FEMA_FY2021-TSGP-NOFO-v2_02-19-21.pdf

FY 2021 TSGP NOFO Back to the Top

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

Fiscal Year 2021 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) NOTE: If you are going to apply for this funding opportunity and have not obtained an Employer Identification Number (EIN), a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), or your SAM registration is not active, please take immediate action to obtain an EIN and DUNS Number, if applicable, and then register immediately in SAM or, if applicable, renew your SAM registration. It may take four 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, EIN, and SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO under the subsection titled “How to Register to Apply.” Detailed information regarding the time required for each registration is also provided in Section D of this NOFO under the subsection titled “Other Key Dates.”

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 Metrics

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO

2. Period of Performance

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s)

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s)

5. Funding Instrument Type

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

4. 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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

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

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. Intergovernmental Review

12. 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. Period of Performance Extensions

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)

2. Assistance Listings Number 97.075

3. Assistance Listings Title Rail and Transit Security Grant Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year 2021 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-21-[GPD]-[075]-[00]-[02]

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 1406 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. No. 110-53) (6 U.S.C. § 1135)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. No. 116-260)

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Category Preparedness: Infrastructure Security

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on transportation infrastructure security activities.

These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. TSGP provides funds to transit agencies to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism.

Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, TSGP supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience.

The 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for managing the risks posed by terrorism and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. TSGP supports the goals of

Building a Culture of Preparedness and Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a more prepared and resilient nation.

DHS is focused on the criticality of information sharing and collaboration to building a national culture of preparedness and protecting against terrorism and other emerging threats to our national security for FY 2021. DHS and its homeland security mission were born from the “failures among federal agencies and between the federal agencies and state and local authorities to share critical information related to the threat of terrorism” prior to the September 11, 2001, attacks. The threat profile has changed in the past two decades – we now face continuous cyber threats by sophisticated actors, threats to soft targets and crowded places, threats to our democratic election process and threats from new and emerging technologies. But information sharing and cooperation among state, local, territory, and tribal authorities and federal agencies, including all DHS officials, is just as vital, and perhaps even more vital, today. Therefore, for FY 2021, we have identified three priority areas, tied to some of the most serious threats that recipients should address with their TSGP funds.

Perhaps most importantly, DHS will be focused on forging partnerships to strengthen information sharing and collaboration in each of these priority areas and looking for recipients to remove barriers to communication and cooperation with DHS.

b. Objectives Provide funds to eligible public transportation systems (which include intra-city bus, ferries, and all forms of passenger rail) to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the travelling public from terrorism, and to increase transportation infrastructure resilience.

c. Priorities Given the evolving threat landscape, it is incumbent upon DHS/FEMA to continuously evaluate the national risk profile and set priorities that help ensure appropriate allocation of scarce security dollars. In assessing the national risk profile for FY 2021, three areas attract the most concern:

1) Enhancing cybersecurity;

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

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

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

1) Effective planning;

2) Training and awareness campaigns;

3) Equipment and capital projects; and,

4) Exercises.

The table below provides a breakdown of these priority areas for the FY 2021 TSGP, showing both the core capabilities enhanced and lifelines supported, as well as examples of eligible project types for each area. A detailed description of allowable investments for each project type is included in the Preparedness Grants Manual. As discussed in Section E, projects that sufficiently address one or more of the three National Priorities (enhancing cybersecurity; enhancing the projection of soft targets/crowded places; or addressing emerging threats) will have their final review scores increased by a multiplier of 20 percent.

FY 2021 TSGP Funding Priorities

Priority Areas Core Capabilities Lifelines Example Project Types National Priorities Enhancing Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Planning

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Supply chain integrity and security

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Situational assessment

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Cybersecurity risk assessments

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments o Improving cybersecurity of critical infrastructure to meet minimum levels identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) o Cybersecurity training and planning

Enhancing the Protection of Soft Targets/Crowded Places

• Operational coordination

• Public information and warning

• Intelligence and

Information Sharing

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Safety and security

• Transportation

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

• Use of visible, unpredictable deterrence, to include Operational Packages o Explosive Detection Canine Teams o Mobile Screening Teams o Anti-terrorism Teams

• Directed/Surge Patrols on Overtime Addressing Emerging Threats, such as Transnational Criminal

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search and detection

• Physical protective measures

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) detection, prevention, response, and recovery equipment

• Explosive Detection Canine Teams https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291

Priority Areas Core Capabilities Lifelines Example Project Types Organizations, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Security screening equipment and technology for people and baggage

• UAS detection technologies

Enduring Needs Planning • Planning

• Risk management for protection programs & activities

• Risk & disaster resilience assessment

• Threats and hazards identification

• Operational coordination

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Development of:

o System-wide Security Risk

Management Plans o Continuity of Operations Plans o Response Plans/Station Action Plans o System-wide and/or asset-specific vulnerability assessments

• Efforts to strengthen governance integration between/among regional partners

Training & Awareness

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Public information & warning

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Active shooter training

• Security training for employees

• Public awareness/preparedness campaigns Equipment & Capital Projects

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

• Interdiction & disruption

• Screening, search & detection

• Access control & identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Top Transit Asset List (TTAL) risk remediation

• Protection of other high-risk, high-consequence areas or systems that have been identified through system-wide risk assessments

Exercises • Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Safety and security

• Transportation

• Response exercises

11. Performance Metrics

Performance metrics for this program are as follows:

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

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $88 million

2. Period of Performance: 36 months

Extensions to the period of performance [are allowed. For additional information on period of performance extensions, please refer to Section H of this NOFO or the Preparedness Grants Manual.

FEMA awards under this program 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.”

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): October 1, 2021

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): September 30, 2024

5. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Governmental agencies with eligible rail, intra-city bus and ferry systems identified in the table below. Eligibility does not guarantee grant funding.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Agencies eligible for the FY 2021 TSGP are determined based upon daily unlinked passenger trips (ridership) and transit systems that serve historically eligible UASI jurisdictions as indicated below.

Certain ferry systems are eligible to participate in the FY 2021 TSGP and receive funds under this program. However, any ferry system electing to participate (e.g., submit an application) under the FY 2021 TSGP will not be eligible to participate (e.g., submit an application) under the FY 2021 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) and will not be considered for funding under the FY 2021 PSGP. Likewise, any ferry system that participates in the FY 2021 PSGP will not be eligible for funding under the TSGP.

Sections 1405 (6 U.S.C. § 1134) and 1406 (6 U.S.C. § 1135) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 require that high risk public transportation agencies that receive grant funding develop a security plan based on a security assessment. Additionally, the statutes direct that grant funds be used to address items in the security assessment or the security plan. To be eligible for the FY 2021 TSGP, transit agencies must have developed or updated their security plan. The security plan must be based on a security assessment, such as the Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE), which is performed by the Transportation Security Inspectors-Surface of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This security assessment must have been conducted within the three years prior to receiving an FY 2021 TSGP award. A copy of the security plan and security assessment must be provided to DHS/FEMA upon request. Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for more information on security plan requirements.

Entities providing transit security (e.g., city/county police departments or the public transportation agencies’ own police departments) for a public transportation agency must approve the security plan. The signature of a responsible official from the agency’s transit https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291 security provider serves as this approval. If there is more than one provider in the core service area, all transit security providers must review and concur with the plan. Associated documentation of this approval must be provided to DHS/FEMA upon request. In addition, agencies’ transit security providers are encouraged to review the Investment Justifications (IJs) prior to submission.

Each public transportation agency receiving funds through this program must also participate in a Regional Transit Security Working Group (RTSWG) or develop a RTSWG if one does not already exist. The RTSWG should serve as the forum for regional partners to discuss risk, planning efforts, and mitigation strategies. These discussions should be held regardless of funding to continue enhancing the overall security of the region. Regional working groups are a best practice for enhancing security and are encouraged for all jurisdictions.

An application submitted by an otherwise eligible non-federal entity (i.e., the applicant) may be deemed ineligible when the person that submitted the application is not: 1) a current employee, personnel, official, staff, or leadership of the non-federal entity; and 2) duly authorized to apply for an award on behalf of the non-federal entity at the time of application.

Further, the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be a duly authorized current employee, personnel, official, staff or leadership of the recipient and provide an email address unique to the recipient at the time of application and upon any change in assignment during the period of performance. Consultants or contractors of the recipient are not permitted to be the AOR of the recipient.

FY 2021 Eligible TSGP Applicants

State Urban Area Eligible System*

AZ Phoenix Area City of Phoenix Public Transit Department Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority

Tucson Area City of Tucson Transit

CA

Fresno Area Fresno Area Express

Greater Los Angeles Area

(Los Angeles/Long

Beach and Anaheim/Santa

Ana UASI Areas)

City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation Foothill Transit Long Beach Transit Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Montebello Bus Lines Omnitrans (San Bernardino) Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink)

State Urban Area Eligible System*

Sacramento

Sacramento Regional Transit District

San Diego Area North San Diego County Transit District (NCTD) San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)

San Francisco Bay Area

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) Central Contra Costa Transit Authority Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) San Mateo County Transit Authority (SamTrans) Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit Transbay Joint Powers Authority Water Emergency Transit Authority

CO Denver Area Regional Transportation District

DC/ MD/

VA

Greater National Capital Region

(National Capital Region and Baltimore UASI Areas)

Arlington Transit (ART) City of Alexandria (Alexandria Transit Company) Fairfax County Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Montgomery County Department of Transportation Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

FL

Jacksonville Area

Jacksonville Transportation Authority Broward County Division of Mass Transit

Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area (Miami and Fort

Lauderdale

UASI)

Miami-Dade Transit

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Tri-Rail)

Orlando Area Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit (SunRail)

Tampa Area Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

GA Atlanta Area Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)

State Urban Area Eligible System*

HI Honolulu Area City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services

IL Champaign- Urbana Area Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District

IL/IN Chicago Area

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Northeast Illinois Commuter Railroad Corporation

(METRA)

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

(NICTD)

PACE Suburban Bus

IN Indianapolis Area Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation

KY Louisville Area Transit Authority of River City

LA New Orleans Area

Jefferson Parish Department of Transportation New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA)

MA Boston Area Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Springfield Area Pioneer Valley Transit Authority

MI Detroit Area City of Detroit Department of Transportation Detroit Transportation Corporation Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation

Lansing Area Capital Area Transportation Authority MN Twin Cities Metro Transit

MO Kansas City Area

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Kansas City Streetcar

MO-IL St. Louis Area Bi-State Development Agency (Metro) Madison County Transit District

NC Charlotte Area Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)

NM Albuquerque Area Sun Tran of Albuquerque

NV Las Vegas Area Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Reno Area Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County

NY

Albany Area Capital District Transportation Authority Buffalo Area Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

Rochester Area Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

NY/NJ/CT

New York City/Northern New Jersey

Area (New York City and Jersey

Connecticut Department of Transportation Connecticut Transit Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) (all components) New Jersey Transit Corp. (NJT) New York City Department of Transportation

State Urban Area Eligible System*

City/Newark UASI Areas)

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Westchester County Department of Transportation

OH

Cincinnati Area Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky

Cleveland Area The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Columbus Area Central Ohio Transit Authority

Dayton Area Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority

OR

Eugene Area Lane Transit District

Portland Area Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area (C-TRAN) Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District (Tri-Met)

PA Pittsburgh Area Port Authority of Allegheny County

PA/DE/NJ Philadelphia Area

Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Delaware Transit Corporation New Jersey Transit Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

PR San Juan Area Metropolitan Bus Authority Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (heavy rail)

RI Providence Area Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

TN Memphis Area Memphis Area Transit Authority Nashville Area Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority

TX

Austin Area Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Dallas/Fort

Worth/Arlington Area

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

El Paso Area Mass Transit Department City of El Paso Houston Area Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County San Antonio

Area VIA Metropolitan Transit

UT Salt Lake City Area Utah Transit Authority

VA Norfolk Area Hampton Roads Transit Richmond Area Greater Richmond Transit Company

WA Seattle Area

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) King County Department of Transportation Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (Pierce Transit)

State Urban Area Eligible System*

Snohomish County Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (Community Transit) Washington State Ferries (WSF)

WA Spokane Area Spokane Transit Authority

WI

Madison Area Madison Metro Transit

Milwaukee Area Milwaukee County Transit System

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Prior to allocation of any federal preparedness awards, recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. The list of objectives used for progress and achievement reporting is on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/implementation-training.

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

4. Cost Share or Match

There is no cost share requirement for the FY 2021 TSGP.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: February 25, 2021

b. Application Submission Deadline: May 14, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

The Non-Disaster (ND) Grants System has a date stamp that indicates when an application is submitted. Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of 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 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET. For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Preparedness Officer. 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 Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than July 16, 2021

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2021

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package See the Preparedness Grants Manual for requesting and submitting an application.

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.

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

Obtaining a valid EIN Four 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 Starting application in Grants.gov Three weeks before actual submission deadline Submitting application in Grants.gov Two weeks before actual submission deadline Submitting the final application in ND Grants Three days before actual submission deadline mailto:NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291 https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

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 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide a valid 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;

g. Establish an AOR in Grants.gov;

h. Register in ND Grants

i. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

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

k. 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 a DUNS number or SAM registration or establish an AOR are included below in the steps for applying through Grants.gov.

Applicants are advised that FEMA may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when 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 https://www.login.gov/ 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)(ii), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from receiving a DUNS number 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 a DUNS number 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 For information on how to register to apply through Grants.gov, please see the Preparedness Grants Manual.

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

For further information on how to submit an initial application via Grants.gov, please see the Preparedness Grants Manual.

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 mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291 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 p.m. 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

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.

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 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 All applicants will submit their TSGP grant application and associated investment justifications, including detailed budgets and associated Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)/Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), as a file attachment within ND Grants prior to the application deadline.

I. Priority Investments (TSGP)

• Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity investments must support the security and functioning of critical infrastructure and core capabilities as they relate to achieving target capabilities https://portal.fema.gov/ related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism.

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

• Emerging Threats The spread of rapidly evolving and innovative technology, equipment, techniques, and knowledge presents new and emerging dangers for homeland security in the years ahead. Terrorists remain intent on acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities, and rogue nations and non-state actors are aggressively working to develop, acquire, and modernize WMDs that they could use against the Homeland. Meanwhile, biological and chemical materials and technologies with dual use capabilities are more accessible throughout the global market. Due to the proliferation of such information and technologies, rogue nations and non-state actors have more opportunities to develop, acquire, and use WMDs than ever before.

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

II. Investment Justification (IJ)

As part of the FY 2021 TSGP application process, applicants must develop a formal IJ that addresses each initiative being proposed for funding, including a project’s management and administration (M&A) costs. An agency may submit up to eight IJs. Agencies may also submit up to five additional IJs for projects related to law enforcement providers that are not part of the public transportation agency. Law enforcement providers may only submit projects that support a transit system’s operational security capability and capacity. IJs must demonstrate how proposed projects address gaps and deficiencies (identified in a current vulnerability assessment) and must link to one or more core capabilities identified in the Goal. Please see www.grants.gov for the IJ template.

Applicants may attach the vulnerability assessment or cite relevant sections/passages within an IJ to demonstrate the linkage between the project request and the identified vulnerability.

IJs should also describe an agency’s current security posture to demonstrate why the https://www.cisa.gov/securing-soft-targets-and-crowded-places https://www.cisa.gov/securing-soft-targets-and-crowded-places https://www.dhs.gov/topic/weapons-mass-destruction https://www.dhs.gov/topic/weapons-mass-destruction https://www.cisa.gov/uas-critical-infrastructure https://www.cisa.gov/uas-critical-infrastructure proposed project is necessary and appropriate. IJs must demonstrate the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by DHS/FEMA. Applicants shall submit a separate IJ for each proposed project. TSGP projects must be: 1) both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed; and 2) able to be fully completed within the three-year period of performance.

Applicants must ensure that IJs are consistent with all requirements outlined in this NOFO.

Applicants must provide information in the following categories for each proposed investment:

1. Background

2. Strategic and Program Priorities

3. Impact

4. Funding/Implementation Plan

Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting the IJs as part of the FY 2021 TSGP:

Region_Agency Name_IJ Number (Example: Chicago_CTA_IJ 1)

III. Operational Packages (OPacks) Applicants that meet basic OPack eligibility requirements may elect to pursue OPack funding for Canine Teams, Mobile Explosives Detection Screening Teams, and Anti-Terrorism Teams, for new capabilities as well as to sustain existing OPacks. Applicants pursuing both new OPacks and sustainment funding for existing OPacks must indicate in their IJs which option is the higher priority for their agency. Additionally, applicants pursuing either new teams or sustainment of existing teams must include the number of OPack teams already in place (either funded by the agency or by the TSGP). In addition, recipients must commit to minimum training standards for all Federally funded OPack positions. Please refer to the Preparedness Grants Manual for OPack Team-specific training requirements. In order for an application for an OPack to be considered eligible, it must include a Five-Year Security Capital and Operational Sustainment Plan. Please see www.grants.gov for the required template.

IV. Detailed Budget Applicants must provide a detailed budget for the funds requested. The detailed budget must be submitted with the grant application as a file attachment within ND Grants. The budget must be complete, reasonable, and cost-effective in relation to the proposed project. The budget should provide the basis of computation of all project-related costs, any appropriate narrative, and a detailed justification of M&A costs. A recipient may not obligate, expend, or draw down funds until a budget and budget narrative have been approved by DHS/FEMA.

The budget detail worksheet may be used as a guide to assist applicants in the preparation of the budget and budget narrative. Note: Design and Planning/Engineering costs must be clearly identified in a separate line item in order for partial funding to be released prior to Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) review and approval. Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for information on the EHP review process.

https://portal.fema.gov/

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

Region_Agency Name_IJ Number_Budget (Example: Chicago_CTA_IJ _1_Budget)

V. Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Requirements A portion of the information that is routinely submitted in the course of applying for funding or reporting under certain programs or that is provided in the course of an entity’s grant management activities under those programs that are under federal control may be subject to protection under an SSI marking and must be properly identified and marked accordingly.

SSI is a control designation used by DHS/FEMA to protect transportation security-related information. It is applied to information about security programs, vulnerability and threat assessments, screening processes, technical specifications of certain screening equipment and objects used to test screening equipment, and equipment used for communicating security information relating to air, land, or maritime transportation. Further information can be found at 49 C.F.R. Part 1520, Protection of Sensitive Security Information. For the purposes of the TSGP, and due to the high-frequency of SSI found in TSGP-related IJs, all TSGP IJs shall be considered SSI and treated as such until they have been subject to review for SSI by DHS/FEMA. Therefore, applicants shall label all application documents as SSI in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 1520.13.

• The following program-specific forms or information are required to be submitted in ND Grants: IJ(s);

• Detailed Budget(s); and

• Five-Year Security Capital and Operational Sustainment Plan, if applying for OPacks.

11. Intergovernmental Review

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372 (See https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf)

12. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs All costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO, the terms and conditions of the award, or the Preparedness Grants Manual. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered, within the period of performance of the award. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h) (referring to budget periods, which for FEMA awards under this program is the same as the period of performance).

Federal funds made available through this award may be used for the purpose set forth in this NOFO, the Preparedness Grants Manual, and the terms and conditions of the award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Award funds may not be used for matching funds for any other federal awards, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory https://portal.fema.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/famsVuWeb/home https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal Government or any other government entity. See the Preparedness Grants Manual for more information on funding restrictions and allowable costs.

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services Recipients and subrecipients of FEMA federal financial assistance are subject to the prohibitions described in section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019 NDAA), Pub. L. No. 115-232 (2018) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.326, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200. Beginning August 13, 2020, the statute – as it applies to FEMA recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors and subcontractors – prohibits obligating or expending federal award funds on certain telecommunications and video surveillance products and contracting with certain entities for national security reasons.

For additional guidance, please refer to Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services (Interim).

Effective August 13, 2020, FEMA recipients and subrecipients may not use any FEMA funds under open or new awards to:

(1) Procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a…