FY 2023 EMBAG NOFO_Final_508c.pdf

FY 2023 EMBAG NOFO Back to the Top

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

Fiscal Year 2023 Emergency Management Baseline Assessment Grant

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the SAM system. Requesting a UEI using Sam.gov can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

On April 4, 2022, the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This new identifier is the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

Table of Contents Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

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: $1,500,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 2

3. Period of Performance: 12 Months

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2023

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/30/2024

6. Funding Instrument Type: Non-Competitive Cooperative Agreement

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 07/05/2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: 08/04/2023 at 05:00:00 PM ET

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 8/05/2023

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 8/31/2023

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Register in the System for

Award Management (SAM)

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

6. Electronic Delivery

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

d. Create a login.gov account:

e. Register with SAM:

f. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

8. Submitting the Application

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. Intergovernmental Review

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services

b. Pre-Award Costs

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

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

e. Other Direct Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

2. Review and Selection Process F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights

c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

3. Reporting

a. Financial Reporting Requirements

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements

d. Additional Reporting Requirements

5. Monitoring and Oversight G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

a. Program Office Contact

b. Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID)

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division

d. Equal Rights

e. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

2. Systems Information

f. FEMA GO

H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

a. Noncompliance

b. With the Consent of the Recipient

c. Notification by the Recipient

2. Program Evaluation

3. Period of Performance Extensions

4. Disability Integration

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

6. Procurement Integrity

a. Important Changes to Procurement Standards in 2 C.F.R. Part 200

b. Competition and Conflicts of Interest

c. Supply Schedules and Purchasing Programs

d. Procurement Documentation

7. Record Retention

a. Record Retention Period

b. Types of Records to Retain

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance

9. Audits

10. Payment Information

11. Whole Community Preparedness

12. Appendices Appendix A: FEMA Expectations for Standards Alignment and Assessment Review Appendix B: Detail on EMBAG Performance Measurement Appendix C: Detail of Allowable and Not Allowable Direct Costs Under EMBAG Appendix D: Project Narrative Instructions Appendix E: Budget Detail Worksheet Template Appendix F: Post-Award Requirements

1. Post-Award Programmatic Reporting and Other Communication Requirements

2. Post-Award Workplan Requirements

a. Emergency Management Program Accreditation

b. Emergency Manager Certification

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Resilience/Office of Resilience Strategy (ORS)/Evaluation and Analysis Division

(EAD)

2. Assistance Listings Number 97.131

3. Assistance Listings Title

Emergency Management Baseline Assessment Grant

4. Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year 2023 Emergency Management Baseline Assessment Grant (EMBAG)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-23-NPD-131-00-99

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 503 (b)(2)(G) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (6 U.S.C. Section 313 (b)(2)(G)).

7. Appropriation Authority for Program Title III, Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Operations and Support, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023, (Pub. L. No. 117-328).

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Category Preparedness: Emergency Management

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

The nation relies on emergency management programs and emergency managers to respond to a wide range of threats and hazards. Emergency management programs and emergency managers play an important role in leading state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) communities in an effective and unified manner before, during, and after a disaster.

Emergency management programs and professionals also play an important role in supporting the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation by coordinating with the whole community to build and sustain the capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk. The EMBAG program reinforces FEMA mission of advancing all-hazards preparedness, consistent with the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA) and Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8), National Preparedness. The EMBAG directly https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/national_preparedness_goal_2nd_edition.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/3721 https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/presidential-policy-directive-8-national-preparedness.pdf supports the DHS Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024, Goal 5: Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience, Objective 5.1: Build a National Culture of Preparedness and Objective 5.2:

Respond During Incidents, by supporting efforts that can help ensure that state, tribal, territorial, and local communities have accredited emergency management programs and certified emergency managers in place before an incident occurs. Over FY 2018-2020, the EMBAG helped 22 SLTT emergency management programs achieve accreditation and 60 SLTT emergency managers achieve certification.

As the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, Objective 3.1 states, “Investing in readiness at all levels enables emergency managers to leverage state, local, tribal, territorial, and national resources as they coordinate within their community to create a more efficient, effective, and unified response.” The EMBAG program supports the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan through its support of national-level standards and assessment processes that emergency management programs and emergency managers can use to improve their preparedness capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the nation. The full list of FEMA 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan goals and objectives that the EMBAG supports are below:

FEMA Strategic Plan Goal Name FEMA Strategic Plan Objective Name

Goal 1 Instill Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management

Objective 1.2 Remove barriers to FEMA programs through a people first approach

Objective 1.3 Achieve equitable outcomes for those we serve

Goal 2 Lead Whole of Community in Climate Resilience

Objective 2.1 Increase climate literacy among the emergency management community

Objective 2.3 Empower risk-informed decision making

Goal 3 Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation

Objective 3.1 Strengthen the emergency management workforce

The 9/11 Commission Report published in 2004 described efforts led by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to come to a consensus regarding a national standard for preparedness for the private sector. As a result of these efforts, ANSI recommended that the 9/11 Commission endorse a voluntary National Preparedness Standard. According to stakeholders noted in the report, “the experience of the private sector in the World Trade Center emergency demonstrated the need for these standards.”

Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial and whole community partners in the emergency management community worked with each other and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish standards for emergency management both before and after 9/11, including for both emergency management programs and emergency managers. The https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) and International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) played a critical role in these efforts.

EMAP and IAEM are the past recipients of the EMBAG. EMAP maintains a voluntary standards, assessment, and accreditation process for disaster preparedness programs, and it is the only known peer reviewed accreditation process for emergency management programs in the United States. IAEM owns the trademark registered Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)® program, which is a voluntary standards, assessment, and certification process for emergency managers and disaster response professionals from all levels of government, the private sector and volunteer organizations.

b. Objectives The purpose of the FY 2023 EMBAG cooperative agreement is to support the use of national-level standards for emergency management to help ensure that SLTT communities have accredited emergency management programs and certified emergency managers in place before an incident occurs. To achieve this purpose, the EMBAG supports voluntary national-level standards and peer review assessment processes that communities can use to identify the capacity and shortfalls of their emergency management programs and emergency managers and develop a path to compliance with these standards. These national-level standards fall under “other assistance” called out under Section 503 (b)(2)(G) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to “build tribal, local, State, regional, and national capabilities…necessary to respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.” See 6 U.S.C. § 313(b)(2)(G).

The EMBAG specifically supports:

1. Voluntary national-level standards and peer review assessment processes for emergency preparedness and response that are driven, established, validated, and revised through consensus.

2. The assessment of SLTT emergency management programs and emergency managers against national-level standards for emergency management.

3. Outreach and training to emergency management programs and emergency managers participating in EMBAG-funded activities.

The EMBAG program supports investment in national-level standards for emergency management that target critical functions necessary to prepare for and manage disasters, with the goal of supporting the following short, intermediate and long-term outcomes:

For state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management program accreditation:

• In the short term (within two years), increased awareness of national-level standards and improved emergency management program staff understanding of functions of an effective program.

• In the intermediate term (two to four years), increased number of qualified programs in place before incidents occur; improved plans, policies and procedures; increased accreditations and first-time accreditations.

• In the long term (more than four years), increased capability of programs; improved national-level standards for program accreditation; and increased national preparedness.

For state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency manager certification:

• In the short term, increased awareness of national-level standards and improved emergency managers’ understanding of how to effectively manage an emergency management program.

• In the intermediate term, increased number of qualified emergency managers in place before incidents occur; increased certifications and first-time certifications.

• In the long term, increased capability of emergency managers; improved national-level standards for emergency manager certification; and increased national preparedness.

To achieve these outcomes, the FY 2023 EMBAG program provides funding for two objectives, which together include two projects. These objectives, their projects, and detailed requirements for project activities are described in the table below. These objective projects are described in further detail in Appendix F: Post-Award Requirements of this funding notice.

Objective 1: Supporting Emergency Management Program Accreditation Project Requirements for Activities Conduct assessments on a volunteer basis for SLTT emergency management programs against national-level standards for emergency management.

Efforts may include:

• Conducting assessments against national-level standards for emergency management to accredit SLTT emergency management programs.

• Maintaining and revising national-level standards used to accredit emergency management programs.

• Maintaining a peer-review process and team of assessors to assess emergency management program adherence to the standards, including providing training for assessors for assessments supported by the EMBAG.

Any national-level standards used to conduct assessments must align with the nine FEMA guidance resources identified in Appendix A.

Objective 2: Supporting Emergency Manager Certification Project Requirements for Activities Conduct assessments on a volunteer basis for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers against national-level standards and criteria.

Efforts may include:

• Conducting assessments against national-level standards for emergency managers to certify SLTT emergency managers.

• Maintaining and revising national-level standards and criteria used to certify emergency managers’ competence to manage emergency management programs.

• Developing, maintaining, updating, and improving systems, policy and processes necessary to complete the objectives of the EMBAG, including maintaining systems, tools, and processes for certification candidate selection and records for certifications supported by the FY 2023 EMBAG.

Any national-level standards used to conduct assessments must align with the nine FEMA guidance resources identified in Appendix A.

c. Priorities The FY 2023 EMBAG cooperative agreement supports continuing efforts to increase alignment between national-level standards and assessment processes for emergency management and FEMA doctrine and policy. These efforts ensure that emergency management programs and emergency managers receive consistent tools to help them respond to and recover from disasters. To this end, requirements for assessment review and alignment are summarized below and noted in full in Appendix A: FEMA Expectations for Standards Alignment and Assessment Review.

• Any assessment process supported by the EMBAG must include a review of the areas within an emergency management program referenced in Appendix A: FEMA Expectations for Standards Alignment and Assessment Review.

• Applicants must propose and provide support for the inclusion of the key considerations and practices of the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) as part of the national-level standards for emergency management program accreditation.

• Applicants must also work to ensure these standards are aligned with the nine FEMA guidance resources identified in Appendix A: FEMA Expectations for Standards Alignment and Assessment Review.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore how EMBAG program-funded activities can, through assessment and accreditation, develop capability for emergency management programs and emergency managers to address the needs of underserved communities to help ensure consistent, systematic, fair, just and impartial treatment of all individuals before, during and after a disaster. To help ensure equity in all-hazards emergency preparedness, applicants are urged to consider the needs of socially vulnerable populations and involve representatives from the affected communities in the development and execution of proposed EMBAG program-funded projects to ensure their needs are sufficiently addressed, including through representation on panels to review and update standards.

Engaging the whole community requires all members of the community to be part of the emergency management team, including diverse community members, social and community service groups and institutions, faith-based and disability organizations, academia, professional associations, the private and nonprofit sectors, and government agencies that may not traditionally have been directly involved in emergency management. The whole community is inclusive of, but not limited to, children; older adults; individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; those from religious, racial and ethnically diverse backgrounds; people with limited English proficiency; and owners of animals including household pets, service and assistance animals.

11. Performance Measures The performance of the EMBAG is measured against the intended outcomes identified in the Objectives section of this funding notice. Applicants should refer to Appendix B: Detail on EMBAG Performance Measurement for additional information on these metrics, including guidance and a template for reporting.

FY 2023 EMBAG NOFO

FY 2023 EMBAG Performance Metrics Score Objective 1: Supporting Emergency Management Program Accreditation Metric 1: Percent of jurisdiction emergency management programs participating in assessments supported by the FY 2023 EMBAG that achieve national-level accreditation.

Percent

Metric 2: Percent of jurisdiction emergency management programs supported by the FY 2023 EMBAG that reported one or more aspects of their emergency management program improved as a result of the accreditation process and other support (training and assessments) received through the EMBAG.

Percent

Objective 2: Supporting Emergency Manager Certification

Metric 3: Percent of emergency managers with certification supported by the FY 2023 EMBAG that achieve national-level certification.

Percent

Metric 4: Percent of emergency managers supported by the FY 2023 EMBAG that reported one or more aspects of their competence to manage an emergency management program improved as a part of the certification process and other support (training and assessments) received through the EMBAG.

Percent

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $1,500,000

EMBAG Objectives FY 2023 Allocation Objective 1: Supporting Emergency Management Program Accreditation

$ 1,000,000

Objective 2: Supporting Emergency Manager Certification

$ 500,000

Total $1,500,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 2

3. Period of Performance: 12 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 under most programs, including 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.”

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2023

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/30/2024

6. Funding Instrument Type: Non-Competitive Cooperative Agreement

Program authority and responsibility under this non-competitive cooperative agreement resides with FEMA for the purpose of carrying out a public purpose authorized by law and

Back to the Top not to acquire property or services for the federal government or passthrough entity’s direct benefit or use as consistent with 2 C.F.R. § 200.1. FEMA retains the right to terminate all or part of the cooperative agreement in a manner consistent with 2 C.F.R. § 200.340 and may conduct site visits and monitoring throughout the period of performance.

FEMA will work with the recipient to develop and refine the details of executing this award, and provide technical assistance, including work plans, goals, objectives, performance metrics, timelines and objectives. In addition, FEMA may provide subject matter experts to plan, guide, or assist with projects. FEMA will define eligible and ineligible tasks to ensure that the program is effectively implemented. The recipient shall not develop or begin developing tasks not approved in the recipient’s application without FEMA prior approval and issuance of an award amendment.

Throughout the period of performance of this cooperative agreement, FEMA will be substantially involved in the program implementation. Such involvement includes, but is not limited to, the following roles and responsibilities:

A. Maintaining clear communications to ensure intended outcomes are achieved;

B. Jointly developing the program management plan and program spending plan;

C. Providing insight on data points that are of interest to FEMA in assessing and reporting on national preparedness;

D. Supporting alignment of standards with FEMA guidance and policy and monitoring activities to improve alignment where necessary; and E. Providing technical assistance on how to perform the work, report progress, and provide programmatic guidance.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) for the Emergency Management Accreditation Program International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) for the Certified Emergency Manager Program.

See, the Joint Explanatory Statement (JES) for the DHS Appropriations Act, 2023, (Pub. L.

No. 328), at 63.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria To receive funding under this program, recipient must carry out the Emergency Management Accreditation Program or the Certified Emergency Manager Program as identified in the DHS 2023 Joint Explanatory Statement appropriations language.

3. Cost Share or Match A Cost Share or Match is not required; applications will not receive higher scores for Cost Share or Match.

https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Division%20F%20-%20Homeland%20Statement%20FY23.pdf https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Division%20F%20-%20Homeland%20Statement%20FY23.pdf

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date:

b. Application Submission Deadline:

07/05/2023

08/04/2023 at 05:00:00 PM ET

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 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.

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 611-4700, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). 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 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.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date:

d. Anticipated Award Date:

No later than 8/05/2023

No later than 8/31/2023 mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

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 Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.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. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR 25.110, must:

1) Be registered in Sam.Gov before application submission.

2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in its application.

3) Continue to always maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration with current information during the Federal Award process.

5. 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 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:

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Initial registration in SAM.gov includes UEI issuance

Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid Employer Identification Number (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 FEMA GO Four weeks before actual submission deadline Submitting the final application in FEMA GO By the submission deadline https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

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

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

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

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

Applicants are advised that FEMA may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable 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 prevents it from obtaining an UEI number and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible 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 an UEI number, if applicable, and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date.

6. 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.

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

For this funding opportunity, FEMA requires applicants to submit applications through

FEMA GO.

7. 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 an UEI number, an EIN, an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and Grants.gov account to apply for grants.

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, prior to April 4, 2022, must have a UEI number. Applicants must enter the UEI number in the applicable data entry field on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number, refer to: Sam.gov.

c. Obtain Employer Identification 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:

https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-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

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. Organizations will be issued a UEI number with the completed SAM registration.

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

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 an UEI 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, and EIN are up to date in SAM and that the UEI 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. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

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

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

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607

• Microsoft Edge

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

8. Submitting the Application 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) may be accessed in the Forms tab under the SF-424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

After submitting the final 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. 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.

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 and Appendix D: Project Narrative Instructions.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. 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 (AOR) 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.

Applicants who experience system-related issues will be addressed until 3:00 PM ET on the date applications are due. No new system-related issues will be addressed after this deadline. Applications not received by the application submission deadline will not be accepted.

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

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

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 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

EMBAG-specific application instructions for proposal submission are included in Appendix D: Project Narrative Instructions.

11. Other Submission Requirements None.

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;

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).

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

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.

Recipients are also expected to conform, as applicable, with accepted engineering practices, established codes, standards, modeling techniques, and best practices, and participate in the development of case studies demonstrating the effective use of grant funds, as requested.

Program-specific post-award instructions are included in Appendix F: Post-Award Requirements.

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.

Guidance is available at FEMA Policy #405-143-1 - Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services

Additional guidance is available at Contract Provisions Guide: Navigating Appendix II to Part 200 - Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards (fema.gov).

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 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf

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. 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);

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. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are NOT allowable.

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs M&A activities are those directly relating to the management and administration of the EMBAG funds, such as financial management and monitoring. M&A costs are not operational costs. They are the necessary costs incurred in direct support of the grant or as a result of the grant and should be allocated across the entire lifecycle of the grant. Recipients may retain a maximum of 5% of EMBAG funds awarded for M&A purposes associated with the EMBAG award.

d. Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs Indirect costs are allowable under this program 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…