fy 2015 nsgp nofo final.pdf

FY 2015 NSGP NOFO

The Department of Homeland Security

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Fiscal Year 2015 Non-Profit 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 four (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 (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA), Grant Programs Directorate

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

97.008

CFDA Title

Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

Non-Profit Security Grant Program

NOFO Number

DHS-15-GPD--008-000-01

Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 2003 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (Pub. L. No. 107-296), (6 U.S.C. § 604)

Appropriation Authority for Program

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

Program Type

New

Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

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

The Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack and located within one of the FY 2015 Urban Area

Security Initiative (UASI)-designated Urban Areas. The program seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack with broader state and local preparedness efforts. The NSGP also serves to promote emergency preparedness coordination and collaboration activities between public and private community representatives as well as state and local government agencies.

Objectives

The FY 2015 NSGP objectives are to support efforts that:

Build and sustain core capabilities

Strengthen governance integration

Encourage a whole community approach to security and emergency management

For additional details on priorities for this program, please refer to Appendix B – NSGP

Priorities.

Priorities

The FY 2015 NSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National

Preparedness System by supporting the development and sustainment of core capabilities. Core capabilities are the distinct critical activities essential for the execution of each of the five mission areas outlined in the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal).

Building and sustaining core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2015 NSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas.

B. Federal Award Information

Award Amounts, Important Dates, and Extensions

Available Funding for the FY 2015 NSGP NOFO: $13,000,000

Each non-profit organization may apply for up to $75,000 and must apply through their respective State Administrative Agency (SAA).

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, Additional

Information (Extensions).

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): September 1, 2015

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): August 31, 2018

Funding Instrument: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

The SAA is the only entity eligible to apply for FY 2015 NSGP funds on behalf of eligible non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations must apply to their SAA; non-profit organizations may not apply directly to DHS/FEMA for FY 2015 NSGP funds.

SAAs, in coordination with the Urban Area Working Groups (UAWG), are encouraged to notify and actively inform eligible non-profit organizations of the availability of the

FY 2015 NSGP.

Eligibility Criteria

SAAs are the only entity eligible to apply for FY 2015 NSGP funds on behalf of eligible non-profit organizations. A list of SAA points of contact can be found at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/28689?id=6363.

Eligible non-profit organizations are those organizations described under section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section

501(a) of such code and which have been determined by the Secretary of Homeland

Security to be at high risk of terrorist attack. Eligible non-profits must be located within one of the FY 2015 UASI- designated high risk Urban Areas, listed in Appendix A- FY

2015 NSGP UASI- Designated Urban Areas.

Criteria for determining that an eligible applicant is at high risk of a terrorist attack:

Verification that applicant is located within one of the FY 2015 UASI -designated Urban Areas;

The FY 2015 UASI program addresses the unique needs of high-threat, high-density Urban Areas. For additional information see FY 2015

Homeland Security Grant Program NOFO.

Identification and substantiation (e.g., police reports or insurance claims) of prior threats or attacks against the non-profit organization or closely related organizations (within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell;

The symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized national or historical institution that renders the site a possible target of terrorism; and

Findings from previously conducted threat and/or vulnerability assessments.

http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/28689?id=6363

Other Eligibility Criteria

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Prior to allocation of any Federal preparedness awards in FY 2015, SAAs 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 available on DHS/FEMA’s website under National Integration Center Resource Management.

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 is available from the NIMS Guideline for the

Credentialing of Personnel.

Non-profit subrecipients are not required to maintain adoption and implementation of

NIMS.

Maintenance of Effort

Maintenance of effort is not required under this program.

Cost Share or Match

Cost share or cost match is not required under this program.

D. Application and Submission Information

Submission Date and Other Key Dates and Times

Date Posted to Grants.gov: April 2, 2015

Application Submission Deadline: SAA Deadline: May 19, 2015 at 11:59:59 PM 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.

https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims_alert_cred_guideline.pdf http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims_alert_cred_guideline.pdf

Due to the competitive nature of the NSGP, 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, the SAA must notify the respective

Headquarters Program Analyst as soon as possible.

Non-profit Organization Deadline:

Non-profit applications are due to the SAA before the application submission deadline for SAAs of May 19, 2015.

SAAs establish all requirements and deadlines to manage their non-profit sub-application process in support of their submissions to DHS/FEMA. Deadlines and state requirements may vary from state to state. Contact the SAA for additional information.

Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/30/2015

Other Key Dates

The chart below outlines suggested/estimated deadlines for completing the five 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

FEMA’s purview. Therefore, 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.

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

Task Suggested timeframe for completion of task to meet submission deadline

Obtaining DUNS Number April 21, 2015

Obtaining a valid EIN April 21, 2015

Updating SAM registration April 21, 2015

Submitting application in Grants.gov May 9, 2015 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/ 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.

If you experience difficulties accessing information or have any questions please call the

Grants.gov customer support hotline at (800) 518-4726.

Hard copies of the NOFO are not available.

In addition, the following 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 (ND) Grants System.

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 six steps listed below. 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.

The steps involved in applying for an award under this program are:

1. Applying for, updating or verifying their Data Universal Numbering System

(DUNS) Number;

2. Applying for, updating or verifying their Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Number;

3. Updating or verifying their System for Award Management (SAM) Registration;

4. Establishing an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

5. Submitting an initial application in Grants.gov; and

6. Submitting the complete application in ND Grants system.

For additional information regarding the DUNS Number, EIN Number, SAM

Number, and AOR requirements, please see 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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html

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 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, 11:59:59 PM (EDT) application deadline.

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

Submitting the Complete Application in Non Disaster Grants System

(ND Grants).

Eligible applicants will be notified by DHS/FEMA and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in ND Grants. Applicants can register early with ND

Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND Grants registration at the time of this announcement. 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 include all 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 Justifications from eligible nonprofits;

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

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

SAA Prioritization of Investment Justifications (in rank order) in DHS/FEMA-provided template (OMB Control Number: 1660-0110/FEMA Form 089-24); 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.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/grant-application-process.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/grant-application-process.html mailto:support@grants.gov?subject=GRANTS.GOV%20Support%20Center http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html https://portal.fema.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/ mailto:ndgrants@fema.gov

NSGP Non-profit Application

As part of the FY 2015 NSGP application each non-profit sub-applicant must submit the following three documents to the SAA:

NSGP Investment Justification (IJ)

Each sub-applicant, must develop a formal IJ that addresses each investment proposed for funding. The IJ must address an identified risk, including threat and vulnerability, and build or sustain a core capability identified in the Goal. The IJ must demonstrate the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by DHS/FEMA. NSGP projects must be: 1) both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed;

and 2) able to be fully completed within the 3-year period of performance. Applicants must ensure that the IJ is consistent with all applicable requirements outlined in the NOFO.

Vulnerability/Risk Assessment

Each sub-applicant must include its vulnerability/risk assessment on which the request in the IJ is based.

Mission Statement

Each sub-applicant must include its Mission Statement. Recognizing the impact an organization’s ideology, beliefs, or mission may have on their risk of potential terrorist threats, SAA’s will use the Mission Statement along with information provided in the applicant’s IJ in order to validate the organization type. The central purpose of the organization described in the Mission Statement will be used to validate the organization type identified in the IJ, as either 1) Ideology-based/Spiritual/Religious; 2) Educational; 3) Medical; or 4) Other.

The organization type is a factor when calculating the final score of the application;

see Section E. Application Review Information – Final Score.

The Vulnerability/Risk Assessment and the Mission Statement are not to be submitted in

ND Grants but should be maintained by the SAA and must be made available to

DHS/FEMA upon request.

Applicants will find additional information regarding the NSGP IJ template, DHS/FEMA

Form 089-24 (OMB Control Number: 1660-0110), in Appendix D –NSGP Investment

Justification and Scoring Criteria.

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 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.

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 a 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. The social security and IRS Tax ID numbers are both nine-digit numbers. Organizations and individuals submitting their applications must correctly identify 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.

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

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 Organization Representative (AOR)

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

Grants.gov to become an 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 approve 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.

Applicants are encouraged to register early. 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 it is crucial for valid submissions.

DHS/FEMA may not make a NSGP 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/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html 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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.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-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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html

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.

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.

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, Environmental

Planning and Historic Preservation Policy Guidance, and FP 108.24.4, Environmental

Planning and Historical Preservation Policy.

SAFECOM

Recipients (including subrecipients) who receive awards under NSGP 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, http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/ehp/EHP-PolicyGuidance-508.pdf 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 interoperable, and support the national goals and objectives for improving emergency communications nationwide. Recipients (including subrecipients) investing in broadband-related expenditures 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 Principals 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 not allowed under this program.

Equipment

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

Training

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

NOFO.

Exercise

Exercise related costs are not allowed under this program.

Travel

Travel costs are not allowed under this program.

Construction and Renovation

Construction and renovation costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Operational Overtime

Operational overtime costs are not allowed under this program.

http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1837-25045-1238/ib_386.pdf http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1837-25045-1238/ib_386.pdf http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1837-25045-1238/ib_386.pdf

For additional information on allowable costs and Funding Restrictions, see

Appendix C – Funding Guidelines.

Management and Administration (M&A)

M&A are costs for activities directly related to the management and administration of the award. M&A costs are allowed under this program.

State M&A:

The NSGP is a sub-component of the UASI program and states must ensure that 100% of each individual NSGP award is passed through to the non-profit organizations allocated funding by DHS/FEMA.

The state may use UASI funding for M&A purposes associated with administering the

NSGP award. But, the State’s overall M&A withholding for the NSGP and UASI programs may not exceed 5% of the sum total of the state’s combined UASI and NSGP awards.

Non-profit M&A:

Non-profit organizations that receive an award under this program may use up to five percent (5%) of their FY 2015 NSGP funds for M&A purposes associated with the award.

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.

See Appendix C – Funding Guidelines for additional details.

E. Application Review Information

FY 2015 NSGP applications are to be submitted by non-profit organizations to their respective SAA and the UAWG. FY 2015 NSGP applications will be reviewed through a two-phased State and Federal review process for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, feasibility, and how well the Investment Justification (IJ)

(project description and justification) addresses the identified risk.

Criteria

FY 2015 NSGP evaluation criteria:

State verification that the non-profit organization is located within one of the designated FY 2015 UASI-designated Urban Areas, listed in Appendix A

Identification and substantiation of prior threats or attacks (from within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell against the applicant based on their ideology, beliefs, or mission

Symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized regional and/or national or historical institution(s) that renders the site a possible target of terrorism

Role of the applicant non-profit organization in responding to or recovering from terrorist attacks

Findings from previously conducted threat and/or vulnerability assessments

Integration of non-profit preparedness with broader state and local preparedness efforts

Complete, feasible IJ that addresses an identified risk, including the assessed threat, vulnerability, and consequence of the risk, and proposes building or sustaining a core capability identified in the Goal

History of prior year funding under NSGP; Not having received prior year funding is a factor when calculating the state score of the application; see Section E.

Application Review Information – Review and selection process for additional information.

Subject matter expertise to determine feasibility of proposed project

For complete information on the criteria used to review and score IJs at the State and

Federal levels, please refer to Appendix D – NSGP Investment Justification and Scoring

Criteria.

Grant projects must be: 1) both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed; and 2) able to be fully completed within the 3-year period of performance.

DHS/FEMA will use the information provided in the application, as well as any supporting documentation, to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the grant project. Information that would assist in the feasibility and effectiveness determination includes the following:

Scope of work (purpose and objectives of the project, identification of what is being protected)

Desired outcomes, including expected long-term impact where applicable

Summary of status of planning and design accomplished to date (e.g. included in a capital improvement plan)

Project schedule

Recipients are expected to conform, as applicable, with accepted engineering practices, established codes, standards, modeling techniques, and best practices.

Review and Selection Process

State Review

Application packages are submitted by the non-profit organization to the SAA and the

UAWG based on the established criteria. Once the SAA conducts an eligibility review, the SAA, in coordination with the UAWG, will review and score all complete application packages using the NSGP Scoring Worksheet provided by DHS/FEMA; see Appendix E

– NSGP Investment Justification Scoring Worksheet. A bonus point will be added to the state score for all organizations that have not received NSGP funding in previous years;

this will be the final state score.

The SAA will also prioritize all NSGP IJs by ranking each IJ. Each IJ will receive a unique rank (#1 [one] being the highest ranked through the total number of applications the SAA scored).

Rankings will be based on the SAA’s subject matter expertise and discretion with consideration to the following factors:

Need: The relative need for the non-profit organization compared to the other applicants; and

Impact: The feasibility of the proposed project and how effectively the proposed project addresses the identified need. The SAA will validate and identify the non-profit’s organization type as either 1) Ideology-based/Spiritual/Religious; 2)

Educational; 3) Medical; or 4) Other; as described in the Section D – Application

Submission Information Non-profit Organization Application – Mission Statement.

The SAA is required to provide the scores from the state review along with the prioritized list of NSGP projects to DHS/FEMA using the SAA Prioritization

Tracker.

Federal Review

The highest-scoring IJs from each submitting Urban Area are reviewed by a panel made up of DHS/FEMA Headquarters and Regional Program Analysts or Grants Management

Specialists. Two Federal reviewers will score each IJ using the NSGP Scoring

Worksheet.

Determining the number of applications that will advance to the Federal Review:

1) DHS/FEMA will review highest scoring applications where the cumulative requested funding is equivalent to 150% of the available FY 2015 NSGP funding.

For example, if NSGP funding is $13,000,000, then DHS/FEMA will multiply

$13,000,000 by 1.5 (150%), which equals $19,500,000. In this scenario, DHS/FEMA will review the number of applications where the cumulative requested funding is equal to, at least, $19,500,000.

2) DHS/FEMA will review the same percentage of applications from each Urban

Area:

In order to give applications from all Urban Areas an opportunity for Federal

Review, DHS/FEMA will review the same percentage of applications from each

Urban Area. The percentage is dependent on the number of submitting Urban

Areas, the number of applications submitted by each Urban Area, and the Federal funding requested by each Urban Area, however, at least one application from each Urban Area will advance to Federal review. The highest scoring (final state score) applications from each Urban Area will advance to Federal review.

Final Score

To calculate the final score, the sum of the applicant’s state score and the average of the two Federal reviewers’ scores will be multiplied:

By a factor of three for non-profit groups that are at a high risk of terrorist attacks due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission;

By a factor of two for medical and educational institutions;

By a factor of one for all other non-profit organizations.

All final application scores will then be sorted in descending order, regardless of Urban

Area, and applicants will be selected from highest to lowest until available FY 2015

NSGP funding has been exhausted. In the event of a tie during the funding determination process, priority will be given to non-profit organizations that have not received prior year funding, then those ranked highest by their SAA. DHS/FEMA will use the final results to make funding recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security. All final funding determinations will be made by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who retains the discretion to consider other factors and information in addition to

DHS/FEMA’s funding recommendations.

Financial Review

The DHS/FEMA headquarters grants management specialists will conduct a financial risk assessment using the following criteria:

Allowability, allocability, and financial reasonableness of the proposed budget and investment information.

Whether the recipient meets the financial and legal requirements listed in 2 C.F.R.

Part 200.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Notice of Award

Notification of award approval is made through the ND Grants system through an automatic e-mail to the awardee point of contact (the “authorized official”) listed in the initial application. The “award date” for NSGP will be the date that DHS/FEMA approves the award. The awardee should follow the directions in the notification to confirm acceptance of the award.

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 90 days from the award date. The recipient shall notify the awarding agency of its intent to accept and proceed with work under the award through the ND Grants system. For instructions on how to accept or decline and award in the ND Grants system, please see pages 40-43 in the ND Grants

Grantee Training Manual.

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the ND Grants system and all other conditions of award have been satisfied, or the award is otherwise rescinded. Failure to accept the grant award within the 90 day timeframe may result in a loss of funds.

Pass through funding requirements

Pass through funding is required under this program.

Awards made to the SAA for the FY 2015 NSGP carry additional pass-through requirements. Pass-through is defined as an obligation on the part of the state to make subawards to selected non-profit organizations. The SAA must provide 100 percent of funds awarded under NSGP to successful non-profit applicants within 45 days of receipt of the funds. A letter of intent (or equivalent) to distribute funds is not sufficient. Award subrecipients that are selected for funding under this program must be provided with funding within 45 days from the date the funds are first made available to the recipient so that they can initiate implementation of approved investments.

For the SAA to successfully meet the pass-through requirement and provide funding to the subrecipients, the SAA must meet the following four requirements:

There must be some action by the SAA to establish a firm commitment to award the funds to the selected non-profit organization;

The action must be unconditional on the part of the SAA (i.e., no contingencies for availability of SAA funds);

There must be documentary evidence of the commitment of the award of funding to the selected non-profit organization; and

The SAA must communicate the terms of the subaward to the selected non-profit organization.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/25949 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/25949

If a non-profit organization is selected for a FY 2015 NSGP award and elects to decline the award, the SAA must notify the Headquarters Program Analyst; the SAA may not obligate those funds.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Successful applicants for all DHS/FEMA grant and cooperative agreements are required to comply with DHS Standard Administrative Terms and Conditions, which are available online at: http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions.

Before accepting the award the authorized official should carefully read the award package. The award package contains instructions on administering the grant award, as well as terms and conditions with which the recipient must comply. Recipients must accept all the conditions in this NOFO as well as all Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program.

Reporting

Recipients are required to submit various financial and programmatic reports as a condition of their award acceptance. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent.

Federal Financial Reporting Requirements

Federal Financial Report (FFR)

Recipients must report obligations and expenditures ported on a quarterly basis through the FFR (SF-425) to DHS/FEMA. Recipients must file the FFR electronically using the

Payment and Reporting Systems (PARS) https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/execute/OnlineUserRegistration. A FFR must be submitted quarterly throughout the period of performance, including partial calendar quarters, as well as for periods where no grant award activity occurs. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail.

Recipients may review the Federal Financial Reporting Form (SF-425) here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/grants/approved_forms/SF-425.pdf, SF-425 OMB #00348-0061

Financial Reporting Periods and Due Dates

The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the 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

Financial and Compliance Audit Report

For audits of fiscal years beginning on or after December 26, 2014, recipients that expend

$750,000 or more from all Federal funding sources during their fiscal year are required to http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/execute/OnlineUserRegistration http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/grants/approved_forms/SF-425.pdf submit an organization-wide financial and compliance audit report. The audit must be performed in accordance with the requirements of Government Accountability Office’s

(GAO) Government Auditing Standards, located at http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm, and the requirements of Subpart F of 2 C.F.R.

Part 200, located at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=55e12eead565605b4d529d82d276105c&node=2:1.1.2.1.1.6&rgn=div6.

For audits of fiscal years beginning prior to December 26, 2014, recipients that expend

$500,000 or more from all Federal funding sources during their fiscal year are required to submit an organization-wide financial and compliance audit report. The audit must be performed in accordance with GAO’s Government Auditing Standards, located at http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm, and OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local

Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, located at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a133_compliance_supplement_2012.

Program Performance Reporting Requirements

Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR)

Recipients are responsible for providing updated performance reports to DHS/FEMA using the SF-PPR on a biannual basis. Recipients must complete the cover page of the

SF-PPR (OMB Control Number: 0970-0334) and submit it as an attachment to the ND

Grants system.

Recipients will be required to report on progress towards implementing plans described in their application, as well as progress made towards implementing performance measures.

Program Performance Reporting Periods and Due Dates

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

Reporting Period Report Due Date

January 1 – June 30 July 30

July 1 – December 31 January 30

Biannual Strategy Implementation Reports (BSIR)

In addition to the quarterly financial and biannual performance progress reports, Recipients are responsible for completing and submitting BSIRs. The BSIR is due within

30 days after the end of the reporting period (July 30 for the reporting period of January 1 through June 30 (the summer BSIR report); and January 30 for the reporting period of

July 1 through December 31 (winter BSIR report).

http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=55e12eead565605b4d529d82d276105c&node=2:1.1.2.1.1.6&rgn=div6 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=55e12eead565605b4d529d82d276105c&node=2:1.1.2.1.1.6&rgn=div6 http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a133_compliance_supplement_2012 http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fap/SF-PPR_Cover%20Sheet.pdf.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fap/SF-PPR_Cover%20Sheet.pdf

Closeout

DHS/FEMA will close out the grant award when it determines that all applicable administrative actions and all required work of the NSGP award have been completed by the recipient.