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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

(BRIC)

Fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and other criminal or noncriminal misconduct related to this program may be reported to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline. The toll-free numbers to call are 1 (800) 323-8603 and TTY 1 (844) 889-4357.

Contents

1. Basic Information

A. Agency Name

B. NOFO Title

C. Announcement Type

D. Funding Opportunity Number

E. Assistance Listing Number

F. Expected Total Funding

G. Anticipated Number of Awards

H. Expected Award Range

I. Projected Application Start Date

J. Projected Application End Date

K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date

L. Anticipated Award Date

M. Projected Period of Performance Start Date

N. Projected Period of Performance End Date

O. Executive Summary

P. Agency Contact

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types

B. Project Type Eligibility

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

D. Maximum Number of Applications

E. Additional Restrictions

F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

G. Cost Sharing Requirement

H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions

I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

3. Program Description

A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History

B. Goals and Objectives

C. Program Rationale

D. Federal Assistance Type

E. Performance Measures and Targets

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

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G. General Funding Requirements H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) I. Management Costs J. Pre-Award Costs K. Beneficiary Eligibility L. Participant Eligibility

1. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

2. Subrecipient Eligibility

3. Other Eligibility Criteria/Restrictions

a. Environmentally Friendly Measures

b. Future Conditions

c. Specific Community Identification

d. Additional Criteria M. Authorizing Authority N. Appropriation Authority O. Budget Period P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services

4. Application Contents and Format A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers B. Application Content and Format C. Application Components D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines A. Address to Request Application Package B. Application Deadline C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline E. Effects of Missing the Deadline

6. Intergovernmental Review A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact

7. Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria B. Application Criteria

1. Evaluation Criteria for the National Competition C. Financial Integrity Criteria D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection F. Merit Review Process

1. State/Territory Allocation

2. Tribal Set-Aside

3. State/Territory Building Code Plus-Up

4. Tribal Building Code Plus-Up

5. National Competition G. Final Selection H. Appeals

8. Award Notices

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A. Notice of Award B. Pass-Through Requirements Not applicable C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs D. Obligation of Funds E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions C. Financial Reporting Requirements D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements E. Closeout Reporting Requirements F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance H. Single Audit Report I. Monitoring and Oversight J. Program Evaluation K. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements L. Termination of Federal Award M. Best Practices N. Payment Information O. Immigration Conditions

10. Other Information A. Period of Performance Extension Requests B. Other Information

1. Abbreviations

2. Resources

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1. Basic Information

A. Agency Name

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA), Resilience, Hazard Mitigation

Directorate, Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division (HMA) B. NOFO Title Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities C. Announcement

Type Initial

D. Funding

Opportunity Number

DHS-25-MT-047-00-98

E. Assistance Listing

Number

97.047

F. Expected Total

Funding

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

• State/Territory Allocation Subtotal: $112,000,000

• Tribal Set-Aside Subtotal: $50,000,000

• State/Territory Building Code Plus-Up Subtotal: $56,000,000

• Tribal Building Code Plus-Up Subtotal: $25,000,000

• National Competition Subtotal: $757,000,000

An applicant may not receive more than 15% of the total available funding announced in this funding opportunity. The 15% cap will include the combined total of all funding category requests (i.e., Management Costs, State/Territory Allocation, Tribal Set-Aside, Building Code Plus-Up and National Competition).

State/Territory Maximum Allocation & Activity Caps: $2,000,000

• The maximum allocation for a state or territory under this category is $2,000,000, covering all activities/projects, including management costs.

• Each state/territory may apply for up to $2,000,000 in the

State/Territory Allocation. The State/Territory Allocation may be used for capability- and capacity-building activities that are directly tied to infrastructure, such as building code adoption and enforcement and/or hazard mitigation projects. Hazard

Mitigation Plan development or updates, and other project scoping activities not directly supporting infrastructure are not eligible.

• The combined cost for all eligible activities under the

State/Territory Allocation must not exceed $2,000,000 federal cost share per applicant. Additionally, the applicant’s highest ranked subapplication for the State/Territory Allocation must not exceed $2,000,000 federal cost share.

• Up to 10% of any subapplication may be used for information dissemination activities, including public awareness and education (brochures, workshops, videos, etc.) only if these

5 | P a g e activities are directly related to an eligible infrastructure project or building code activity.

Tribal Set-Aside Activity Caps $50,000,000

• The combined cost for capability- and capacity-building activities under the Tribal Set-Aside must not exceed

$2,000,000 federal cost share per applicant. Additionally, the applicant’s highest ranked subapplication for the Tribal Set-

Aside must not exceed $2,000,000 federal cost share.

• Up to 10% of any subapplication may be used for information dissemination activities, including public awareness and education (brochures, workshops, videos, etc.) only if these activities are directly related to an eligible infrastructure project or building code activity.

• In the event that more than $50,000,000 in subapplications is submitted under the Tribal Set-Aside, the capability- and capacity-building activities and highest-ranked hazard mitigation project subapplications up to $50,000,000 will be selected. Once the $50,000,000 is selected, all remaining tribal hazard mitigation project subapplications will be evaluated under the National Competition.

State/Territory Building Code Plus-Up $1,000,000

• The maximum allocation for a state or territory under this category is $1,000,000, to carry out eligible building code adoption and enforcement activities such as o Evaluate adoption and/or implementation of codes that reduce risk o Enhance existing adopted codes to incorporate more current requirements or higher standards (excluding construction) o Develop professional workforce capabilities relating to building codes through technical assistance and training

• Activities under this category should enable the adoption and enforcement of current or next most recent hazard-resistant consensus-based model building codes such as the

International Building Code (IBC) and the International

Residential Code (IRC) published by the International Code

Council (ICC), either through Mandatory State-Wide or

Territory Building Code Adoption Requirement or via Local

Code Adoption Requirement (2021 or 2024 versions of IBC and IRC). For any consensus-based codes, specifications or standards used to carry out these activities, the two most recently published editions may be used.

• Building Code Plus-Up funds may only be applied to eligible building code activities and may not be used for other BRIC

6 | P a g e eligible projects or activities. Funds not allocated to eligible building codes activities will result in loss of funds.

Tribal Building Code Plus-Up $25,000,000

• The maximum total selection for the Tribal Building Code

Plus-Up is $25,000,000, to carry out eligible building code adoption and enforcement activities such as o Evaluate adoption and/or implementation of codes that reduce risk o Enhance existing adopted codes to incorporate more current requirements or higher standards (excluding construction) o Develop professional workforce capabilities relating to building codes through technical assistance and training

• Activities under this category should enable the adoption and enforcement of current or next most recent hazard-resistant consensus-based model building codes such as the

International Building Code (IBC) and the International

Residential Code (IRC) published by the International Code

Council (ICC), either through Mandatory State-Wide or

Territory Building Code Adoption Requirement or via Local

Code Adoption Requirement (2021 or 2024 versions of IBC and IRC). For any consensus-based codes, specifications or standards used to carry out these activities, the two most recently published editions may be used.

• Building Code Plus-Up funds may only be applied to eligible building code activities and may not be used for other BRIC eligible projects or activities. Funds not allocated to eligible building codes activities will result in loss of funds.

National Competition Cap $20,000,000

Applicants may submit an unlimited number of hazard mitigation project subapplications, each valued up to $20,000,000 federal share, to the National Competition. FEMA will commit to reviewing two times the total value of the National Competition.

G. Anticipated

Number of Awards

Varies based on funding availability

H. Expected Award

Range

See “Expected Total Funding” subsection

I. Projected

Application Start

Date

03/25/2026 03:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

J. Projected

Application End Date

07/23/2026 03:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

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K. Anticipated

Funding Selection

Date

Will vary by award

L. Anticipated

Award Date

Will vary by award

M. Projected Period of Performance Start

Date

Will vary by award

N. Projected Period of Performance End

Date

36 months from date of the award unless otherwise specified by

FEMA.

Any subsequent amendments to the federal award will not extend the

Period of Performance (POP) unless explicitly stated.

O. Executive

Summary

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available for hazard mitigation activities with the goal of lowering future disaster costs. It does so with a recognition of the need to upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure against natural weather disasters, and of the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities and resilience with respect to those hazards.

P. Agency Contact

a. Program Office Contact

General questions about the BRIC program can be directed to the appropriate FEMA Regional Office or State Hazard Mitigation

Officer.

Tribal nations can find their Regional Tribal Liaison email at the

Federally Recognized Tribes webpage. Tribal nations with land that crosses multiple FEMA regions should work with the region in which their tribal headquarters is located; that will be their primary region of support.

The HMA Helpline is available by email fema-hmahelpline@fema.dhs.gov.

For questions about cost-effectiveness and FEMA’s Benefit Cost

Analysis (BCA) software, contact the BC Helpline by email

BCHelpline@fema.dhs.gov.

The Building Science Helpline is available for guidance on FEMA

Building Science publications by email FEMA-

BuildingScienceHelp@fema.dhs.gov.

A helpline for guidance on FEMA Safe Room publications is available by email FEMA-BuildingScienceHelp@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA publications that specify the documentation and information necessary for FEMA to review project applications for feasibility and effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and potential impacts on https://www.fema.gov/about/contact https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts https://www.fema.gov/about/organization/tribal-affairs/federally-recognized mailto:fema-hmahelpline@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-hmahelpline@fema.dhs.gov mailto:BCHelpline@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-BuildingScienceHelp@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-BuildingScienceHelp@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-BuildingScienceHelp@fema.dhs.gov

8 | P a g e environmental and cultural resources are available on the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools.

b. FEMA Grants News

This channel provides general information on all FEMA grant programs and maintains a comprehensive database containing key personnel contact information at the federal, state, and local levels.

FEMA Grants News Team is reachable at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR (800) 368-6498, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration

Division

GPD’s Award Administration Division (AAD) provides support regarding financial matters and budgetary technical assistance. AAD can be contacted at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

d. FEMA Regional Offices

FEMA Regional Offices also may provide fiscal support, including pre- and post-award administration and technical assistance. FEMA

Regional Office contact information is available at https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts.

e. Civil Rights

Consistent with Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination

& Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the FEMA Integration and

Coordination Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of federal civil rights obligations in connection with programs and services conducted by FEMA. They are reachable at

FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov.

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

The FEMA Office of Environmental Planning and Historic

Preservation (OEHP) provides guidance and information about the

EHP review process to FEMA programs and recipients and subrecipients. Send any inquiries regarding compliance for FEMA grant projects under this NOFO to FEMA-OEHP-

NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov.

g. Payment and Reporting System

FEMA uses FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) for financial reporting, invoicing, and tracking payments. The Direct

Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) method of payment is used for recipients. For any questions about the system, contact the

FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/tools mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov https://usfema.sharepoint.com/teams/TFIMABRIC/Shared%20Documents/General/NOFO%20and%20Assistance%20Listing%20files/FY24%20BRIC%20NOFO/FY24%20NOFO%20Package/femago@fema.dhs.gov

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h. FEMA GO

For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the

FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.

i. FEMA Preparedness Toolkit

The FEMA Preparedness Toolkit (PrepToolkit) provides access to tools and resources needed to implement the National Preparedness

System and provides a collaborative space for communities completing the Unified Reporting Tool (URT). Recipients complete and submit their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk

Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), and other required assessments using the PrepToolkit. For assistance, contact support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov.

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible

Entities/Entity Types

Only the following entities or entity types are eligible to apply.

a. Applicants

• States

• District of Columbia

• U.S. Territories

• Federally recognized Tribal Nations

Each state, territory, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized Tribal nations shall designate an agency of their choice to serve as the applicant for BRIC funding. The designee is strongly encouraged to conduct outreach prior to and during the application process with communities vulnerable to natural hazard risks, including federally recognized Tribal nations, tribal entities, and small impoverished communities. Each applicant’s designated agency may submit only one BRIC grant application to FEMA.

b. Subapplicants

Subapplicants and subawards are allowed.

• Communities

• Local governments

• Cities

• Townships

• Counties

• Special district governments

• Tribal Nations (including federally recognized Tribal Nations who choose to apply as subapplicants). Federally recognized

Tribal Nations who wish to apply as subapplicants rather than mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/ mailto:support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov

10 | P a g e as applicants directly to FEMA, must submit to their applicant agency.

Subapplications under which two or more entities would carry out the award are eligible, such as a multi-state or multi-tribal initiative;

however, only one entity may be the subapplicant with primary responsibility for carrying out the subaward.

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statues, polices, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

B. Project Type

Eligibility

a. Allowable Project Types

For the purposes of this NOFO, “infrastructure” means critical physical structures, facilities, and systems that provide support to a community, its population, and its economy. This includes natural systems.

“Directly supporting infrastructure” means activities that have a clear, immediate, and primary purpose of improving, protecting, or enabling the construction, resilience, or operation of critical infrastructure systems (such as transportation, utilities, water, wastewater, communications, public buildings, or other critical facilities).

• Capability- and Capacity-Building Activities – activities that directly support infrastructure resilience, such as the adoption, enforcement, and implementation of hazard-resistant building codes. Only capability and capacity-building activities that are directly tied to infrastructure projects such as building code adoption/enforcement, related technical training and project scoping activities for specific infrastructure are eligible.

Hazard Mitigation Plan development or updates, and project scoping activities not directly supporting a specific infrastructure project are not eligible under BRIC.

• Hazard Mitigation Projects – cost-effective infrastructure and construction projects designed to increase resilience and public safety; reduce injuries and loss of life; and reduce damage and destruction to property, critical services, facilities, and infrastructure (including natural systems) from a multitude of natural hazards, including drought, wildfire, earthquakes, and the effects of natural weather disasters. Only infrastructure and construction projects that have, at a minimum, a conceptual design are eligible; phased projects are not eligible.

• Management Costs – financial assistance to reimburse the recipient and subrecipient for eligible and reasonable indirect

11 | P a g e costs, direct administrative costs, and other administrative expenses associated with a specific hazard mitigation measure or project subject to applicable cost share requirements.

C. Requirements for

Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statutes, policies, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

Subapplicants/subrecipients must submit short bios and resumes. This should include the type of entity, organizational leadership, and board members along with both the names and addresses of the individuals.

Resumes are subject to approval.

D. Maximum

Number of

Applications

Not applicable

E. Additional

Restrictions

Applicants/subapplicants or recipients/subrecipients are required to certify their compliance with federal statutes, DHS directives, policies, and procedures.

All activities under BRIC must be in conformance with all criteria established by FEMA that are specific to the proposed activity, found in the HMA Guide.

All activities under BRIC must be in conformance with all applicable federal, state, tribal, local floodplain and land use laws, as well as aligned with the current administration and program priorities and policy factors.

F. References for

Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Application Review Information” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. FEMA may/will request financial information such as

Employer Identification Number (EIN) and bank information as part of the potential award selection. This will apply to everyone prospered, including subrecipients.

G. Cost Sharing

Requirement

• 75% federal and 25% non-federal.

• 90% federal and 10% non-federal for small impoverished communities.

• 100% federal and 0% for insular areas when the non-federal cost share for the entire award is under $200,000.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/guide

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H. Cost Share

Description, Type and Restrictions

Cost share is required for all subapplications funded under this program. Generally, the cost share for this program is 75% federal /

25% non-federal.

The non-federal cost share may consist of cash, donated or third-party in-kind services, materials, or any combination thereof. Cash and third-party in-kind matches must consist of eligible costs (i.e., same eligibility as the federal share). Applicants cannot apply other federal award funds toward the BRIC non-federal cost share unless the other federal statutory authority allows the funds to be used to meet cost share requirements. Refer to the HMA Cost Share Guide for more information. FEMA encourages innovative use of public and private-sector partnerships to meet the non-federal cost share.

BRIC funding cannot be used as matching funds for another federal award. Additionally, third-party in-kind matches used to meet the matching requirement may not be used to meet matching requirements for any other federal program.

Small Impoverished Communities

Small impoverished communities as defined at 42 U.S.C. § 5133(a) meeting the following criteria are eligible for an increase in cost share up to 90% federal / 10% non-federal:

• of 3,000 or fewer individuals identified by the applicant

• that is economically disadvantaged, with residents having an average per capita annual income not exceeding 80% of the national per capita income, based on the best available data.

The following entities, having met all other eligibility requirements as detailed in “Participant Eligibility” subsection of this funding opportunity, may work in collaboration with a small impoverished community to build, and submit a subapplication on their behalf: (1) applicants; or (2) local government subapplicants, including a school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments

(regardless of whether the council of governments is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under state law), regional or interstate government entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government.

An applicant or subapplicant applying on behalf of a small impoverished community must include as part of the subapplication a letter authorizing the submission. There is no required format for the authorizing letter, but it should contain the following information:

• Point of contact information, including a name, community, address, phone number, and email for the small impoverished community and the applicant or subapplicant applying on their behalf.

• A signature from an authorized representative of the small impoverished community.

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_hma_cost-share-guide.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2007-title42-section5133&num=0

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An applicant or subapplicant applying on behalf of a small impoverished community will be eligible to receive up to a 90% federal cost share and is eligible for points in Evaluation Criteria for

National Competition.

Applicants and subapplicants who apply as a small impoverished community, or applicants and subapplicants who apply on behalf of one, must request the increased federal cost share amount in the Cost

Share section of their subapplication(s). Applicants must ensure the

“Community” and “Location” sections correctly identify the small impoverished community. Applicants must certify subapplicants’ small impoverished community status and provide documentation with the subapplication(s) to justify the increased federal cost share. If documentation is not submitted with the subapplication, then FEMA will provide no more than 75% federal cost share of the total eligible costs.

Federally recognized Tribal Nations meeting the definition of a small impoverished community that apply to FEMA directly as applicants are eligible for a 90% federal cost share for their subapplications, which make up their overall BRIC grant application.

Insular Areas

For insular areas, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern

Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, FEMA automatically waives the non-federal cost share for the recipient when the non-federal cost share for the entire award is under $200,000. If the non-federal cost share for the entire award is $200,000 or greater, FEMA may waive all or part of the non-federal cost share at the request of the recipient. The recipient may request the waiver in its application.

I. Cost Sharing

Calculation Example

If the total cost of the activity is $400,000 and the non-federal cost share is 25%, then the non-federal contribution is $100,000 (25% of

$400,000 is $100,000). This amount would be provided by the applicant. Likewise, the federal share of that activity would be

$300,000 (75% of $400,000 is $300,000). This amount would be provided by FEMA.

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

Ultimately, the recipient is responsible for ensuring that it contributes the proper cost share to its actual project costs. If actual total project costs exceed the projected total project costs stated in the federal award, the recipient will not receive any additional federal funding and will be responsible for contributing additional funds above the required cost match. If actual total project costs are less than the projected total project costs stated in the federal award, the recipient will be responsible for contributing a cost match calculated as a

14 | P a g e percentage of those actual project costs. For more information and examples on cost share see the HMA Cost Share Guide.

3. Program Description

A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History

Section 203(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 5133(b)), authorizes FEMA to “provide technical and financial assistance to States and local governments to assist in the implementation of predisaster hazard mitigation measures that are cost-effective and are designed to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property, including damage to critical services and facilities under the jurisdiction of the States or local governments.”

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal nations1, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. It does so by recognizing the need to upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure against the growing risks to communities and the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote resilience with respect to natural hazards.

Certain awards made under this funding opportunity may be funded, in whole or in part, by the

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA appropriates billions of dollars to FEMA to promote resilient infrastructure, respond to the impacts of natural weather disasters, and equip our nation with the resources to combat its most pressing natural hazard threats.

B. Goals and Objectives

BRIC aims to shift the focus of federal investments away from reactive post-disaster spending towards proactive infrastructure-focused hazard mitigation. For this funding opportunity, the program prioritizes investment in infrastructure and construction projects that deliver immediate, measurable risk reduction to communities vulnerable to natural hazards. BRIC emphasizes the adoption and enforcement of modern building codes and limits capability- and capacity-building activities to those directly tied to infrastructure resilience, such as building code adoption and enforcement.

By prioritizing investment in construction projects that are ready to implement and increasing geographic distribution of hazard mitigation investments, BRIC aims to accelerate and improve nationwide project delivery. For this funding opportunity, the program caps single project and per applicant funding amounts to distribute investments and prioritizes selection of new applicants and subapplicants as well as small impoverished communities in the National

Competition.

BRIC maximizes state and local responsibility for resilience by focusing federal resources on projects that directly support infrastructure and risk reduction rather than investing in a wide range of activities.

1 The term “federally recognized tribal nations,” as used in this funding opportunity, has the same meaning as

“Indian tribal government,” as defined at 42 U.S.C. § 5122(6).

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_hma_cost-share-guide.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2007-title42-section5133&num=0 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section5122&f=treesort&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjQyIHNlY3Rpb246NTEyMiBlZGl0aW9uOnByZWxpbSkgT1IgKGdyYW51bGVpZDpVU0MtcHJlbGltLXRpdGxlNDItc2VjdGlvbjUxMjIp%7CdHJlZXNvcnQ%3D%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim

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These critical investments aim to reduce future disaster losses, loss of life, property, and future spending from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). BRIC focuses on cost-effective hazard mitigation measures focused on protecting public infrastructure so that critical services can withstand or more rapidly recover from future disasters. The program is designed to deliver expeditious, measurable risk reduction and to ensure that investments address the nation’s most pressing hazard mitigation needs.

C. Program Rationale

The BRIC program prioritizes investments in infrastructure and construction projects that deliver immediate, measurable risk reduction to public infrastructure and communities vulnerable to natural hazards. The program’s primary focus is on supporting projects ready for implementation and incentivizing the adoption and enforcement of the latest published editions of hazard-resistant building codes.

FEMA recognizes that the adoption and enforcement of modern building codes, specifications, and standards provide significant resilience benefits. Accordingly, BRIC dedicates additional funds through State/Territory and Tribal Building Code Plus-Up allocations to carry out eligible building code adoption and enforcement activities.

D. Federal Assistance Type

Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets

The BRIC program supports risk reduction of natural hazard risk. The following key performance indicators provide strategic and relevant information to decision makers and stakeholders about BRIC’s progress and success toward achieving its goals and objectives, and are based on metrics that are available or could be feasibly collected:

• Total number and population size of communities supported since inception

• Dollar amount of total expected benefits and average benefit-cost ratio for the program

• Number of state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments that adopted hazard-resistant building codes after receiving BRIC grants for building code activities

These performance measures evaluate the program as a whole. FEMA notes that these key performance indicators are not determinative of whether an application to the BRIC program is selected for funding.

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

All costs charged to federal awards (including both federal funding and any non-federal matching or cost sharing funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, and policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. They must also 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 federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h) (referring to budget periods, which for FEMA awards is the same as the period of performance). The https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E#p-200.403(h)

16 | P a g e following identifies a list of activities for which a recipient may not use federal funds and any cost sharing or matching funds under federal awards:

1. Matching or cost sharing requirements for other federal grants and cooperative agreements (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306)

2. Lobbying or other prohibited activities under 18 U.S.C. § 1913 or 2 C.F.R. § 200.450

3. Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity (see 2

C.F.R. § 200.435) See subsections below for information on any other funding restrictions.

G. General Funding Requirements

Costs charged to federal awards (including federal and non-federal cost share funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. §

200.403(h).

Recipients may not use federal funds or any cost share funds for the following activities:

1. Matching or cost sharing requirements for other federal grants and cooperative agreements (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306).

2. Lobbying or other prohibited activities under 18 U.S.C. § 1913 or 2 C.F.R. § 200.450.

3. Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity (see 2

C.F.R. § 200.435).

H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs)

Indirect costs (IDC) are allowed for costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to specific cost objectives without disproportionate effort. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement, but are required to develop an IDC rate proposal, must provide a copy of their proposal with their applications. Applicants without a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an IDC rate proposal must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. As it relates to the IDC for subrecipients, a recipient must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.332 and 200.414 in approving the

IDC rate for subawards.

I. Management Costs

In addition to funding received as described in “Expected Total Funding” subsection, subapplicants may apply for up to 5% of the total budget of the eligible capability- and capacity-building activity (if directly tied to infrastructure) or hazard mitigation project for subrecipient management costs. The total budget refers to the sum of non-federal and federal shares of the proposed activity. Subrecipients must use subaward management costs to manage their subaward https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.306 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-1999-title18-section1913&num=0 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1999-title18-section1913&num=0&edition=1999 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

17 | P a g e activities. Subapplicant management cost activities must be added to the Scope of Work section and identified as a line item in the Cost Estimate section of subapplications in FEMA GO.

Applicants may apply for up to 10% of the application budget inclusive of subapplicant management costs for applicants to administer and manage award and subaward activities.

Applicant requests for management costs must be submitted in a separate management costs subapplication in FEMA GO (see “Program-Specific Required Documents and Information” subsection). FEMA will adjust management cost awards to ensure that the amount available for management costs does not exceed the permitted percentage. If the grant award amount is adjusted for any reason, FEMA will de-obligate any management costs that exceed the allowed amounts.

The federal cost share for states, territories, and Tribal Nations, for Recipient Management Costs is set at 100% of the total award amount.

The subapplicant’s applied for management costs (up to 5%) must be added to the total subapplication budget prior to the calculation of the applicant management costs (up to 10%). If the applicant is applying to also implement the award as the subrecipient, the applicant is allowed to apply for subrecipient (up to 5%) and recipient management costs (up to 10%). Uses of the applied for recipient management costs must be distinct from subrecipient management costs and must adhere to the stated uses, even if being used by the same entity. The total management costs still may not exceed 15% of the total award. FEMA will adjust management cost awards to ensure that the amount available for management costs does not exceed the permitted percentage. If the total grant award amount is adjusted for any reason, FEMA will de-obligate any management costs that exceed the allowed amounts.

Management costs are governed by section 324 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. § 5165b).

Management costs are any indirect costs, any direct administrative costs, and other administrative expenses that are reasonably incurred in administering an award or subaward.

Eligible applicant or subapplicant management cost activities may include:

• Solicitation, review, and processing of subapplications and subawards

• Subapplication development and technical assistance to subapplicants regarding feasibility and effectiveness and BCA

• Delivery of technical assistance (e.g., training) to support the implementation of hazard mitigation activities

• Managing awards (e.g., quarterly reporting including managing Go/No-Go milestones for hazard mitigation projects submitted under the National Competition, closeout)

• Technical monitoring (e.g., site visits, technical meetings)

• Purchase of equipment, per diem and travel expenses, and professional development that is directly related to the implementation of HMA programs

• Staff salary costs directly related to performing the activities listed above

Management costs may only be used to support the administration and management of eligible subawards. Activities funded as direct subawards (such as project scoping for infrastructure or https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&path=%2Fprelim%40title42%2Fchapter68&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section5165b&num=0&saved=L3ByZWxpbUB0aXRsZTQyL2NoYXB0ZXI2OA%3D%3D%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU0Mi1jaGFwdGVyNjg%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim

18 | P a g e building code adoption/enforcement under capability and capacity building) may not also be funded through management costs.

Management costs are not overhead costs but are necessary direct costs incurred in direct support of the federal award or as a consequence of it, such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries of full/part-time staff in direct support of the program. As such, management costs can be itemized in financial reports.

J. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are directly related to developing the BRIC grant application or subapplication that are incurred prior to the date of the grant award are allowed subject to FEMA approval at time of award. Approval of pre-award costs is not guaranteed. Such costs may have been incurred prior to application submission, for example gathering data to be used for preparing environmental reviews required by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), developing a

BCA (see “Benefit-Cost Analysis [BCA] for Hazard Mitigation Projects” subsection), or preparing design specifications. To be eligible for BRIC funding, pre-award costs must be identified in an individual line item in the cost estimate of the subapplication.

Pre-award costs may be cost shared or applicants and subapplicants may identify them as their non-federal cost share (see “Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions” subsection).

Costs associated with implementation of proposed projects in the submitted grant application or subapplication that are incurred prior to the date of the grant award are not allowed.

Applicants and subapplicants who are not selected for awards or subawards will not receive reimbursement for the corresponding pre-award costs.

K. Beneficiary Eligibility

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

Individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations are not eligible to apply for BRIC funds as an applicant or subapplicant; however, an eligible applicant or subapplicant may apply for funding on behalf of individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

L. Participant Eligibility

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant.

1. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

• States and territories that had a major disaster declaration under the Robert T.

Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in the seven years prior to the annual application period start date are eligible to apply to FEMA for federal assistance under BRIC. As a result of numerous major disaster declarations, all states, territories, and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply to this funding opportunity.

https://www.fema.gov/disaster/stafford-act https://www.fema.gov/disaster/stafford-act

19 | P a g e

• Federally recognized tribal nations that had a major disaster declaration under the

Stafford Act in the seven years prior to the annual application period start date or are entirely or partially located in a state or territory that had a major disaster declaration in the seven years prior to the annual application period start date are eligible to apply to FEMA for federal assistance under BRIC as applicants or subapplicants to eligible states and territories. As a result of numerous major disaster declarations, all federally recognized tribal nations are eligible to apply to this funding opportunity.

• Applicants are required to have a FEMA-approved State or Tribal Hazard Mitigation

Plan in accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 201 by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of the award.

• To be considered for financial assistance, all applicants must submit their BRIC grant applications for this funding opportunity to FEMA via FEMA GO (see “Submission

Requirements and Deadlines” subsection).

2. Subrecipient Eligibility

• Local governments as defined in 42 U.S.C § 5122(8), are eligible to apply to eligible states and territories for federal assistance under BRIC as subapplicants.

• Subapplicants are required to have a FEMA approved Local or Tribal Hazard

Mitigation Plan in accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 201 by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of grant funds for hazard mitigation projects. Multi-jurisdictional plans (e.g., watershed plans) may be accepted, as appropriate, as long as each jurisdiction has participated in the process and has officially adopted the plan.

State-wide plans will not be accepted as multi-jurisdictional plans.

• Regional planning districts (e.g., planning commissions or councils, councils of government, area development districts, or equivalent planning entities) without approved mitigation plans may serve as the subapplicant on behalf of a local government or tribal nation within their service area if the local government or tribal nation proposing the mitigation project where the activity is located has a current

FEMA approved Local or Tribal Mitigation Plan and the proposed activity is consistent with that plan.

• Subapplicants, including federally recognized tribal nations submitting as subapplicants to a state or territory, are exempt from the hazard mitigation plan requirement for the capability- and capacity-building activity types.

• Hazard mitigation plan integration, while not required to be eligible for BRIC, is encouraged. See “Integrating Hazard Mitigation and Planning” subsection for additional information.

3. Other Eligibility Criteria/Restrictions

a. Environmentally Friendly Measures

• All activities under BRIC must be in conformance with all applicable environmental planning and historic preservation (EHP) laws, regulations, executive orders, and agency policies as defined in the HMA Guide, Part 4, H.

Environmental and Historic Preservation Requirements.

b. Future Conditions

• Considering future conditions in mitigation projects is essential for ensuring their effectiveness. By accounting for future conditions factors such as changing weather patterns, and changes in a community’s risk profile like anticipated population growth, increased infrastructure demands, and evolving land use, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-201 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-1999-title42-section5122&num=0 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-201 https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/learn/hazard-mitigation-assistance-guidance https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/learn/hazard-mitigation-assistance-guidance

20 | P a g e infrastructure projects should be designed to address not only current risks but also emerging threats over the lifespan of the infrastructure. This proactive approach enhances the resilience of communities and infrastructure, reducing the long-term impacts of natural disasters. Projects that incorporate future conditions are better positioned to minimize loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption, ultimately supporting stronger infrastructure and safer communities over time.

• Applicants should utilize appropriate data to ensure investments in infrastructure will withstand natural hazards over the useful life of the asset. Data and planning assumptions should consider both current and future conditions; ensure responsible floodplain and wetland management based on the history of flood hazard mitigation efforts and the frequency, duration, and intensity of precipitation events; and account for exposure and sensitivity to natural hazards such as flood, drought, and wildfire.

c. Specific Community Identification

Subapplicants should include location data in the “Community” and “Location” sections of the FEMA GO subapplication; this will be used to verify if a subapplicant qualifies as a small impoverished community:

• In the “Community” section of FEMA GO, subapplicants should list the communities that will benefit from the hazard mitigation activity by clicking on the find community button to find the name and CID number in the Community

Information System (CIS) database. If the community cannot be found in the database, include information in the comments (such as the full name and Census incorporated place GEOID) and inform your state NFIP coordinator so the database can be updated.

• In the “Project site inventory”…