FIFA World Cup Grant Program NOFO_Final_508.pdf

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

FIFA World Cup Grant Program

Fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and other criminal or noncriminal misconduct related to this program may be reported to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline. The toll-free numbers to call are 1 (800) 323-8603 and TTY 1 (844) 889-4357.

Contents

1. Basic Information A. Agency Name B. NOFO Title C. Announcement Type D. Funding Opportunity Number E. Assistance Listing Number F. Expected Total Funding G. Anticipated Number of Awards H. Expected Award Range I. Projected Application Start Date J. Projected Application End Date K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date L. Anticipated Award Date M. Projected Period of Performance Start Date N. Projected Period of Performance End Date O. Executive Summary P. Agency Contact

2. Eligibility A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types B. Project Type Eligibility C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties D. Maximum Number of Applications E. Additional Restrictions F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO G. Cost Sharing Requirement H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

3. Program Description A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History B. Goals and Objectives C. Program Rationale D. Federal Assistance Type E. Performance Measures and Targets F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

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G. General Funding Requirements H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs J. Pre-Award Costs K. Beneficiary Eligibility L. Participant Eligibility M. Authorizing Authority N. Appropriation Authority O. Budget Period P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services

4. Application Contents and Format A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers B. Application Content and Format C. Application Components D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information E. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines A. Address to Request Application Package B. Application Deadline C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline E. Effects of Missing the Deadline

6. Intergovernmental Review A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact

7. Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria B. Application Criteria C. Financial Integrity Criteria D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection F. Merit Review Process G. Final Selection

8. Award Notices A. Notice of Award B. Pass-Through Requirements C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs D. Obligation of Funds E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions C. Financial Reporting Requirements F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance H. Single Audit Report I. Monitoring and Oversight J. Program Evaluation K. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements

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L. Termination of Federal Award M. Best Practices N. Payment Information

10. Other Information A. Period of Performance Extension B. Other Information

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1. Basic Information A. Agency Name U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA)

B. NOFO Title FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP)

C. Announcement Type

Initial

D. Funding Opportunity Number

To be determined

E. Assistance Listing Number

97.160

F. Expected Total Funding

$625,000,000

G. Anticipated Number of Awards

9 awards

H. Expected Award Range

$32,000,000 – $74,000,000

I. Projected Application Start Date

10/28/2025

J. Projected Application End Date

12/05/2025 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date

12/18/2025

L. Anticipated Award Date

No later than January 30, 2026

M. Projected Period of Performance Start Date

07/04/2025

N. Projected Period of Performance End Date

08/31/2026

O. Executive Summary

The FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP), administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), provides $625 million in federal funding to enhance security and preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup events in the United States. This standalone grant program supports the safe execution of the largest sporting event in history, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, which is expected to attract over five million international visitors and generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity across 11 U.S. host cities over 38 days. The program addresses significant security challenges, with all 78 U.S.-

5 | P ag e based matches designated as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) I and II events, building on historical federal support for major events like the Olympics. The FWCGP makes funds available to the Host City Committee Task Forces through governor-designated State Administrative Agencies (SAA). To carry out the extensive security activities required to protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure across the host cities, strengthening them against potential terrorist attacks, the Host City Committee Task Force in each of the 11 host cities will then make subawards to local units of government.

P. Agency Contact a. Program Office Contact FEMA has assigned Preparedness Officers to each state for the FWCGP. If you are unsure who your Preparedness Officer is, please contact FEMA Grants News by phone at (800) 368-6498 or by email at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00

AM – 5:00 PM ET.

b. FEMA Grants News This channel provides general information on all FEMA grant programs and maintains a comprehensive database containing key personnel contact information at the federal, state, and local levels.

FEMA Grants News Team is reachable at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR (800) 368-6498, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division GPD’s Award Administration Division (AAD) provides support regarding financial matters and budgetary technical assistance. AAD can be contacted at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

d. FEMA Regional Offices FEMA Regional Offices also may provide fiscal support, including pre- and post-award administration and technical assistance. FEMA Regional Office contact information is available at https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts.

e. Civil Rights Consistent with Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination & Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the FEMA Office of Civil Rights is responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of federal civil rights obligations in connection with programs and services conducted by FEMA. They are reachable at FEMA- CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov.

mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov

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f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation The FEMA Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (OEHP) provides guidance and information about the EHP review process to FEMA programs and recipients and subrecipients. Send any inquiries regarding compliance for FEMA grant projects under this NOFO to FEMA-OEHP- NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov.

g. FEMA GO For technical assistance with the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system, please contact the FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.

h. Preparedness Grants Manual Recipients seeking guidance on policies and procedures for managing preparedness grants should reference the Preparedness Grants Manual at Preparedness Grants Manual. Only the portions of the Preparedness Grants Manual specifically referenced in this NOFO apply to this grant.

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types

Only the following entities or entity types are eligible to apply.

a. Applicants The SAA is the only entity eligible to submit FWCGP applications to

DHS/FEMA.

Funds will be awarded to SAAs in nine eligible states (California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri [on behalf of Missouri and Kansas], New Jersey [on behalf of New York and New Jersey], Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington), with a mandatory pass-through to the Host City Committee Task Forces within 45 days of receipt of funds by the SAA, to support security and preparedness activities. After release of funds, the SAA shall make 100% of the funds available to local or tribal governments within 45 days. Funds shall be distributed and the SAA must certify to FEMA that the pass-through is complete, listing amounts and recipients.

b. Subapplicants Subapplicants and subawards are allowed.

SAAs distribute FWCGP funds through subawards to the Host City Committee Task Force in each of the 11 host cities. The Host City Committee Task Force in each of the 11 host cities will then make subawards to local units of government. These organizations, called mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/manual

7 | P ag e subrecipients, use the funds for enhancing safety and security for the World Cup matches in their cities.

1. Subrecipient Eligibility

Under the FWCGP, FEMA provides funds to each state's SAA. The SAA will then subaward these funds to the 11 designated Host City Committee Task Forces in: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Dallas, TX;

Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; New York City/Northern New Jersey Area (East Rutherford, NJ);

Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara, CA); and Seattle, WA.

Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. § 611(b), the SAA is required to form or utilize an existing Planning Committee. This Planning Committee will include representation from the SAA; Urban Area(s) hosting the World Cup games; local or tribal government officials; emergency response providers, which shall include representatives of the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency managers; public health officials and other appropriate medical practitioners; individuals representing educational institutions, including elementary schools, community colleges, and other institutions of higher education; State and regional interoperable communications coordinators, as appropriate; State and major urban area fusion centers, as appropriate; and the Host City Committee Task Force.

FWCGP funding must be subawarded to the Host City Committee Task Force after written agreement is obtained from the Planning Committee, whose membership includes local units of government.

To satisfy the statutory pass-through requirements at 6 U.S.C. § 605(c), the Planning Committee will consent and confirm through a written document that the Host City Committee Task Force may receive subawards on behalf of the local government and that this satisfies the statutory pass-through requirement. The Host City Committee Task Force in each of the 11 host cities will then make subawards to local units of government. The Host City Committee Task Force may also make subawards to state agencies, such as law enforcement, emergency management, or public health agencies, to support security and preparedness activities for the FIFA World Cup.

However, state agencies may only use funds subawarded by the Host City Committee Task Force and cannot receive or use funds directly awarded to the state under this program. State agencies may also enter into interagency agreements with local government subrecipients to

8 | P ag e use funds subawarded to that government for allowable activities under this award.

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statues, polices, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

c. Impact on broader FEMA grant eligibility Receipt of funding under the FWCGP will not impact funding allocations or awards under any other FEMA grant program. Awards under programs such as the Homeland Security Grant Program, Transit Security Grant Program, Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, or the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program will be unaffected by any funding received under this program.

B. Project Type Eligibility

a. Unallowable Project Types See Section 3.F Program-Specific Unallowable Costs for more information on unallowable project types.

b. Allowable Project Types Allowable costs for the FWCGP generally fall into five main categories: planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises (POETE). All projects funded under the FWCGP must demonstrate a clear connection to building capabilities that safeguard FIFA World Cup events.

All costs must have a demonstrated nexus to achieving target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism in accordance with 6 U.S.C. 609(a) and 605(a). Funds may also be used in a manner that enhances preparedness for disasters unrelated to acts of terrorism, if such use assists such governments in achieving target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism, pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 609(c).

Please see Appendix A: Allowable Costs for more information on allowable costs. If there are questions about specific expenses, contact your FEMA Preparedness Officer.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

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, official, or leader of the recipient organization; and

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2. Authorized to apply for the award on behalf of the entity at the time of submission.

Additionally, the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must:

1. Be a current authorized employee, official, or leader of the recipient organization.

2. Use a unique email address associated with the recipient organization at the time of application and upon any change in assignment during the period of performance.

Consultants or contractors are not permitted to serve as the AOR of the recipient organization. For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the AOR, refer to FEMA's guidance on Roles and Permissions.

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statutes, policies, and procedures, including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

Subapplicants/subrecipients must submit short biographies and resumes. This should include the type of entity, organizational leadership, and board members along with both the names and addresses of the individuals. Resumes are subject to approval.

D. Maximum Number of Applications

The maximum number of applications that can be submitted is:

1. One per applicable SAA

E. Additional Restrictions

Applicants/subapplicants or recipients/subrecipients are required to certify their compliance with federal statutes, DHS directives, polices, and procedures. Under the FWCGP, there are specific funding guidelines / requirements for allocating funds:

a. Pass-Through Requirements Awards made to the SAA for the FWCGP carry additional mandated pass-through requirements. Pass-through is defined as an obligation on the part of the SAA to make funds available to identified subrecipients. FWCGP funding must be subawarded to the Host City Committee Task Force after a written agreement is obtained from the Planning Committee, as described in Section 2.A.b.1 Subapplicant Eligibility.

F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Responsiveness Review Criteria” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_fema-go-aor-and-sar-roles_042025.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_fema-go-aor-and-sar-roles_042025.pdf

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3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. FEMA may/will request financial information such as Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) and bank information as part of the potential award selection. This will apply to everyone prospered, including subrecipients.

G. Cost Sharing Requirement

There is no cost share requirement.

H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions

Not applicable.

I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example

Not applicable.

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

Not applicable.

3. Program Description

A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History The FWCGP is a new standalone grant program designed to provide targeted funding to enhance security and preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup events hosted in the United States. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is comprised of 78 U.S.-based matches across 11 cities in the United States with an anticipated five million international visitors attending throughout the competition. The scale of the event poses significant security challenges. DHS has designated the 78 U.S.-based matches as SEAR I and II events, highlighting elevated risks. This program supports increases in training and readiness exercises, staff background checks, cybersecurity defense, as well as increased police and emergency response for FIFA venues, hotels, transportation hubs, and other critical infrastructure.

The Federal Government has historically provided financial support for large-scale, high-risk events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 1984, 1996, and 2002. Considering recent threats to similar events, DHS/FEMA is making $625 million in federal resources available through the FWCGP to the 11 Host City Committee Task Forces to address the heightened risk the World Cup matches represent. These Task Forces will collaborate throughout with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026.

B. Goals and Objectives The FWCGP will provide the 11 U.S.-based FIFA World Cup Host City Committee Task Forces with Federal resources to aid Host Cities in implementing the necessary security measures and strengthen capabilities required for this series of 78 high-risk events. FWCGP funds will enhance the ability of local law enforcement, emergency responders, and public safety officials to prepare for, protect against, and respond to threats and emergencies during the World Cup matches.

C. Program Rationale The FIFA World Cup in 2026 represents a series of high-risk events, occurring nationwide and drawing at least five million spectators. Attendees will include the general public, players, and multiple heads of state and other foreign dignitaries. Considering the significant risk posed by

11 | P ag e the 2026 FIFA World Cup, President Trump signed Executive Order 14234, Establishing the White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026 to “assist in the planning, organization, and execution of the events surrounding the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup.” In support of this effort, DHS/FEMA is offering the FWCGP to provide the Host City Committee Task Forces in the 11 host cities with $625 million for security and planning related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Investments under this program will include projects that build, sustain, and deliver the capabilities needed to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to safety concerns during and related to the FIFA World Cup events.

The stated goals, objectives and priorities of the FWCGP fully support Executive Order 14234, Establishing the White House Task Force On The FIFA World Cup 2026.

D. Federal Assistance Type Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets

1. Number of FWCGP-funded operational overtime hours tracked and reported by the recipient in support of security and public safety operations for FIFA World Cup-related planning and event execution.

2. Number of DHS/FEMA-sponsored and approved Training Sessions completed for law enforcement, emergency responders, and security personnel using FWCGP funds.

3. Number of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)-compliant Exercises completed for law enforcement, emergency responders, and security personnel using FWCGP funds.

4. Number of FWCGP-funded Emergency Response Teams deployed to FIFA venues, hotels, and transportation hubs.

5. The number of security incidents successfully managed or mitigated during the World Cup events.

6. Collect feedback from international visitors, FIFA officials, and local stakeholders on the overall security and preparedness of the events.

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs Per FEMA policy and published in Information Bulletin No. 530, the purchase of weapons and weapons accessories, including ammunition, is not allowed with FWCGP funds. Grant funds may not be used for the purchase of the following equipment: firearms; ammunition; grenade launchers; bayonets; or weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind with weapons installed. (For the purposes of this NOFO, “weaponized aircraft” refers to any aircraft, manned or unmanned, that is equipped with, or designed to deliver, weapons or munitions. Non-weaponized aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems( (UAS) used for monitoring, surveillance, or data collection are not prohibited, unless otherwise specified. Requests for technologies with dual-use or mitigation functions that may fall into a gray area should be submitted to FEMA for pre-approval and justification.)

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/establishing-the-white-house-task-force-on-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/establishing-the-white-house-task-force-on-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_recission_of_prohibited-controlled_equipment_policy_information_bulletin.pdf

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Unauthorized exercise-related costs include:

• Reimbursement for the maintenance or wear and tear costs of general use vehicles (e.g., construction vehicles), medical supplies, and emergency response apparatus (e.g., fire trucks, ambulances); and

• Equipment that is purchased for permanent installation and/or use, beyond the scope of the conclusion of the exercise (e.g., electronic messaging sign).

FWCGP funds may not be used to support the hiring of sworn public safety officers for purposes of fulfilling traditional public safety duties or to supplant traditional public safety positions and responsibilities (6 U.S.C. § 609(b)(1)(A)). However, funds may be spent for operational overtime costs and surge personnel. The SAA, on behalf of the Host City Committee Task Force, must submit operational overtime requests in writing to its assigned FEMA Headquarters Preparedness Officer (see Appendix B for additional information on operational overtime costs).

FEMA will consider requests for activities in advance. However, such requests must be within the award’s current period of performance and must not result in the need for a request to extend the period of performance.

Requests must address the threat environment as it relates to the event or activity requiring operational overtime support and explain how the overtime activity is responsive to the threat.

• Request letters sent to FEMA must be UNCLASSIFIED but may be labeled “For Official

Use Only.” If explaining the threat will require the sharing of classified information, the letter should state that fact. FEMA will then plan for the sharing of classified information through official channels;

• Post-event operational overtime requests will only be considered on a case-by-case basis, where it is demonstrated that exigent circumstances prevented submission of a request in advance of the event or activity;

• Under no circumstances may FEMA grant funding be used to pay for costs already supported by funding from another federal source;

• FEMA will consult and coordinate with appropriate DHS components as necessary to verify information used to support operational overtime requests.

As directed by Section 2008(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (codified as amended at 6 U.S.C. § 609(b)(2)), FWCGP recipients and subrecipients may not use more than 50% of their total award amount to pay for personnel activities unless a waiver is approved by FEMA.

Recognizing that 94% of these funds will be used to support operational overtime activities, when a state submits a grant application indicating that more than 50% of the funding will be allocated to personnel costs, FEMA will treat the grant application as a formal request for a waiver of the 50% limitation. FEMA’s subsequent awarding of the grant will constitute approval of the waiver. A separate waiver request will not be necessary.

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G. General Funding Requirements Costs charged to federal awards (including federal and non-federal cost share funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h).

Recipients may not use federal funds or any cost share funds for the following activities:

1. Matching or cost sharing requirements for other federal grants and cooperative agreements (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306).

2. Lobbying or other prohibited activities under 18 U.S.C § 1913 or 2 C.F.R. § 200.450.

3. Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity (see 2

C.F.R. § 200.435).

H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) Indirect costs (IDC) are allowed for recipients and subrecipients. IDCs are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to specific cost objectives without disproportionate effort. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement, but are required to develop an IDC rate proposal, must provide a copy of their proposal with their applications. Applicants without a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an IDC rate proposal must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. As it relates to the IDC for subrecipients, a recipient must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.332 and 200.414 in approving the IDC rate for subawards.

I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs Subrecipients may use up to 5% of the funding passed through by the state specifically for M&A related to the FWCGP award.

M&A costs are not overhead costs but are necessary direct costs incurred in direct support of the federal award or as a consequence of it, such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries of full/part-time staff in direct support of the program. As such, M&A costs can be itemized in financial reports.

J. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are defined as costs incurred by the applicant prior to the start date of the period of performance of the federal award and are allowable only with the prior written approval of DHS/FEMA and as included in the award agreement. To request pre-award costs, a written request must be included with the application and signed by the AOR of the entity. The letter must outline what the pre-award costs are for, including a detailed budget break-out of pre-award costs from the post-award costs, and a justification for approval. For more information, please contact your assigned FEMA Headquarters Preparedness Officer.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-1999-title18-section1913&num=0&edition=1999 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

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K. Beneficiary Eligibility There are no program requirements. This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

L. Participant Eligibility This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant.

M. Authorizing Authority Section 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-296, as amended) (6 U.S.C.

§ 605).

N. Appropriation Authority Section 90005(a)(1)(B) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-21).

O. Budget Period There will be only a single budget period with the same start and end dates as the period of performance.

P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services See the Preparedness Grants Manual Section 3.2.3, which is incorporated by reference into this NOFO, for information on prohibitions on expending funds on covered telecommunications and surveillance equipment and services.

4. Application Contents and Format

A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers

B. Application Content and Format

C. Application Components The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The Standard Forms (SF) are also available at Forms | Grants.gov.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

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

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information Start by visiting Grants.gov and searching for the FWCGP posting. Once you find the posting, go to the Related Documents tab to download the necessary templates. Fill out these forms carefully, ensuring all information is accurate and clearly labeled. Save the completed forms as Adobe PDF files. Finally, log in to FEMA GO and upload the PDFs as part of your application.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291 https://www.grants.gov/forms

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a. Investment Justification Development Each Investment Justification begins with an overview that aligns the proposed investments with the program's goals.

1. Investments: Each investment represents a strategic area of focus and should include:

• Investment Name: A clear title that reflects the focus area.

• Description: An explanation of how the investment supports planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises.

• Alignment: Identification of goals and objectives that the investment supports.

2. Projects: Each investment contains one or more projects detailing specific activities. For each project, the Investment Justification requires:

• Project Name and Description: A concise title and summary of the project's purpose and activities.

• Subrecipient Information: Details about any subrecipients involved, including their names and whether they are state or local entities.

• Location: The primary location's zip code where the project will be implemented.

• Shareability and Deployability: Information on whether the project's activities can be shared with or deployed to other jurisdictions.

3. Funding Details: The Investment Justification must specify the funding amount for each investment and project, ensuring alignment with program guidelines.

4. Capability Gaps and Outcomes: Applicants should describe existing capability levels, identify gaps the investment intends to address, and outline the expected outcomes and improvements resulting from the proposed projects.

The following program-specific forms or information are required to be submitted in FEMA GO:

• FEMA GO – Web based Summary of Grant Request Details

• FEMA GO – Detailed Budgets (web based)

E. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines A. Address to Request Application Package Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

Steps Required to Apply for An Award Under This Program and Submit an Application:

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and EIN from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

https://go.fema.gov/

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c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

e. Register in FEMA GO, add the organization to the system, and establish the Authorized

Organizational Representative (AOR). The organization’s electronic business point of contact (eBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607;

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

g. 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.

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(a)(2)(iv) if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from obtaining an UEI number and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible. Contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.govand provide the details of the exigent circumstances.

How to Register to Apply:

General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Below are instructions for registering to apply for FEMA funds. Read the instructions carefully and prepare the requested information before beginning the registration process. Gathering the required information before starting the 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 a UEI number, EIN, and an active SAM registration.

Obtain a UEI Number:

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.

Obtain Employer Identification Number:

In addition to having a UEI number, all entities applying for funding must provide an 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.

https://www.login.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov https://sam.gov/content/home 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

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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 at:

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd.

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For existing SAM users, use the same email address for both login.gov and 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.

Register with SAM:

In addition to having a UEI number, all organizations must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through FEMA GO. SAM registration must be renewed annually and must remain active throughout the entire grant life cycle.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to: Register with SAM

Note: 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 past three years, if applicable.

Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

Applicants must register in FEMA GO and add their organization to the system. The organization’s electronic business point of contact (eBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see FEMA GO Startup Guide

Note: FEMA GO will support only the most recent major release of the following browsers:

• Google Chrome;

• Mozilla Firefox;

• Apple Safari; and

• Microsoft Edge.

Applicants using tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA

GO.

Submitting the Final Application:

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information, and any program-specific information required. Standard Forms (SF) may be accessed in the Forms tab under the:

SF-424 Family | Grants.gov.

Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they are providing all required information.

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.200 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema-go_startup-guide.pdf https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

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After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message, or an email to the submitting AOR confirming the transmission was successfully received.

B. Application Deadline 12/05/2025 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline

E. Effects of Missing the Deadline All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of submission and generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives an application. The submitting AOR will receive via email the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number to serve as proof of timely submission prior to the application deadline.

Applicants experiencing system-related issues have until 3:00 PM ET on the date applications are due to notify FEMA. No new system-related issues will be addressed after this deadline.

Applications not received by the application submission deadline will not be accepted.

6. Intergovernmental Review A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372.

7. Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria The SAA is the sole entity authorized to submit FWCGP applications to FEMA on behalf of the subrecipients. This section highlights the specific criteria that determine ineligibility, ensuring applicants understand and adhere to the program’s requirements.

a. Entities Ineligible to Apply for and Receive FWCGP Funding Directly from FEMA

• Non-SAA Organization - SAAs are the only eligible applicants to submit FWCGP applications to FEMA.

• Unaffiliated or Unauthorized Representatives - Applications submitted by individuals who are not current employees, personnel, or authorized representatives of the applicant organization (e.g., consultants or contractors acting on behalf of an organization) will be deemed ineligible.

• Direct Applications by Tribal Governments - Tribal governments cannot directly apply for FWCGP funding. However, they may receive funding as subrecipients through their state’s SAA.

https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf

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b. Ineligible Projects

• Projects that do not align with the purposes of the FWCGP, including those that fail to demonstrate a clear nexus to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism.

• Activities not permitted under the FWCGP guidance or that do not meet criteria for allowable costs as outlined in Appendix A of this NOFO.

c. Non-Compliance with Federal Requirements

• Failure to submit a complete and accurate application by the deadline.

• Applications missing required documentation or information, such as an active registration in SAM.gov or compliance with UEI requirements.

• Entities with a history of non-compliance with federal statutes, regulations, or program requirements that impact eligibility for federal funding.

B. Application Criteria Not Applicable.

C. Financial Integrity Criteria Before making an award, FEMA is required to review OMB-designated databases for applicants’ eligibility and financial integrity information. This is required by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116-117, § 2 (2020)), 41 U.S.C. § 2313, and the “Do Not Pay Initiative” (31 U.S.C. 3354). For more details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

Thus, the Financial Integrity Criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

1. Financial stability.

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

3. History of performance in managing federal award.

4. Reports and findings from audits.

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

D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review Before making an award expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently a total federal share of $250,000) over the period of performance:

1. FEMA is required by 41 U.S.C. § 2313: to review or consider certain information found in SAM.gov. For details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206(a)(2).

2. An applicant may review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

3. Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 C.F.R. § 200.206, FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant.

E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection The FWCGP applications will be reviewed through a two-phase state and federal review process for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, feasibility, and how well the project descriptions and justifications addresses the identified risk(s).

https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/41/2313 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title41-section2313&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206

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a. State Review The SAA is the sole entity authorized to submit FWCGP applications to FEMA on behalf of the subrecipients. The SAA reviews subaward applications to ensure they meet the legal, financial, and programmatic requirements set forth by FEMA and the state's guidelines before submitting on behalf of the state to DHS/FEMA. As part of the review for the FWCGP, the SAA must:

• Conduct an eligibility review;

• Coordinate with the Host City Committee Task Force(s), then prioritize projects that align with the NOFO requirements;

• Submit Investment Justifications that are recommended for funding to DHS/FEMA; and,

• Submit all Investment Justifications received and not recommended for funding, including incomplete Investment Justifications and Investment Justifications from subapplicants deemed ineligible to DHS/FEMA.

b. Federal Review All proposed investments will undergo a federal review by DHS/FEMA to ensure compliance with all administrative and eligibility criteria identified in the NOFO. The Federal Reviewers will check each proposed investment for the following:

• Eligibility, feasibility, and alignment with the application criteria listed in this NOFO; and

• Compliance with SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants (SAFECOM Guidance).

F. Merit Review Process FWCGP applications are reviewed first by the SAA for completeness, eligibility, and alignment with program priorities. All applications are then reviewed by federal reviewers for compliance with programmatic, legal, and financial requirements. Reviewers use qualitative criteria to assess each application’s feasibility and alignment with FWCGP objectives. No formal numerical or weighted scoring system is used; any internal scoring is advisory only and does not serve as the basis for selection or funding levels. Final funding decisions are made by the Secretary of Homeland Security, taking into account risk, subject-matter expert input, project feasibility, and national priorities.

G. Final Selection The Secretary of Homeland Security makes the final funding decisions, considering risk assessments, subject-matter expert input, and project feasibility, while also ensuring alignment with national priorities and compliance with legal, financial, and policy guidelines for strategic allocation of funds.

8. Award Notices

A. Notice of Award The Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) should carefully read the federal award package before accepting. The federal award package includes instructions on administering the federal award, as well as terms and conditions for the award.

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By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the prerequisites stated in this NOFO and the material terms and conditions of the federal award, should they receive an award.

FEMA will provide the federal award package to the applicant electronically via FEMA GO.

Award packages include an Award Letter, Summary Award Memo, Agreement Articles, and Obligating Document. An award package notification email is sent via the grant application system to the submitting AOR.

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 60 days from the award date. Recipients shall notify FEMA of their intent to accept the award and proceed with work via the FEMA GO system.

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award via FEMA GO and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied, or until the award is otherwise rescinded. Failure to accept a grant award within the specified timeframe may result in a loss of funds.

B. Pass-Through Requirements Under the FWCGP, SAAs must pass 100% of funding to the 11 Host City Committee Task Forces. To satisfy the statutory pass through requirements at 6 U.S.C. § 605(c), the state-led Planning Committee as required in 6 U.S.C. § 611(b), which will include representation from local governments and the Host City Committee Task Force in the state, will consent and confirm through a written document that the Host City Committee Task Force may receive subawards on behalf of the local government and that this satisfies the statutory pass through requirement.

States must pass through 100% of funds to the Host City Committee Task Forces within 45 days after receipt of funds. FEMA interprets “receipt of funds” as the date FEMA releases any holds in FEMA GO. Funds must be distributed unconditionally, and the SAA must certify to FEMA that the pass-through is complete, listing amounts and recipients.

C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs Even if pre-award costs are allowed, beginning performance is at the applicant and/or sub-applicant’s own risk.

D. Obligation of Funds Funds are obligated upon award.

E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants FEMA informs the SAA about unsuccessful subrecipients or projects under the FWCGP at the time of the award.