FY_2024_FMA_NOFO_Amendment_04-22-2026_CLEAN508.pdf

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Amendment

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

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F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs G. General Funding Requirements H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs J. Pre-Award Costs K. Beneficiary Eligibility L. Participant Eligibility 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 E. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants

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 C. Financial Integrity Criteria D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection F. Merit Review Process G. Final Selection

8. Award Notices A. Notice of Award B. Pass-Through Requirements 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

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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 B. Other Information C. Appendices

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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 (HMA) Division

B. NOFO Title Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) C. Announcement Type

Modification

D. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-24-MT-029-000-98

E. Assistance Listing Number

97.029

F. Expected Total Funding

Available Funding for the NOFO: $600 million

• Capability and capacity building activities subtotal: $60 million

• Localized flood risk reduction projects subtotal: $420 million

• Individual flood mitigation projects subtotal: $120 million

Capability and Capacity Building Activities FEMA will select up to $60 million capability and capacity building activities to develop future localized Flood risk reduction projects and/or individual flood mitigation projects that will subsequently reduce flood claims against the NFIP.

Capability and capacity building activities will be prioritized and selected according to the following hierarchical order: mitigation plans under 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(c)(3)(F); technical assistance by states to communities under 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(c)(3)(J); project scoping; and additional capability and capacity building activities (partnership development to conduct eligible mitigation activities, enhancing local floodplain management, SRL/RL strategy development, and other eligible capability and capacity building activities under 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(c)(3)(G)).

• Capability and capacity building activities federal activity cap per subapplication are:

o $100,000 for mitigation plans under 42 U.S.C. §

4104c(c)(3)(F) per Applicant with maximums of:

1. $50,000 for state mitigation plan

2. $25,000 for local mitigation plan o $50,000 for technical assistance by states to communities (42 U.S.C. § 4104c(c)(3)(J)) o $900,000 for project scoping

5 | P a g e o $300,000 for additional capability and capacity building activities (partnership development to conduct eligible mitigation activities, enhancing local floodplain management, SRL/RL strategy development, substantial damage procedures, and other eligible capability and capacity building activities under 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(c)(3)(G)).

Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects FEMA will select up to $420 million of Localized flood risk reduction project that address community flood risk for reducing NFIP flood claim payments.

Localized flood risk reduction projects federal activity cap per subapplication is $50 million per project.

Individual Flood Mitigation Projects FEMA will select at least $120 million of individual flood mitigation projects that mitigate the risk of flooding to individual NFIP-insured structures.

Individual flood mitigation projects do not have a federal activity cap.

Funding for Applicant Management Costs is included in each of the priority funding caps provided for capability and capacity building activities, Localized flood risk reduction project, and individual flood mitigation project caps. Applicants are authorized to receive up to 10 % of the awarded activities. For more information, see Management and Administration (M&A) Costs section of this funding opportunity.

For more information on FY 2024 FMA funding priorities and eligible activities, see Application Review Information section of this funding opportunity.

G. Anticipated Number of Awards

40 awards; 725 subawards

H. Expected Award Range

See “Expected Total Funding” subsection.

I. Projected Application Start Date

04/30/2026 9 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)

J. Projected Application End Date

8/6/2026 3 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date

Variable

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L. Anticipated Award Date

Variable

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.

O. Executive Summary

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments,1 and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in participating communities. FMA funds a variety of flood mitigation activities that are designed to reduce flood risk to policyholders in an effort to reduce the NFIP’s financial exposure.

P. Agency Contact a. Program Office Contact General questions about the FMA 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.

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-

1 The term “federally recognized tribal government,” as used in this funding opportunity, has the same meaning as “Indian Tribal government,” as defined at 44 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 77.2(f).

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-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-77/section-77.2

7 | P a g e 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.

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 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 mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov

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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

1. Eligible Applicants

• State

• District of Columbia

• U.S. Territory

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (federally recognized)

Each state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized Indian/Native American Tribal Government must designate one agency to serve as the applicant for FMA funding. The designee is strongly encouraged to conduct outreach with NFIP participating communities prior to and during the application process.

Each applicant’s designated agency may submit only one FMA grant application to FEMA.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

a. All applicants must be participating in the NFIP and not be withdrawn, on probation, or suspended. NFIP community status can be verified by using the Community Status Book.

b. Structures eligible for individual flood mitigation projects must have an NFIP policy (including a Group Flood Insurance Policy) in effect prior to the opening of the application period and the policy must be maintained throughout the life of the structure. The requirement of maintaining flood insurance will apply during the life of the property, regardless of transfer of ownership of such property. If the subapplicant does not comply with this requirement, FEMA may take one or more actions as remedies for noncompliance, as appropriate. This could include disallowing all of the cost, part of the cost of the https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/ mailto:support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/work-with-nfip/community-status-book

9 | P a g e activity, or action not in compliance. For more information, see 44 C.F.R. § 77.6.

c. Localized flood risk reduction projects must be in an NFIP participating community and demonstrate reduction to the NFIP by benefiting specific NFIP-insured structures.

d. 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.

e. To be considered for financial assistance, all applicants must submit their FY 2024 FMA grant applications to FEMA via

FEMA GO.

b. Subapplicants Subapplicants and subawards are allowed.

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.

1. Eligible Subapplicants

• City or Township

• County

• Special District

• Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally

Recognized)

2. Subaward allowability Communities who choose to apply as subapplicants, including local governments, cities, townships, counties, special district governments, and tribal governments (including federally recognized tribal nations who choose to apply as subapplicants), are considered subapplicants and must submit subapplications to their applicant agency. Federally recognized Indian/Native American Tribal Governments who directly apply to FEMA for FMA assistance will be considered applicants. Certain political subdivisions (for example, regional flood control districts or county governments) may apply and act as subapplicants if they are part of a community participating in the NFIP where the political subdivision provides zoning and building code enforcement or planning and community development professional services for that community. Subapplications under which two or more entities would carry out the award are

10 | P a g e 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 award. Contact information for the state hazard mitigation officers is provided on the FEMA website at State Hazard Mitigation Officer.

3. Subrecipient Eligibility All subapplicants must be participating in the NFIP and not be withdrawn, on probation, or suspended. NFIP community status can be verified via the Community Status Book.

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 capability and capacity building activities, localized flood risk reduction project, and individual flood mitigation project subapplications. Capability and capacity building activities’ mitigation plans subapplications are exempt from the hazard mitigation plan requirement for subapplicants only. Mitigation plan integration, while not required to be eligible for FMA, is encouraged. Local hazard mitigation plans must conform to the Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide, or any subsequent local mitigation planning guide that supersedes it.

B. Project Type Eligibility

a. Unallowable Project Types

1. Any activities not designed to eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the NFIP.

2. Any non-localized flood risk reduction as defined in the HMA guide.

b. Allowable Project Types The FMA grant program funds three types of activities and projects:

capability and capacity building activities, Localized flood risk reduction project, and individual flood mitigation projects.

Applicants and recipients should actively coordinate and collaborate with their local and state authorities to help ensure and prioritize the commitment of future non-federal investments in order to sustain staffing capabilities once an award’s period of performance ends.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

Not applicable.

D. Maximum Number of Applications

Not applicable.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/work-with-nfip/community-status-book

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E. Additional Restrictions

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

• All activities under FMA must be in conformance with all criteria established by FEMA that is specific to the proposed activity. All subapplications submitted under the capability and capacity building activities priority must demonstrate that the capability and capacity building activities will reduce flood claims against the NFIP. Capability and capacity building activities should result in a resource, strategy, or tangible mitigation product that will reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future flooding and increase community resilience.

• All capability and capacity building activities, Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project subapplications, and individual flood mitigation project subapplications submitted as part of an FMA grant application must be consistent with the goals and objectives identified in the current, FEMA-approved state or tribal (standard or enhanced) mitigation plan and the local mitigation plan for the jurisdiction in which the project is located. Hazard mitigation plans should reflect state-wide mitigation priorities across all potential federal and non-federal mitigation funding sources. Current mitigation plans are not required for applicants and subapplicants submitting capability and capacity building activities’ mitigation plans subapplications to develop a new mitigation plan or to update a mitigation plan.

All activities where a mitigated structure remains (elevation, mitigation reconstruction, floodproofing, etc.) must be designed in accordance with NFIP standards in 44 CFR Part 60 and the most recently adopted edition of ASCE 24 as minimum design criteria. The scope of work narrative should clearly state the structure will be designed to meet ASCE 24 criteria.

All subapplications submitted under the capability and capacity building activities’ project scoping and additional capability and capacity building activities priorities and Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project priority must demonstrate that the proposed project benefits NFIP-insured properties by submitting a map and associated geospatial file(s) (e.g., shapefile, Keyhole Markup Language [KML/KMZ], geodatabase, list of census tracts, or other geo-enabled documents) delineating the proposed project area or footprint boundary. For Localized flood risk reduction project, only the

12 | P a g e benefiting area in alignment with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, as available, should be delineated, except for Phased Project: Phase I.

• Although these tools should not be used to determine eligibility, subapplicants may use the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT)—which encompasses geospatial layers including National Risk Index (NRI) data. Subapplicants may include narrative descriptions of population benefiting to supplement the data and shapefile provided, particularly in rural areas with limited population data or for projects benefiting geographically dispersed populations.

• For capability and capacity building activities, if a proposed benefiting area map is not provided, FEMA will default to the subapplicant jurisdiction to determine NFIP benefits

• If a state, local, tribal, or territorial government, or federal agency has adopted a higher standard applicable to the specific project, FEMA will require the higher standard.2

• Subapplicants can direct any questions about the proposed hazard mitigation project’s location in the floodplain to their local floodplain manager and/or State Hazard Mitigation Officer. Subapplications that include an information technology or operational technology component as part of a larger project, FEMA will allow activities that enable greater community resilience through cybersecurity as eligible costs when those activities are performed in accordance with the cybersecurity performance goals for critical infrastructure and control systems directed by the National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISA). Subapplicants should address cybersecurity in their planning, design, and project oversight for awards that include a technology nexus that may pose a cyber risk that would affect the reliability or operability of the project.

F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Eligibility” section.

2. “Program Description” section.

3. “Application Review Information” section.

4. “Additional Restrictions” subsection.

5. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

6. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

2 Under 44 C.F.R. § 9.11(d)(6), no action may be taken if it is inconsistent with the criteria of the NFIP (44 C.F.R.

Part 59 et seq.) or any more restrictive federal, state, or local floodplain management standards.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts https://www.cisa.gov/national-security-memorandum-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience https://www.cisa.gov/national-security-memorandum-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience https://www.cisa.gov/national-security-memorandum-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience

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7. 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

Applicants and subapplicants selected for this award must commit to an acceptable cost share agreement. Otherwise, they will not be funded. Please see “Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions” subsection for more information.

H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions

Cost share is required for most subapplications funded under this program. FEMA may contribute the federal cost share funding if available, as follows:

A. Management Cost

a. The applicant's management cost is 10% of the aggregate of all total subapplication budgets. See “Management and Administration (M&A) Costs” subsection for more information on management cost share.

B. Capability and Capacity Building Activities

a. Up to 75% federal cost share funding if a higher federal cost share is not available.

C. Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects

a. Up to 75% federal cost share funding if a higher cost share is not available.

D. Individual Flood Mitigation Projects Federal Cost Share Options and Definitions

a. Up to 100% federal cost share funding for FMA-defined

SRL (B)(i) or (B)(ii) properties in 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(h)(3), is a structure that:

i. Is covered under a contract for flood insurance made available under the NFIP; and

ii. Has incurred flood-related damage:

• ([B][i]) For which four or more separate claims payments (including building and contents) have been made under flood insurance coverage, with the amount of each such claim exceeding $5,000, and with the cumulative amount of such claim payments exceeding $20,000, or

• ([B][ii]) For which at least two separate claims payments (includes only building) have been made under such coverage, with the cumulative amount of such claims exceeding the market value of the insured structure.

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iii. To receive an increased federal cost share under these provisions, properties must meet the FMA Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) definition. Applicants and subapplicants that are requesting an increased federal cost share must submit documentation with their application or subapplication demonstrating that properties meet the definition.

b. Up to 90% federal cost share funding for FMA-defined Repetitive Loss (RL) properties in 42 U.S.C. § 4121(a)(7) is a structure covered by a contract for flood insurance made available under the NFIP that:

i. Has incurred flood-related damage on two occasions, in which the cost of the repair, on average, equaled or exceeded 25% of the market value of the structure at the time of each such flood event; and At the time of the second incidence of flood-related damage, the contract for flood insurance contains Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage.

ii. To receive an increased federal cost share under these provisions, properties must meet the FMA RL definition.

Applicants and subapplicants that are requesting an increased federal cost share must submit documentation with their application or subapplication demonstrating that properties meet this definition.

c. Up to 75% federal cost share funding if a higher federal cost share is not available.

Note that the individual flood mitigation project’s RL 90% federal cost share and the SRL 100% federal cost share options are only eligible for those NFIP properties meeting FMA definitions under 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(h)(3) and 42 U.S.C. § 4121(a)(7). These federal cost shares are not available for NFIP-defined SRL and RL properties.

Generally, the cost share for this program is 75% federal cost share and 25% non-federal cost share. This means federal funding is available for up to 75% of eligible costs. The remaining 25% of eligible costs must be derived from non-federal sources. For 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. The non-federal contribution would be provided by the applicant or subapplicant. Likewise, the federal cost share of that activity would be $300,000: 75% of $400,000 is $300,000. FEMA would provide the federal contribution. FEMA may

15 | P a g e consider the non-federal cost share based on availability of remaining federal funds.

Structures with different federal cost share requirements can be submitted in a single project subapplication. The overall project federal cost share documented in the cost share section of the project subapplication should reflect the combined federal cost shares of the structures. For example, in an individual flood mitigation project subapplication, a project with $100,000 costs for one SRL structure funded at 100% federal cost share plus $100,000 costs for one RL structure funded at 90% federal cost share will have an overall project federal cost share of 95%, or $190,000, of the $200,000 total cost for both structures.

For insular areas including American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of 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 100% cost share in its application.

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 non-federal cost share unless the other federal statutory authority allows the funds to be used to meet cost share requirements3 .

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

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

3 For this funding opportunity, FEMA’s Safeguarding Tomorrow Through Ongoing Risk Management Revolving Loan Fund (Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF) Program loans are not eligible for non-federal cost share funding.

16 | P a g e projected total project costs stated in the federal award, the recipient will be responsible for contributing a cost match calculated as a percentage of those actual project costs.

I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example

See the “Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions” section above for examples of cost sharing calculations.

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

FEMA administers cost share requirements consistent with 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, 2 C.F.R. § 200.306 and 2 C.F.R. § 200.434. To meet cost share requirements, the non-federal contributions must be verifiable from the subrecipient’s records; reasonable, allowable, allocable and necessary under the federal program; and compliant with all federal requirements and regulations.

Please see the “Application Format and Contents” section for more details.

Maintenance of Effort Not Applicable

3. Program Description A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History The FMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and within NFIP participating communities. It does so by recognizing the growing flood hazards to communities, anticipated growth of damage and Repetitive Losses due to flood, and the need for flood hazard risk mitigation activities that reduce the NFIP’s financial exposure.

B. Goals and Objectives FMA provides funds to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments and local governments to meet the following objectives:

1. Capability and capacity building activities: Build state and community capability and capacity for developing future flood risk reduction and hazard mitigation projects that will subsequently reduce flood claims against the NFIP.

2. Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects: Implement localized flood risk reduction projects that address community flood risk for the purpose of reducing NFIP flood claim payments.

3. Individual Flood Mitigation Projects: Implement individual flood mitigation projects that mitigate the risk of flooding to individual NFIP structures; and incentivize flood mitigation and projects that benefit communities.

C. Program Rationale The purpose of the FMA program is to reduce or eliminate the flood risk of repetitive flood damage to structures and buildings insured by the NFIP and to enhance community flood resilience within NFIP participating communities.

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The FMA grant program funds three types of activities and projects:

• Capability and capacity building activities

• Localized flood risk reduction projects

• Individual flood mitigation projects

D. Federal Assistance Type Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets The following key performance indicators provide strategic and relevant information to decision-makers and stakeholders about FMA’s progress and success toward achieving its goals and objectives, and are based on measurable data that are available or could be feasibly collected:

1. Total number of NFIP-insured properties selected that are FMA- and/or NFIP-defined Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL), Repetitive Loss (RL), and substantially damaged (<500).

2. Total dollar amount of flood losses avoided in projects or communities funded by FMA subapplications (<$900,000,000).

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

1. Exercise-related costs.

2. Operational overtime costs.

3. Any expenses not directly tied to the approved flood mitigation project activities.

4. Costs that are not considered necessary or directly related to the project's goals, like personal use of goods or services, entertainment expenses, and excessive administrative costs.

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 funding opportunity, 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 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.

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

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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 and Administration (M&A) Costs M&A costs are allowed per 44 C.F.R § 77.7.

Applicants and subapplicants are eligible to request up to 10% and 5%, respectively, of the total costs (federal and non-federal shares) for management costs in accordance with 44 C.F.R. § 77.7(a)(1). Once management costs have been calculated, the applicant and subapplicant must determine the federal and non-federal cost shares of that management cost. Applicants will submit a single subapplication for management cost, and subapplicants will submit management cost request as a line item within their subapplication.

The subapplicant may request funds for management costs equaling up to 5% of the total funds requested. For example, a subapplicant submits a subapplication with total project cost of $500,000. The management cost could be up to $25,000 ($500,000 multiplied by 5%, which is equal to $25,000). The subapplicant’s federal cost share of management cost is the same as the federal cost share of the total project cost. Subapplicant management cost activities must be added to the Scope of Work section and identified in the Cost Estimate section of subapplications.

Applicants may request funds for management costs equaling up to 10% of the activities awarded (federal and non-federal cost shares). The applicant’s federal cost share of management cost is based on the overall federal cost share to total cost share ratio of all subapplications submitted. Applicant requests for management costs must be submitted in a separate management costs subapplication.

Applicant management cost and cost share example: An applicant has received multiple subapplications with total project costs of $1,000,000. The applicant requests the maximum allowed 10% of the total project costs as the requested total management costs, $1,000,000 multiplied by 10%, which is equal to $100,000.

Management costs will be subject to a federal and non-federal cost match. To calculate the federal cost share match, the applicant calculates the total federal cost share for all subapplications and divides it by the total project cost. In this example, the total federal cost share match for the project is $930,000 of the $1,000,000 total project costs, which is a 93% aggregate federal cost share. The total non-federal cost share match in the example is the remaining 7% aggregate, or $70,000.

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-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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-77/section-77.7

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The applicant would then calculate the management cost federal and non-federal cost shares. The management cost federal cost share is calculated as the requested management costs of $100,000 multiplied by 93%. Therefore, the management cost non-federal cost share is 7% multiplied by the total requested management costs of $100,000, which equals $7,000. A visual example of these calculations is shown in the subsequent table.

Applicant Management Cost and Cost Share Example

Applicant Total Project Cost

Applicant Requested

Management Cost

Subapplication (Total Cost)

Aggregate Federal Cost Share for all

Subapplications (%)

Aggregate Non-federal Cost Share for all Subapplications (%)

Eligible Applicant

Management Cost Federal Cost Share

Eligible Applicant

Management Cost Non-

Federal Cost Share ($)

$1,000,000 $100,000 93% 7% $93,000 $7,000 Subapplication

1:

Total Project

Cost $310,000

Subapplication 2:

Total Project Cost $230,000

Subapplication

3:

Total Project

Cost $460,000

Total cost equal

$1,000,000

Calculation:

10% x

$1,000,000

$100,000

Subapplication 1:

Federal share

$300,000

Subapplication 2:

Federal share

$210,000

Subapplication 3:

Federal Share

$420,000

Total federal cost $930,000

$1,000,000 of total project costs

Calculation:

($930,000/$1,000,000)

93%

Subapplication 1:

Non-federal share

$10,000

Subapplication 2:

Non-federal share

$20,000

Subapplication 2:

Non-federal share

$40,000

Total non-federal cost $70,000

$1,000,000 of total project costs

Calculation:

($70,000/$1,000,000)

7%

Calculation:

$100,000 x

93%

$93,000

Maximum Applicant management cost federal share

Calculation:

$100,000 x

7%

$7,000

Applicant management cost non-federal share

If the applicant is also implementing the award as the subapplicant, the applicant is allowed to claim subapplicant (up to 5%) and applicant management costs (up to 10%). Use of the applicant management costs must be distinct from subapplicant management costs and must adhere to the stated use, even if being used by the same entity. The total management costs may not exceed 15% of the total award. Management costs are governed by 44 C.F.R. Part 77. 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 applicants’ or subapplicants’ management cost activities may include:

• Solicitation, review, and processing of subapplications and subawards.

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

• Geocoding hazard mitigation projects identified for further review (IFFR) by FEMA.

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

• Managing awards (e.g., quarterly reporting including managing Go/No-Go milestones for mitigation projects, 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 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division’s programs.

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

M&A 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, M&A costs can be itemized in financial reports.

J. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs directly related to developing the FMA 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. Such costs may have been incurred prior to application submission. For example, gathering data to be used for preparing environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), necessary permitting, or developing a BCA, preparing design specifications, or conducting workshops or meetings related to development and submission of subapplications. To be eligible for FMA funding, pre-award costs must be identified in the 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.

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. Activities initiated or completed prior to the date of the grant award are generally not eligible.

However, per the Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects (HELP) Act, FEMA may provide assistance for certain acquisition and demolition projects when implementation started after January 5, 2023, but before January 5, 2026. To be eligible, the project must also (1) qualify for a categorical exclusion under NEPA; (2) be compliant with applicable floodplain management and protection of wetland regulations and criteria; and (3) not require consultation under any other environmental or historic preservation law or regulation or involve any extraordinary circumstances. An entity seeking assistance under the HELP Act must comply with all other applicable Hazard Mitigation Assistance and federal requirements (see Pub. L. No. 117-332).

https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ332/PLAW-117publ332.pdf

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If any pre-award activities related to developing an FMA grant application or subapplication result in ground disturbance, the applicant or subapplicant must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and obtain any applicable environmental permits and clearances. The applicant or subapplicant must ensure monitoring of ground disturbance, and if any potential archaeological resources are discovered, work will immediately cease, and the appropriate state authority will be notified.

Applicants and subapplicants who are not selected for awards or subawards, or do not meet the requirements of the HELP Act (if seeking reimbursement under HELP Act), will not receive reimbursement for the corresponding pre-award costs.

K. Beneficiary Eligibility This funding opportunity and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

L. Participant Eligibility This funding opportunity and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant.

M. Authorizing Authority Section 1366 of The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended (Pub. L. No. 90-448) (codified as amended at 42 U.S. Code [U.S.C.] § 4104c); and Division J, Title V of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. No. 117-58), 135 Stat. 1387–1388 (2021).

N. Appropriation Authority Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-47; and Division J, Title V of the IIJA, Pub. L. No. 117-58, 135 Stat. 1387–1388 (2021).4

O. Budget Period There will be only a single budget period with the same start and end dates as the period of performance.

P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services Recipients, sub-recipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must comply with the prohibitions set forth in Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which restrict the purchase of covered telecommunications and surveillance equipment and services. Please see 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and FEMA Policy #405-143-1 - Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services for more information.

4 Any fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding appropriated by the IIJA will become available in FY 2025, and that it will not be awarded/obligated until after the start of FY 2025.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text 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

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4. Application Contents and Format A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers Not Applicable.

B. Application Content and Format See “Application Components” section below.

C. Application Components The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The are also available at https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family:

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction) o For construction under an award, submit SF-424C, Budget Information (Construction), in addition to or instead of SF-424A

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction) o For construction under an award, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances

(Construction), in addition to or instead of SF-424B

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information Applicants may require their subapplicants to complete and attach the grant application and/or assurance and certifications forms to their capability and capacity building activities, localized flood risk reduction project and individual flood mitigation project subapplications in FEMA

GO.

Subapplicants should contact their applicant agency for information specific to their state/territory/federally recognized tribal government’s application process.

The following program-specific forms or information are required to be submitted in FEMA GO:

FMA applications, including capability and capacity building activities (mitigation plans under 42 U.S.C. § 4104c(c)(3)(F)), technical assistance by states to communities (42 U.S.C.