with an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment and at least 35 feet in length, with a capacity of more than 30 passengers. Only over-the-road buses are eligible for vehicle security enhancements through this program. Limousines, mini-coaches, school buses, or any other vehicle that does not fit the definition of an over-the-road bus are not eligible.

• A trip is defined as a single bus journey from an embarkation point to the furthest destination in that journey. For example, a trip from New York City to Denver to San Francisco would be considered a single trip. A trip is made to an historically eligible UASI jurisdiction if at any point in the trip the bus stops in an historically eligible UASI jurisdiction and embarks or disembarks passengers. For example, a trip from Newburgh, NY to Manhattan to Charleston, WV is a trip to an historically eligible UASI jurisdiction if passengers embark or disembark in Manhattan.

• An historically eligible UASI jurisdiction is a high-risk urban area that has received UASI funding in the past.

List of Historically Eligible UASI Jurisdictions

State Urban Area

Arizona Phoenix Tucson

California

Anaheim-Santa Ana Bakersfield Bay Area Fresno Los Angeles-Long Beach Oxnard Riverside Sacramento San Diego

Colorado Denver

Connecticut

Bridgeport New Haven Hartford

District of Columbia/ Maryland/ Virginia National Capitol Region

Florida

Fort Lauderdale Jacksonville Miami Orlando Tampa

Georgia Atlanta Hawaii Honolulu Illinois Chicago Indiana Indianapolis Kentucky Louisville

State Urban Area Kansas/Missouri Kansas City

Louisiana Baton Rouge New Orleans

Maryland Baltimore Massachusetts Boston Michigan Detroit Minnesota Twin Cities Missouri/Illinois St. Louis Nebraska Omaha Nevada Las Vegas New Jersey Jersey City-Newark

New York

Albany Buffalo New York City Rochester Syracuse

North Carolina Charlotte

Ohio

Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Toledo

Oklahoma Oklahoma City Tulsa

Oregon Portland

Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Philadelphia

Puerto Rico San Juan Rhode Island Providence

Tennessee Memphis Nashville

Texas

Austin Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington El Paso Houston San Antonio

Utah Salt Lake City

Virginia Norfolk Richmond

Washington Seattle Wisconsin Milwaukee

3. Other Eligibility Criteria Application Limitations

• Eligible applicants may only submit one application; and

• Each application may only include one investment justification (IJ).

Vulnerability Assessment and Security Plan To be eligible for the FY 2020 IBSGP, operators must have developed or updated their organization’s Vulnerability Assessment and Security Plan (VASP) that must be based on a security assessment, such as the Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) performed by Transportation Security Inspectors-Surface from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Private operators providing transportation with an over-the-road bus system must have completed or updated their VASP within the past three years before the opening of the FY 2020 IBSGP application period. Additionally, a copy of the VASP certification must be submitted along with the application in order to be considered eligible.

Failure to include this certification will result in the application being deemed ineligible. All operators must have completed or updated a VASP as required by Section 1531 of the 9/11 Act (6 U.S.C. § 1181) as follows:

1) Assessments and security plans should include, as appropriate:

• Identification and evaluation of critical assets and infrastructure, including buses, platforms, stations, terminals, and information systems

• Identification of vulnerabilities to those assets and infrastructure

• Identification of gaps in physical security; passenger and cargo security; the security of programmable electronic devices, computers, or other automated systems that are used in providing over-the-road bus transportation; alarms, cameras, and other communications systems and utilities needed for over-the-road bus security purposes, including dispatching systems; emergency response planning; and employee training

Security plans should also include, as appropriate:

• The identification of a security coordinator having authority to implement security actions, coordinate security improvements, and receive communications from appropriate Federal officials regarding over-the-road bus security;

• A list of needed capital and operational improvements;

• Procedures to be implemented or used by the operator in response to a terrorist attack, including evacuation and passenger communication plans that include individuals with access and functional needs;

• The identification of steps taken with state and local law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and Federal officials to coordinate security measures and plans for response to a terrorist attack;

• A strategy and timeline for conducting training to prepare frontline employees for potential security threats and conditions;

• Enhanced security measures to be taken by the operator when the Secretary of Homeland Security declares a period of heightened security risk; and

• Plans for providing redundant and backup systems required to ensure the continued operation of critical elements of the operator’s system in the event of a terrorist attack.

For additional information on the above requirements, please contact highwaysecurity@tsa.dhs.gov. Project requests will not be considered until bus operators develop and certify vulnerability assessments and security plans. See below for a template VASP certification statement.

Vulnerability Assessment and Security Plan Certification Statement Applicants must certify that they have had a vulnerability assessment completed and a security evaluation preparedness plan developed or updated within the past three years.

Failure to submit this certification or modifying the language in this certification may result in an application not be considered for funding. Applicants are also required to submit their vulnerability assessments and security plans to DHS/FEMA upon request.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Prior to allocation of any Federal preparedness awards in FY 2020, recipients must adopt and/or maintain implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for more information on NIMS.

Ineligible Applicants Applicants that do not meet the requirements under “Eligible Applicants” in this Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement, and Section 1531 of the 9/11 Act (6 U.S.C. § 1181).

Ineligible Service Categories

• School buses;

• Fixed-service routes under contract to transit authorities within UASI jurisdictions;

• Fixed-service routes not stopping in qualifying UASI jurisdictions;

• Intra-city trolley and/or tour services;

• Bus company owners that are not operators; and

I, [insert name], as [insert title] of [insert name of bus company], certify that a vulnerability assessment has been completed and a security evaluation preparedness plan has been developed or updated for my company within the last three years.

Signature Date

Date mailto:highwaysecurity@tsa.dhs.gov

• Intra-city bus service is not eligible for funding under the FY 2020 IBSGP.

Funding for intra-city bus security is addressed through the FY 2020 Transit Security Grant Program.

Ineligible Applications

• An application submitted by an entity that does meet the eligibility requirements, as described in this NOFO;

• An application submitted by an eligible entity that is deficient in any of the documentary submission requirements, as described in this NOFO;

• An application submitted by an eligible applicant, when the submitter is not authorized to act on behalf of the potential recipient; and

• Regardless of an applicant’s intent, applications for funding that are deemed “Duplicate Applications” are generally ineligible. As an example, if two applications for the same potential recipient are submitted, both applications will be deemed “Duplicate Applications” and both may be ineligible. However, FEMA retains the discretion to fund one of those duplicate applications based on the criteria set forth in this NOFO.

4. Cost Share or Match The FY 2020 IBSGP has a cost share requirement.

• Cash (Hard Match): The only acceptable form of cost sharing is a hard match, meaning cash, by the recipient. In-kind contributions, also known as soft matches, are not acceptable for the recipient’s cost share requirement. Eligible IBSGP applicants shall agree to make available non-Federal funds to carry out an IBSGP award in an amount equal to, and not less than, 50 percent of the total project cost as submitted in the application and approved in the award. If the total project cost is ultimately higher than anticipated and submitted at the time of application, the recipient is responsible for all additional costs. If the total project cost is less than the amount anticipated at the time of award, the recipient must ensure that it matches the Federal funds expended with an amount equal to, and not less than, 50 percent in non-Federal funds. The recipient’s contribution should be specifically identified for each proposed project. The non-Federal contribution has the same eligibility requirements as the Federal share and must be justified as part of the project within the investment justification.

For example, if the Federal award requires a 50 percent cost share and the total project cost is $100,000, then:

• Federal share is 50 percent of $100,000 = $50,000

• Recipient cost share is 50 percent of $100,000 = $50,000 With this example, if the total project cost ends up being $120,000, the Federal share would remain at 50 percent of the original project cost of $100,000 (i.e., $50,000).

Conversely, if the total project cost ends up being $80,000, then Federal share would be $40,000 versus $50,000. In that case, the recipient would owe FEMA this $10,000 as the difference between the 50 percent cost share under the original project cost versus the decreased actual project cost.

These cash, hard-match contributions must consist of eligible costs and must be identified as part of the submitted application. A cash match includes cash spent for project related costs. The cost match requirement for the IBSGP award may not be met by funds from another Federal grant or assistance program or funds used to meet matching requirements for another Federal grant or assistance program, unless otherwise permitted by Federal statute. Additionally, normal routine operational costs cannot be used as a cost match unless a completely new capability is being awarded. Please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306, as applicable, as well as the Preparedness Grants Manual for additional guidance regarding cost matching.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times:

a. Application Start Date: 2/14/2020

b. Application Submission Deadline: 4/30/2020 4/15/2020 at 5 P.M.

ET

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. DHS/FEMA will not review applications that are not received by the deadline or consider these late applications for funding. DHS/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 may include technical problems outside of the applicant’s control that prevent submission of the application by the deadline, or other exigent or emergency circumstances.

Applicants experiencing technical issues must notify the FEMA Headquarters (HQ) Program Analyst prior to the application deadline. If applicants do not know their FEMA HQ Program Analyst or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) by phone at

(800) 368-6498 or by e-mail at askcsid@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 7/1/2020

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 9/30/2020

e. Other Key Dates:

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining DUNS Number 3/16/2020 3/1/2020 mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov, Obtaining a valid EIN 3/16/2020 3/1/2020 Updating SAM registration 3/16/2020 3/1/2020 Completing initial application in Grants.gov 4/23/2020 4/8/2020

Submitting final application in the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants System

4/30/2020 4/15/2020, 5 P.M. ET

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 on Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov, select “Applicants” then “Apply for Grants. Hard copies of the NOFO and associated application materials are not available. In order to obtain the application package, select “Download a Grant Application Package.” Enter the Assistance Listings (formerly CFDA) and/or the funding opportunity number located on the cover of this NOFO, select “Download Package,” and then follow the prompts to download the application package. In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice and all relevant NOFOs is (800) 462-7585. Initial applications are processed through the Grants.gov portal. Final applications are completed and submitted through FEMA’s Non-Disaster Grants (ND Grants) System. Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal and ND Grants.

4. Steps Required to Submit an Application, Unique Entity Identifier, and System for Award Management (SAM) 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)

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 the ND Grants system; 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.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.login.gov/

Applicants are advised that DHS 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 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 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, applicants are required to submit applications through Grants.gov and ND Grants.

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Instructions: 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 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 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.

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

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 in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR 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 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 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/registration/track-role-status.html

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

7. How to Submit an 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.

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

h. 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 with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Submitting the Final Application in Non-Disaster Grants System (ND Grants) For assistance registering for the ND Grants system, please contact ndgrants@fema.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.

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.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission Online Submissions: As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the Authorized Organization Representative (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 their 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 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2020. 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 In ND Grants applicants will be prompted to submit all of the information contained in the following forms. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required:

• Standard Form 424A, Budget Information (Non-construction)

• Standard Form 424B, Standard Assurances (Non-construction) https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:ndgrants@fema.gov https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://portal.fema.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/famsVuWeb/home

• Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

In addition, applicants must submit copies of the following in ND Grants:

• Standard Form 424C, Budget Information (Construction) if applying for grants to support construction;

• Standard Form 424D, Standard Assurances (Construction) if applying for funds to use for construction;

• Investment Justification(s);

• Detailed Budget(s); and

• Indirect Cost Agreement, if applicable.

IBSGP Specific Application Instructions All applicants will submit their IBSGP grant application, associated Investment Justification (IJ), their VASP Certification Statement, and a Detailed Budget as file attachments within ND Grants prior to the application deadline.

Priority Investments (IBSGP)

Cybersecurity Cybersecurity investments must support core capabilities as they relate to achieving target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism.

Soft Targets and Crowded Places Soft targets and crowded places are increasingly appealing to terrorists and other extremist actors because of their relative accessibility and the large number of potential targets. This challenge is complicated by the prevalent use of simple tactics and less sophisticated attacks. Segments of our society are inherently open to the general public, and by nature of their purpose do not incorporate strict security measures. Given the increased emphasis by terrorists and other extremist actors to leverage less sophisticated methods to inflict harm in public areas, it is vital that the public and private sectors collaborate to enhance security of locations such as transportation centers, parks, restaurants, shopping centers, special event venues, and similar facilities. Additional resources and information regarding securing soft targets and crowded places are available through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Emerging Threats The spread of rapidly evolving and innovative technology, equipment, techniques, and knowledge presents new and emerging dangers for homeland security in the years ahead. Terrorists remain intent on acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities, and rogue nations and non-state actors are aggressively working to develop, acquire, and modernize WMDs that they could use against the Homeland. Meanwhile, biological and chemical materials and technologies with dual use capabilities are more accessible throughout the global market. Due to the https://portal.fema.gov/famsVuWeb/home https://www.cisa.gov/securing-soft-targets-and-crowded-places https://www.cisa.gov/securing-soft-targets-and-crowded-places proliferation of such information and technologies, rogue nations and no-state actors have more opportunities to develop, acquire, and use WMDs than ever before.

Similarly, the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology increase opportunities of threat actors to acquire and use these capabilities against the United States and its interests. Additional resources and information regarding emerging threats are available through the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Investment Justification As part of the FY 2020 IBSGP application process, applicants must develop a single formal IJ that addresses each initiative being proposed for funding, including a project’s Management and Administration (M&A) costs. The IJ must demonstrate how proposed projects address gaps and deficiencies (identified in a current vulnerability assessment) in current programs and capabilities, and link to one or more core capabilities identified in the Goal.

The applicant may attach the vulnerability assessment or cite relevant sections/passages within the IJ to demonstrate the linkage between the project request and the identified vulnerability. The IJ should also describe the agency’s current security posture to demonstrate why the proposed project is necessary and appropriate. The IJ must demonstrate the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by DHS/FEMA.

IBSGP projects must be: 1) both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed and 2) able to be fully completed within the three-year period of performance. Applicants must ensure that the IJ is consistent with all requirements outlined in this NOFO. Applicants must provide information in the following categories for their single proposed investment:

1. Background

2. Strategic and Program Priorities

3. Impact

4. Funding/Implementation Plan

Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting their IJ as part of the FY 2020 IBSGP:

Organization Name_Project Name

Detailed Budget Applicants must provide a detailed budget for the funds requested. The detailed budget must be submitted with the grant application as a file attachment within ND Grants. The budget must be complete, reasonable, and cost-effective in relation to the proposed project. The budget should provide the basis of computation of all project-related costs, any appropriate narrative, and a detailed justification of M&A costs. Applicants receiving funds may not obligate, expend, or draw down funds until budgets and budget narratives https://www.dhs.gov/topic/weapons-mass-destruction https://www.dhs.gov/topic/weapons-mass-destruction https://www.cisa.gov/uas-critical-infrastructure https://www.cisa.gov/uas-critical-infrastructure https://portal.fema.gov/ have been approved by DHS/FEMA. The budget detail worksheet may be used as a guide to assist applicants in the preparation of budgets and budget narratives. Note: Design and Planning/Engineering costs must be clearly identified in a separate line item in order for partial funding to be released prior to Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) review and approval.

Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for information on the EHP review process.

Detailed budgets must be submitted with the grant application as a file attachment within ND Grants. Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting detailed budgets as part of the IBSGP application process:

Organization Name_Budget Name

Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Requirements A portion of the information that is routinely submitted in the course of applying for funding or reporting under certain programs or that is provided in the course of an entity’s grant management activities under those programs that are under Federal control may be subject to protection under an SSI marking and must be properly identified and marked accordingly. SSI is a control designation used by DHS/FEMA to protect transportation security-related information. It is applied to information about security programs; vulnerability and threat assessments; screening processes; technical specifications of certain screening equipment and objects used to test screening equipment; and equipment used for communicating security information relating to air, land, or maritime transportation. Further information can be found at 49 C.F.R. Part 1520, Protection of Sensitive Security Information.

For the purposes of the IBSGP, and due to the high frequency of SSI found in IBSGP-related IJs, all IBSGP IJs shall be considered SSI and treated as such until they have been subject to review for SSI by DHS/FEMA. Therefore, applicants shall label all application documents as SSI in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 1520.13.

11. Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. (See https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html; https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC- February-2019.pdf).

12. Funding Restrictions All costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R.

Part 200, unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO, the terms and conditions of the award, or the Preparedness Grants Manual. For more information on FEMA’s implementation of 2 C.F.R. Part 200, see Information Bulletin (IB) No. 400.

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

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291 https://portal.fema.gov/ https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf

Award funds may not be used for matching funds for any other Federal awards, 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. For additional information on allowable costs and Funding Restrictions, please refer to the Preparedness Grants Manual.

13. Allowable Costs

Cost Principles Costs charged to this award must be consistent with the Cost Principles in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31.2 in lieu of 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. Any conflicts between FAR Part 31.2 and 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E shall be resolved in favor of the applicable provision in FAR Part 31.2.

Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are not allowable and will not be approved, with the exception of costs resulting from pre-award grant writing services provided by an independent contractor that shall not exceed $1,500.

Direct Costs

a. Construction and Renovation Construction and renovation costs for modifying terminals, garages, and facilities, including terminals and other over-the-road bus facilities owned by state or local governments, to enhance their security are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO. For more information, please reference the Preparedness Grants Manual.

b. Operational Overtime Operational overtime costs are allowed under this program only as described in this

NOFO.

c. Travel Domestic travel costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

International travel is not an allowable cost under IBSGP.

d. Maintenance and Sustainment Maintenance- and sustainment-related costs, such as maintenance…