FY_2021_DHS_NOFO_EFSP_Final_508.pdf

FY 2021 EFSP NOFO Back to the Top

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2021 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program

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

Employer Identification Number (EIN), a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), or your SAM registration is not active, please take immediate action to obtain an EIN and

DUNS Number, if applicable, and then register immediately in SAM or, if applicable, renew your SAM registration. 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, EIN, and SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO under the subsection titled “How to

Register to Apply.” Detailed information regarding the time required for each registration is also provided in Section D of this NOFO under the subsection titled “Other Key Dates.”

Table of Contents A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listings Number

3. Assistance Listings Title

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Category

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

11. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $130,000,000.00

2. Projected Number of Awards: 1

3. Maximum Award Amount: $130,000,000.00

4. Period of Performance: 24 months

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2020

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2022

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE)

5. Cost Share or Match http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

5. Electronic Delivery

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

7. How to Submit an Initial Application to FEMA via Grants.gov

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. Intergovernmental Review

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Pass-Through Requirements

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

4. Reporting

5. Monitoring and Oversight

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

2. Systems Information

H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

2. Period of Performance Extensions

3. Disability Integration

4. Conflicts of Interest in the Administration of Federal Awards or Subawards

5. Procurement Integrity

6. Record Retention

7. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance

9. Audits

10. Payment Information

11. Whole Community Preparedness

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA)/Recovery Directorate/Individual Assistance Division

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.024

3. Assistance Listings Title

Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2021 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-21-DAD-024-00-01.

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 311 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (Public Law No: 100-

77, as amended) (42 U.S.C. §11341)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No. 116-260)

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Category

Recovery: Assistance for Individuals

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

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

The EFSP was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the “Job Stimulus Bill,”

Pub. L. No. 98-8. Congress was reacting to demands from charitable organizations across the country to help supplement the local food and shelter providers dealing with increasing demand for their services. Later it was authorized under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless

Assistance Act (Pub. L. No. 100-77 signed into law on July 22, 1987; subsequently reauthorized under Pub. L. No. 100-628, signed into law on November 7, 1988). Public Law

106-400, enacted October 30, 2000, renamed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance

Act as the “McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.”

By statute, the EFSP is governed by a National Board that sets the program’s policies and procedures and determines the funding allocations to local communities across the country as well as the eligible uses of the funds. FEMA chairs the National Board, with membership that includes individuals nominated by six national nonprofit organizations named in the statute: American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North

America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, and

United Way Worldwide. The program is administered at the community level by Local

Boards whose membership mirrors the National Board, with a representative of local government replacing the National Board’s FEMA member. Local Boards also contain a homeless or formerly homeless representative and a Native American representative if the jurisdiction is located within or encompasses a Federally-recognized Native American reservation—or if a Native American population is in the jurisdiction—as well as other agencies active in assisting homeless and hungry persons in the community. Local Boards determine which LROs within their jurisdictions are to be awarded funds and the National

Board disburses the funds directly to the LROs.

The EFSP makes available federal funds, through the program’s National Board, to assist people experiencing a severe economic crisis (not disaster-related [i.e., fires of any kind, floods, tornadoes, etc.] emergencies). Therefore, EFSP funds are not to be used to provide emergency assistance for circumstances that are the immediate result of a disaster situation.

EFSP funds may be used to provide economic assistance in the long term, even if the current circumstances may have been impacted by an earlier disaster occurrence. The EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people. EFSP funds must be used to supplement feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering), rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts, and supportive services.

b. Objectives

The EFSP supports the response and recovery mission areas of the National Preparedness

Goal (NPG) by complementing actions undertaken to achieve an “all-of-Nation preparedness approach that optimizes the use of available resources.” When a disaster strikes, it is often those with economic vulnerabilities who suffer the most. The EFSP supports a population that would otherwise be more adversely impacted by a disaster situation and mitigates the potential burdens imposed on response and recovery efforts to assist those living on the streets or that otherwise have severe economic needs.

The EFSP supports Goal 5: Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience, Objective 5.1: Build a

National Culture of Preparedness, of The DHS Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2020-2024, by assisting people with emergency economic needs to stabilize and become self-reliant so they are better prepared should a natural disaster occur. The EFSP fosters public and private local social service organization partnerships to identify populations within communities for assistance prior to a disaster—such as the elderly, the physically disabled, and those in areas plagued with the highest financial insecurities—who may have the greatest challenges immediately after a disaster and when disaster assistance resources are exhausted.

c. Priorities

Federal appropriations are awarded annually in full to the National Board and the law specifies that funds may be used (in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 11343(a)):

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

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

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

In accordance with congressional findings and purpose of the EFSP (see 42 U.S.C. 11301, Findings and Purpose), the National Board encourages Local Boards, the decision-making local bodies, “to provide funds for programs to assist the homeless, with special emphasis on elderly persons, handicapped persons, families with children, Native Americans, and veterans.”

The National Board has determined that the eligible services that LROs may provide to clients using EFSP funds are:

• Food, in the form of served meals or groceries;

• Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel;

• One month’s rental or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions;

• One month’s utility payment to prevent service cut-offs;

• Transportation costs associated with the provision of food or shelter;

• Minimal repairs to mass feeding or sheltering facilities for building code violations or for handicapped accessibility; and

• Supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people

In addition to the above services, the National Board shall also make allowable, with this FY

2021 EFSP funding, COVID-19 testing and associated medical care during quarantine and isolation. This will provide consistent, eligible use of EFSP FY 2021 funding with the EFSP

FY 2021 supplemental funding made available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

It is important that within the 2021 fiscal year, wherein the Nation continues to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, that all 2021 EFSP grant funding be flexible for use in providing COVID-19 testing and associated medical care for quarantine and isolation, where needed. It should be noted that the use of EFSP fiscal year appropriations for addressing impacts of the COVID-19 virus may not be applicable in subsequent fiscal years. Besides the services heretofore listed, the National Board may determine other eligible service(s) under this funding opportunity in keeping with the mission of the EFSP.

National Board Responsibilities – The EFSP is a restricted federal grant. All federal grants have terms and conditions that apply to all parties participating in the grant. For the EFSP, all parties mean the National Board, which is considered the Grantee or Recipient, and State

Set-Aside Committees (SSAs), Local Boards, and LROs, which are considered the Sub-

Recipients. The National Board’s operating principles are:

• Efficiency—fiscal administration, reporting and procedural guidance to Local Boards and LROs

• Accountability—good steward of taxpayers’ dollars through reasonable oversight and transparency

• Responsiveness—prioritize the allocation of supplemental funds to the neediest areas in the nation

• Partnership—promote and strengthen collaboration between non- profit organizations and public sector

• Facilitating—maximizing appropriate local decision-making through clear guidance and training

The National Board will:

1. Select jurisdictions of highest need for food and shelter assistance and determine the amount to be distributed to each. The National Board’s formula is based upon average unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor

Statistics for the most current 12-month period available and poverty statistics from the U. S. Census Bureau. The poverty level is based on data collected in the American

Community Survey (5-year estimates). Poverty and unemployment were selected as the best indicators of need available nationwide at the city or county level. The

National Board adopted these combined criteria (i.e., unemployment and poverty) to target funds more effectively for high-need areas and to allocate these funds rapidly and fairly. Notwithstanding the current formula, the National Board may use at its discretion additional or replacement data that would better target EFSP funding to areas of highest need.

2. Develop an operational manual and establish criteria for expenditure of funds and distributing funds.

3. In jurisdictions that received previous awards, notify the jurisdiction that new funds are available. In areas newly qualified for funding, notify the local United Way or other National Board organization and request that a Local Board be formed. The

National Board will notify qualifying jurisdictions of their allocations following

FEMA’s award of funds to the National Board.

4. Provide copies of award notification materials to National Board member affiliates and other interested parties.

5. Secure board plan, certification forms and board roster from Local Boards. Secure

Second Payment Requests/Interim Reports, and Final Reports from Local Boards.

Ensure Local Boards and LROs comply with established guidelines.

6. Distribute funds to selected LROs.

7. Review and grant requests for program variances submitted by Local Boards.

8. Establish an equitable system to accomplish the reallocation of unclaimed or unused funds including hearing special requests from SSAs and Local Boards.

9. Ensure that funds are properly accounted for and that unused funds, and funds that must be returned due to compliance issues, are collected.

10. Provide consultation and technical assistance regarding the program.

11. Compile reports from data received from the Local Boards and submit a detailed accounting of use for all program monies in the form of a report to FEMA.

12. Conduct compliance reviews of food and shelter expenditures made under this program for specified LROs. The National Board, DHS FEMA, the National Board’s public accounting firm, and the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) may also conduct an audit/review of these funds. The National Board is also responsible for monitoring LRO compliance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200. Site reviews are performed for specific LROs participating in the program as part of monitoring.

FEMA Responsibilities – FEMA will:

1. Constitute a National Board consisting of individuals affiliated with American Red

Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; The

Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; United Way Worldwide; and

FEMA.

2. Chair the National Board, using parliamentary procedures and consensus by the National

Board as the mode of operation.

3. Provide policy guidance, monitoring and oversight, Federal coordination, and staff assistance to the National Board.

4. Award the EFSP grant to the National Board.

5. Assist the Secretariat and Fiscal Agent in implementing the National Board Program.

6. Report to Congress on the year’s program activities through the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Annual Report.

7. Through the DHS OIG, and FEMA Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), monitor the National Board's annual audit of the program.

8. Monitor the overall administration and management of the grant expenditures.

9. Obtain reports from the Secretariat and Fiscal Agent, which provide detailed accounting of all program monies.

11. Performance Measures

The National Board is charged by Congress to provide emergency food and shelter to families and individuals in need through local social service organizations, both non-profit and governmental. The National Board shall require funded organizations to report the assistance provided according to the following allowable categories:

▪ Number of meals provided to those struggling with hunger and/or food insecurity.

▪ Number of nights of lodging provided to the unsheltered.

▪ Number of rent/mortgage payments made to avoid eviction.

▪ Number of utility payments made to those facing disconnection or those with very low or no service.

▪ Number of COVID-19 tests administered.

▪ Number(s) and kind(s) of medical care provided.

▪ Number(s) of other eligible service(s) under the EFSP, as determined by the National

Board.

All expenditures must be for eligible purposes, delivered in adherence to program requirements, and thoroughly documented and reported.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $130,000,000.00

2. Projected Number of Awards: 1

3. Maximum Award Amount: $130,000,000.00

4. Period of Performance: 24 months

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

FEMA awards 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.”

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2020

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2022

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The National Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is the only eligible applicant.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (Public Law No. 100-77, as amended), provides that EFSP funds shall only be awarded to the National Board for the

Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

Not applicable.

4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE)

5. Cost Share or Match

A cost share or match is not required.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 05/10/2021

b. Application Submission Deadline: 05/14/2021 at 5:00 PM ET

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 their 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 prior to the application deadline and within 48 hours after the applicant became aware of the issue.

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency

Contact Information.” For additional assistance using the ND Grants System, please contact the ND Grants Service Desk at (800) 865-4076 or NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov. The ND Grants

Service Desk is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Manager or

Grants Specialist. If applicants do not know who to contact or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk

(CSID) by phone at (800) 368-6498 or by e-mail at askcsid@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through

Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 05/14/2021

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this

NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package

Initial applications are processed through the Grants.gov portal. Final applications are completed and submitted through FEMA’s Non-Disaster Grants (ND Grants) System.

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov.

Hard copies of the NOFO can be downloaded at Grants.gov or obtained via email from the

Awarding Office points of contact listed in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding

Agency Contact Information” or by TTY (800) 462-7585.

4. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Entity 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

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion

Obtaining DUNS Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid EIN Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Creating an account with login.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in SAM or Updating

SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in Grants.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in ND Grants System Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Starting application in Grants.gov One week before actual submission deadline

Submitting the final application in ND

Grants System By the submission deadline mailto:NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ 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.

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. Create a Grants.gov account;

f. Add a profile to a Grants.gov account;

g. Establish an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

h. Register in ND Grants

i. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

j. Submit the final application in ND Grants, including electronically signing applicable forms; and

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

Specific instructions on how to apply for, update, or verify a DUNS number or SAM registration or establish an AOR are included below in the steps for applying through

Grants.gov.

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, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. 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)(iii), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that https://www.login.gov/ 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.

5. 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 initial applications through

Grants.gov and a final application through ND Grants.

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

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 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, Employer

Identification Number (EIN), and an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

Organizations must also have a Grants.gov account to apply for an award under this program.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

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.

mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

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

Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting:

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

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.

I. Additional SAM Reminders 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 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

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 Employer Identification

Number, or 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.

II. Help with SAM

The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration (GSA) to assist those registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a SAM registration, please contact the Federal Support Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do or call toll free (866) 606-8220.

f. Create a Grants.gov Account:

The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process.

For more information, follow the on-screen instructions or refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

See also Section D.8 in this NOFO, “Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants,” for instructions on how to register early in ND Grants.

g. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account:

A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents

(i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

h. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles:

After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The

EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role, thereby giving you https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html.

i. Track Role Status:

To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.

j. Electronic Signature:

When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR;

this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

7. How to Submit an Initial Application to FEMA via Grants.gov

Standard Form 424 (SF-424) is the initial application for this NOFO.

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using a workspace. A workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each Notice of Funding Opportunity, you can create individual instances of a workspace. Applicants are encouraged to submit their initial applications in Grants.gov at least seven days before the application deadline.

In Grants.gov, applicants need to submit the following forms:

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

a. Create a Workspace:

Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

b. Complete a Workspace:

Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission.

c. Adobe Reader:

If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard or DHS forms. The https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms:

In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color.

These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First:

The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS number. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace:

An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the “Sign and Submit” button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace:

After successfully submitting a workspace package, a Grants.gov Tracking Number

(GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

h. Additional Training and Applicant Support:

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 (except federal holidays) support via the toll-free number (800) 518-4726, email at support@grants.gov, and the website at https://www.grants.gov/support.html. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov

Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist FEMA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support.html

After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by

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 or, at the latest, seven days before the application deadline. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their applications.

Applicants needing assistance registering for the ND Grants system should contact ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 865-4076. For step-by-step directions on using the ND

Grants system and other guides, please see https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system.

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any program-specific information required as described in Section D.10 of this NOFO, “Content and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SF) are auto generated in ND Grants, but applicants may access these forms in advance through the Forms tab under the SF-424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

For additional application submission requirements, including program-specific requirements, please refer to the subsection titled “Content and Form of Application

Submission” under Section D of this NOFO.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application in Grants.gov will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of its initial application. This notification does not serve as proof of timely submission, as the application is not complete until it is submitted in ND Grants. Applicants can also view the ND Grants Agency Tracking Number by accessing the Details tab in the submitted workspace section in Grants.gov, under the Agency Tracking Number column. Should the

Agency Tracking Number not appear, the application has not yet migrated from Grants.gov into the ND Grants System. Please allow 24 hours for your ND Grants application tracking number to migrate.

All applications must be received in ND Grants by 5:00 PM ET on the application deadline.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by ND Grants. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by ND

Grants. Additionally, the applicant(s) listed as contacts on the application will receive a system-generated email to confirm receipt.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

The following forms or information are required to be submitted in either Grants.gov or ND

Grants. The Standard Forms (SF) are submitted either through Grants.gov, through forms mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html generated in ND Grants, or as an attachment in ND Grants. Applicants may also access the

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

I. GRANTS.GOV

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, initial application submitted through

Grants.gov

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying, submitted through

Grants.gov

II. ND GRANTS

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, submitted via the forms generated by ND

Grants

• Indirect Cost Agreement or Proposal, submitted as an attachment in ND Grants if the budget includes indirect costs and 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 Section D.13 of this NOFO, “Funding

Restrictions and Allowable Costs,” 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.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. 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 https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html;

(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf).

13. 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 is the same as the period of performance).

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

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, and 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.

The National Board is required to caution Local Boards and LROs of EFSP funding to maintain proper recordkeeping and ensure individual expenditures are not charged to multiple federal awards, consistent with 2 C.F.R. Part 200. None of the funds awarded under this NOFO may duplicate the same costs already paid for with funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program or any other Federal Programs. LROs must notify their Local Board if they are engaged by contract or agreement with state, local, tribal, or territorial governments during the applicable spending period. This will provide 1) transparency for any potential duplication of benefit with

EFSP funding and 2) awareness to the Local Board of all funding streams that are meeting needs within the community. LROs should consult with their Local Board prior to making any investment if unsure whether a cost might be duplicative or whether it meets allowability requirements established in this NOFO and in National Board guidance.

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, 200.327, 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.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text?format=txt https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text?format=txt

Additional guidance is available at Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for

Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services (Interim)…