FY_2024_PSGP_NOFO_04-10-24_Final_508AB.pdf

FY 2024 PSGP NOFO

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2024 Port Security Grant Program

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

Updates in Grant Application Forms:

The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by SAM.gov. This new identifier is the Unique

Entity Identifier.

Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-development/planned-uei-updates.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-%20%20registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-%20%20registration https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-development/planned-uei-updates https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-development/planned-uei-updates

Table of Contents

Updates in Grant Application Forms:

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listings Number

3. Assistance Listings Title

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Category

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

11. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $90,000,000

2. Period of Performance: 36 months

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2024

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/31/2027

5. Projected Budget Period(s)

6. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Subawards and Beneficiaries

4. Other Eligibility Restrictions

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

5. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 04/16/2024

b. Application Submission Deadline: 06/24/2024 at 5 p.m. ET

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than August 23, 2024

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2024

e. Other Key Dates:

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

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

Award Management (SAM.gov)

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

6. Electronic Delivery

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

d. Create a login.gov account:

e. Register with SAM:

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

8. Submitting the Application

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

11. Intergovernmental Review

12. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications

Equipment or Services

b. Pre-Award Costs

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

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

e. Evaluation Costs

f. Other Direct Costs

g. Reprogramming Award Funds

h. Limitations on Funding

i. Unallowable Costs

j. Indirect Costs E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

2. Review and Selection Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights

c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

d. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

e. Mandatory Disclosures

3. Reporting

4. Monitoring and Oversight

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

a. Program Office Contact

b. FEMA Grants News

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division

d. Equal Rights

e. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

2. Systems Information

a. FEMA GO H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

a. Noncompliance

b. With the Consent of the Recipient

c. Notification by the Recipient

2. Program Evaluation

3. Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure

a. Build America, Buy America Act

b. Waivers

c. Definitions

4. Report issues of fraud, waste, abuse

5. Appendices

a. PSGP Sample Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/MOA)

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

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

(FEMA)/Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.056

3. Assistance Listings Title

Port Security Grant Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2024 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-24-GPD-056-00-99

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 102 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-295, as amended) (46 U.S.C. § 70107)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-47, Title III, “Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery”

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Category

Preparedness: Infrastructure Security

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute DHS/FEMA’s focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

The PSGP provides funds to state, local, territorial, and private sector maritime partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical marine transportation system infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. Cumulative funding of PSGP since inception (2001) to present includes approximately $3,288,610,706 for approximately 4,800 grant awards dedicated specifically for enhancing maritime security capabilities throughout U.S. ports.

For FY 2024, DHS is focused on the criticality of information sharing and collaboration to building a national culture of preparedness and protecting against terrorism and other threats to our national security. DHS and its homeland security mission were born from the “failures among federal agencies and between the federal agencies and state and local authorities to share critical information related to the threat of terrorism” prior to the September 11, 2001, attacks.1 The threat profile has changed in the past two decades. We now face continuous cyber threats by sophisticated actors, threats to soft targets and crowded places, and threats from domestic violent extremists, who represent one of the most persistent threats to the nation today2. Therefore, for FY 2024, DHS has identified two priority areas related to some of the most serious threats that recipients should address with their PSGP funds for enhancing maritime security. These two priority areas are enhancing cybersecurity and enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places. DHS also will continue to forge partnerships to strengthen information sharing and collaboration in each of these priority areas.

For FY 2023, 403 applications were received and 299 approved for funding. For a full list of recipients, please refer to Information Bulletin (IB) 490a.

b. Goals, Objectives, and Priorities

Goals: The goal of PSGP is strengthened port-wide risk management and protection of critical surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

Objectives: PSGP provides resources that support port authorities, facility operators, and state, local, and territorial agencies to meet the following objectives:

1) Build and sustain core capabilities of maritime infrastructure systems in annual national priority areas, including for FY 2024 the priorities of enhancing cybersecurity and enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places.

2) Address and close gaps identified in Area Maritime Transportation

Security Plans and Facility Security Plans.

3) Implement a comprehensive and coordinated (all-inclusive) approach to address enduring security needs of communities that includes planning, training and awareness campaigns, equipment and capital projects, and exercises.

1 Homeland Security Act of 2002: Report Together with Minority and Dissenting Views 222, Select Committee on

Homeland Security: 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives (2002) (H. Rpt. 107-609).

2 Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism, Federal Bureau of Investigation and

Department of Homeland Security, June 2023.

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_ib_2023_award_announcement_thgsp_update_signed_508c.pdf

Priorities: Given the evolving threat landscape, it is incumbent upon DHS/FEMA to continuously evaluate the national risk profile and set priorities that help ensure appropriate allocation of scarce security dollars. In assessing the national risk profile for FY 2024, two areas warrant the most concern:

1) Enhancing cybersecurity; and

2) Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places.

For more information about these priorities, see Section D.10.b.

Likewise, there are several enduring security needs that crosscut the homeland security enterprise. The following are second-tier priorities that help recipients implement a comprehensive approach to securing critical maritime transportation infrastructure:

3) Effective planning;

4) Training and awareness campaigns;

5) Equipment and capital projects; and

6) Exercises.

The table below provides a breakdown of these priority areas for the FY 2024 PSGP, showing both the core capabilities impacted, as well as examples of eligible maritime security project types for each area. More information on allowable investments can be found in the Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs section below. As discussed in Section E, projects that sufficiently address one or more of the two

National Priorities (enhancing cybersecurity or enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places) will have their final review scores increased by a multiplier of 20%.

FY 2024 PSGP Funding Priorities

All priorities in this table concern the Safety and Security and Transportation Lifelines.

Priority Areas Core Capabilities Example Project Types

National Priorities Enhancing

Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Planning

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Supply chain integrity and security

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Situational assessment

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

• Cybersecurity risk assessments

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments o Improving cybersecurity of critical infrastructure to meet minimum levels identified by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure

Security Agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity

Framework (Version 1.1) or equivalent o Adoption of cybersecurity performance goals

(CISA's Cross-Sector Cybersecurity

Performance Goals) o Cybersecurity training and planning

Enhancing the

Protection of

Soft Targets and

Crowded Places

• Operational coordination

• Public information and warning

• Intelligence and Information

Sharing

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Physical security enhancements at cruise and ferry terminals o Explosive detection canine teams o Security cameras (closed circuit television

[CCTV])

o Security screening equipment for people and baggage o Access controls

▪ Landside fencing, gates, barriers, etc.

▪ Marine (floating) barriers to prevent access to sensitive berthing areas

• Enhanced security aboard ferries o Explosive detection canine teams o Security cameras (CCTV)

• Rapid response boats for preventing or responding to security incidents on waterways, especially in and around airports, cruise terminals, ferry terminals, etc.

Enduring Needs Planning • Planning

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Risk and disaster resilience assessment

• Threats and hazards identification

• Operational coordination

• Community resilience

• Development of:

o Port-wide Security Risk Management Plans o Continuity of Operations Plans o Response Plans o Port-wide and/or asset-specific vulnerability assessments https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.cisa.gov/cpg https://www.cisa.gov/cpg

Priority Areas Core Capabilities Example Project Types

▪ Assessments should consider the impacts of climate change on investments to close identified security gaps3

• Efforts to strengthen governance integration between/among regional partners

Training and

Awareness

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Situational assessment

• Community resilience

• Active shooter training, including integrating the needs of persons with disabilities

• Shipboard firefighting training

• Public awareness/preparedness campaigns

• Maritime domain awareness projects

Equipment and

Capital Projects

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Supply chain integrity and security

• Threats and hazards identification

• Infrastructure systems

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Implementing risk management projects that support port resilience and recovery

• Implementing physical security enhancement projects

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential projects

• Sharing and leveraging intelligence and information

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive prevention, detection response and recovery equipment

• Unmanned Aircraft Systems and detection technologies

Exercises • Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Operational coordination

• Operational communications

• Community resilience

• Response exercises

c. Alignment to Program Purpose and the DHS and FEMA Strategic Plan

Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Strategic Plan for

Fiscal Years 2020-2024, the PSGP supports the goal to Strengthen Preparedness and

Resilience.

The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan outlines three bold, ambitious goals in order to position FEMA to address the increasing range and complexity of disasters, support the diversity of communities we serve, and complement the nation’s growing expectations of the emergency management community. The PSGP supports Goal 3 to Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation. We invite our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a more prepared and resilient nation.

11. Performance Measures

Performance metrics for this program are as follows:

3 For more information on considering the impacts of climate change, please see Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and Executive Order 14030, Climate-Related Financial Risk https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/05/20/executive-order-on-climate-related-financial-risk/

• Percentage of funding allocated by the recipient to core capabilities to build or sustain the national priorities identified in the section above.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $90,000,000

2. Period of Performance: 36 months

Extensions to the period of performance are allowed. For additional information on period of performance extensions, please refer to the Preparedness Grants Manual (FM-207-23-001).

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2024

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/31/2027

5. Projected Budget Period(s)

There will be only a single budget period with the same start and end dates as the period of performance. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for definitions of “budget period” and “period of performance.”

6. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

All entities subject to an AMSP, as defined by 46 U.S.C. § 70103(b), may apply for PSGP funding. Eligible applicants include but are not limited to port authorities, facility operators, and state, local, and territorial government agencies. A facility operator owns, leases, or operates any structure or facility of any kind located in, on, under, or adjacent to any waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Examples of facility operators include, but are not limited to terminal operators, ferry systems, bar/harbor pilots, and merchant’s exchanges.

See the “Applications Submitted by Eligible Entities” section below for further detail.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), Pub. L. No. 107-295, as amended, DHS established a risk-based grant program to support maritime security risk management. Funding is directed towards the implementation of AMSPs, Facility Security

Plans (FSP), and Vessel Security Plans (VSP) among port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies that are required to provide port security services. In administering the grant program, national, economic, energy, and strategic defense concerns based upon the most current risk assessments available will be considered.

Port Area Definition

A Port Area is a location on a coast, shore, or inland waterway containing one or more harbors where vessels can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land. For the purposes of the PSGP, eligible ports included those identified by the U.S. Army Corps of https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/manual

Engineers (USACE) Principal Port List (PPL), as well as unlisted ports which have the presence of MTSA-regulated facilities.

Applications Submitted by Eligible Entities

Subject to the information and exceptions in this section, an eligible entity may submit only one application within each Port Area. An application may contain up to five Investment

Justifications (IJs). See Section D, below, for further instructions regarding IJs.

• A single eligible entity may have multiple facilities, departments, subcomponents, or agencies operating within a Port Area. FEMA will generally view multiple agencies within a local government (e.g., police department, fire department, emergency management office) operating within one Port Area as a single eligible entity. An applicant’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) will help inform FEMA’s determination of which applicants may constitute a single eligible entity.

o An eligible entity operating multiple facilities, departments, subcomponents, or agencies within a single Port Area may choose to submit separate applications for facilities, departments, subcomponents, or agencies within it, but any such separate applications will be considered part of the same eligible entity for purposes of the cost-share requirements, as discussed later in this

NOFO.

o If a single eligible entity chooses to have its components submit separate applications, each individual facility, department, subcomponent, or agency of that single eligible entity should submit no more than one application. For example, a police department should submit no more than one collective application. If an individual facility, department, subcomponent, or agency of an eligible entity submits more than one application for a single Port Area, FEMA reserves the discretion to consolidate the projects or determine which application(s) to approve or deny.

• Funding allocation decisions are based partially on Port Area risk. Therefore, no single application should include IJs for projects intended to be implemented in multiple Port Areas. For example, a state agency or facility operator that operates in multiple Port Areas must submit separate applications to fund projects in each Port

Area.

o Exception: “Hub and spoke” cybersecurity projects may affect a parent organization’s multiple eligible entities in multiple Port Areas. Such projects may be submitted within a primary Port Area for the project implementation.

Proportionally, costs associated with entities or subcomponents that are not covered under an AMSP and are not instrumental to enhancing maritime security must not be included in the detailed budget worksheet or IJ and thereby prorating the cost of the project only to those facilities that are covered by the AMSP.

An application submitted by an otherwise eligible non-federal entity (i.e., the applicant) may be deemed ineligible when the person that submitted the application is not: 1) a current employee, personnel, official, staff, or leadership of the non-federal entity; and 2) duly authorized to apply for an award on behalf of the non-federal entity at the time of application.

Further, the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and Signatory Authority (SA) must be a duly authorized current employee, personnel, official, staff, or leadership of the recipient and provide an email address unique to the recipient at the time of application and upon any change in assignment during the period of performance. Consultants or contractors of the recipient are not permitted to be the AOR or SA of the recipient. It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to keep their points of contact for the organization up-to-date and accurate in all federal systems.

Compliance with Maritime Security Regulations

As a condition of eligibility, all PSGP applicants must be fully compliant with relevant

Maritime Security Regulations (33 C.F.R. Parts 101-106). Any applicant who, as of the grant application deadline, has an open or outstanding Notice of Violation (NOV) will not be considered for PSGP funding if:

1. The applicant has failed to pay the NOV within 45 days of receipt of the NOV and the applicant has failed to decline the NOV within 45 days of receipt of the NOV, resulting in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) entering a finding of default in accordance with 33 C.F.R. § 1.07- 11(f)(2); or

2. The applicant appealed the NOV pursuant to 33 C.F.R § 1.07-70 and received a final appeal decision from the Commandant, USCG, as described in 33 C.F.R. § 1.07-75, and failed to come into compliance with the terms of the final appeal decision within the timelines noted herein.

The local USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) will verify security compliance eligibility during the field review process. Eligibility does not guarantee grant funding.

Ferry Systems

Ferry systems are eligible to apply for FY 2024 PSGP funds. However, any ferry system electing to participate (e.g., submit an application) under the FY 2024 PSGP will not be eligible to participate (e.g., submit an application) under the FY 2024 Transit Security Grant

Program (TSGP) and will not be considered for funding under the FY 2024 TSGP. Likewise, any ferry system that participates in the FY 2024 TSGP will not be eligible for funding under the FY 2024 PSGP.

3. Subawards and Beneficiaries

a. Subaward allowability

Subawards are prohibited under the PSGP. Applicants are also prohibited from applying on behalf of other, separate entities. Notwithstanding this prohibition, however, community-based projects, to include planning, training, exercises, and port-wide cyber vulnerability assessments and cyber interoperability projects that may include multiple beneficiaries (e.g., a port authority hosts a large training session or exercise) in which the applicant applies for and administers the grant award are allowable. Only the eligible applicant is permitted to take ownership of PSGP-funded equipment and other non-consumables until disposition actions are required.

b. Beneficiaries or Participants

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

4. Other Eligibility Restrictions

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Prior to allocation of any federal preparedness awards, recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. The list of objectives used for progress and achievement reporting is on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/implementation-training.

Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for more information on NIMS.

5. Cost Share or Match

The FY 2024 PSGP has a cost-share requirement. The non-federal entity contribution can be cash (hard match) or third-party in-kind (soft match), with the exception of construction activities, which must be a cash (hard) match. In-kind contributions are defined as third-party contributions per 2 C.F.R. § 200.306.

All applicants will be required to commit to the cost-share requirement of each project at the time of application. The required cost share is based on and calculated against the total of all PSGP funds awarded to an eligible entity as described in the “Applications Submitted by Eligible Entities” section above during this fiscal year within a single Port Area. For example, if an entity operates multiple facilities under the same UEI within the same Port

Area and each facility requests projects exempt of cost share due to being $25,000 or less, FEMA will view these projects collectively for purposes of determining the appropriate cost share and a cost share will be required if the total exceeds $25,000. As a result, multiple components within a single eligible entity (i.e., port authority, facility operator, local government, or state government) are strongly encouraged to coordinate their applications if they apply separately (even if addressing multiple, disparate projects within the Port Area) for these cost share purposes.

Public-Sector Cost Share

All public sector and non-governmental, nonprofit PSGP award recipients—meaning recipients other than private, for-profit entities—must provide a non-federal entity contribution supporting 25% of the total of all project costs as submitted in the application and approved in the award. The non-federal contribution should be specifically identified for each proposed project. The non-federal contribution, whether cash or third-party in-kind match, has the same eligibility requirements as the federal share (e.g., operational costs for routine patrols are ineligible, and operational costs for overtime to conduct an approved exercise may be eligible as part of the IJ) and must be justified as part of the project within https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/implementation-training https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291 the investment justification. For example, if the federal award for a public sector recipient requires a 25% cost share and the total project cost is $100,000, then:

• Federal share is 75% of $100,000 = $75,000

• Recipient cost share is 25% of $100,000 = $25,000

Because the statute at 46 U.S.C. § 70107(c)(1) states that the federal share shall not exceed

75% of the total cost, any application of the percentages that would result in a decimal will be rounded down in favor of the federal share not exceeding 75%, even if normal rounding standards would indicate rounding up in certain instances.

In accordance with Public Law 96-205, title VI, section 601, Mar. 12,1980 as amended, 48

U.S.C. § 1469a(d), and OMB Controller Alert CA-23-04, Waiving Matching Fund

Requirements for Insular Areas (Feb. 6, 2023) agencies are required to waive any requirement for local matching funds for grants to an Insular Area under $200,000, when the match is otherwise required by law. Insular Areas include the U.S. territories of American

Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

Islands. For the four Insular Areas, agencies may waive the requirement for matching where the local match amount otherwise required by law is $200,000 or greater. For amounts

$200,000 or greater it is at the applicable program’s discretion to waive cost shares either in part or in total.

Private-Sector Cost Share

Private, for-profit PSGP award recipients must provide a non-federal entity contribution supporting 50% of the total of all project costs as submitted in the application and approved in the award. The non-federal entity contribution should be specifically identified for each proposed project. The non-federal contribution, whether cash (hard) or third-party in-kind (soft), has the same eligibility requirements as the federal share (e.g., operational costs for routine patrols are ineligible, and operational costs for overtime to conduct an approved exercise may be eligible as part of the IJ) and must be justified as part of the project within the IJ. For example, if the federal award for a private sector recipient requires a 50% cost share and the total project cost is $100,000, then:

• Federal share is 50% of $100,000 = $50,000

• Recipient cost share is 50% of $100,000 = $50,000

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 percentage of those actual project costs.

Cash and third-party in-kind matches must consist of eligible costs (i.e., same allowability as the federal share) and must be identified as part of the submitted detailed budget worksheet.

A cash-match includes cash spent for project-related costs, while a third-party in-kind match includes the valuation of in-kind services. The cost match requirement for the PSGP award may not be met by funds from another federal grant or assistance program, or by funds used to meet matching requirements for another federal grant program, unless otherwise permitted by federal statute. Likewise, third-party in-kind matches used to meet the matching requirement for the PSGP award may not be used to meet matching requirements for any other federal grant program. Additionally, normal routine operational costs cannot be used as a cost match unless a completely new capability is being awarded and must be justified as

“reasonable and necessary” to complete the project. Please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306, as applicable, for further guidance regarding cost matching.

Exceptions to the Cost Match Requirements

The following exceptions to the cost match requirement may apply:

• Port-Wide Benefit: The cost match requirements for projects that have a port-wide benefit need only to be funded at the public-sector matching fund level of 25% (with a federal share not to exceed 75% per 46 U.S.C. § 70107(c)(1)). These projects must be certified by the COTP as having a port-wide benefit. Examples of projects with a port-wide benefit include, but are not limited to:

o Port-wide planning, training, and exercises;

o Security camera systems with shared access;

o Response vessels; and o Other maritime domain awareness systems.

• $25,000 or Less: There is no matching requirement for grant awards where the total project cost for all projects under the award is $25,000 or less in accordance with 46

U.S.C. § 70107(c)(2)(A). If multiple small projects for the same Port Area by the same entity (i.e., same UEI) are submitted totaling more than $25,000 under this exemption, a cost match is required to be demonstrated at the time of application.

• Public Safety Personnel Security Zone Training: There is no matching requirement for grants to train public safety personnel in the enforcement of security zones as defined by 46 U.S.C. § 70132 or in assisting in the enforcement of such security zones. Per 46 U.S.C. § 70132(d), the term “public safety personnel” includes any federal, state (or political subdivision thereof), territorial, or tribal law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency response provider.

• Waiver Requests: Requests for cost match waivers as outlined in 46 U.S.C. §

70107(c) may be considered for successful applicants only after awards have been made. Applicants must have demonstrated the ability to comply with the cost match requirement at the time of application and since being awarded the grant, have experienced significant financial constraints as outlined in DHS/FEMA Information

Bulletin (IB) 376, (i.e., specific economic issues preclude provision of the cost share identified in the original grant application). Cost share waiver requests that do not demonstrate new, post-award difficulties and cost share waivers submitted at the time of application will not be considered. Cost share waiver requests must comply with the process identified in IB 376.

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/bulletins/info376.pdf

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 04/16/2024

b. Application Submission Deadline: 06/24/2024 at 5 p.m. ET

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

FEMA’s Grants Outcomes System (FEMA GO) automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives the application. The individual with the AOR role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission. For additional information on how an applicant will be notified of application receipt, see the subsection titled “Timely Receipt

Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission” in Section D of this NOFO.

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

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

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

Contact Information.” For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the

FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Preparedness Officer or Grants Management Specialist. If applicants do not know who to contact or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than August 23, 2024

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2024 mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov

e. Other Key Dates:

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining Unique Entity Identifier

(UEI) number

Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid Employer

Identification Number (EIN) Four weeks before actual submission deadline

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

Registering in SAM or updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering Organization in FEMA

GO

Prior to beginning application

Submitting complete application in

FEMA GO

One week before actual submission deadline

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

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

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

3. Address to Request Application Package

Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

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

Award Management (SAM.gov)

Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR §25.110, must:

a. Be registered in Sam.Gov before application submission.

b. Provide a valid UEI in its application.

c. Continue to always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during the federal award process. Note: Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.300, subrecipients are NOT required to go through the full SAM registration process. First-tier subrecipients

(meaning entities receiving funds directly from the recipient) are only required to obtain a UEI through SAM, but they are not required to complete the full SAM registration in order to obtain a UEI. Recipients may not make subawards unless the subrecipient has obtained and provided the UEI.

Lower-tier subrecipients (meaning entities receiving funds passed through by a higher-tier subrecipient) are not required to have a UEI and are not required to register in SAM.

Applicants are also not permitted to require subrecipients to complete a full registration in

SAM beyond obtaining the UEI.

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Applicants are encouraged to register early as the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. Please review https://go.fema.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home the table above for estimated deadlines to complete each of the steps listed. Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for submitting an application may disqualify that application from funding.

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their UEI number and Employer Identification Number

(EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

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

The organization’s electronic business point of contact (EBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go/startup;

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

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

Applicants are advised that FEMA may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when FEMA is ready to make a federal award. Further, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, FEMA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

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

6. Electronic Delivery

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants https://www.login.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go/startup mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity.

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

FEMA GO.

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for

FEMA funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process.

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

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

Organizations must have an UEI number, an EIN, and an active SAM registration to apply for a federal award under this funding opportunity.

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

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

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

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

All entities applying for funding must provide an Employer Identification Number

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

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

d. Create a login.gov account:

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

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

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

SAM.gov so that the two accounts can be linked.

https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf.

e. Register with SAM:

All applicants applying online through FEMA GO must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent an applicant from completing the application in

FEMA GO. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Organizations will be issued a UEI number with the completed SAM registration.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm.

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

I. ADDITIONAL SAM REMINDERS

Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to make sure it is

“ACTIVE.” SAM registration should be completed at the very beginning of the application period and should be renewed annually to avoid being “INACTIVE.”

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

It is imperative that the information applicants provide is correct and current.

Please ensure that your organization’s name, address, and EIN are up to date in

SAM and that the UEI number used in SAM is the same one used to apply for all other FEMA awards. Payment under any FEMA award is contingent on the recipient’s having a current SAM registration.

II. HELP WITH SAM

The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration

(GSA) to assist those registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a SAM registration, please contact the Federal Support Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do or call toll free (866) 606-8220.

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

AOR:

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

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go/startup

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

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

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

8. Submitting the Application

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any program-specific information required as described in Section D. of this NOFO, in the subsection “Content and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SF) may be accessed in the Forms tab under the https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family.

Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the AOR that submitted the application. Applicants using slow internet connections, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before FEMA GO receives your application.

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

Submission” under Section D of this NOFO.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives the application. The individual with the AOR role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission on the date and time that FEMA GO received the application.

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

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

Genera…