FY20 HSPTAP NOFO.pdf

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

Fiscal Year 2020 Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance 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), Resilience, Office of Resilience Integration and Coordination (ORIC)

2. Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number) 97.007

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title) Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP)

4. Funding Opportunity Title Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-20-NPD-007-00-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended, Public Law 107-296, § 503(b)(2)(G) (codified as amended at 6 U.S.C. § 313(b)(2)(G))

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-93

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Overview The Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP) provides financial assistance to professional non-profit organizations in activities to improve and/or build state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate major events, including threats or acts of terrorism. The overarching programmatic goal focuses on building state and local capabilities through various means and methods, each one aimed at achieving the National Preparedness Goal and furthering our collective efforts to remain a safe and secure nation.

Specific HSPTAP program activities anticipated for achieving this goal include, but will not be limited to: developing and disseminating written products; facilitating calls, meetings, or discussions; providing and organizing seminars, training and workshops for key homeland security and emergency preparedness SLTT stakeholders nationwide (e.g., state emergency management directors, state homeland security advisors, and other professional organizations in the public and private sectors, etc.) to share information, knowledge, experiences, and practices relating to current and emerging homeland security, emergency management and public safety issues and efforts.

Objective and Supporting Projects Objective: Supporting key homeland security and emergency preparedness stakeholders nationwide to further build a national system of emergency management capabilities

1) Conducting activities that bring together the collective perspectives of state and local elected officials and the private sector to provide a broad-based sounding board on homeland security issues for all national stakeholders. Supporting this objective should include establishing, providing, and maintaining a forum for organizations to exchange ideas, conduct targeted discussions, as well as to provide technical assistance to governors’ offices, associations and organizations on all relevant SLTT homeland security policy areas.

2) Developing, transferring, and institutionalizing pertinent knowledge at the state and local level for addressing current public policy challenges facing state emergency management directors, state homeland security advisors, and other SLTT officials.

3) Collaborating with public and private sector and all disciplines and levels of government (e.g., national, regional, state and local) to facilitate focused and enhanced communication and coordination; address the complex challenges of developing and implementing homeland security policies and practices including:

intelligence sharing; state homeland security organization, structure and governance;

communications interoperability; critical infrastructure protection; and all hazards disaster prevention, protection, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to include areas of emergency management, homeland security, fire, law enforcement, Emergency Management Services (EMS), agriculture, National Guard, emergency communications, and public works.

Priorities The objectives and projects above support the purpose of the FY 2020 HSPTAP, further building of a national system of emergency management capabilities that can effectively and efficiently utilize the Nation's resources to respond to catastrophic incidents, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made emergencies or events.

In addition to building state and local capabilities, the activities conducted under the HSPTAP are structured to address the National Preparedness System and full spectrum of mission areas and core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal.

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. Due to the unique threats that the nation faces in 2020, DHS/FEMA has determined four priority areas for FY 2020 HSPTAP funds:

1) Enhancing cybersecurity (including election security)

2) Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places (including election security);

3) Enhancing information and intelligence sharing and cooperation with federal agencies, including DHS;

4) Addressing emergent threats (e.g., unmanned aerial systems [UASs], etc.).

10. Performance Metrics

FEMA requires HSPTAP recipients to collect and submit information necessary to calculate metrics derived from the following measures of effectiveness for the HSPTAP grant program:

• Number of trainings, seminars, and workshops developed and/or delivered by the recipients to build SLTT capabilities specific to the four priority areas for FY 2020.

• Results of workshop or event surveys and evaluations.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $525,000

2. Maximum Funding Per Applicant: $275,000 Awarded funds under the FY 2020 HSPTAP are competitive-based. Applicants applying for grant funds are eligible to apply for up to, but no more than, $275,000.

3. Projected number of Awards: 2-4

4. Period of Performance (POP): 12 months FEMA will consider extensions to the period of performance only through formal requests to FEMA with specific and compelling justifications as to why an extension is required. For details on the requirements for requesting an extension to the period of performance, please refer to Part H: Extensions of the Full Announcement.

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/15/2020

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/14/2021

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

8. Eligible Applicants

Nonprofit organizations as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.70 and institutions of higher education as defined by 2 C.F.R. 200.55.

9. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

The criteria that organizations must meet in order to be eligible for the HSPTAP are defined below. Applicants that do not meet eligibility and application submission requirements will not be evaluated and scored by the review panel.

Eligible non-profit organizations must:

1. Be a known entity with a national scope and able to work in partnership with key stakeholders and Federal agencies.

2. Demonstrate their experience and capacity to establish, provide, and maintain a collaborative forum which can reach, inform, educate and engage key homeland security and emergency preparedness stakeholders nationwide.

3. Demonstrate their experience and ability to work with all disciplines and levels of government to develop and provide direct technical assistance, training, and professional development in the area of current homeland security doctrine, policy, and best practices to key homeland security and emergency preparedness stakeholders nationwide

Key homeland security and emergency preparedness stakeholders include but are not limited to: state emergency management directors, state homeland security advisors, and other SLTT officials.

Applicants must conform to the guidance and demonstrate their experience and expertise using the questions in Appendix B: Project Narrative Template, and reviewers will use these questions as one set of criteria to score applications as outlined in Appendix C:

Evaluation and Scoring Criteria. Applicants that do not meet eligibility and application submission requirements will not be evaluated and scored by the review panel.

10. Other Eligibility Criteria

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation Prior to allocation of any Federal preparedness awards in FY 2020, recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. The list of objectives used for progress and achievement reporting is at https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting.

Emergency management and incident response activities require carefully managed resources (personnel, teams, facilities, equipment, and/or supplies) to meet incident https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting needs. Utilization of the standardized resource management concepts such as typing, credentialing, and inventorying, promote a strong national mutual aid capability needed to support delivery of core capabilities. Additional information on resource management, NIMS resource typing definitions, job titles, and position qualifications is on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting.

FEMA developed the NIMS Guideline for the Credentialing of Personnel to describe national credentialing standards and to provide written guidance regarding the use of those standards. This guideline describes credentialing and typing processes and identifies tools which Federal Emergency Response Officials and emergency managers at all levels of government may use both routinely and to facilitate multijurisdictional coordinated responses.

Additional information about NIMS in general is available at http://www.fema.gov/nims-doctrine-supporting-guides-tools.

11. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) There is no maintenance of effort for this program.

12. Cost Share or Match There is no cost share or cost match requirement for this program.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 5/26/2020

b. Application Submission Deadline: 7/24/2020 at 11:59:59 PM (EDT)

All complete 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 submission of the full application. For additional information on how an applicant will be notified of application receipt, see the subsection titled “Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission” in Section D.

FEMA will not review applications that are received after the deadline or consider these late applications 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 may include technical problems outside of the applicant’s control that prevent submission of the application by the deadline, other exigent or emergency circumstances, or statutory requirements for FEMA to make an award.

Applicants experiencing technical problems outside of their control must notify FEMA as soon as possible and prior to the application deadline. Failure to timely https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting http://www.fema.gov/nims-doctrine-supporting-guides-tools notify FEMA of the issue that prevented the filing of the application within the required timeframe may preclude consideration of the award. “Timely notification” of FEMA means the following: prior to the application deadline and within 48 hours after the applicant became aware of the issue.

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” If applicants do not know who to contact 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@dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: 8/30/2020

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

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award By applying, 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

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. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov.

Hard copies of the NOFO can be downloaded at Grants.gov or via email from the Awarding Office point of contact listed in Section G, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.”

In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: (800) 462-7585.

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:

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

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 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.

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, FEMA requires applicants to submit applications through Grants.gov.

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

8. Submitting the Final Application in the Non-Disaster Grants System (ND Grants)

After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by 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 applications.

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.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information required as described below. The Standard Forms (SF) may be accessed in 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) o For construction under an award, submit SF-424C, Budget Information

(Construction) in addition to or instead of SF-424A

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-construction) o For construction under an award, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances (Construction) in addition to or instead of SF-424B

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form

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

For additional program-specific application submission requirements, please refer to the subsection titled “Content and Form of Application Submission” under Section D and Appendix B: Project Narrative Template of this NOFO.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

a. Online Submission. All applications must be received by 12:59:59 Eastern time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DHS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by DHS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov

b. As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgment of receipt, a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of the 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 by 11:59:59 EDT on July 24, 2020.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission Standard Required Application Forms and Information The following forms are required to be submitted in either Grants.gov or ND Grants. The Standard Forms (SF), submitted either through Grants.gov, through forms generated in ND Grants, or as an attachment in ND Grants, are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, submitted through Grants.gov

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, submitted through Grants.gov

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants o For construction under an award, submit SF-424C, Budget Information

(Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants, in addition to or instead of SF-424A

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants o For construction under an award, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances (Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants, in addition to or instead of SF-424B

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, via the forms generated by ND Grants

• Indirect Cost Agreement, submitted as an attachment in ND Grants if the budget includes indirect costs and the applicant is required to have an indirect cost rate agreement. If the applicant is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement but will charge indirect costs and is required to have an indirect cost rate proposal, the applicant must provide a copy of their indirect cost rate proposal with the application.

See the section below on indirect costs for more information contact the relevant Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist for further instructions.

HSPTAP Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

Applicants must submit copies of the following in ND Grants:

• Project Narrative that describes the applicant’s proposed project and how it aligns with the FY 2020 HSPTAP Program objective. (Refer to Appendix B:

Project Narrative Template for additional details.)

• Budget Detail Worksheet that identifies all project costs and provides justification for the costs identified (including management and administration [M&A]). (Refer to Appendix D: Budget Detail Worksheet Template for additional details.)

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

11. Other Submission Requirements N/A

12. 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).

13. Funding Restrictions Federal funds made available through this award may only be used for the purpose set forth in this award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. The use of Award funds for matching funds for any other Federal grants, for lobbying, or intervention in Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings are not allowable. In addition, grant award recipients cannot sue the Federal government or any other government entity using Federal funds awarded through a Federal grant.

14. Allowable Costs

a. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are NOT allowable.

b. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs Management and Administration costs are activities directly related to managing and administering the HSPTAP award. FEMA has determined that recipient may retain and expend a maximum of 5 percent of HSPTAP funds awarded for M&A purposes associated with the HSPTAP award.

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

Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 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 as discussed above.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

Applications must conform with the guidance provided in Appendix B: Project Narrative Template. FY 2020 HSPTAP applications will also be evaluated for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, and anticipated effectiveness of https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf the proposed project.

Below is a short summary of the evaluation criteria. The full criteria can be found in Appendix C: Evaluation and Scoring Criteria, which details the specific criteria aligned to each of the Project Narrative requirements and the maximum number of points an application can receive for each criterion. The four (4) base criteria are worth up to 100 total possible points. FEMA will not review applications that do not address all questions and subparts. Additionally, FEMA will not consider any letters of endorsement or support submitted separately from an application. If statements of endorsement or support testimony are provided, they must be included in the Project Narrative.

• Demonstration of Eligibility: The applicant clearly and comprehensively describes its ability to build state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management capabilities. (Possible Points: 0 – 20 max)

• Project Plan: The applicant demonstrates an effective and sustainable project approach for building SLTT emergency management capabilities within the 12-month period of performance, including the specific implementation and project management approaches. (Possible Points: 0 – 30 max)

• Anticipated Results: The applicant demonstrates the proposed project’s anticipated results, including how the project will build the SLTT emergency management capabilities and performance goals the project is expected to achieve, and how the project can be scaled or replicated to benefit national preparedness. (Possible Points: 0 – 30 max)

• Budget: The applicant demonstrates a reasonable and cost-effective budget (using Appendix D: Budget Detail Worksheet Template) including explanation of reasonable project costs across the requested categories, the project’s relative cost effectiveness and sustainability, and the applicant’s ability to manage federal grants. (Possible Points: 0 – 20 max)

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

Prior to making a federal award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3321 note, 41 U.S.C. § 2313, and 2 C.F.R. § 200.205 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

1) Financial stability.

2) Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards.

3) History of performance in managing federal award.

4) Reports and findings from audits.

5) Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

Prior to making a federal award where the anticipated total federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000 (see Section 805 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-91, OMB Memorandum M-18-18 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf):

1) FEMA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM, which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and is accessible through the SAM website.

2) An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered.

3) FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.205.

2. Review and Selection Process

Eligibility Screening FEMA will conduct an initial review of all applications to verify applicant eligibility and ensure each application is complete. All eligible and complete applications will progress to the applicable FEMA program office for further review. FEMA staff will review the following during the eligibility screening:

a. Applicant is an eligible organization as defined under the Eligible Applicants header of Section C: Eligibility Information of this NOFO.

b. Applicant has submitted all required assurances and standard forms.

c. Application complies with the Application Submission information presented in Section D: Application and Submission Information and Appendix B: Project Narrative Template, including:

• Application includes a Project Narrative that aligns with the format requirements specified in Appendix B: Project Narrative Template.

• Application includes a Budget Detail Worksheet (Appendix D: Budget

Detail Worksheet Template).

Review Panel Applications will be reviewed and scored by a review panel comprised of FEMA staff.

Applicants that do not meet eligibility and application submission requirements will not be evaluated and scored by the review panel. The review panel will score applications based on specific criteria described in Appendix C: Evaluation and Scoring Criteria and aligned to the requirements outlined in Section D: Application and Submission Information and Appendix B: Project Narrative Template. The review panel will score applications taking into consideration completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, and anticipated effectiveness of the plan proposed in the Project Narrative.

Application Selection Process FEMA staff will make recommendations based on scores assigned by the application https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ review panel, which will be sorted in descending order from the highest score to lowest score until as many HSPTAP Objective Projects possible are addressed.

FEMA senior leadership will review recommended awards based on the results of the ranked application scores and make final decision in selection. A maximum of two to four applicants will be selected.

Required Application Contents Applicants must format the contents of the application according to the guidance in Appendix B: Project Narrative Template. Applications not formatted according to the guidance will be considered incomplete, and FEMA will not review or consider for funding.

Applicants should not include any Classified or Sensitive information in their applications for this program.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award Before accepting the award, the AOR and recipient should carefully read the award package. The award package includes instructions on administering the grant award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under federal awards.

Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as any special terms and conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program.

Notification of award approval is made through the ND Grants system through an automatic electronic mail to the recipient’s authorized official listed in the initial application. The award date will be the date that FEMA approves the award. The recipient should follow the directions in the notification to confirm acceptance of the award. Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the ND Grants system and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied or until the award is otherwise rescinded.

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 90 days from the award date. The recipient shall notify FEMA of its intent to accept and proceed with work under the award through the ND Grants system. For instructions on how to accept or decline an award in the ND Grants system, please see pages 40-43 in the ND Grants Grantee Training Manual. Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the ND Grants system and all other conditions of award have been satisfied, or FEMA will rescind the offer of an award. Failure to accept a grant award within the 90-day timeframe may result in a loss of funds.

2. Pass-Through Requirements Not applicable.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

All successful applicants for DHS grant and cooperative agreements are required to comply with DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, which are available online at: DHS Standard Terms and Conditions.

The applicable DHS Standard Terms and Conditions will be those in effect at the time the award was made, unless the application is for a continuation award. In that event, the terms and conditions in effect at the time the original award was made will generally apply. What terms and conditions will apply for the award will be clearly stated in the award package at the time of award.

Before accepting the award, the AOR should carefully read the award package for instructions on administering the grant award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under federal awards. Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as any special terms and conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program.

4. Reporting Recipients are required to submit various financial and programmatic reports as a condition of award acceptance. Future awards and funds drawdown may be withheld if these reports are delinquent.

a. Federal Financial Reporting Requirements The Federal Financial Report (FFR) form is available online at: SF-425 OMB #4040-

Recipients must report obligations and expenditures on a quarterly basis through the Federal Financial Reporting Form (FFR) to FEMA. Recipients must file the FFR electronically using Payment and Reporting System (PARS). A quarterly FFR report is required throughout the period of performance, including partial calendar quarters, as well as for periods where no grant award activity occurs. FEMA may withhold future awards and fund drawdowns if these reports are delinquent or are insufficient in detail.

The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the FFR:

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

Recipients are responsible for uploading Program Performance Report (PPR) to FEMA on a quarterly basis in ND Grants. The report is due within 30 days after the end of the reporting period. Recipients must report on the following information:

Reporting Period Report Due Date October 1 – December 31 January 30 January 1 – March 31 April 30 April 1 – June 30 July 30 July 1 – September 30 October 30 http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1

1) Written products relating to emerging homeland security, emergency management and public safety issues and established or model state homeland security and emergency management efforts;

2) Educational, seminars, training and workshops for apprising newly appointed key stakeholders such as: state emergency management directors, state homeland security advisors, and other SLTT officials.

3) Calls, meetings, or discussions amongst representatives from key stakeholder groups on a regular basis which serve to share information, knowledge, experiences, and practices relating to current and emerging homeland security, emergency management and public safety issues.

4) Trainings, workshops, and other meeting opportunities designed to bring together in a common forum for state emergency management directors, state homeland security advisors, and other SLTT officials as well as other professional organizations in the public and private sectors and to inform partners on the impacts of current and emerging homeland security, emergency management and public safety legislation, regulations and policies.

Performance Reporting Periods and Due Dates The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the quarterly performance reports:

Reporting Period Report Due Date October 1 – December 31 January 30 January 1 – March 31 April 30 April 1 – June 30 July 30 July 1 – September 30 October 30

c. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements

d. Closeout Reporting Requirements Within 90 days after the end of the period of performance, or after an amendment has been issued to close out a grant, recipients must submit the following:

1) The final request for payment, if applicable;

2) The final FFR (SF-425);

3) The final progress report detailing all accomplishments;

4) A qualitative narrative summary of the impact of those accomplishments throughout the period of performance; and

5) Other documents required by this NOFO, terms and conditions of the award, or other FEMA guidance.

If applicable, an inventory of all construction projects that used funds from this program must be reported with the final progress report.

After these reports have been reviewed and approved by FEMA, a closeout notice will be completed to close out the grant. The notice will indicate the period of performance as closed, list any remaining funds that will be deobligated, and address the requirement of maintaining the grant records for three years from the date of the final FFR, unless a longer period applies, such as due to an audit or litigation, for equipment or real property used beyond the period of performance, or due to other circumstances outlined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.333.

The recipient is responsible for returning any funds that have been drawn down but remain as unliquidated on recipient financial records.

Administrative Closeout

Administrative closeout is a unilateral mechanism for FEMA to move forward with closeout of a grant award using available grant award information in lieu of final reports from the recipient. It is a last resort and recipients should always submit their final reports instead of relying on this mechanism. This mechanism can also require FEMA to make cash or cost adjustments and ineligible cost determinations based on the information it has, which may result in identifying a debt owed to FEMA by the recipient.

FEMA may use the administrative closeout process when a recipient is not responsive to FEMA’s reasonable efforts to collect required reports needed to complete the standard closeout process. FEMA will make at least three written attempts to collect required reports before initiating administrative closeout.

If FEMA administratively closes an award where no final FFR has been submitted, FEMA uses that administrative closeout date in lieu of the final FFR submission date as the start of the record retention period under 2 C.F.R. § 200.333.

In addition,…