Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program_508.pdf

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board 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. Administrative Allowance 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 Components C. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information D. 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. Review and Selection Process 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 D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements E. Closeout Reporting Requirements F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance

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H. Single Audit Report I. Monitoring and Oversight J. Program Evaluation K. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements L. Termination of Federal Award

8. Effects of Suspension and Termination M. Best Practices N. Payment Information Submission Process O. Immigration Conditions

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), Office of Response and Recovery (ORR)/Recovery Directorate/Individual Assistance Division

B. NOFO Title Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program

C. Announcement Type

Initial

D. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-25-DAD-024-00-99

E. Assistance Listing Number

97.024

F. Expected Total Funding

$117,000,000.00

G. Anticipated Number of Awards

1 award

H. Expected Award Range

$117,000,000.00

I. Projected Application Start Date

8/1/2025 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)

J. Projected Application End Date

8/15/2025 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date

Not applicable.

L. Anticipated Award Date

No later than September 15, 2025

M. Projected Period of Performance Start Date

10/01/2025

N. Projected Period of Performance End Date

9/30/2027

O. Executive Summary

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) supplements the work of local social service organizations within the United States and its territories, both public and nonprofit, to help people in need of emergency assistance. The program serves more than 2,500 local jurisdictions that convene Local Boards, helping to fund approximately 10,000 to 12,000 public and nonprofit Local Recipient Organizations (LRO).

By statute, EFSP is governed by a National Board that sets the program’s policies and procedures and determines funding allocations to local communities across the country as well as eligible

5 | P a g e uses of the funds. FEMA chairs the National Board, with membership that includes individuals nominated by six national nonprofit organizations named in the statute: American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide.

P. Agency Contact

a. Program Office Contact Recovery Directorate, Individual Assistance Division 500 C Street, SW, Sixth Floor Washington, DC 20742-3100

(202) 646-2500 EFSP@fema.dhs.gov

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 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 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. 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.

e. 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.

f. FEMA GO mailto:EFSP@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov

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For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the FEMA GO Helpdesk at FEMAGO@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585- 3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET.

g. Payment Information

FEMA uses the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) method of payment to recipients. Payment requests are submitted through FEMA GO.

2. Eligibility A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types

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

a. Applicants The National Board is the sole eligible recipient of federal funds for

EFSP.

b. Subapplicants Not applicable.

See Section 2.E Additional Restrictions below.

B. Project Type Eligibility

Not applicable.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

Not applicable.

D. Maximum Number of Applications

E. Additional Restrictions

EFSP is administered at the community level. By statute, the National Board sets the program’s policies and procedures and designates localities (which are cities and counties in need) to constitute Local Boards for the purpose of determining how program funds allocated to the locality will be distributed. Local Boards and State Set-Aside Committees (SSA) determine which LROs within their jurisdictions are to be awarded funds and the National Board disburses the funds directly to the LROs.

LROs are the primary subrecipients of EFSP grant funding. Local Boards and SSAs may receive EFSP administrative funds and thus also are subrecipients.

mailto:FEMAGO@fema.dhs.gov

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Organizations that receive EFSP funds from the National Board are subject to guidance issued by the National Board (see EFSP Website).

Applicants/subapplicants or recipients/subrecipients are required to certify their compliance with federal statutes, DHS directives, policies, and procedures.

F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Not applicable.

G. Cost Sharing Requirement

There is no cost share requirement.

H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions

I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example

Not applicable.

J. Required Information for Verifying Cost Share

3. Program Description A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History EFSP was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the Job Stimulus Bill, Pub. L.

No. 98-8. Congress was reacting to demands from charitable organizations across the country to help supplement local food and shelter providers dealing with increasing demand for their services. Later, EFSP was authorized under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Pub. L. No. 100-77, signed into law on July 22, 1987, and subsequently reauthorized under Pub. L. No. 100-628, signed into law on November 7, 1988). Pub. L. No. 106-400, enacted October 30, 2000, renamed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Generally, Congress funds EFSP through annual appropriation acts.

B. Goals and Objectives Funds made available under this notice will supplement the work of local social service organizations within the United States and the U.S. territories, both public and nonprofit, to help people in need of emergency food and shelter assistance. In accordance with the authorizing statute, grants to the National Board may be used:

(1) to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services for homeless individuals with sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes, and attention to the special needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illnesses, and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits;

https://www.efsp.unitedway.org/efsp/website/index.cfm

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(2) to strengthen efforts to create more effective and innovative local programs by providing funding for them; and

(3) to conduct minimum rehabilitation of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities, but only to the extent necessary to make facilities safe, sanitary, and bring them into compliance with local building codes.

The National Board, by statute, determines goals, objectives, and priorities for the program and allocates funding to local communities accordingly to fulfill the statutory purpose of the funds.

C. Program Rationale EFSP assists people with emergency economic needs such as food and shelter to stabilize and become self-reliant.

D. Federal Assistance Type Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets The National Board, by statute, determines goals, objectives, and priorities for the program and allocates funding to local communities accordingly to fulfill the statutory purpose of the funds.

The following are units of measure for activities allowed by the statutory purpose of the funds:

(1) nights of lodging and meals provided with EFSP funds;

(2) number of effective and innovative local programs created with EFSP funds; and

(3) number of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities minimally rehabilitated to make them safe, sanitary, and bring them into compliance with local building codes.

Information regarding these measures will be provided by the National Board in accordance with Section 9.D.3.

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs Organizations that receive EFSP funds from the National Board are subject to guidance issued by the National Board (see EFSP Website).

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.

https://www.efsp.unitedway.org/efsp/website/index.cfm 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://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450

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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 are NOT allowed.

I. Administrative Allowance Costs of administration are allowable under the authorizing statute for the program. See McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11344.

The National Board may use up to 3.5 percent of the total amount of the award for its administrative costs, and the National Board may assign a portion of its administrative allowance for subrecipient management and administration. However, the combined total of funds retained by the National Board and the amount assigned to subrecipients for administrative costs shall not exceed 3.5 percent of the total award.

All travel charged to the administrative allowance, whether by or on behalf of the National Board in direct support of the grant or by subrecipients, must comply with 2 C.F.R. § 200.475 -- Travel costs.

J. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are allowable only with the prior written approval of FEMA and if they are included in the award agreement. To request pre-award costs, a written request must be included with the application and signed by the Authorized Representative of the National Board. The written request 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.

K. Beneficiary Eligibility

The intent of EFSP is for the purchase of food and shelter, to supplement and expand current available resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services or to start new programs. EFSP is a needs-based program for which clients (beneficiaries) must qualify. The National Board does not set client eligibility criteria although Local Boards may choose to set such criteria. Per 42 U.S.C. § 11343 (a)(1), funds should be used with sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes, attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits. 42 U.S.C. § 11301(b)(3) places special emphasis on elderly persons, people with disabilities, families with children, Indian tribal members, and veterans.

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

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-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.475 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.475 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section11343&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjQyIHNlY3Rpb246MTEzMzEgZWRpdGlvbjpwcmVsaW0p%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section11343&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjQyIHNlY3Rpb246MTEzMzEgZWRpdGlvbjpwcmVsaW0p%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1994-title42-section11301&num=0&edition=1994 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1994-title42-section11301&num=0&edition=1994 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1994-title42-section11301&num=0&edition=1994

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L. Participant Eligibility

M. Authorizing Authority Section 311 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (Pub. L. No. 100-77, as amended) (42 U.S.C. § 11341)

Appropriation Authority Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-4), Title VII, Department of Homeland Security

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

O. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services Recipients, sub-recipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must comply with the prohibitions set forth in Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which restrict the purchase of covered telecommunications and surveillance equipment and services. Please see 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and FEMA Policy #405-143-1 - Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services for more information.

4. Application Contents and Format A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers Not applicable.

Application Content and Format

Electronic submission via FEMA GO is required.

B. Application Components The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO (the Standard Forms (SF) are 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

C. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information The following program-specific forms or information are required to be submitted in FEMA GO:

• Α detailed budget that outlines planned or expected use of the National Board’s administrative allowance by budget object code, including amounts or percentages the https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.grants.gov/forms

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National Board plans to assign to Local Boards and State Set-Aside Committees as allowed in Section 3.I.

• A budget narrative that:

o Describes the National Board’s methodology for charging administrative expenses to the administrative allowances for all open awards, including those for humanitarian relief (i.e., prorate against all open awards, first-in-first-out, etc.);

o Includes position descriptions for all positions charged to the grant, the positions’ roles in supporting the grant, and the percentage of time the positions dedicate to the grant; and o Describes how the amounts charged to the administrative allowance under the annual fee agreement with United Way Worldwide (e.g., rent, information technology, accounting/HR services, management services) by the National Board’s secretariat and fiscal agent are determined.

D. 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 from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

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. 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.

https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.login.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607

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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.gov and 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 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and an active System for Award Management (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 Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

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:

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 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

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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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

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

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 08/15/25 5:00 p.m. ET

C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

E. Effects of Missing the Deadline https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://usfema-my.sharepoint.com/personal/0847369848_fema_dhs_gov/Documents/Desktop/Final%20Version%20NOFO%20Template%20&User%20Guide/FEMA%20Version/FEMA%20Version%20template/FY%2025%20NOFO%20Template%20-%20FEMA%20Version%20-.docx https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FEMA-GO-startup-guide-3.0_112021.pdf https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

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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 p.m. 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 is not required.

7. Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria Not applicable.

B. Application Criteria In accordance with EFSP’s authorizing statute, the National Board is the only eligible applicant for EFSP funds and FEMA is required to award the full amount appropriated by Congress to the National Board. However, the National Board must meet all the application requirements set forth in this notice before EFSP funds are awarded.

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.

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

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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. Review and Selection Process In accordance with EFSP’s authorizing statute, the National Board is the only eligible applicant for EFSP funds and FEMA is required to award the full amount appropriated by Congress to the National Board. Prior to awarding the funds, FEMA will review the application for completeness and reasonableness to ensure the National Board meets all application requirements set forth in this NOFO.

F. Merit Review Process Not applicable.

G. Final Selection Not applicable.

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

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 45 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 The National Board must disburse award funds before the expiration of the 3-month period beginning on the date the funds became available to it. See McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11345. For purposes of EFSP, disbursed means allocated to local jurisdictions and SSAs by the National Board after the National Board gathers and uses the most recent national population, unemployment, and poverty data to develop and use formulas or some other mechanism(s) to identify and select jurisdictions of highest need for food and shelter

16 | P a g e assistance; determines the amount to be distributed to each; and notifies those qualifying jurisdictions of that amount.

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 Not applicable.

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Presidential Executive Orders Recipients must comply with the requirements of Presidential Executive Orders related to grants (also known as federal assistance and financial assistance), the full text of which are incorporated by reference.

In accordance with Executive Order 14305, Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty (June 6, 2025), and to the extent allowed by law, eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial grant recipients under this NOFO are permitted to purchase unmanned aircraft systems, otherwise known as drones, or equipment or services for the detection, tracking, or identification of drones and drone signals, consistent with the legal authorities of state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies. Recipients must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and adhere to any statutory requirements on the use of federal funds for such unmanned aircraft systems, equipment, or services.

Subrecipient Monitoring and Management Pass-through entities must comply with the requirements for subrecipient monitoring and management as set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.331-333.

Federal Award Specific Terms and Conditions:

1. The National Board must update its guidance for the program regularly (i.e., annually) and post it to EFSP Website.

2. The authorizing statute for EFSP at 42 U.S.C. § 11342 allows the National Board to retain interest earned on the balance of any grant for reallocation; however, that allowance does not apply to subrecipients and any interest earned by subrecipients must be returned to the National Board. Funds, including returned funds, interest earned by the National Board, and interest earned by subrecipients, may only be reallocated by the National Board while the National Board’s POP for the grant is open and may only be reallocated within the original/earning grant. Any funds, including returned funds and interest earned, not reallocated by the National Board while its POP is open must be returned to FEMA.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section11342&num=0&edition=prelim#:%7E:text=Interest%20accrued%20on%20the%20balance%20of%20any%20grant,private%20contributions%20that%20are%20made%20to%20the%20National

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B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions A recipient under this funding opportunity must comply with the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions in effect as of the date of the federal award. The DHS Standard Terms and Conditions are available online: DHS Standard Terms and Conditions | Homeland Security.

For continuation awards, the terms and conditions for the initial federal award will apply unless otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of the continuation award. The specific version of the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions applicable to the federal award will be in the federal award package.

A recipient under this funding opportunity must comply with the FY 2025 Department of Homeland Security Standard Terms and Conditions, v. 3 (Apr. 18, 2025), with the exception Paragraph C.IX (Communication and Cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Officials) and paragraph C.XVII(2)(a)(iii) (Anti-Discrimination Grant Award Certification regarding immigration). Paragraphs C.IX and C.XVII(2)(a)(iii) do not apply to any federal award under this funding opportunity. The FY 2025 Department of Homeland Security Standard Terms and Conditions, v. 3 (Apr. 18, 2025) are available at www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions.

C. Financial Reporting Requirements

1. Recipients must report obligations and expenditures through a federal financial report.

The Federal Financial Report (FFR), also known as Standard Form 425 (SF-425), is available online at: SF-425 OMB #4040-0014.

2. Recipients must submit the FFR quarterly within 30 calendar days after the end of each full reporting period following acceptance of the award and throughout the period of performance (POP).

3. The FFR must be submitted through FEMA GO.

4. FEMA may withhold future federal awards and cash payments if the recipient does not submit timely FFRs or the FFRs submitted demonstrate lack of progress or provide insufficient detail.

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

Reporting Period Report Due Date October 1 – December 31 January 30

January 1 – March 31 April 30 April 1 – June 30 July 30

July 1 – September 30 October 30

D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

1. A Programmatic Performance Report (PPR) must be submitted quarterly within 30 calendar days after the end of each full reporting period following acceptance of the award and throughout the POP.

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF425a_2_0-V2.0.pdf

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2. The PPR must be submitted through FEMA GO.

3. Recognizing that not all activities occur every quarter, the following information shall be reported in the quarterly PPR (for the quarter and cumulatively for the grant):

National Board Activities

• Total number of jurisdictions (counties or cities) and SSAs allocated funding;

• Total allocation amount to each jurisdiction and SSA;

• Total number and dollar amount of allocations not claimed or accepted within 90 days;

• Total number of Local Board and SSA plans received by the initial submission deadline;

• Total number of Local Board and SSA plans not received by the initial submission deadline;

• Total number of Local Board and SSA plans approved;

• Total number of Local Boards and SSAs determined to be non-operational;

• Total number of Local Boards and SSAs re-established;

• Name and total award to each LRO;

• Total number of awarded LROs;

• Total funds paid to LROs;

• Total number of interim reports/second payment requests received;

• Total funds reclaimed for reallocation to other jurisdictions or SSAs in need;

• Total funds approved for reallocation;

• Average time for National Board to 1) reclaim and 2) reallocate funds;

• Total number of final reports received from funded jurisdictions and SSAs;

• Total number of final reports reconciled;

• Total number of compliance issues requiring resolution and total number resolved; and

• Any other relevant information as determined by the National Board.

Provision of Services by Subrecipients Before final reports are received report total estimated expenditures for:

• Other Foods and Served Meals

• Other Shelter

• Rent/Mortgage

• Utilities Assistance

After final reports are received report:

• Number of meals provided;

• Number of nights of lodging provided;

• Number of rent/mortgage payments made;

• Number of utility payments made;

• Number of effective and innovative local programs created with EFSP funds;

• Number of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities minimally rehabilitated to make them safe, sanitary, and bring them into compliance with local building codes; and

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• Number(s) of other eligible service(s), as determined by the National Board.

Administrative Allowance Expenditures

• Expenditures by the National Board of its administrative allowance by the following budget cost categories:

o Personnel o Fringe Benefits o Travel o Equipment o Supplies o Contractual

• Total amount of the administrative allowance assigned to 1) Local Boards and 2) SSAs as allowed in Section 3.I.

Accomplishments A narrative shall be provided with each quarterly PPR reporting the overall accomplishments in the quarter and the impacts of those accomplishments. The narrative shall also include a summary of any trips undertaken during the quarter and describe observations made and recommendations resulting from the trip.

4. The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the quarterly PPR:

Reporting Period Report Due Date

October 1 – December 31 January 30 January 1 – March 31 April 30

April 1 – June 30 July 30 July 1 – September 30 October 30

E. Closeout Reporting Requirements Within 120 calendar days after the end of the period of performance, or after an amendment has been issued to close out a federal award, recipients must submit the following:

1. The final request for payment, if applicable.

2. The final FFR including National Board Activities, Provision of Services by

Subrecipients, and Administrative Allowance Expenditures as described in Section 9.D.

above and a qualitative narrative summary detailing all accomplishments and the impact of those accomplishments.

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

After FEMA approves these reports, it will issue a closeout notice. The notice will indicate the period of performance as closed, list any remaining funds to be de-obligated, and address the record maintenance requirement. Unless a longer period applies, such as due to an audit or litigation, for equipment or real property used beyond the period of performance, or due to other

20 | P a g e circumstances outlined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.334, this maintenance requirement is three years from the date of the final FFR.

Also, pass-through entities are responsible for closing out those subawards as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.344; subrecipients are still required to submit closeout materials within 90 calendar days of the subaward period of performance end date. When a subrecipient completes all closeout requirements, pass-through entities must promptly complete all closeout actions in time for the recipient to submit all necessary documentation and information to FEMA during the closeout of their prime award. The recipient is responsible for returning any balances of unobligated or unliquidated funds that have been drawn down that are not authorized to be retained per 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(e).

Administrative Closeout Administrative closeout is a mechanism for FEMA to unilaterally execute closeout of an award.

FEMA will use available award information in lieu of final recipient reports, per 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(h)-(i). It is an activity of last resort, and if FEMA administratively closes an award, this may negatively impact a recipient’s ability to obtain future funding.

Additional Reporting Requirements

F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 Before entering into a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA if it knows that the applicant or any of the principals (as defined at 2 C.F.R. § 180.995) for the federal award:

1. Are presently excluded or disqualified;

2. Have been convicted within the preceding three years of any of the offenses listed in §

180.800(a) or had a civil judgment rendered against you for one of those offenses within that time period;

3. Are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State, or local) with the commission of any of the offenses listed in § 180.800(a); or

4. Have had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated within the preceding three years for cause or default.

This is requirement is fully described in 2 C.F.R. §180.335.

Additionally, 2 C.F.R. § 180.350 requires recipients to provide immediate notice to FEMA at any time after entering a federal award if:

1. The recipient learns that either it failed to earlier disclose information as required by 2 C.F.R. § 180.335;

2. Due to changed circumstances, the applicant or any of the principals for the federal award now meet the criteria at 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 listed above.

G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR682eb6fbfabcde2/section-200.344 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR682eb6fbfabcde2/section-200.344 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR682eb6fbfabcde2/section-200.344 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR682eb6fbfabcde2/section-200.344 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR682eb6fbfabcde2/section-200.344 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR682eb6fbfabcde2/section-200.344 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180/subpart-I/section-180.995 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFRe1a8b70dfdc38be/section-180.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFRe1a8b70dfdc38be/section-180.350

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Appendix XII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 states the terms and conditions for recipient integrity and performance matters used for this funding opportunity.

If the total value of all active federal grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts for a recipient exceeds $10,000,000 at any time during the period of performance:

1. The recipient must maintain the currency of information reported in SAM.gov about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings described in paragraph 2 of Appendix XII;

2. The required reporting frequency is described in paragraph 4 of Appendix XII.

H. Single Audit Report A recipient expending $1,000,000 or more in federal awards (as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.1) during its fiscal year must undergo an audit. This may be either a single audit complying with 2 C.F.R. § 200.514 or a program-specific audit complying with 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.501 and 200.507.

Audits must follow 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart F, 2 C.F.R. § 200.501, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

I. Monitoring and Oversight Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.337, DHS and its authorized representatives have the right of access to any records of the recipient or subrecipient pertinent to a Federal award to perform audits, site visits, and any other official use. The right also includes timely and reasonable access to the recipient’s or subrecipient’s personnel for the purpose of interview and discussion related to such documents or the Federal award in general.

Pursuant to this right and per 2 C.F.R. § 200.329, DHS may conduct desk reviews and make site visits to review and evaluate project accomplishments and management control systems as well as provide any required technical assistance. Recipients and subrecipients must respond in a timely and accurate manner to DHS requests for information relating to a federal award.

J. Program Evaluation Title I of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-435 (2019) (Evidence Act), PUBL435.PS urges federal agencies to use program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, improve delivery, and elevate program service and delivery across the program lifecycle. Evaluation means “an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.” Evidence Act, § 101 (codified at 5 U.S.C. § 311). OMB A-11, Section 290 (Evaluation and Evidence-Building Activities) further outlines the standards and practices for evaluation activities. Federal agencies are required to specify any requirements for recipient participation in program evaluation activities (2 C.F.R. § 200.301). Program evaluation activities incorporated from the outset in the NOFO and program design and implementation allow recipients and agencies to meaningfully document and measure progress and achievement towards program goals and objectives, and identify program outcomes and lessons learned, as part of demonstrating recipient performance (2 C.F.R. § 200.301).

As such, recipients and subrecipients are required to participate in a Program Office (PO) or a DHS Component-led evaluation, if selected. This may be carried out by a third-party on behalf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20XII%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFRea73e47c9a286e6/section-200.514 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFRea73e47c9a286e6/section-200.514 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFRfd0932e473d10ba/section-200.501…