FY_2025_NDSP_NOFO_Draft_508_07-28-25_0918.pdf

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

National Dam Safety Program State Assistance

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

Contents

1. Basic Information A. Agency Name B. NOFO Title C. Announcement Type D. Funding Opportunity Number E. Assistance Listing Number F. Expected Total Funding G. Anticipated Number of Awards H. Expected Award Range I. Projected Application Start Date J. Projected Application End Date K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date L. Anticipated Award Date M. Projected Period of Performance Start Date N. Projected Period of Performance End Date O. Executive Summary P. Agency Contact

2. Eligibility A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types B. Project Type Eligibility C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties D. Maximum Number of Applications E. Additional Restrictions F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO G. Cost Sharing Requirement H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

3. Program Description A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History B. Goals and Objectives C. Program Rationale D. Federal Assistance Type E. Performance Measures and Targets F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

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 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 A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions C. Financial Reporting Requirements D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements E. Closeout Reporting Requirements F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance H. Single Audit Report I. Monitoring and Oversight

J. Program Evaluation K. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements L. Termination of the Federal Award M. Best Practices N. Payment Information

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

1. Basic Information

A. Agency Name

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

Management Agency (FEMA)

B. NOFO Title

National Dam Safety Program State Assistance

C. Announcement

Type

Initial

D. Funding

Opportunity Number

DHS-25-MT-041-00-97

E. Assistance Listing

Number

97.041

F. Expected Total

Funding

$7.48 million

G. Anticipated

Number of Awards

50 awards

H. Expected Award

Range

$40,000– $550,000

I. Projected

Application Start

Date

07/28/2025 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)

J. Projected

Application End Date

08/11/2025 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

K. Anticipated

Funding Selection

Date

09/19/2025

L. Anticipated

Award Date

09/19/2025

M. Projected Period of Performance Start

Date

Date of Award

N. Projected Period of Performance End

Date

12 months after award date

O. Executive

Summary

The National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) is a partnership of states, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to promote the establishment and maintenance of effective federal and state dam safety programs to reduce the risk to human life, property, and the environment from dam related hazards.

Congressionally mandated functions of the program are:

• Leadership: The leadership shall be the responsibility of

FEMA and shall be exercised by chairing the National Dam

Safety Review Board to coordinate national efforts to improve the safety of the dams in the United States.

• Technical assistance: The technical assistance activity shall consist of the transfer of knowledge and technical information among the federal and nonfederal elements.

• Public awareness: The public awareness activity shall provide for the education of the public, including state and local officials, in the hazards of dam failure, methods of reducing the adverse consequences of dam failure, and related matters.

P. Agency Contact

a. Program Office Contact

Jena’i Jordan

National Dam Safety Program

Federal Emergency Management Agency jenai.jordan@fema.dhs.gov

Also see Appendix C

b. FEMA Grants News

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

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

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration

Division

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

d. FEMA Regional Offices

FEMA Regional Offices also may provide fiscal support, including pre- and post-award administration and technical assistance. FEMA mailto:jenai.jordan@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov

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 Office of Civil

Rights 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.org.

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

The FEMA office of Environmental Planning and Historic Planning

(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 the Payment and Reporting System (PARS) 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

Customer Service Center at (866) 927-5646 or ask-

GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

h. FEMA GO

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

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

i. FEMA Preparedness Toolkit

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

System and provide 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.

https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.org mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.org mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/execute/LogIn?sawContentMessage=true mailto:GMD@fema.dhs.gov mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/ mailto:support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov

a. Applicants

This funding opportunity is restricted to the state dam safety program for eligible entities meeting the statutory definition of a “state.”

Per Title 33 United States Code Section 467(10), the term “state” means each of the several states of the United States, the District of

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

b. Subapplicants

Subapplicants and subawards are not allowed.

B. Project Type

Eligibility

a. Unallowable Project Types

Grant funds may not be used to construct or repair any Federal or non-

Federal dam.

b. Allowable Project Types

1.1 Perform targeted safety inspections of High Hazard (HH)

dams/dams of highest consequence.

1.2 Perform targeted condition assessment and evaluations of

reservoirs and high hazard dams/dams of highest consequence.

1.3 Development of new or updated Emergency Action Plan (EAP) of

HH dams / dams of highest consequence.

1.4 Perform regulatory enforcement actions: Implement enforcement actions to compel the dam owner of an unsafe high hazard potential dam to take action to reduce the risk associated with the dam.

Regulatory enforcement actions may include, but not limited to, official notice of violation, civil or criminal penalties, reservoir restrictions, or safe breaching of the dam.

2.1 Execution of targeted outreach and messaging strategies to inform the public and stakeholders of dam risks and actions that individuals/organizations/communities need to take.

2.2 Establish and maintain assessment tool for gauging effectiveness of targeted public outreach about hazards and risks associated with dams.

3.1 Identification of and applied best practices that advance operations of state dam safety programs (includes software programs that assess, monitor, model, and analyze potential and real risk).

3.2 Risk identification analysis and risk prioritization methodologies to inform decision-making in dam rehabilitation or removal projects of

High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD).

3.3 Build or improve a cybersecurity awareness program to promote resources and the implementation of cybersecurity with owners and operators, consistent with the National Institute of Standards and

Technology (NIST) Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure

Cybersecurity the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

(CISA) Dams Sector Cybersecurity Implementation Framework

Guidance, and/or CISA’s Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance

Goals

3.4 Professional education, workshops, and training on content such as dam operations and safety standards, industry best practices, risk assessment methodologies, and risk communication strategies for dam owners, local officials and emergency managers, and state dam safety staff.

C. Requirements for

Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

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

D. Maximum

Number of

Applications

The maximum number of applications that can be submitted is:

1. One (1) per applicant

E. Additional

Restrictions

For a state to be eligible for assistance under this program, a state dam safety program must be authorized by state legislation and working toward meeting specific criteria and budgeting requirements. Eligible state dam safety programs must:

1. Have the authority to review and approve plans and specifications to construct, enlarge, modify, remove, and abandon dams;

2. Have the authority to perform periodic inspections during dam construction to ensure compliance with approved plans and specifications;

3. Maintain a requirement that, on completion of dam construction, state approval must be given before operation of the dam;

4. Have the authority to require or perform periodic evaluations of all dams and reservoirs to determine the extent of the threat to human life and property in case of failure;

5. Have the authority to require or perform the inspection, at least once every 5 years, of all dams and reservoirs that would pose a significant threat to human life and property in case of failure to determine the continued safety of the dams and reservoirs;

6. Maintain procedures for conducting more detailed and frequent safety inspections, if necessary;

7. Maintain a requirement that all inspections be performed under the supervision of a state-registered professional engineer with experience in dam design and construction;

8. Have the authority to require dam owners to perform necessary maintenance or remedial work, install and monitor instrumentation, improve security, revise operating procedures, or take other actions, including breaching dams when necessary;

9. Maintain regulations for carrying out the state legislation described in this subparagraph;

10. Have access to funds necessary—

a. to ensure timely repairs or other changes to, or removal of, a dam to protect human life and property; and

b. to take appropriate action as expeditiously as practicable if a dam owner does not take action described in 10.a.;

11. Maintain emergency procedures to be used if a dam fails or if the failure of a dam is imminent and

12. Identify

a. each dam the failure of which could be reasonably expected to endanger human life;

b. the maximum area that could be flooded if such dams failed; and

c. critical public facilities that would be affected by the flooding.

Note only dams that meet the definition in 33 U.S.C. Section 467 are eligible for funding under State Assistance.

F. References for

Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Responsiveness Review Criteria” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. FEMA may/will request financial information such as

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

G. Cost Sharing

Requirement

There is no cost share requirement. However, the State Assistance award amount may not exceed 4 times the amount of funds committed by the state for dam safety activities. 33 U.S.C. Section 467j(2)(B).

H. Cost Share

Description, Type and Restrictions

Not applicable.

I. Cost Sharing

Calculation Example

Not applicable.

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

Maintenance of Effort

Assistance may not be provided to a state under this program for a fiscal year unless the state maintains the aggregate expenditures of the state from all other sources for programs to ensure dam safety for the protection of human life and property at or above a level equal to the average annual level of such expenditures for the two fiscal years preceding the current fiscal year. See Section D.9.b Program-Specific

Required Information.

MOE requirement documentation must be submitted on official letterhead, signed by the authorized official, that reports aggregate expenditures of the State from all other sources for programs to ensure dam safety for the protection of human life and property at or above a level equal to the average annual level of such expenditures for the two fiscal years preceding the current fiscal year (See Appendix A:

Letter template)

3. Program Description

A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History

Dams play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure. They contribute to the economic development of the United States and to the social welfare of the American public. Dam infrastructure can be affected by natural hazards, man-made threats, as well as an imbalance between resources invested and a dam’s age. The U.S. has 91,000 dams across every state. They are used for water storage, irrigation, hydropower, mining, flood control, and recreation. The average dam age is 61 years old, more than 2,300 were built before 1900, and the oldest was built in 1640.

Dams are classified by ‘hazard potential,’ rated by the likelihood a failure will cause loss of human life and extensive property damage. Given recent development trends in rural areas, specifically near rivers and streams, the number of high hazard dams has more than doubled in the last 20 years. As of December 27, 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National

Inventory of Dams shows 16,598 of the 91,000 dams are classified as high-hazard. Of those, 2,400 are rated as poor or unsatisfactory condition. However, on the positive side, 81% of the high hazard dams have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), many funded through National Dam

Safety Program grants.

Comprehensive data on the history of dam failures in the U.S. is not available. However, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), from 2005 to 2013, 173 dam failures were reported and an additional 587 incidents that would have become failures had intervention not occurred.

Significant support is needed to minimize the risk associated with aging dam infrastructure across the United States. Specifically, resources are needed to inspect and assess dams, and develop emergency action plans. Without federal assistance states cannot afford adequate staffing levels.

B. Goals and Objectives

According to Title 33 U.S.C Chapter 9 the National Dam Safety Program goal is “to encourage the establishment and maintenance of effective State programs intended to ensure dam safety, to protect human life and property, and to improve State dam safety programs.” (33 U.S.C. §467f)

National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) objectives that fall under this goal are to:

• Identify deficiencies and risks associated with dams

• Increase public awareness of the benefits and risks associated with dam infrastructure, and potential hazards associated with dam failure

• Advance the state of practice of dam safety and dam risk management

C. Program Rationale

The National Dam Safety Program strives to reduce the risks associated with the 90,000+ dams in the United States. The program utilizes a three-pronged approach by providing resources to assist states to 1. inspect and assess dams, and develop emergency action plans, 2. promote public awareness of dams, 3. Increase state employees’ capacity through learning and training opportunities (conferences, seminars, and dissemination of national-level risk prioritization criteria).

This supports The Third Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Mission 5.2 Strengthen

National Resilience.

D. Federal Assistance Type

Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets

Program

Objectives

Eligible Activities - Examples Performance

Measure (PM)

Target https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/23_0420_plcy_2023-qhsr.pdf

1: Reduced risks to life and property associated with dams.

1.1 Perform targeted safety

inspections of High Hazard (HH) dams/dams of highest consequence.

1.1 The percentage

of high hazard potential dams/ dams of highest consequence to life and property, with completed safety inspection over the period of performance.

1.1 All High

Hazard dams inspected within 5 years

1.2 Perform targeted condition

assessment and evaluations of reservoirs and high hazard dams/dams of highest consequence.

1.2 The percentage

of high hazard potential dams (of state total dams) with condition assessments entered in the National

Inventory of Dams

(NID) over the period of performance.

1.2 All High

Hazard

Dams assessed within 5 years

1.3 Development of new or updated

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) of high hazard dams / dams of highest consequence.

1.3 The percentage

of high hazard potential dams (of state total dams) that have new or updated emergency action plans in place over the period of performance.

1.3 All High

Hazard

Dams have updated EAP

1.4 Perform regulatory enforcement

actions: Implement enforcement actions to compel the dam owner of an unsafe high hazard potential dam to take action to reduce the risk associated with the dam. Regulatory enforcement actions may include, but not limited to, official notice of violation, civil or criminal penalties, reservoir restrictions, or safe breaching of the dam.

1.4 The number of

enforcement actions taken against the dam owner with identified dam deficiencies.

Calculated by the number of dams with identified dam deficiencies that have received an enforcement action over the period of performance.

1.4

Enforcement actions taken on all dams with deficiencies

2: Increased public

2.1 Execution of targeted outreach and

messaging strategies to inform the

2.1 Number of new

products, systems,

2.1 Initiate at

least one awareness of risks associated with dams.

public and stakeholders of dam risks and actions that individuals/organizations/communities need to take.

and targeted outreach activities developed and implemented over the period of performance.

Public

Awareness

Initiative

2.2 Establish and maintain assessment

tool for gauging effectiveness of targeted public outreach about hazards and risks associated with dams.

2.2 State implements

public awareness outreach assessment tool and collects data to determine which activities are effective and inform improvements to communications and targeted outreach.

2.2 Create or

update

Public

Awareness

Effectiveness

Tool

3:

Improvement and advancement of state dam safety and risk management program.

3.1 Identification of and applied best

practices that advance operations of state dam safety programs (includes software programs that assess, monitor, model, and analyze potential and real risk).

3.1 Number of

applied best practices that advance state dam safety programs

(includes software programs that assess, monitor, model, and analyze potential and real risk).

3.1 Utilize at

least one modeling, monitoring or analytical software program during dam assessments

3.2 Risk identification analysis and

risk prioritization methodologies to inform decision-making in dam rehabilitation or removal projects of

High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD).

See note below.*

3.2 Report of eligible

HHPD and description of risk prioritization methodology and how it identified the highest risk dams.

3.2 Use Risk

Prioritization

Tool to select dams for HHPD grants

3.3 Build or improve a cybersecurity

awareness program to promote resources and the implementation of cybersecurity with owners and operators, consistent with the National

Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST) Framework for Improving

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure

Security Agency (CISA) Dams Sector

Cybersecurity Implementation

Framework Guidance, and/or CISA’s

3.3 Build or improve

a cybersecurity awareness program.

3.3 Create

or update state cybersecurity awareness program https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/critical-infrastructure-sectors/dams-sector https://www.cisa.gov/cross-sector-cybersecurity-performance-goals

*3.2 All High Hazard Potential Dams pose a risk to lives and/or property, but all risks are not equal. Risk prioritization methodology is an objective means to prioritize the dams that pose the greatest risks.

**3.4 Best practices are procedures or activities that are accepted or prescribed as being correct or most effective.

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

International travel is not an allowable cost under this program unless approved in advance by

FEMA.

Construction and renovation costs are not allowed under this program.

G. General Funding Requirements

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

200.403(h).

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

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

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

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

(see 2 C.F.R. § 200.435).

Cross-Sector Cybersecurity

Performance Goals

3.4 Professional education, workshops, and training on content such as dam operations and safety standards, industry best practices, risk assessment methodologies, and risk communication strategies for dam owners, local officials and emergency managers, and state dam safety staff.

See note below.**

3.4

1. Number of stakeholders reached

(dam owners, local emergency managers, and officials).

2. Number of and content of trainings, courses, workshops offered.

3. Number of state staff trained.

3.4 Attend at

least one workshop, conference, training, etc.

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

H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs)

Indirect costs are allowed for recipients.

Indirect costs (IDC) are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to specific cost objectives without disproportionate effort. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications.

Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement, but are required to develop an IDC rate proposal, must provide a copy of their proposal with their applications. Applicants without a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an IDC rate proposal must reach out to FEMA for further instructions.

As it relates to the IDC for subrecipients, a recipient must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§

200.332 and 200.414 in approving the IDC rate for subawards.

I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

M&A costs are not allowed.

J. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are not allowed.

K. Beneficiary Eligibility

Not applicable

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

L. Participant Eligibility

Not Applicable

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

M. Authorizing Authority

Section 8 of the National Dam Safety Program Act, as amended, (Pub. L. No. 104-303) (codified as amended at 33 U.S.C. Section 467-467n)

N. Appropriation Authority 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

Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, Title VII Department of

Homeland Security (Pub. L. No. 119-4)

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. Application Contents and Format

A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers

B. Application Content and Format

Applicants are required to submit applications through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

C. Application Components

The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The Standard

Forms (SF) are also available at Forms | Grants.gov.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction)

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities

D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information

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

• Grant summary page: Program-specific information

a. Label summary document: [Insert State Name] [NDSP 2025 Fall SOW] 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 https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/forms

b. Include the following grant information in the summary document:

i. Grant name and fiscal year:

ii. Federal amount requested: [Insert Dollar Value $]

iii. Name of state contact for program results: (name, email, phone number)

iv. Name of finance contact: (name, email, phone number)

v. Period of Performance: (Start-end)

c. Maintenance of Effort (MOE): Provide aggregate expenditures of the state from all other sources for programs to ensure dam safety for the protection of human life and property at or above a level equal to the average annual level of such expenditures for the two fiscal years preceding the current fiscal year.

• Scope of Work (SOW) narrative that describes the eligible tasks and activities that will be completed within the period of performance.

• Milestone Quarterly Work Plan that demonstrates timeline for Scope of Work completion aligned with performance metrics (template may be requested from

FEMA Regional Program Officer).

• Letter from State Official: Maintenance of Effort requirement documentation must be submitted on official letterhead, signed by the authorized official, that reports aggregate expenditures of the State from all other sources for programs to ensure dam safety for the protection of human life and property at or above a level equal to the average annual level of such expenditures for the two fiscal years preceding the current fiscal year (See Appendix A: Letter template)

• Detailed budget associated with Scope of Work deliverables and performance measures.

The budget narrative and budget worksheets are critical elements of the budget.

These documents help the recipient justify the need for each line item and cost estimates. They explain how the costs relate to the programmatic goals for the project and support the budget by showing the basis of computation. The budget narrative and basis of computation must be related to and include all costs necessary to complete each of the proposed activities in the work plan. FEMA uses the budget narrative/justification and basis of computation submitted by the applicant to review the funding amounts listed in the project narrative/Scope of

Work, the SF-424, and confirm that award costs are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary.

E. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Address to Request Application Package

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

Steps Required to Apply For An Award Under This Program and Submit an Application:

https://go.fema.gov/

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and 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 System for Award Management (SAM) account and ensure the account is active before submitting the application;

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

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

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

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

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(a)(2)(iv), 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. Contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov and provide the details of the exigent circumstances.

How to Register to Apply:

General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Below are instructions for registering to apply for FEMA funds. Read the instructions carefully and prepare the requested information before beginning the registration process. Gathering the required information before starting the process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

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

Organizations must have a UEI number, EIN, and an active)SAM registration.

Obtain a UEI Number:

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

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.

Obtain Employer Identification Number:

In addition to having a UEI number, all entities applying for funding must provide an 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.

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 at:

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd.

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For existing SAM users, use the same email address for both login.gov and SAM.gov so that the two accounts can be linked.

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf.

Register with SAM:

In addition to having a UEI number, all organizations must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through FEMA GO. SAM registration must be renewed annually and must remain active throughout the entire grant life cycle.

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

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 past three years, if applicable.

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: FEMA GO Startup Guide

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

Google Chrome;

Mozilla Firefox;

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-a62b99571fd https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.200 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema-go_startup-guide.pdf

Apple Safari; and

Microsoft Edge.

Applicants using tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA

GO.

Submitting the Final Application:

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information, and any program-specific information required. Standard Forms (SF) may be accessed in the Forms tab under the:

SF-424 Family | Grants.gov.

Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they are providing all required information.

After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message, or an email to the submitting AOR confirming the transmission was successfully received.

B. Application Deadline

08/11/2025 5:00 PM Eastern Time

C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline

D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline

E. Effects of Missing the Deadline

All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of submission and generates an electronic date/time stamp when

FEMA GO successfully receives an application. The submitting AOR will receive via email the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number to serve as proof of timely submission prior to the application deadline.

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

6. Intergovernmental Review

A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372.

7. Application Review Information

A. Threshold Criteria

Applications submitted by ineligible applicants or for unallowable activities will be denied, see

Sections 2.A and 2.B.

B. Application Criteria

Applications will be reviewed to ensure conformance with the Eligibility Criteria in Section 2.A, consistency with the Program Objectives of the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) in

Sections 3.A and 3.B, consistency with the Application and Submission criteria in Section 4, and costs are necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award. Applicants who do not meet eligibility or application submission requirements will be removed from consideration.

FEMA will review submitted scopes of work and milestone workplans for approval or discuss recommended modifications of the planned activities given the circumstances for that individual state (e.g., delinquent inspections, revised EAPs, or need for inspections). FEMA will review the state’s MOE letter submitted with the application. States unable to document state-appropriated funds will be deemed ineligible to participate.

C. Financial Integrity Criteria

Before making an award, FEMA is required to review OMB-designated databases for applicants’ eligibility and financial integrity information. This is required by the Payment Integrity

Information Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116-117, § 2 (2020)), 41 U.S.C. § 2313, and the “Do Not

Pay Initiative” (31 U.S.C. 3354). For more details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

Thus, the Financial Integrity Criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

1. Financial stability.

2. Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards.

3. History of performance in managing federal award.

4. Reports and findings from audits.

5. Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

Before making an award expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently a total federal share of $250,000) over the period of performance:

FEMA is required by 41 U.S.C. § 2313: to review or consider certain information found in

SAM.gov. For details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206(a)(2).

1. An applicant may review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/41/2313 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section2313&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206

2. Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 C.F.R. § 200.206, FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant.

E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection

FEMA regional staff review the applications for their applicable regions.

F. Merit Review Process

Once the complete application package is submitted in FEMA GO, the appropriate FEMA

Regional Office will review the application and scope of work for eligibility. The FEMA

Regional Office validates proposed activities aligned with program priorities and performance measures, and the costs are reasonable.

Applicants will be evaluated and selected for funding based on the following:

I. The applicant has the authority and demonstrates the ability to fulfill the National Dam

Safety Program requirements.

II. The applicant’s proposed work plan employs sound concepts and techniques, and realistic timetables. Proposed projects are deliverable, sustainable, and compatible with the goals of the National Dam Safety Program.

III. The applicant proposes complete, reasonable, and cost-effective costs in relation to proposed projects and tasks.

If the application and work plan are deemed eligible by the Regional Office, it is recommended for award.

G. Final Selection

A regional executive will make the final decision.

8. Award Notices

A. Notice of Award

The Authorized Organization Representative should carefully read the federal award package before accepting the federal award. The federal award package includes instructions on administering the federal award as well as terms and conditions for the award.

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the prerequisites stated in this

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

FEMA will provide the federal award package to the applicant electronically via FEMA GO.

Award packages include an Award Letter, Summary Award Memo, Agreement Articles, and

Obligating Document. An award package notification email is sent via the grant application system to the submitting AOR.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 30 days from the award date. Recipients shall notify FEMA of their intent to accept the award and proceed with work via the FEMA GO system.

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award via FEMA GO and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied, or until the award is otherwise rescinded. Failure to accept a grant award within the specified timeframe may result in a loss of funds.

B. Pass-Through Requirements

Not Applicable

C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs

Even if pre-award costs are allowed, beginning performance is at the applicant and/or sub-applicant’s own risk.

D. Obligation of Funds

Funds will not be made available for obligation, expenditure, or drawdown until the applicant’s budget (to include Indirect Cost Agreement, if applicable) and budget narrative have been approved by FEMA and the grant award accepted by the recipient.

E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants

Applicants will be notified through FEMA GO of application denials.

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Presidential Executive Orders

Recipients must comply with the requirements of Presidential Executive Orders related to grants

(also known as federal assistance and financial assistance), the full text of which are incorporated by reference.

In accordance with Executive Order 14305, Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty (June 6, 2025), and to the extent allowed by law, eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial grant recipients under this NOFO are permitted to purchase unmanned aircraft systems, otherwise known as drones, or equipment or services for the detection, tracking, or identification of drones and drone signals, consistent with the legal authorities of state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies.

Recipients must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and adhere to any statutory requirements on the use of federal funds for such unmanned aircraft systems, equipment, or services.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/11/2025-10803/restoring-american-airspace-sovereignty https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/11/2025-10803/restoring-american-airspace-sovereignty

Subrecipient Monitoring and Management

Pass-through entities must comply with the requirements for subrecipient monitoring and management as set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.331-333.

B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

A recipient under this funding opportunity must comply with the Department of Homeland

Security’s Standard Terms and Conditions in effect as of the date of the federal award. The DHS

Standard Terms and Conditions are available online: DHS Standard Terms and Conditions |

Homeland Security. For continuation awards, the terms and conditions for the initial federal award will apply unless otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of the continuation award. The specific version of the DHS Terms and Conditions applicable to the federal award will be in the federal award package.

A recipient under this funding opportunity must comply with the FY 2025 Department of

Homeland Security Standard Terms and Conditions, v. 3 (Apr. 18, 2025), with the exception

Paragraph C.IX (Communication and Cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Officials) and paragraph C.XVII(2)(a)(iii) (Anti-Discrimination Grant Award

Certification regarding immigration). Paragraphs C.IX and C.XVII(2)(a)(iii) do not apply to any federal award under this funding opportunity. The FY 2025 Department of Homeland Security

Standard Terms and Conditions, v. 3 (Apr. 18, 2025) are available at www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions.

C. Financial Reporting Requirements

1. Recipients must report obligations and expenditures through a federal financial report.

The Federal Financial Report (FFR) form, also known as Standard Form 425 (SF-425), is available online at: SF-425 OMB #4040-0014.

2. Recipients must submit the FFR quarterly throughout the period of performance (POP) as detailed below:

3. The final FFR is due within 120 calendar days after the end of the POP.

Reporting Period Report Due Date

October 1 – December 31 January 30 January 1 – March 31 April 30 April 1 – June 30 July 30 July 1 – September 30 October 30

FEMA may withhold future federal awards and cash payments if the recipient does not submit timely financial reports, or the financial reports submitted demonstrate lack of progress or provide insufficient detail.

D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

1. A Performance Report must be submitted quarterly throughout the POP.

2. A Performance Report must include:

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-co…