FY 2020 SAFER NOFO - final 1.15.2021.pdf

FY 2020 SAFER Program NOFO

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

Fiscal Year 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) 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 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding DUNS and SAM is also provided in Section D – Application and Submission Information of this NOFO, subsection, Content and Form of Application Submission. An active registration is required in order to apply for funding.

A. Program Description

1. Issued By Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)

2. Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number) 97.083

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant

4. Funding Opportunity Title FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-20-GPD-083-00-99

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-498, as amended (15 U.S.C § 2229a) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title15/pdf/USCODE-2018-title15-chap49-sec2229a.pdf

7. Appropriation Authority for Program Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. No. 116-93) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ93/pdf/PLAW-116publ93.pdf http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title15/pdf/USCODE-2018-title15-chap49-sec2229a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title15/pdf/USCODE-2018-title15-chap49-sec2229a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ93/pdf/PLAW-116publ93.pdf

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities Overview The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Staffing for Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program (hereafter referred to as the SAFER Program) is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The SAFER Program accomplishes this by providing funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments. The SAFER Program represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS.

Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Strategic Plan, the SAFER Program supports the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience.

In awarding grants, the FEMA Administrator is required to consider:

• The findings and recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Panel;

• The degree to which an award will reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage by reducing the risks associated with fire-related and other hazards;

• The extent of an applicant’s need for a SAFER Program grant and the need to protect the United States as a whole; and,

• The number of calls requesting or requiring a firefighting or emergency medical response received by an applicant.

The 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for the field of emergency management and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. The SAFER Program supports the goal of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation.

Objectives The objectives of the SAFER Program are to assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Local fire departments accomplish this by improving staffing and deployment capabilities, so they may more effectively and safely respond to emergencies. With enhanced staffing levels, recipients should experience a reduction in response times and an increase in the number of trained personnel assembled at the incident scene.

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema-strategic-plan_2018-2022.pdf

Priorities Information on program priorities and objectives for the FY 2020 SAFER Program can be found in Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities.

10. Performance Metrics The grant recipient is required to collect data to allow FEMA to measure performance of the awarded grant in support of the SAFER Program metrics, which are tied to the programmatic objectives and priorities. In order to measure performance, FEMA may request information throughout the period of performance. In its final performance report submitted at closeout, the recipient must submit sufficient information to demonstrate it has met the performance goal as stated in its award. FEMA will measure the recipient’s performance of the grant by comparing the number of items, supplies, projects, and activities needed and requested in its application with the number of items, supplies, projects, and activities acquired and delivered by the end of the period of performance using the following programmatic metrics:

• Percent of “majority career” SAFER Program recipients structural fire responses that complied with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 structural response standards.

• Percent of “majority volunteer” SAFER Program recipients structural fire responses that complied with NFPA 1720 structural response standards.

• Percent of SAFER Program recipients who reported and provided evidence that the grant funding increased compliance with NFPA 1710 or 1720 assembly and deployment standards.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $355 million

2. Projected number of Awards: 300

3. Period of Performance: 12 to 48 months from the date of award. Extensions to the period of performance are allowed. For additional information on period of performance extensions, refer to Section H – Additional Information - Extensions to the Grant Period of Performance.

FEMA awards under this program only include one budget period, so it will be same as the period of performance. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for definitions of “budget period” and “period of performance.”

• Hiring of Firefighters (Hiring) Activity: The period of performance for applications funded under the Hiring Activity will be 36 months.

• Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Activity: The period of performance for applications funded under the R&R Activity is 12, 24, 36, or 48 months.

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): August 24, 2021 (will vary based on award date and activity type)

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): August 24, 2022 - 2025 (will vary based on award date and activity type)

6. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

a. Hiring Activity

Fire departments operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,1 or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A fire department is an agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a state, local, tribal, or territorial authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population within a geographically fixed primary first due response area. National, regional, state, local, tribal and nonprofit interest organizations representing the interests of volunteer firefighters are not eligible to receive a SAFER Program award under the Hiring Activity.

b. R&R Activity Volunteer and combination fire departments operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,1 or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A fire department is an agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a state, local, tribal, or territorial authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population within a geographically fixed primary first due response area. National, regional, state, local, tribal and nonprofit interest organizations representing the interests of volunteer firefighters are eligible to receive a SAFER Program award under the R&R Activity. Career fire departments are not eligible to apply for funding under the R&R Activity.

Information on ineligible applications and/or organizations is in Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities.

2. Eligible Activities

1 The District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are all defined as “States” in the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. See 15 U.S.C. § 2203(10).

• Hiring Activity: The Hiring Activity offers grants to support applications to hire new, additional firefighters (or to change the status of part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time firefighters), rehire laid off firefighters, or to retain firefighters facing layoff.

• R&R Activity: The R&R Activity offers grants to support applications to assist fire departments with the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters who are involved with or trained in the operations of firefighting and emergency response.

Each activity has its own application and eligibility requirements, as further outlined in Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities.

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

SAFER Program applicants are not required to comply with NIMS to apply for SAFER Program funding or to receive a SAFER Program award. Any applicant who receives an FY 2020 SAFER Program award must achieve the level of NIMS compliance required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over the applicant’s emergency service operations (e.g., a local government), prior to the end of the grant’s period of performance.

4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) There is no MOE or minimum budget requirement for the FY 2020 SAFER Program.

5. Cost Share or Match There is no cost share or match or position cost limit for the FY 2020 SAFER Program.

6. Economic Hardship Waivers Because there is no minimum budget requirement, no cost share requirement, and no position cost limit, an economic hardship waiver process is not necessary. Therefore, no economic hardship waiver process applies to the FY 2020 SAFER Program.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times – all times listed are Eastern Time (ET):

Date Posted to Grants.gov: February 1, 2021 Application Start Date: February 8, 2021 at 8 a.m.

Application Submission Deadline: March 12, 2021 at 5 p.m.

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

FEMA’s Grants Outcomes System (FEMA GO) automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system successfully receives the application. The individual with the Authorized Organization Representative role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission. For additional information on how an applicant will be notified of application receipt, see the subsection titled “Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission” in Section D of this NOFO.

FEMA will not review applications that are received after the deadline or consider these late applications for funding. FEMA may, however, extend the application deadline on request for any applicant who can demonstrate that good cause exists to justify extending the deadline. Good cause for an extension may include technical problems outside of the applicant’s control that prevent submission of the application by the deadline, other exigent or emergency circumstances, or statutory requirements for FEMA to make an award.

Applicants experiencing technical problems outside of their control must notify FEMA as soon as possible and before the application deadline. Failure to timely notify FEMA of the issue that prevented the timely filing of the application may preclude consideration of the award. “Timely notification” of FEMA means the following: prior to the application deadline and within 48 hours after the applicant became aware of the issue.

If applicants experience technical issues, they must notify the FEMA GO Helpdesk as soon as possible. The FEMA GO Helpdesk can be reached at (877) 585-3242 or by e-mail at femago@fema.dhs.gov. The FEMA GO Helpdesk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET.

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist. If applicants do not know who to contact or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact the SAFER Help Desk at (866) 274-0960 or by e-mail at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The SAFER Help Desk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: May 24, 2021

Anticipated Award Date: Beginning on approximately May 24, 2021 and continuing thereafter until all FY 2020 SAFER Program grant awards are issued (but no later than September 30, 2021).

Other Key Dates:

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion

Obtaining DUNS Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Eight weeks before actual submission deadline mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of its award, should the applicant receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package The online FY 2020 SAFER Program application is only available via the SAFER Program’s FEMA GO application portal at https://go.fema.gov.

Note: Hard copies of the application are not available. However, the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is (800) 462-7585.

Content and Form of Application Submission FEMA will process applications through FEMA GO. Application tutorials and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) explain the current SAFER Program, assist with the online grant application, and highlight lessons learned and changes for FY 2020. For more details, please visit the SAFER Program website at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer.

DHS makes all funding opportunities available on the internet, accessible at http://www.grants.gov. If applicants experience difficulties accessing information or have any questions, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at (800) 518-4726.

The Grants.gov website will direct applicants to FEMA GO, at https://go.fema.gov, which contains the online SAFER Program application. The online SAFER Program application incorporates all required forms.

FEMA GO will allow the applicant’s authorized representative(s) to log in and create their own account. This account is specific to the authorized user and must not be shared with other personnel. The FEMA GO account is separate from any previous accounts created in the eGrants system. Applicants can save, retrieve, update and revise their work through the end of the application period. The automated system does not allow applicants to submit incomplete applications. The system alerts applicants when required information has not been entered. Prior to final submission, an online application may be saved, retrieved, or edited up to the application deadline.

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

Registering in or Updating SAM registration

Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering Organization in FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) System

Prior to beginning application

Submitting complete application in FEMA GO

One week before actual submission deadline https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer http://www.grants.gov/ https://go.fema.gov/

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA GO.

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE RELEASED BACK TO THE

APPLICANT AFTER FINAL SUBMISSION

After the application period has ended, no changes can be made. There is no appeal process for inaccurate or incomplete information.

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The Standard Forms (SF) are also available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

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

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Indirect Cost Agreement or Proposal If the budget includes indirect costs, the applicant is required to have an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal. If the applicant does not have or is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal, please see the “Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs” section of this NOFO for further information regarding allowability of indirect costs and whether alternatives to an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal might be available, or contact the relevant FEMA staff identified in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” for further instructions.

However, indirect costs are not allowable under the Hiring Activity, so this only applies to the R&R Activity.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

For program-specific required and optional forms and information, please see the appendices to this NOFO.

4. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Identifier, Register in the System for Award

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Applicants are encouraged to register early as the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Please review the table above for estimated deadlines to complete each of the steps listed.

Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for submitting an application may disqualify that application from funding.

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide a valid DUNS number, which is currently the unique entity identifier;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

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

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

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

g. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. As part of this, applicants must also provide information on an applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well as on all predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the past three years, if applicable.

Applicants are advised that FEMA may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when FEMA is ready to make a federal award. Further, applicants must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by any federal awarding agency. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, FEMA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(c)(2)(ii), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from receiving a DUNS number and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible by contacting askcsid@fema.dhs.gov and providing the details of the circumstances that prevent completion of these requirements. If FEMA determines that there are exigent circumstances and FEMA has decided to make an award, the applicant will be required to obtain a DUNS number and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

Electronic Delivery DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity. For this funding opportunity, FEMA requires applicants to submit applications through FEMA GO.

5. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for FEMA funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process.

Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. To ensure an application meets the deadline, applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission.

Organizations must have a DUNS Number, EIN, and an active SAM registration.

b. Obtain a DUNS Number

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html.

Note: At some point, the DUNS Number will be replaced by a “new, non-proprietary identifier” requested in, and assigned by, SAM.gov. This new identifier is being called the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), or the Entity ID. Grants.gov has begun preparing for this transition by educating users about the upcoming changes and updating field labels and references to the DUNS Number (the current identifier) within the Grants.gov system. Users should continue using the DUNS Number in UEI fields until further notice. To learn more about SAM’s rollout of the UEI, please visit https://gsa.gov/entityid.

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number In addition to having a DUNS number, all entities applying for funding must provide an EIN. The EIN can be obtained from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://gsa.gov/entityid https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

d. Create a login.gov account Applicants must have a login.gov account in order to register with SAM or update their SAM registration. Applicants can create a login.gov account here:

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3.

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For applicants that are existing SAM users, use the same email address for the login.gov account as with SAM.gov so that the two accounts can be linked.

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf.

e. Register with SAM In addition to having a DUNS number, all organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

Note: As a new requirement per 2 C.F.R. § 25.200, applicants must also provide the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the last three years, if applicable.

f. Additional SAM Reminders Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to make sure it is “ACTIVE.” SAM registration should be completed at the very beginning of the application period and should be renewed annually to avoid being “INACTIVE.”

Please allow plenty of time before the grant application submission deadline to obtain a DUNS number and then to register in SAM. It may be four weeks or more after an applicant submits the SAM registration before the registration is active in SAM, and then it may be an additional 24 hours before FEMA’s system recognizes the information.

It is imperative that the information applicants provide 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 FEMA awards. Payment under any FEMA award is contingent on the recipient’s having a current SAM registration.

Help with SAM The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration (GSA) to

Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues

6. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission All applications must be completed in FEMA GO and received by March 12, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET. FEMA GO automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives the application. The individual with the Authorized Organization Representative role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission on the date and time that FEMA GO received the application. Applications received by FEMA GO after the established due date for applications will be considered late and will not be considered for funding.

Applicants who experience system-related issues will be addressed until 3 p.m. ET on the date applications are due. No new system-related issues will be addressed after this deadline.

Applicants using slow internet connections, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before FEMA GO receives your application. FEMA GO will provide either an error message or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the AOR that submitted the application. The FEMA GO Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Do not do this. It may cause your application to fail to be submitted and consequently not be considered for funding. Please assist those registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do, or call toll free at (866) 606-8220, Monday SAM registration, please contact the Federal Support Desk at

g. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish t he

AOR

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

Applicants must register in FEMA GO and add their organization to the system. The organization’s electronic business point of contact (EBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607.

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

through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET.

with using FEMA GO.

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 be patient and give the system time to process the application.

7. 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 ( https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html; ; https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/spoc_1_16_2020.pdf).

8. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs All costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO, or the terms and conditions of the award.

This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered, within the period of performance of the award. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h) (referring to budget periods, which for FEMA awards under this program is the same as the period of performance).

In general, the Cost Principles establish standards for the allowability of costs, provide detailed guidance on the cost accounting treatment of costs as direct or administrative costs, and set forth allowability principles for selected items of cost. More specifically, except as otherwise stated in this NOFO, the terms and condition of an award, or other program materials, costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must be consistent with the Cost Principles for Federal Awards located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. In order to be allowable, all costs charged to a FEMA award or applied to the cost share must be reasonable in nature and amount and allocable to the particular FEMA award.

Additionally, all costs charged to awards must comply with the grant program’s applicable statutes, policies, requirements in this NOFO as well as with the terms and conditions of the award. If FEMA staff identify costs that are inconsistent with any of these requirements, these costs may be disallowed, and FEMA may recover funds as appropriate, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

As part of those requirements, grant recipients and subrecipients may only use federal funds or funds applied to a cost share for the purposes set forth in this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, and those costs must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award.

Grant funds may not be used for matching funds for other federal grants/cooperative agreements, 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.

Additionally, federal employees are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on the development of any proposal submitted under this program.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/spoc_1_16_2020.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/spoc_1_16_2020.pdf

In addition to the subsections below, please see Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities, section E. Restrictions on Use of Award Funds for additional information on funding restrictions and allowable costs.

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered

Telecommunications Equipment or Services Recipients and subrecipients of FEMA federal financial assistance are subject to the prohibitions described in section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019 NDAA), Pub. L. No. 115-232 (2018) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.326, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part

200. Beginning August 13, 2020, the statute – as it applies to FEMA recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors and subcontractors – prohibits obligating or expending federal award funds on certain telecommunications and video surveillance products and contracting with certain entities for national security reasons.

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

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

(1) Procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology of any system;

(2) Enter into, extend, or renew a contract to procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology of any system; or,

(3) Enter into, extend, or renew contracts with entities that use covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.

i. Replacement Equipment and Services FEMA grant funding may be permitted to procure replacement equipment and services impacted by this prohibition, provided the costs are otherwise consistent with the requirements of the NOFO.

ii. Definitions

Per section 889(f)(2)-(3) of the FY 2019 NDAA and 2 C.F.R. § 200.216, covered telecommunications equipment or services means:

i. Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

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ii. For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

iii. Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or,

iv. Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the People’s Republic of China.

Examples of the types of products covered by this prohibition include phones, internet, video surveillance, and cloud servers when produced, provided, or used by the entities listed in the definition of “covered telecommunications equipment or services.” See 2 C.F.R. § 200.471.

b. Construction

Construction costs are not eligible under the SAFER Program. Construction includes major alterations to a building that changes the profile or footprint of the structure.

Modifications to facilities activities described in Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities, section F. Funding Priorities are not considered construction costs for purposes of general award cost categorization and may be eligible. However, modifications to facilities activities might be considered “construction” for purposes of applicable procurement under grants requirements or environmental protection and historic preservation purposes.

c. Pre-award Costs

Only costs incurred during the period of performance are allowable. However, recipients of an R&R Activity award may be reimbursed for grant writer fees. See also Appendix C – Award Administration Information for further information regarding grant writer fees and the "Additional Information” section of this NOFO for general procurement under grants requirements.

d. Award Limits There is no maximum award amount for awards made under the FY 2020 SAFER Program.

e. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs M&A expenses should be based only on actual expenses or known contractual costs;

requests that are simple percentages of the award, without supporting justification, will not be allowed or considered for reimbursement. Salaries and fringe benefits for personnel directly supporting the grant are not required to be included in the M&A budget line item. No more than 3 percent of the federal share of SAFER Program funds awarded may be expended by the recipient for M&A for purposes associated with the SAFER Program award. M&A costs are not eligible under the Hiring

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

Indirect costs are allowable only under the R&R Activity under this program and as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants with a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement that desire to charge indirect costs to an award must provide a copy of their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement at the time of application. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Applicants that are not required by 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement but are required by 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to develop an indirect cost rate proposal must provide a copy of their proposal at the time of application. Applicants who do not have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FireGrants@fema.dhs.gov for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an indirect cost rate must also reach out to FireGrants@fema.dhs.gov for further instructions. Post-award requests to charge indirect costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis and based upon the submission of an agreement or proposal as discussed above or based upon on the de minimis rate or cost allocation plan, as applicable. Indirect costs are not allowable under the Hiring Activity.

9. Environmental and Historical Preservation (EHP) As a federal agency, DHS/FEMA is required to consider the effects of its actions on the environment and historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by the agency, including grant-funded projects, comply with Federal EHP regulations, laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies, as applicable.

Recipients proposing projects that have the potential to impact the environment, including but not limited to modification or renovation of existing buildings, structures, and facilities, must participate in the DHS/FEMA EHP review process. The EHP review process involves the submission of a screening form that includes 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 may also be required to consult with other regulatory agencies and the public in order to complete the review process. Federal law requires EHP review to be completed before federal funds are released to carry out proposed projects. Grant recipients must receive confirmation of a completed EHP review prior to beginning project activities. FEMA may not be able to fund projects that are not incompliance with applicable EHP laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies.

Applicants may attach the optional EHP form during the application period for the project(s) they wish to pursue; however, it does not guarantee award. Once the awards are announced, it is the responsibility of the grant recipients to supply the required mailto:FireGrants@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FireGrants@fema.dhs.gov

EHP form at that time to DHS/FEMA, if they have not submitted already during the application period. Applicants can only proceed with their project(s) once the EHP review is completed and approved. DHS/FEMA may notify grant recipients via email if EHP review is required and will provide instructions on how to comply.

DHS and FEMA EHP policy is found in directives and instructions available on the FEMA.gov EHP page, the FEMA website page that includes documents regarding EHP responsibilities and program requirements, including implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act and other EHP regulations and Executive Orders.

Additionally, all SAFER Program recipients are required to comply with FEMA GPD EHP Policy Guidance. FEMA Policy # 108-023-1, Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Policy Guidance.

SAFER Program applications that involve the installation of supplies/equipment not specifically excluded from a FEMA EHP Review, per the GPD Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA), such as ground-disturbing activities, or modification/renovation of existing buildings or structures, will require an EHP review.

Some equipment activities will require an EHP review as well. Such activities include but are not limited to the installation of:

• Building renovations such as removal of wall or installation of electrical or water lines

• Training/exercises in natural settings such as rope or swift water

• LED Signs; and

• Any scope of work that involves ground disturbances

The following activities would not require the submission of the FEMA EHP Screening Form:

• Planning and development of policies or processes;

• Management, administrative or personnel actions;

• Classroom-based training;

• Acquisition of mobile and portable equipment (not involving installation) on or in a building and does not require a storage area to be constructed; and

• Purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and/or SCBA.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria Funding priorities and programmatic criteria for evaluating SAFER Program applications are established by FEMA based on the recommendations from the Criteria Development Panel (CDP). Each year, FEMA convenes a panel of fire https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/laws https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/85376 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/85376 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/85376 service professionals to develop funding priorities for the SAFER Program. The panel makes recommendations about funding priorities as well as developing criteria for awarding grants.

The nine major fire service organizations represented on the panel are:

• International Association of Fire Chiefs

• International Association of Fire Fighters

• National Volunteer Fire Council

• National Fire Protection Association

• National Association of State Fire Marshals

• International Association of Arson Investigators

• International Society of Fire Service Instructors

• North American Fire Training Directors; and

• Congressional Fire Service Institute

The CDP is charged with making recommendations to FEMA regarding the creation or modification of previously established funding priorities as well as developing criteria for awarding grants. The content of this NOFO reflects implementation of the CDP’s recommendations with respect to the priorities, direction, and criteria for awards.

FEMA will rank all complete and submitted applications based on how well they match the program priorities for the type of activity. Answers to the application’s activity specific questions provide information used to determine each application’s ranking.

b. Financial Integrity Criteria Prior to making a federal award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3354, as amended by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-117 (2020); 41 U.S.C. § 2313; and 2 C.F.R. § 200.206 to review information available through any Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, including whether the applicant is suspended or debarred. FEMA may also pose additional questions to the applicant to aid in conducting the pre-award risk review. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

i. Financial stability;

ii. Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards;

iii. History of performance in managing federal award;

iv. Reports and findings from audits; and

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

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Review

Prior to making a federal award where the anticipated federal share of a federal award will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000):

i. FEMA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant, including information on the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors, if applicable, that is the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM, which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered.

iii. FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants, as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

2. Review and Selection Process

SAFER Program applications are reviewed through a multi-phase process. All applications are electronically pre-scored and ranked based on how well they align with the funding priorities outlined in this NOFO. Applications are then scored competitively by no less than three members of a Peer Review Panel.

Applications with the highest score rankings per activity will also be evaluated through a series of internal FEMA review processes for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, technical…