fy 2015 hsgp- nofo-final.pdf

FY 2015 HSGP NOFO

The Department of Homeland Security

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program

NOTE: If you are going to apply for this funding opportunity and have not obtained a Data

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and/or are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), please take immediate action to obtain a DUNS Number, if applicable, and then to register immediately in SAM . It may take 4 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html.

A. Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Description

Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Grant Programs Directorate

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

97.067

CFDA Title

Homeland Security Grant Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

FY 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG)

NOFO Number

DHS-15-GPD-067-000-01

Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 2002 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (Pub. L. No. 107-296), (6 U.S.C. § 603)

Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. No. 114-4)

Program Type

New file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html

Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

Overview

The purpose of the FY 2015 HSGP is to support state and local efforts to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events and to prepare the Nation for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States. The FY 2015

HSGP provides funding to implement investments that build, sustain, and deliver the 31 core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal) of a secure and resilient Nation. The building, sustainment, and delivery of these core capabilities are not exclusive to any single level of government, organization, or community, but rather, require the combined effort of the whole community. The FY

2015 HSGP supports core capabilities across the five mission areas of Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery based on allowable costs. HSGP is comprised of three grant programs:

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG)

Together, these grant programs fund a range of activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration across all core capabilities and mission areas.

Objectives

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): The SHSP assists state, Tribal and local preparedness activities that address high-priority preparedness gaps across all core capabilities where a nexus to terrorism exists. All supported investments are based on capability targets and gaps identified during the Threat and Hazard

Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process, and assessed in the State

Preparedness Report (SPR).

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI): The UASI Program assists high-threat, high-density Urban Areas in efforts to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG): The OPSG Program supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United

States Border Patrol (USBP), and local, Tribal, territorial, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies. The OPSG Program funds investments in joint efforts to secure the United States’ borders along routes of ingress from international borders to include travel corridors in states bordering Mexico and Canada, as well as states and territories with international water borders.

All three programs are based on risk-driven, capabilities-based strategic plans that outline high-priority needs relating to terrorism preparedness. For these plans to be effective, government officials and elected leaders, working with the whole community, must consider how to sustain current capability levels, while also addressing potential gaps.

Priorities

The National Preparedness System is the instrument the Nation employs to build, sustain, and deliver core capabilities in order to achieve the Goal of a secure and resilient Nation.

Complex and far-reaching threats and hazards require a collaborative and whole community approach to national preparedness that engages individuals, families, communities, private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all levels of government. The guidance, programs, processes, and systems that support each component of the National Preparedness System allows for the integration of preparedness efforts that build, sustain, and deliver core capabilities and achieve the desired outcomes identified in the Goal.

DHS/FEMA annually publishes the National Preparedness Report (NPR) to evaluate

National progress in building, sustaining, and delivering the core capabilities outlined in the Goal. This analysis provides a National perspective on critical preparedness trends for whole community partners to use to inform program priorities, allocate resources, and communicate with stakeholders about issues of shared concern.

Recipients are required to consider national areas for improvement identified in the 2014

NPR, which include the following core capabilities:

Cybersecurity;

Infrastructure Systems;

Health and Social Services;

Housing; and

Long-term Vulnerability Reduction.

In addition, the Department of Homeland Security requires recipients to prioritize investments that address capability targets and gaps identified through the annual THIRA and SPR process. These assessments set capability targets and measure current ability to meet those targets.

Minimum funding amounts are not prescribed by the Department for these priorities;

however, recipients must support state, local, regional, and national efforts in achieving the desired outcomes of these priorities.

Appendix B-Program Priorities addresses additional areas where funding can be applied to strengthen preparedness efforts.

B. Federal Award Information

Award Amounts, Important Dates, and Extensions

Available Funding for the NOFO: $1,044,000,000

HSGP Programs FY 2015 Allocation

State Homeland Security Program $402,000,000

Urban Area Security Initiative $587,000,000

Operation Stonegarden $55,000,000

Total $1,044,000,000

For details on program-specific funding amounts, refer to Appendix A – FY 2015

Program Allocations.

Period of Performance: Thirty-six (36) months

Extensions to the period of performance are allowed. For additional information on period of performance extensions, refer to Section H of this NOFO.

Projected Period of Performance Start Date: September 1, 2015

Projected Period of Performance End Date: August 31, 2018

Funding Instrument: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

State Governments (State Administrative Agency)

Eligibility Criteria

All 56 States, which includes any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, are eligible to apply for SHSP funds. For those states that are eligible for UASI and OPSG funding, the State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the only entity eligible to submit applications to DHS/FEMA on behalf of UASI and OPSG applicants.

Eligible sub-recipients under the FY 2015 OPSG Program are local units of government at the county level and Federally-recognized Tribal governments in states bordering Canada, states bordering Mexico, and states and territories with international water borders. All applicants must have active ongoing USBP operations coordinated through a CBP sector office to be eligible for OPSG funding.

Eligible high-risk Urban Areas for the FY 2015 UASI Program have been determined through an analysis of relative risk of terrorism faced by the 100 most populous metropolitan statistical areas

(MSAs) in the United States. Sub-awards will be made by the SAA to the designated Urban

Areas identified in Appendix A-FY 2015 Program Allocations.

Other Eligibility Criteria:

Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) Membership

In support of the Goal, recipients must belong to, be located in, or act as a temporary member of EMAC, except for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern

Mariana Islands, which are not required to belong to EMAC at this time. All assets supported in part or entirely with FY 2015 HSGP funding must be readily deployable to support emergency or disaster operations per existing EMAC agreements. In addition, funding may be used for the sustainment of core capabilities that, while they may not be physically deployable, support national response capabilities such as

Geographic/Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), interoperable communications systems, capabilities as defined under the mitigation mission area of the Goal, and fusion centers.

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Prior to allocation of any Federal preparedness awards in FY 2015, recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. Emergency management and incident response activities require carefully managed resources (personnel, teams, facilities, equipment and/or supplies) to meet incident needs. Utilization of the standardized resource management concepts such as typing, credentialing, and inventorying promote a strong national mutual aid capability needed to support delivery of core capabilities. Additional information on resource management and NIMS resource typing definitions and job titles/position qualifications is on DHS/FEMA’s website under http://www.fema.gov/resource-management-mutual-aid.

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

Although state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners—including nongovernmental organizations—are not required to credential their personnel in accordance with these guidelines; DHS/FEMA strongly encourages them to do so in order to leverage the

Federal investment in the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 201 infrastructure and to facilitate interoperability for personnel deployed outside their home jurisdiction. Additional information can be found at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims_alert_cred_guideline.pdf

Consolidation of Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA)

Per section 2006 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended, (6 U.S.C. § 607), DHS/FEMA is required to ensure that at least 25 percent (25%) of grant funding appropriated for the Homeland Security Grant Program and Tribal Homeland Security

Grant Program are used for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. DHS/FEMA meets this requirement, in part, by requiring all SHSP and UASI recipients to ensure that http://www.fema.gov/resource-management-mutual-aid http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims_alert_cred_guideline.pdf at least 25 percent (25%) of the combined HSGP funds allocated under SHSP and UASI are dedicated towards law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, as defined in 6

U.S.C. § 607. The LETPA allocation can be from SHSP, UASI or both. This requirement does not include award funds from OPSG. Please refer to Appendix A – FY

2015 Program Allocations for LETPA minimum allocations for SHSP and UASI by jurisdiction. The 25% LETPA allocation is in addition to the 80% pass through requirement to local units of government and Tribes, referenced below.

The National Prevention Framework describes those activities that should be executed upon the discovery of intelligence or information regarding an imminent threat to the homeland, in order to thwart an initial or follow on terrorist attack, and provides guidance to ensure the Nation is prepared to prevent, avoid, or stop a threatened or actual act of terrorism. Activities outlined in the National Prevention Framework are eligible for use of LETPA focused funds. In addition, where capabilities are shared with the protection mission area, the National Protection Framework activities are also eligible. Other terrorism prevention activities proposed for funding under LETPA must be approved by the FEMA Administrator.

Maintenance of Effort

There is no Maintenance of Effort requirement for this program.

Cost Share or Match

Cost share or match is not required for the FY 2015 HSGP.

D. Application and Submission Information

Submission Date and Other Key Dates and Times

Date Posted to Grants.gov: April 2, 2015

Application Submission Deadline: May 19, 2015 at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT

All applications must be received by the established deadline. The Non-Disaster (ND)

Grants System has a date stamp that indicates when an application is submitted.

Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of the full application. In general, DHS/FEMA will not review applications that are not received by the deadline or consider them for funding. DHS/FEMA may, however, extend the application deadline on request for any applicant who can demonstrate that good cause exists to justify extending the deadline. Good cause for an extension may include technical problems outside of the applicant’s control that prevent submission of the application by the deadline, or other exigent or emergency circumstances. If you experience technical issues, you must notify the respective Headquarters Program Analyst as soon as possible.

Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2015

Other Key Dates (see below for additional information)

The chart below outlines suggested/estimated deadlines for completing the six steps required for a successful application submission prior to the deadline. These dates are only recommendations as applicants are responsible for planning far enough in advance to complete their application. The requirements outlined in the chart below are outside of

DHS/FEMA’s purview. Therefore, DHS/FEMA does not guarantee the timeframes for completing those processes. Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for submitting their application may disqualify their application from funding.

Applicants are encouraged to register early for Authorized Organizational

Representative (AOR) authorization. The registration process can take four weeks or more to be completed. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

Task Suggested timeframe for completion of task to meet submission deadline

Obtaining DUNS Number April 21, 2015

Obtaining valid EIN April 21, 2015

Updating SAM registration April 21, 2015

Establishing an Authorized Organizational Representative

(AOR) in Grants.gov

April 21, 2015

Submitting an initial application in Grants.gov May 9, 2015

*Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming eligibility and approval to submit a full application.

Submitting the IJ in the Grants Reporting Tool (GRT) May 9, 2015

Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov, select “Applicants” then “Apply for Grants,” read the registration requirements and register if necessary (Allow up to 7-10 business days after you submit before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information). In order to obtain the application package select “Download a Grant Application Package”, enter the CFDA and/or the funding opportunity number located on the cover of this NOFO, select “Download

Package,” and then follow the prompts to download the application package.

Hard copies of the NOFO are not available.

In addition, the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay

Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: (800) 462-7585.

Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal and DHS/FEMA’s Non-

Disaster Grants (ND Grants) System.

file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/ file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov/

Content and Form of Application Submission

Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. To ensure that an application is submitted on time applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission. Please review the table above under “Submission Dates and Other Key Dates and Times” for estimated deadlines to complete each of the seven steps listed below. Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the application deadline may disqualify their application from funding.

The steps required to apply for an award are:

1. Applying for, updating or verifying the DUNS Number;

2. Applying for, updating or verifying the EIN Number;

3. Updating or verifying the SAM Number;

4. Establishing an authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in

Grants.gov;

5. Submitting an initial application in Grants.gov;

6. Submitting the IJ in the Grants Reporting Tool (GRT); and

7. Submitting the complete application in ND Grants

For additional information regarding the DUNS Number, EIN Number, SAM Number, and AOR requirements, please refer to the section below entitled Dun and Bradstreet

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, System for Award Management (SAM), and Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

Submitting an Initial Application in Grants.gov

All applicants must submit their initial application through Grants.gov. Applicants may need to first create a Grants.gov user profile by visiting the Get Registered section of the

Grants.gov website. Successful completion of this step is necessary for DHS/FEMA to determine eligibility of the applicant. Applicants should complete this initial step on-line which requires completing:

Standard Form 424 (SF-424), Application for Federal Assistance, and

Grants.gov (GG) Form Certification Regarding Lobbying Form.

Both forms are available in the Forms tab under SF-424 Family. The initial application cannot be started or submitted in Grants.gov unless the applicant’s registration in SAM is confirmed.

Application forms and instructions are available at http://www.grants.gov by selecting

Apply for Grants. Enter the CFDA number or the Opportunity ID Number noted in this

NOFO, select Download Application Package, and follow the prompts to download the application package. The information submitted in Grants.gov will be retrieved by ND

Grants, which will allow DHS/FEMA to determine if an applicant is eligible. Applicants are encouraged to submit their initial application in Grants.gov at least ten days before the May 19, 2015, application deadline.

file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/

If you need assistance applying through Grants.gov, please go to the Grant Application page, contact support@grants.gov, or call 800-518-4726. DHS/FEMA cannot assist applicants with questions related to registering with Grants.gov.

Submitting the Final Application Submission in the ND Grants System

Eligible applicants will be notified by DHS/FEMA after the initial application is submitted in Grants.gov and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in ND Grants . Applicants can register early with ND Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND Grants registration at the time of this announcement. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their application.

In ND Grants applicants will be prompted to submit all of the information contained in the following forms. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

Standard Form 424A, Budget Information (Non-construction);

Standard Form 424B, Standard Assurances (Non-construction); and

Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

In addition applicants must submit copies of the following in ND Grants:

Investment Justification;

Standard Form 424 C Budget Information (Construction) if applying for funds to use for construction;

Standard Form 424D, Standard Assurances (Construction) if applying for funds to use for construction; and

Indirect Cost Agreement if applicable.

If you need assistance registering for the ND Grants system, please contact ndgrants@fema.gov or (800) 865-4076.

Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, System for

Award Management (SAM), and Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)

Before you can apply for a DHS/FEMA grant at Grants.gov, you must have a DUNS number and must be registered in the System for Awards Management (SAM).

Obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number

The DUNS number must be included in the data entry field labeled "Organizational

DUNS" on the SF-424 form. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at the following website: http://www.grants.gov//web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html.

The applicant must provide a DUNS number with their application. This number is a required field for all subsequent steps in the application submission. Applicants should verify they have a DUNS number, or take the steps necessary to obtain one.

file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov mailto:Grant%20Application%20page mailto:Grant%20Application%20page mailto:support@grants.gov?subject=GRANTS.GOV%20Support%20Center file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov https://portal.fema.gov/ file:///C:/Users/sheath/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/TROS8IAK/at%20https:/portal.fema.gov mailto:ndgrants@fema.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

Applicants can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the DUNS number request line at (866) 705-5711. DHS/FEMA cannot assist applicants with questions related to obtaining a current DUNS number.

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

DHS/FEMA requires both the EIN and a DUNS number prior to the issuance of a financial assistance award and for grant award payment; both the EIN and DUNS number are required to register with SAM (see below). The EIN base for an organization is the

IRS Tax ID number, for individuals it is their social security number. Both the EIN and the social security number are nine-digit numbers. Organizations and individuals submitting their applications must correctly differentiate the EIN from the DUNS since both are 9-digit numbers. If these numbers are not correctly identified in the application, this may result in a delay in the issuance of the funding award and/or incorrect payment to a recipient organization.

Applying for an EIN should plan on a minimum of 2 full weeks to obtain an EIN. If you need assistance registering an EIN please contact the IRS helpline. DHS/FEMA cannot assist applicants with questions related to obtaining a current EIN.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants applying for grant funds electronically through Grants.gov must register with the Federal System for Award Management (SAM). Step-by-step instructions for registering with SAM can be found here:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html. All applicants must register with SAM in order to apply online. Failure to register with the SAM will result in your application being rejected by Grants.gov during the submissions process.

Payment under any DHS/FEMA award is contingent on the recipient’s having a current

SAM registration. The SAM registration process must be completed by the applicant. It is imperative that the information provided by the applicant is correct and current. Please ensure that your organization’s name, address, DUNS number and EIN are up to date in

SAM and that the DUNS number used in SAM is the same one used to apply for all other

DHS/FEMA awards.

SAM registration is a multi-step process including validating your EIN with the Internal

Revenue Service (IRS) to obtain a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code.

The CAGE code is only valid for one year after issuance and must be current at the time of application.

SAM sends notifications to the registered user via email 60, 30, and 15 days prior to expiration of the SAM registration for the Entity. SAM registration may lapse due to inactivity. To update or renew your Entity records(s) in SAM you will need to create a

SAM User Account and link it to your migrated Entity records.

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html http://www.sam.gov/

If you need assistance registering, please go to SAM or call 866-606-8220. DHS/FEMA cannot assist applicants with questions related to registering in SAM or obtaining a current CAGE code.

Authorized Organizational Representative

The next step in the registration process is creating a username and password with

Grants.gov to become an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). AORs will need to know the DUNS number of the organization for which they will be submitting applications to complete this process. To read more detailed instructions for creating a profile on Grants.gov visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html.

AOR Authorization

After creating a profile on Grants.gov, the E-Biz Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM will receive an email to grant the AOR permission to submit applications on behalf of their organization. The E-Biz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and approves an applicant as the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications. To learn more about AOR Authorization visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html. To track an AOR status visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html.

The registration process can take four weeks or more to be completed. Therefore registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. After you have been approved as an AOR you will be able to submit your application online.

Electronic Signature

Applications submitted through Grants.gov constitute a submission as electronically signed applications. The registration and account creation with Grants.gov with E-Biz

POC approval, establishes an AOR. When you submit the application through

Grants.gov, the name of your AOR on file will be inserted into the signature line of the application. Applicants must register the individual who is able to make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization as the AOR; this step often is overlooked and is crucial for valid submissions.

DHS/FEMA may not make a HSGP award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DHS/FEMA is ready to make an award, DHS/FEMA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

http://www.sam.gov/ file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html file://HQEI3FR7/GPDShare/FY%202015%20Grant%20Programs/HSGP/FOA/grants.gov

HSGP Program Specific Application Instructions

Investment Justification (SHSP and UASI)

As part of the FY 2015 HSGP application process for SHSP and UASI funds, applicants must develop a formal IJ that addresses the proposed investments. Each IJ must demonstrate how proposed investments:

Address capability gaps identified as State priorities in the most recent SPR;

Align to Urban Area, state, and/or regional THIRAs and national priorities, as outlined in the NPR; and

Engage and/or impact the whole community, including children, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

Furthermore, the IJ must clearly identify and explain how the project will assist the applicant to achieve capability targets related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism.

Completing Investment Justifications (IJ) in the Grant Reporting Tool (GRT) (SHSP and UASI)

The IJ Planning Guide contains instructions for collecting the required information for investments and projects. Additionally, applicants should utilize the Project Worksheet to assemble the information required for each project, which will facilitate the input of that information into the GRT.

For more information on how to complete IJs, refer to the Investment Justification

Planning Guide located on fema.gov/grants.

Instructions for SHSP

Applicants must propose at least one and include up to 10 projects within each investment in their IJ to describe the activities they would plan to implement with SHSP funds.

Any projects not included in the application must be included in the first BSIR.

Of the proposed 10 investments, recipients using SHSP funds are required to propose at least one investment in support of a designated fusion center that will be funded by SHSP funds. Recipients must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center investment prior to submission.

Recipients investing in emergency communications must describe how activities align to their statewide Communication Interoperable Plan (SCIP).

Recipients must coordinate with their statewide Interoperability Coordinator

(SWIC) and/or statewide Interoperability Governance Body (SIGB) when developing an emergency communications investment prior to submission to ensure the project supports the statewide strategy to improve emergency communications and is compatible and interoperable with surrounding systems.

http://www.fema.gov/grants

Instructions for UASI

Urban Areas must propose at least one and up to 10 projects within each investment in their IJ to describe the activities they are planning to implement with UASI funds.

Any projects not included in the application must be included in the first

BSIR.

If applicable, Urban Areas are required to propose at least one investment in support of a designated fusion center within the Urban Area. Recipients must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center investment prior to submission.

If UASI funds are used by the SAA in support of the Urban Area, the SAA must, as part of the up to 10 investments, propose an investment describing how UASI funds will be used by the SAA to directly support the Urban Area.

Recipients investing in emergency communications must describe how activities align to the SCIP. Recipients must coordinate with the statewide

Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) and/or statewide Interoperability

Governance Body (SIGB) when developing an emergency communications investment prior to submission to ensure the project supports the statewide strategy to improve emergency communications and is compatible and interoperable with surrounding systems.

Instructions for OPSG

As part of the FY 2015 OPSG application process, each eligible local unit of government at the county or Federally-recognized Tribal government level must develop their

Operations Order in coordination with state and Federal law enforcement agencies, to include, but not limited to CBP/USBP. Operations Orders that are developed at the county level should be inclusive of city, county, Tribal, and other local law enforcement agencies that are eligible to participate in OPSG operational activities. The Operations

Order should address this in the Executive Summary. Operations Order details should include the names of the agencies, points of contact, and individual funding requests. All applications must be developed in collaboration with the local USBP sector office, the

SAA and the local unit of government. The sector office will then forward the application to the SAA for final review before submission to DHS/FEMA. For more information, refer to Appendix D – FY 2015 OPSG Operations Order Template and

Instructions and Appendix E – OPSG Operational Guidance.

Intergovernmental Review

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s

Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order

12372 (see http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf). Name and addresses of the SPOCs are maintained at the Office of Management and Budget’s home page at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc to ensure currency.

Funding Restrictions

Federal funds made available through this award may only be used for the purpose set forth in this award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award.

http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc

Award funds may not be used for matching funds for any other Federal award, lobbying, or intervention in Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, Federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal government or any other government entity.

Funds Transfer Restriction

The recipient is prohibited from transferring funds between programs (includes

SHSP, UASI, and OPSG). Recipients are allowed to submit an investment/project where funds come from multiple funding sources (i.e., SHSP/UASI); however, recipients are not allowed to divert funding from one program to another due to the risk-based funding allocations, which were made at the discretion of DHS/FEMA. For additional details on restrictions on the use of funds, refer to Appendix C – Funding Guidelines.

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

As a Federal agency, DHS/FEMA is required to consider the effects of its actions on the environment and/or historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by the agency, including grants-funded projects, comply with Federal EHP regulations, laws and Executive Orders as applicable. Recipients and subrecipients proposing projects that have the potential to impact the environment, including but not limited to construction of communication towers, modification or renovation of existing buildings, structures and facilities, or new construction including replacement of facilities, must participate in the DHS/FEMA EHP review process. The EHP review process involves the submission of a detailed project description that explains the goals and objectives of the proposed project along with supporting documentation so that DHS/FEMA may determine whether the proposed project has the potential to impact environmental resources and/or historic properties. In some cases, DHS/FEMA is also required to consult with other regulatory agencies and the public in order to complete the review process. The EHP review process must be completed before funds are released to carry out the proposed project. DHS/FEMA will not fund projects that are initiated without the required EHP review.

Additionally, all recipients are required to comply with DHS/FEMA EHP Policy

Guidance. This EHP Policy Guidance can be found in FP 108-023-1, http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/ehp/EHP-PolicyGuidance-508.pdf, and FP 108.24.4, http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1388411752234-

6ddb79121951a68e9ba036d2569aa488/18Dec13-NoNEPAReview.pdf .

SAFECOM

Recipients (including subrecipients) who receive awards under HSGP that wholly or partially provide funding for emergency communication projects and related activities must comply with the most recent version of the SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency

Communications Grants. This guidance provides recommendations to recipients regarding interoperable emergency communications projects, including allowable costs, eligible activities, grants management best practices for emergency communications grants, and information on technical standards that ensure greater interoperability. The guidance is intended to ensure that Federally-funded investments are compatible, interoperable, and support the national goals and objectives for improving emergency http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/ehp/EHP-PolicyGuidance-508.pdf http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1388411752234-6ddb79121951a68e9ba036d2569aa488/18Dec13-NoNEPAReview.pdf http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1388411752234-6ddb79121951a68e9ba036d2569aa488/18Dec13-NoNEPAReview.pdf http://www.safecomprogram.gov/grant/Default.aspx http://www.safecomprogram.gov/grant/Default.aspx communications nationwide. Recipients (including subrecipients) investing in broadband-related investments should review IB 386, Clarification on Use of

DHS/FEMA Public Safety Grant Funds for Broadband-Related Expenditures and

Investments, and consult their DHS/FEMA HQ Program Analyst on such Investments before developing applications.

Pre-award Costs

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

Direct Costs

Cost Principles

Costs charged to this award must be consistent with the Cost Principles for

Federal Awards located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E.

Planning

Planning related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this

NOFO.

Organization

Organization related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Equipment

Equipment related costs are allowed under this program only as described in

Training

Training related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this

NOFO.

Exercises

Exercise related costs are allowed under this program only as described in

Personnel

Personnel hiring, overtime, and backfill expenses are permitted under this grant in order to perform allowable HSGP planning, training, exercise, and equipment activities. Under the OPSG Program, overtime costs are allowable only in so far as they meet the intent of the Program. Recipients and subrecipients may not use more than 50% of their awards to pay for personnel activities. For more information on the 50% personnel cap, please see IB 358, Clarification on the Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation http://www.fema.gov/grants/grant-programs-directorate-information-bulletins and Enhancement of Homeland Security Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-412 – the PRICE Act) at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/bulletins/info358.pdf.

Travel

Domestic travel costs are allowed under this program, as provided for in this

NOFO. International travel is not an allowable cost under this program unless approved in advance by DHS/FEMA.

Construction and Renovation

Construction and renovation costs to achieve capability targets related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism are allowed under this program. For construction costs to be allowed, they must be specifically approved by DHS/FEMA in writing prior to the use of any program funds for construction or renovation. Limits on the total amount of grant funding that may be used for construction or renovation may apply. See

Appendix C-Funding Guidelines for additional details. Additionally, recipients are required to submit a SF-424C Budget and Budget detail citing the project costs.

Operational Overtime

Operational Overtime costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Maintenance and Sustainment

Maintenance and sustainment costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Critical Emergency Supplies

Critical emergency supplies are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Secure Identification

Secure Identification costs are allowed under this program only as described in

Management and Administration

Management and administration (M&A) activities are those directly relating to the management and administration of HSGP funds, such as financial management and monitoring. A maximum of up to five percent (5%) of HSGP funds awarded may be retained by the state, and any funds retained are to be used solely for M&A purposes associated with the HSGP award. Sub-recipients may also retain a maximum of up to five percent (5%) of funding passed through by the state solely for M&A purposes associated with the HSGP award.

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/bulletins/info358.pdf

A state’s HSGP funds for M&A calculation purposes includes the sum total of its SHSP, UASI, and, where applicable, OPSG awards. While the SAA may retain up to five percent (5%) of this total for M&A, the state must still ensure that all sub-recipient award amounts meet the mandatory minimum pass through requirements which are applicable to each HSGP program. To meet this requirement the percentage of SHSP, UASI and

OPSG funds passed through to local jurisdictions must be based on the state’s total HSGP award prior to withholding any M&A.

For additional information on SHSP and UASI M&A, refer to IB 365. For additional clarification on OPSG M&A, refer to DHS/FEMA Policy FP-207-087-1. These documents can be found at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/bulletins/info365.pdf and http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=7837, respectively.

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

Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. With the exception of recipients who have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), recipients must have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with their cognizant Federal agency to charge indirect costs to this award. A copy of the approved rate (a fully executed, agreement negotiated with the applicant’s cognizant Federal agency) is required at the time of application, and must be provided to

DHS/FEMA before indirect costs are charged to the award.

E. Application Review Information

Allocations

Risk Methodology Based upon the requirements of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended, DHS/FEMA continues to use risk to determine final HSGP allocations. DHS/FEMA defines risk as:

“potential for an unwanted outcome resulting from an incident, event, or occurrence, as determined by its likelihood and the associated consequences” (see http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs-risk-lexicon-2010.pdf). The DHS/FEMA risk methodology is focused on three elements:

Threat –likelihood of an attack being attempted by an adversary;

Vulnerability – likelihood that an attack is successful, given that it is attempted; and

Consequence – effect of an event, incident or occurrence

The risk methodology determines the relative risk of terrorism faced by a given area taking into account the potential risk of terrorism to people, critical infrastructure, and economic security. The analysis includes threats from domestic violent extremists’ international terrorist groups, and individuals inspired by terrorists abroad.

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/bulletins/info365.pdf http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=7837 http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs-risk-lexicon-2010.pdf

SHSP Allocations FY 2015 SHSP funds will be allocated based on three factors: minimum amounts as legislatively mandated, DHS/FEMA’s risk methodology, and anticipated effectiveness of proposed projects.

Anticipated effectiveness is assessed based on the applicant’s description of how proposed projects, as outlined in the investment Justification’s (IJ’s), align with state THIRA and SPR results.

Each state and territory will receive a minimum allocation under SHSP using thresholds established in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended. All 50 States, the District of

Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive 0.35 percent of the total funds allocated for grants under Section 2003 and Section 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended. Four territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the

U.S. Virgin Islands) will receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent of the total funds allocated for grants under Section 2003 and 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended. For details on program-specific funding amounts, refer to Appendix A – FY 2015

Program Allocations.

UASI Allocations FY 2015 UASI funds will be allocated based on DHS/FEMA’s risk methodology and anticipated effectiveness of proposed projects. Anticipated effectiveness is assessed based on the applicant’s description of how proposed projects, as outlined in the IJ’s, align with the Urban Area

THIRA. Eligible candidates for the FY 2015 UASI program have been determined through an analysis of relative risk of terrorism faced by the 100 most populous Metropolitan Statistical

Areas (MSAs) in the United States, in accordance with the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended. Detailed information on MSAs is publicly available from the United States Census

Bureau at http://www.census.gov/population/www/metroareas/metrodef.html. For details on program-specific funding amounts, refer to Appendix A – FY 2015 Program Allocations.

OPSG Allocations The FY 2015 OPSG Risk Assessment is designed to identify the risk to border security and to assist with the distribution of funds for the grant program. Funding under OPSG is distributed based on the risk to the security of the border. Entities eligible for funding are the state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies that are located along the border of the United States.

For the purposes of OPSG, risk is defined as the potential for an adverse outcome assessed as a function of threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences associated with an incident, event, or occurrence.

Based upon ongoing intelligence analysis and extensive security reviews, DHS/FEMA continues to focus the bulk of OPSG funds based upon risk analyses. The risk model used to allocate

OPSG funds considers the potential risk that certain threats pose to border security and estimate the relative risk faced by a given area. In evaluating risk, DHS/FEMA considers the populations in a particular area that could be at risk, the concentration of people in the area, and specific characteristics of their location that might contribute to risk, such as Intelligence Community assessments of threat and the potential impacts that the threats pose to the security of the border http://www.census.gov/population/www/metroareas/metrodef.html area. For vulnerability and consequence, DHS/FEMA considers the expected impact and consequences of successful border events occurring in specific areas.

To determine the level of risk, two primary components are considered:

Threat: natural or man-made occurrence, individual, entity, or action that has or indicates the potential to harm life, information, operations, the environment, and/or property. OPSG uses the effect of the threat to the border to evaluate consequence.

Vulnerability: characteristic of design, location, security posture, operation,…