DHS FY2022 NOFO CTP Program.pdf

FY 2022 CTP NOFO Back to the Top

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Fiscal Year 2022 Cooperating Technical

Partners (CTP) Program

Effective April 4, 2022, the Federal Government transitioned from using the Data Universal Numbering System or DUNS number, to a new, non-proprietary identifier known as a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI. For entities that have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to this date, the UEI has automatically been assigned and no action is necessary. For all entities filing a new registration in SAM.gov on or after April 4, 2022, the UEI will be assigned to that entity as part of the SAM.gov registration process.

UEI registration information is available on GSA.gov at: Unique Entity Identifier Update |

GSA.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding UEI and SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listings Number

3. Assistance Listings Title

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Category

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

11. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $104,000,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 140

3. Period of Performance:

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2022

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2023 and 09/30/2025

6. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

5. Cost Share or Match D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

4. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier, Register in the System for

Award Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

5. Electronic Delivery

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

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

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. Intergovernmental Review

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. Monitoring and Oversight

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

2. Systems Information

H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

2. Program Evaluation

3. Period of Performance Extensions

4. Disability Integration

5. Conflicts of Interest in the Administration of Federal Awards or Subawards

6. Procurement Integrity

7. Record Retention

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance

9. Audits

10. Payment Information

11. Whole Community Preparedness

12. Appendices

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) / Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.045

3. Assistance Listings Title

Cooperating Technical Partners

4. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2022 Cooperating Technical Partners

5. Funding Opportunity Number

CTP – Headquarters DHS-22-MT-045-00-01 CTP Region 2 DHS-22-MT-045-02-01 CTP Region 3 DHS-22-MT-045-03-01 CTP Region 4 DHS-22-MT-045-04-01 CTP Region 5 DHS-22-MT-045-05-01 CTP Region 6 DHS-22-MT-045-06-01 CTP Region 7 DHS-22-MT-045-07-01 CTP Region 8 DHS-22-MT-045-08-01 CTP Region 9 DHS-22-MT-045-09-01 CTP Region 10 DHS-22-MT-045-10-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Pub. L. No. 90-448), as amended (42 U.S.C. § 4101) and The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No.

112–141), 126 Stat. 916 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4101b)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, P.L. 117-103. Title III, Federal Emergency Management Agency

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Category

Mitigation

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

The Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program exists to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CTP program supports efforts to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience, one of the main goals of the 2020-https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-82/pdf/STATUTE-82-Pg476.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2018-title42/USCODE-2018-title42-chap50-subchapIII-sec4101 https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2018-title42/USCODE-2018-title42-chap50-subchapIII-sec4101b https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

2024 DHS Strategic Plan. Additionally, the program supports the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, Goal 2: Lead whole of community in climate resilience and Goal 3: Promote and sustain a ready FEMA and a prepared nation. It helps achieve these goals by fostering strong federal, state, tribal, territorial, regional, and local partnerships to identify flood risks, reduce flood losses, and promote community resilience. It also supports the National Mitigation Investment Strategy, a supporting document to Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-8), National Preparedness. The CTP program also supports the objectives of equity and inclusion laid out in the President’s Justice 40 Initiative.

b. Objectives The objectives of the CTP program are primarily to support the mission and objectives of the NFIP’s Flood Hazard Mapping Program through FEMA’s flood hazard identification and risk assessment programs, including the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) initiative. The vision for Risk MAP is to deliver quality data that increases public awareness of flood risk and leads to action that reduces flood risk to life and property. The CTP supports Risk MAP in developing flood hazard data and maps for communities that have never had identified risks, building on effective flood hazard data and flood insurance rate maps (FIRMS), and increasing public awareness of flood risk and potential mitigation options to reduce that risk and better inform planning.

Additional information about Risk MAP (including goals, strategies, progress, and success stories), can be found on FEMA’s website at Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) | FEMA.gov.

For additional information on the CTP program, please visit the CTP program website located at Cooperating Technical Partners Program | FEMA.gov.

c. Priorities The CTP program supports the FY 2022 Risk MAP Program Objectives shown below as they continue to sharpen our focus on advancing mitigation actions and prioritizing the technical credibility of data and community engagement throughout the Risk MAP lifecycle. As such, CTP’s FY 2022 approach will continue to focus on the following Risk MAP Program Objectives:

• Maintaining 80% new, validated, or updated engineering (NVUE) data - The NVUE metric is used to measure data quality by ensuring that flood hazard data is new, has been updated, or is deemed to be still valid through a continuous review and update process. NVUE metrics distinguish between engineering studies that adequately identify the level of flood risk (known as Valid) from those that need restudy (known as Unverified). The Risk MAP program is responsible for ensuring 80% of the Nation’s flood hazard data is current.

• Advancing Ongoing Risk MAP Projects- The initiation of work to maintain 80% NVUE is one part of the mapping process. However, as the entire process takes six to eight years to complete, we need to invest in advancing the current backlog of projects to deliver them to communities. CTPs support this effort to take projects previously funded up to a certain phase and focusing efforts this grant season on funding and completing the remainder of the work for those areas.

• Addressing Remaining Statute Requirements- The Risk MAP Program is still https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/about/mission https://www.fema.gov/about/mission https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/fema_national-mitigation-investment-strategy.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/fema_national-mitigation-investment-strategy.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2021/07/20/the-path-to-achieving-justice40/ https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources/risk-map https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources/risk-map https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/guidance-partners/cooperating-technical-partners addressing statutory requirements from The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). These requirements include, but are not limited to, mapping currently unmapped areas of possible population growth, mapping areas of residual risk (in areas protected by levees, dams, and other flood control structures), mapping inundation areas (resulting from failure of levees, dams, and other flood control structures), and mapping future conditions.

Focusing on these areas will allow Risk MAP to continue to meet our key program measures and external reporting commitments, while providing the necessary management tools to assess performance and demonstrate Risk MAP’s value and effectiveness to program sponsors and stakeholders.

The CTP program helps achieve the Risk MAP measures and targets for FY 2022 which are provided in Table 1 below. The Regional Targets for the Risk MAP measures below were developed in partnership with FEMA Regional Offices. Any changes to these established targets will be based on joint Headquarters – Regional discussions.

Table 1. Fiscal Year 2022 Targets for Risk MAP Measures

Region NVUE Miles*

Projects Fully

Funded in

FY22

Projects Forecasted to Prelim

Projects Forecasted to

LFD

Map Unmapped Miles

R1 1,295 0 6 0 279

R2 0 14 5 3 0

R3 1,040 50 11 11 220

R4 13,000 21 34 28 1,841

R5 1,000 18 21 41 7641

R6 16,126 59 13 6 22,918

R7 7,000 10 26 29 658

R8 6,510 27 16 19 13,793

R9 1,625 32 23 5 947

R10 1,315 6 11 2 1,577

Total 48,911 237 166 144 49,874

*NVUE (New, Validated or Updated Engineering)

11. Performance Measures

The CTP program supports the establishment or update of flood-risk zone data in areas being updated via Risk MAP projects and makes estimates with respect to the rates of probable flood caused loss for the various flood risk zones for these projects. The program added the requirement for Performance

Measures in 2015, which help track and quantify the effectiveness of the program. They ensure that FEMA has better visibility on the timeliness, adherence to standards, fiscal responsibility, and quality issues associated with projects. Please refer to Appendix D: Performance Measure References for the suggested CTP performance metrics that are required to be integrated into each Scope of Work and Mapping Activity Statement.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $104,000,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 140

3. Period of Performance:

25 Months for Program Management, Community Outreach and Mitigation Strategies, Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Review Projects, and Special Projects as defined in Appendix C: CTP Project Categories and Requirements

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

An extension to the period of performance is permitted. Please see Section H of this NOFO for details on the steps recipients must follow to request an extension and what information must be included in the justification for an extension to be considered.

FEMA awards only include one budget period, so it will be same as the period of performance. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for definitions of “budget period” and “period of performance.”

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2022

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2023 and 09/30/2025

6. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

The CTP program provides federal assistance through a cooperative agreement to eligible recipients to perform various projects and activities that stimulate and support the ability of NFIP state coordinating agencies and NFIP-participating communities (as defined in 44 C.F.R. § 59.1) to continue their ongoing regulatory NFIP responsibilities as well as support the ability of states, communities, and the public and private sectors to mitigate flood risk.

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

CTP program activities, especially mapping-related activities, have a direct and substantial impact on the success and sustainability of the NFIP, such as the development of map data which is used to determine insurance and floodplain management requirements. Additionally, these activities provide for a significant benefit to recipients and the communities they serve by having improved data and resources to implement the NFIP program.

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

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

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

Program authority and responsibility under cooperative agreements reside with FEMA.

FEMA will work with recipients to review and refine work plans to ensure program goals and objectives can be effectively accomplished. The following bullets provide examples of FEMA’s substantial involvement in cooperative agreement partnership projects. However, they are not inclusive of all potential FEMA activities. FEMA will participate in CTP cooperative agreements by:

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

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

• Collaborating with the recipient to align and integrate state and local mapping needs with national mapping needs for prioritization (as defined in 44 C.F.R. Parts 59 and 60) as well as any Congressional priorities related to mapping.

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

• Collaborating with the recipient to develop, and/or review and approve, project-related communications and messaging that is considered sensitive or high-profile (such as media inquiries or congressional inquiries).

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

• Performing National Quality Review checks (QR1-QR8) per Standard 508 in FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mapping Standards (https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313) to ensure products and deliverables comply with programmatic policies and standards, including audits through FEMA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) process for mapping products.

• Providing the base Hazards US (HAZUS) Level 1 National Average Annualized Loss (AAL) risk assessment for the project area and reviewing and assessing the recipient’s enhanced annualized loss risk assessments and HAZUS model run results.

• Attending community meetings and performing certain statutory or regulatory processing requirements, such as publication of Federal Register notices, Scientific Review Panel activities as necessary, and distribution of final determination documents.

• Performing activities associated with the post-processing of a Letter of Map Revision https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313

(LOMR), including processing activities undertaken as a result of FEMA’s final determination on a LOMR request such as distribution of final determination documents, publication of Federal Register and newspaper notices, and regulatory appeal period processing.

• Processing regulatory fees associated with Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs) and LOMRs that recipients receive for review (note: recipients must forward the fee to FEMA for processing).

The recipient shall not develop or engage in the development of tasks not approved in the Mapping Activity Statement (MAS) and/or Statement of Work (SOW) without post-award approval from the program office, and the issuance of a cooperative agreement amendment from FEMA. FEMA will monitor the project on a continual basis by maintaining ongoing contact with the recipient and will provide input to the program's direction, in consultation with the recipient, as needed.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

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

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Federally recognized tribal governments

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

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

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

• Public Housing Authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Special district governments

• Territories

• State governments, including the District of Columbia

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

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

• The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).

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

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

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

Potential recipients must have also entered into a signed Partnership Agreement (Memorandum of Agreement) with FEMA confirming they are a partner in FEMA’s Cooperating Technical Partners Program to receive funds under the CTP program. The details for how to enter into a Partnership Agreement with FEMA are described under Appendix B:

Establishing a Partnership Agreement.

In addition, an applicant must meet the following additional eligibility criteria to https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/7277 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-%20congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-%20bill/3370/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22publiclaw11%203-89%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3370/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2011-title44-vol1/CFR-2011-title44-vol1-chapI-subchapB-subjectgroup-id467 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2011-title44-vol1/CFR-2011-title44-vol1-chapI-subchapB-subjectgroup-id467 qualify for federal assistance through a cooperative agreement under the CTP program. The recipient must have:

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

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

• Evidence of continued maintenance, through non-federal funds, of the processes or systems in place to support the collection, development, evaluation, dissemination, and communication of flood hazard and risk assessment data and mapping (e.g., continued data collection related to changes in flood hazards and development in flood-prone areas;

continued upgrades to data collection or mapping capabilities to incorporate new technologies; preparation of multiple-year mapping or data collection plans; maintenance of hardware, software, licenses, and certifications, etc., necessary to complete, review, monitor and report on the work);

• The ability to achieve CTP program performance metrics outlined in Appendix D: Performance Reporting References, and the Federal Award Administration Information of this NOFO and provide timely and accurate reports to FEMA documenting performance and achievements; and

• The recipient must perform and manage work, when applicable, in FEMA’s Mapping Information Platform (MIP) and update the activities within the MIP every 30 days in the Studies Workflow, and more frequently within the Revisions Workflow. Where the award activities are not capable of being performed and managed within a MIP workflow, the recipient is expected to develop and report on cost and performance schedules. In order to obtain access to FEMA’s Risk Analysis Management systems including the MIP, the recipient must have a FEMA-approved Information Sharing Access Agreement

(ISAA).

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

None

4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE)

There is no Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement

5. Cost Share or Match

Cost Share or Match not required, but may be used as a non-mandatory preference factor

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 06/09/2022

b. Application Submission Deadline: 07/21/2022 at 5:00:00 PM

(Eastern Daylight Time)

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 their submission. 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 of this NOFO.

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 before the application deadline. Failure to timely notify FEMA of the issue that prevented the timely filing of the application may preclude consideration of the award. “Timely notification” of FEMA means 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 of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” For additional assistance using the ND Grants System, please contact the ND Grants Service Desk at (800) 865-4076 or NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov. The ND Grants Service Desk is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Specialist. 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@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through mailto:NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 08/30/2022

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/01/2022

e. Other Key Dates

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number

Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Creating an account with login.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline Registering in SAM or updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in Grants.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in ND Grants Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Starting application in Grants.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Submitting the final application in ND Grants By the submission deadline

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

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.

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

Hard copies of the NOFO can be downloaded at Grants.gov or obtained via email from the Awarding Office points of contact listed in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” or by TTY (800) 462-7585.

4. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier, Register in the System for Award

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Applicants are encouraged to register early as the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

Please review the table above for estimated deadlines to complete each of the steps listed.

Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for submitting an application may disqualify that application from funding.

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number from SAM.gov and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service; In the application, provide an UEI number;

b. Have an account with login.gov;

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

d. Create a Grants.gov account;

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

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

g. Register in ND Grants

h. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

i. Submit the final application in ND Grants, including electronically signing applicable forms; and

j. 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. As part of this, applicants must also provide information on an applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well as on all predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the last three years, if applicable.

Specific instructions on how to apply for, update, or verify an UEI number or SAM registration or establish an AOR are included below in the steps for applying through Grants.gov.

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

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

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(c)(2)(iii), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from receiving an UEI number, if applicable, and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible by contacting askcsid@fema.dhs.gov and providing the details of the circumstances that prevent completion of these requirements. If FEMA determines that there are exigent circumstances and FEMA has decided to make an award, the applicant will be required to obtain an UEI number, if applicable, and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date.

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 initial applications through Grants.gov and a final application through ND Grants.

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for FEMA 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. To ensure an application meets the deadline, applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission.

Organizations must have an UEI number, an EIN, an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and Grants.gov account to apply for grants.

Organizations must also have a Grants.gov account to apply for an award under this program.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but UEI and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov 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.

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to:

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

b. Obtain an UEI Number, if applicable:

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding must have a UEI number.

Applicants must enter the UEI number in the applicable data entry field on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number, refer to: Sam.gov.

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

All entities applying for funding must provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

d. Create a login.gov account:

Applicants must have a login.gov account in order to register with SAM or update their SAM registration. Applicants can create a login.gov account here:

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3.

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For applicants that are existing SAM users, use the same email address for the login.gov account as with SAM.gov so that the two accounts can be linked.

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf.

e. Register with SAM:

All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with 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.

Note: As a new requirement per 2 C.F.R. § 25.200, applicants must also provide the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the last three years, if applicable.

I. ADDITIONAL SAM REMINDERS

Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to make sure it is “ACTIVE.”

SAM registration should be completed at the very beginning of the application period and https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf 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 should be renewed annually to avoid being “INACTIVE.” Please allow plenty of time before the grant application submission deadline to obtain an UEI number and then to register in SAM. It may be four weeks or more after an applicant submits the SAM registration before the registration is active in SAM, and then it may be an additional 24 hours before FEMA’s system recognizes the information.

It is imperative that the information applicants provide is correct and current. Please ensure that your organization’s name, address, and EIN are up to date in SAM and that the UEI number used in SAM is the same one used to apply for all other FEMA awards. Payment under any FEMA award is contingent on the recipient’s having a current SAM registration.

II. HELP WITH SAM

The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration (GSA) to assist those registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a SAM registration, please contact the Federal Support Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do or call toll free (866) 606-8220.

f. Create a Grants.gov Account:

The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. If applicable, applicants must know their organization’s UEI number to complete this process.

For more information, follow the on-screen instructions or refer to:

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

See also Section D.8 in this NOFO, “Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants,” for instructions on how to register early in ND Grants.

g. 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, if applicable, enter the UEI number for the organization in the UEI 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.

h. 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 Authorized Organization Representative (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.

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

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

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

i. Track Role Status:

To track your role request, refer to:

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

j. 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 individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR;

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

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

Standard Form 424 (SF-424) is the initial application for this NOFO.

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using a workspace. A workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each Notice of Funding Opportunity, you can create individual instances of a workspace. Applicants are encouraged to submit their initial applications in Grants.gov at least seven days before the application deadline.

In Grants.gov, applicants need to submit the following forms:

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

c. Adobe Reader:

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

If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms, you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard or DHS forms. 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’s name, address, and UEI 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

g. Track a Workspace:

After successfully submitting a workspace package, 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.

h. Additional Training and Applicant Support:

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

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

Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 (except federal holidays) support via the toll-free number (800) 518-4726, email at support@grants.gov and the website at https://www.grants.gov/support.html. 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 FEMA https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support.html with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by 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/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system.

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any program-specific information required as described in Section D.10 of this NOFO, “Content and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SF) are auto generated in ND Grants, but applicants may access these forms in advance through the Forms tab under the SF-424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

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

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application in Grants.gov will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of its initial application. This notification does not serve as proof of timely submission, as the application is not complete until it is submitted in ND Grants. Applicants can also view the ND Grants Agency Tracking Number by accessing the Details tab in the submitted workspace section in Grants.gov, under the Agency Tracking Number column. Should the Agency Tracking Number not appear, the application has not yet migrated from Grants.gov into the ND Grants System. Please allow 24 hours for your ND Grants application tracking number to migrate.

All applications must be received in ND Grants by 5:00 PM ET on the application deadline.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by ND Grants. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by ND Grants. Additionally, the applicant(s) listed as contacts on the application will receive a system-generated email to confirm receipt.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

The following forms or information are required to be submitted in either Grants.gov or ND Grants. The Standard Forms (SF) are submitted either through Grants.gov, through forms generated in ND Grants, or as an attachment in ND Grants. Applicants may also access the SFs at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

I. GRANTS.GOV

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, initial application submitted through

Grants.gov

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

Grants.gov

II. ND GRANTS

• 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, submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

• Indirect Cost Agreement or Proposal, 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 or proposal. If the applicant does not have or is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal, please see Section D.13 of this NOFO, “Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs,” for further information regarding allowability of indirect costs and whether alternatives to an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal might be available, or contact the relevant FEMA staff identified in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” for further instructions.]

Generally, applicants have to submit either the non-construction forms (i.e., SF-424A and SF-424B) or construction forms (i.e., SF-424C and SF-424D), meaning that applicants that only have construction work and do not have any non-construction work need only submit the construction forms (i.e., SF-424C and SF-424D) and not the non-construction forms (i.e., SF-424A and SF-424B), and vice versa. However, applicants who have both construction and non-construction work under this program need to submit both the construction and non-construction forms.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

Funding in FY 2022 for CTP cooperative agreements in support of Risk…