FY 2026 PSGP NOFO_Final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due: July 24, 2026

Fiscal Year 2026 Port Security Grant

Program (PSGP)

Assistance Listing Number: 97.056

Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-26-GPD-056-00-99

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Contents

Before you begin 2

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 3

Basic information 4

Eligibility 5

Program Description 12

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 23

Submission Requirements and Application Deadlines 24

Step 3: Write Your Application 27

Application Contents and Format 28

Step 4: Learn About the Award Review Process 34

Application Review Information 35

Intergovernmental Review 39

Step 5: Learn What Happens After Award 40

Award Notices 41

Post-Award Requirements and Administration 41

Other Information 50

Contacts and Appendices 57

Contacts 58

Appendices 60

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Before you begin

If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your System for

Award Management (SAM.gov) and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up to date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

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 (800)-323-8603 and TTY (844)-889-4357

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were before clicking an internal link by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://login.gov/

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Step 1: Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 4

Eligibility 5

Program description 12

Jump to a step

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Basic Information A. Award Facts

Agency Name: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), Homeland Security Preparedness Division (HSPD), Transportation Infrastructure Security Branch (TISB), Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)

Assistance Listing Number: 97.056

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)

Finding Opportunity Number: DHS-26-GPD-056-00-99

Announcement Type: Initial

Expected Award Range: $18,000-$3,500,000

Expected Total Funding: $95 million

Anticipated Number of Awards: 200

B. Executive Summary The FY 2026 PSGP prioritizes funding toward terrorism prevention, response, recovery and mitigation, based on port area risk. This is achieved through the implementation of Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans among port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies required to provide port security services, as well as training public safety personnel under section 70132 in Title 46 of the U.S.

Code.

Key Dates

Projected Application Start

Date: June 24, 2026

Projected Application End Date:

July 24, 2026

Anticipated Funding Selection

Date: No later than August 23, Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2026

Projected Period of Performance

Start Date: September 01, 2026

Projected Period of Performance End Date: August 31, 2029

Budget Period:

September 01, 2026 – August 31, Have questions? See Contacts and Support

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Eligibility A. Eligible Entities

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

Applicant Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

All entities subject to an Area Maritime Security Plan (AMSP), as defined by 46 U.S.C. § 70103(b), may apply for PSGP funding. Eligible applicants include 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. Facility operators include those that are subject to the AMSP and verified by the Captain of the Port (COTP), which may 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

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 must provide port security services. These plans must support the prevention and deterrence, to the maximum extent practicable, of Transportation Security

Incidents (TSIs) and substantial threats of such incidents, consistent with MTSA requirements.

Entities, whether public or private, who provide maritime security services on a for hire basis are not eligible applicants (i.e. security companies, see “Subapplicants” below for additional detail). 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 Engineers (USACE) Principal Port

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

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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).

• 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 and limited to five projects total.

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.

o 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. Applications that include multiple port areas may be deemed ineligible in whole or part. 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.

▪ 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.

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Subapplicant Eligibility

Subapplicants, subrecipients and subawards are not allowed.

Applicants are prohibited from applying on behalf of other, separate entities. Notwithstanding this prohibition, community-based projects for maritime security planning, training, exercises, port-wide cyber vulnerability assessments and cyber interoperability projects may include multiple beneficiaries (participants from other separate entities). Only recipients incurred expenses are eligible under PSGP awards, meaning that third party participating entities are responsible for their own incurred expenses.

For example, a port authority hosts a large exercise and may receive funding for port authority personnel expenses, venue rental, and contracted design/development/conduct of the exercise, but other participating agencies are responsible for their own incurred expenses for personnel, fringe benefits, equipment, travel, etc.

The primary purpose and use of PSGP-funded equipment is for the recipient. Only the recipient is permitted to take ownership of PSGP-funded equipment and other non-consumable items until disposition actions are required. Vendor, manufacturer, or service provider submitted applications on behalf of potential ‘recipients’ will not be considered for funding.

Vendor, manufacturer, or service provider submitted applications on behalf of potential

‘recipients’ will not be considered for funding.

B. Project Type Eligibility Allowable Project Types

Costs generally need to fit within one of the categories listed below to be allowable under this program. Specific investments made in support of the NOFO funding priorities generally fall into one of the following allowable cost categories:

• Planning;

• Operational Activities;

• Equipment and Capital Projects;

• Training and Awareness Campaigns; and

• Exercises.

Applicants who have questions about whether a cost is allowable under this program should contact their Preparedness Officer.

Unallowable Project Types

• Projects that do not primarily enhance maritime security;

• Proof of concepts or experimental projects; and

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• Projects on behalf of other agencies or entities.

See “Program Description” Section E: “Program-Specific Unallowable Costs” for more information on unallowable project types.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties 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.

D. Maximum Number of Applications The maximum number of applications that can be submitted is:

One per eligible entity/subcomponent per Port Area.

E. Additional Restrictions Applicants or recipients must certify their compliance with federal statues, DHS directives, policies, and procedures.

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Before allocating any federal preparedness awards, recipients must ensure and maintain adopting and implementing NIMS. The list of objectives used for progress and achievement reporting is on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/emergencymanagers/nims/implementation-training.

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

b. 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:

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/manual

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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 USCG Commandant, 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.

c. Ferry Systems

Ferry systems are eligible to apply for PSGP funds. However, any ferry system electing to participate (e.g., submit an application) under the PSGP will not be eligible to participate (e.g., submit an application) under the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) and will not be considered for funding under the TSGP. Likewise, any ferry system that participates in the TSGP will not be eligible for funding under the PSGP.

d. Foreign Adversarial System Users

As proscribed in Section 825 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year

2024, Pub. L. No. 118-31 (2023), no funds may be awarded to any covered entity that utilizes or provides in part or in whole: the national transportation logistics public information platform (commonly referred to as ‘LOGINK’) provided by the People’s Republic of China, or departments, ministries, centers, agencies, or instrumentalities of the Government of the

People’s Republic of China; any national transportation logistics information platform provided by or sponsored by the People’s Republic of China, or a controlled commercial entity; or a similar system provided by Chinese state-affiliated entities.

Recipients/subrecipients, and if applicable, applicants/subapplicants, are required to certify their compliance with federal statues, DHS directives, policies, and procedures.

F. References to Other Eligibility Factors Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Applicant Review Information” Section

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2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. FEMA may request financial information such as the Employer Identification Number (EIN) and bank information as part of the potential award selection. This will apply to everyone who benefits from the award, including subrecipients.

G. Cost Share Requirements Applicants selected for this award must commit to an acceptable share agreement. Otherwise, they will not be funded.

H. Cost Share Description, Type, and Restrictions The PSGP requires recipients to provide a cost share for each project. This contribution must be cash (“hard match”). Applicants must commit to the cost share at the time of application. The cost share is calculated based on the total PSGP funds awarded to an eligible entity within a single Port

Area for the fiscal year. If an entity submits multiple projects under the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in the same Port Area, and the combined total exceeds $25,000, a cost share is required—even if individual projects are below the threshold. Entities with multiple components

(e.g., port authority, facility operator, local government) are encouraged to coordinate applications to ensure proper cost share calculation.

Cost share contributions must be for eligible costs and included in the detailed budget. Funds from other federal grants cannot be used to meet the PSGP cost share. Routine operational costs are not eligible as a match unless they create a new capability and are justified as reasonable and necessary to complete the project (typically, personnel costs are not allowable cost share for equipment purchases).

Recipients are responsible for ensuring their cost share matches the actual project costs. If actual costs exceed the award, the recipient must cover the additional amount. If actual costs are lower, the cost share is recalculated based on the lower amount.

Public Sector and Nonprofit Recipients:

Must provide a 25% cost share for all project costs. The non-federal share can be cash and must meet the same eligibility as the federal share (e.g., routine patrol costs are ineligible, but overtime for approved exercises may be eligible) and must be clearly identified in the budget and investment justification.

Private, For-Profit Recipients:

Must provide a 50% share for all project costs. The same rules for eligible costs and documentation apply.

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Exceptions to Cost Share Requirements:

• Port-Wide Benefit: Projects with a port-wide benefit (certified by the Captain of the Port) only require a 25% cost share. Examples: port-wide planning, training, exercises, shared security camera systems, response vessels, and maritime domain awareness systems.

• $25,000 or Less: No cost share is required if the total project cost for all projects under the award is $25,000 or less. If multiple small projects together exceed $25,000, cost share is required.

• Public Safety Personnel Security Zone Training: No cost share is required for projects to train public safety personnel in enforcing security zones (as defined by 46 U.S.C. § 70132) when verified by the COTP.

• Insular Areas: For grants to the public entities of the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the local matching fund requirement is automatically waived for up to $200,000.

• Waivers: Cost share waivers may be considered afterwards if the recipient can show new, significant financial hardship. Waivers requested at the time of application or not based on new circumstances will not be considered. See DHS/FEMA Information Bulletin 376 for details.

I. Cost Share Example Public Sector: 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

Private Sector: 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

J. Required Information for Verifying Cost Share Applicants must demonstrate cost share (or match) within the following documents:

FF-207-FY-23-108 (formerly 089-5) IJ-Budget

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

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Maintenance of Effort

Not Applicable

Program Description A. Program Purpose

PSGP is one of four DHS/FEMA grant programs focused on securing the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Established by Congress and implemented by the Administration, these programs help strengthen critical infrastructure against risks from terrorism and other major threats. Since its inception in 2001, PSGP has awarded approximately $3.47 billion across about 5,300 grants to enhance maritime security throughout U.S. ports.

PSGP supports state, local, territorial, and private sector maritime partners in improving port-wide risk management and protecting critical marine transportation infrastructure from terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

DHS emphasizes the importance of information sharing and collaboration to build national preparedness and protect against evolving threats. The need for such coordination was highlighted by the failures to share critical information before the September 11, 2001, attacks. Today, threats have expanded to include persistent cyberattacks and risks to soft targets, such as cruise and ferry terminals.

To address these challenges, PSGP investments are guided by annually designated National

Priority Areas (NPAs), which reflect current threat environments.

For FY 2026, the NPAs are:

1. Enhancing the protection of soft targets and crowded places,

• Includes faith-based organizations and election sites;

2. Supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and fusion centers;

3. Enhancing and integrating cybersecurity resiliency;

4. Enhancing election security; and

5. Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement.

• Example activities include:

o Participating in DHS/ICE 287(g) training programs;

o Cooperating with ICE detainers; and o Other responsibilities supporting enforcement of U.S. immigration law.

For FY 2026, applicants are encouraged to propose innovative projects that support these NPAs and the broader homeland security mission. Projects that clearly demonstrate alignment with an NPA and the objectives of this NOFO will receive a 20% increase in their final review score.

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B. Goals and Objectives 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 in meeting the following objectives:

• Building and sustaining core capabilities of maritime infrastructure systems in alignment with the FY 2026 NPAs;

• Addressing and closing gaps identified in Area Maritime Security Plans and Facility Security

Plans; and

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

Priorities: Given the evolving threat landscape, DHS/FEMA must continuously evaluate the national risk profile and set priorities that help ensure appropriate allocation of scarce security dollars.

The FY 2026 NPAs reflect FEMA’s broader mission across all preparedness efforts. Applicants should be familiar with these NPAs, as they represent DHS’s current focus areas and may shape future guidance:

• This includes faith-based organizations and election sites;

2. Supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and fusion centers;

3. Enhancing and integrating cybersecurity resiliency;

4. Enhancing election security; and

5. Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement.

• Example activities under border crisis response and enforcement support may include:

• Participation in the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs

Enforcement 287(g) training program;

• Cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers; and

• Other jurisdictional responsibilities to support the enforcement of the United States immigration law.

Enduring needs include:

1. Effective planning

2. Training and awareness campaigns

3. Equipment and capital projects

5. Exercises

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The table below provides a breakdown of the NPAs, and 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. Projects that sufficiently address one or more of the NPAs will have their final review scores increased by a multiplier of 20%.

FY 2026 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 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

• Security screening equipment for people and baggage Access controls Landside fencing, gates, barriers, etc.

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

• Enhanced security aboard ferries

• Explosive detection canine teams

• 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.

Supporting

Homeland Security Task

Forces and

Fusion Centers

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Interdiction and disruption

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Establishing or enhancing multi-agency

Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs), including operational coordination centers

• Enhancing capabilities and integration with local fusion centers

• Procuring technology or equipment to support surveillance, communications, and data analysis

• Developing standard operating procedures for information sharing, joint operations, and immigration enforcement coordination

• Personnel training, credentialing, and certification to improve interoperability and mission alignment

• Intelligence analysis, reporting, and suspicious

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• Exercises and simulations focused on joint operations, intelligence sharing, or interdiction/disruption of criminal or smuggling networks

• Community engagement efforts to foster trust and encourage threat reporting

• Information sharing with all DHS components;

fusion centers; other operational, investigative, and analytic entities; and other federal law enforcement and intelligence entities

• Cooperating with DHS and other entities in intelligence, threat recognition, assessment, analysis, and mitigation

• Identifying, assessing, and reporting threats of violence

• Intelligence analysis training, planning, and exercises

• Coordinating the intake, triage, analysis, and reporting of tips/ leads and suspicious activity, to include coordination with the Nationwide

Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative

• (NSI)

Enhancing Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Planning

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Screening, searching, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Supply chain integrity and security

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Long-term vulnerability

• Cybersecurity risk assessments

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments o Improving cybersecurity of , 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)

• Cybersecurity training and planning https://www.dhs.gov/nationwide-sar-initiative-nsi https://www.dhs.gov/nationwide-sar-initiative-nsi https://www.dhs.gov/nationwide-sar-initiative-nsi https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework 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

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• Situational assessment

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

Enhancing

Election

Security

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Planning

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Situational assessment

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational coordination

• Community resilience

• Prioritize compliance with the VVSG 2.0 established by the U.S. Election Assistance

Commission

• Complete testing through a VSTL accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

• Physical security planning and exercise support

• Physical/site security measures – e.g., locks, shatter proof glass, alarms, access controls, etc.

• General election security navigator support

• Cyber and general election security navigator support

• Cybersecurity risk assessments, training, and planning

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments

• Iterative backups, encrypted backups, network segmentation, software to monitor/scan, and endpoint protection

• Distributed Denial of Service protection

• Migrating online services to the “.gov” internet domain

• Online harassment and targeting prevention services

• Public awareness/preparedness campaigns discussing election security and integrity measures

• Long-term vulnerability reduction and community resilience

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Supporting

Border Crisis

Response and Enforcement

• Training and awareness

• Community resilience

• Operational coordination

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Staffing support to expand 287(g) screening operations within correctional facilities

• Operational overtime costs directly tied to 287(g) screening, processing, and enforcement activities

• Training programs for state and local law enforcement officers in immigration law, civil rights protections, and 287(g) procedures

• Developing or enhancing information- sharing platforms between ICE and local agencies

• Procuring screening, detection, and communications technology to support immigration enforcement activities

• Establishing secure and dedicated communication networks with ICE Field Offices

• Conducting joint training exercises with ICE and local law enforcement to test operational coordination

• Support for facilities upgrades, such as creating dedicated interview rooms and secure processing spaces

• Community engagement and public briefings to promote transparency and understanding of 287(g) operations and protections

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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 o Management Plans o Continuity of Operations Plans o Response Plans o Port-wide and/or asset-specific vulnerability assessments o 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 people 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, searching, 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

Program Rationale:

The stated goals, objectives, and priorities of PSGP support Section 102 of the Maritime Transportation

Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-295, as amended) (46 U.S.C. § 70107) to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans among port authorities, facility operators, and State

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C. Performance Measures and Targets Performance metrics for this program are on a case-by-case basis and are as follows:

1. Number of PSGP funded organizations achieving Cybersecurity vulnerability reductions.

2. Number of PSGP funded organizations achieving Soft Targets & Crowded Places vulnerability reductions.

3. Number of PSGP funded organizations achieving Maritime Domain Awareness improvement projects.

4. Number of annual maritime-security related training events funded by the PSGP.

5. Number of PSGP funded exercises conducted.

6. Number of trainings funded to address Emerging Threats (i.e. sUAS and sUAS detection).

D. Federal Assistance Type Grant.

E. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs Specific unallowable costs for the PSGP include:

• sUAS not listed on the Defense Contract Management Agency Blue List

(https://bluelist.appsplatformportals.us/UAS-Cleared-List/ )

• Indirect costs (IDC) are unallowable under PSGP. This determination is made under the authority of

2 C.F.R. § 200.414(c), which permits federal awarding agencies to restrict indirect costs for a class of awards with documented justification. Given the PSGP’s statutory focus on direct investments in port security and risk mitigation (46 U.S.C. § 70107), and to maximize the impact of limited grant funds, only direct costs that are necessary and reasonable for the performance of approved projects will be eligible for reimbursement.

• Projects in which federal agencies are the primary beneficiary or that enhance federal property, including sub-components of a federal agency;

• Projects that study technology development for security of national or international cargo supply chains (e.g., e-seals, smart containers, container tracking or container intrusion detection devices);

• Proof-of-concept projects;

• Development of training;

• Projects that duplicate capabilities being provided by the Federal Government (e.g., vessel traffic systems);

• Business operating expenses (certain security-related operational and maintenance costs are allowable;

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card fees;

• Reimbursement of pre-award security expenses;

• Outfitting facilities, vessels, or other structures with equipment or items providing convenience rather than a direct security benefit. Examples of such equipment or items include but are not limited to office furniture, CD players, DVD players, AM/FM radios, TVs, stereos, entertainment satellite systems, entertainment cable systems and other such entertainment media, unless https://bluelist.appsplatformportals.us/UAS-Cleared-List/

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts sufficient justification is provided. This includes weapons and associated equipment (i.e., holsters, optical sights, and scopes), including but not limited to, non-lethal or less-than-lethal weaponry including firearms, ammunition, and weapons affixed to facilities, vessels, or other structures;

• Standard issue uniforms (other than maritime security personal protective equipment [PPE]);

• Expenditures for items such as general-use software, general-use computers, and related equipment (other than for allowable M&A activities, or otherwise associated preparedness or response functions), general-use vehicles and licensing fees;

• Land acquisitions and right of way purchases;

• Funding for standard operations vehicles utilized for routine duties, such as patrol cars and fire trucks;

• Fuel costs (except as permitted for training and exercises);

• Exercise(s) that do not support maritime security preparedness efforts;

• Patrol vehicles and firefighting apparatus, other than those chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) detection equipped vehicles for port area and/or facility patrol or response purposes;

• Specialty vehicles such as trucks for towing boat trailers/equipment and armored personnel carriers; Providing protection training to public police agencies or private security services to support protecting VIPs or dignitaries;

• Aircraft pilot training, including aircraft operations such as aircraft ditch training (does not include sUAS training when requested in conjunction with sUAS purchases);

• Post incident investigation training;

• Basic or advanced dive training (except marine unit CBRNE detection/response dive training);

• Training for personnel not primarily assigned to maritime security activities or MTSA required security personnel (e.g., vessel patrol officers, facility security officers); and

• Reimbursement for the maintenance and wear and tear costs of general use vehicles (e.g., construction vehicles) and emergency response apparatus (e.g., fire trucks, ambulances, repair, or cleaning of PPE, etc.).]

Note: The above may not be exhaustive. Please consult the applicable terms and conditions and with

FEMA for more information.

F. 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 (see 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).

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=(title:18%20section:1913%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section1913)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435

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G. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services FEMA provides additional resources regarding the prohibition on covered telecommunications equipment and services in its policy titled Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered

Telecommunications Equipment or Services (FEMA Policy #405-143-1). This policy outlines specific requirements related to the prohibition. Additionally, FEMA's Contract Provisions Guide offers sample language for the required contract provisions.

Recipients, subrecipients, 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. See 2

C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for more information.

Prohibition on Covered Foreign Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must also comply with Section 1825 of the American Security Drone Act of 2023, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for

Fiscal Year 2024 (Pub. L. No. 118-31 §§ 1821-33, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.). This provision mandates that, beginning December 22, 2025, no federal funds awarded through a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or otherwise made available may be used to procure a covered unmanned aircraft system

(UAS) that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. Significantly, no funds may be used in connection with the operation of such a drone or UAS. For more information, refer to Public Law 118-31 and OMB Memorandum M-26-02, Ensuring Government Use of Secure Unmanned Aircraft Systems and

Supporting United States Producers.

H. Beneficiary and Participant Eligibility Beneficiary

Not applicable -There are no program requirements for beneficiary eligibility.

Participant

Not applicable - There are no program requirements for participant eligibility.

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary or participant. Please consult the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, your awarding agency’s terms and conditions, and your awarding documents for more details.

I. Indirect Costs Indirect costs are not allowed.

Indirect costs (IDC) are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to specific cost objectives without disproportionate effort.

Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_fy24.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/115/public/232 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.327 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.471 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20II%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/M-26-02-Ensuring-Government-Use-of-Secure-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems-and-Supporting-United-States-Producers.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/M-26-02-Ensuring-Government-Use-of-Secure-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems-and-Supporting-United-States-Producers.pdf

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts 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.

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

K. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are not allowed and will not be approved, with the exception of costs resulting from pre-award grant writing services provided by an independent contractor that shall not exceed $1,500 per applicant per year.

L. Management and Administration Costs Recipients may use up to 5% of the federal share of their award for management and administration (M&A) costs, as authorized by the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, Pub.

L. No. 119-86 (2026). M&A costs must directly support the management of PSGP funds and be based on actual or contracted expenses—not just a flat percentage without justification. All M&A costs must comply with 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.403, 200.413, and other applicable federal cost principles.

Allowable M&A costs include:

• Hiring staff, contractors, or consultants to manage the grant, ensure compliance, and handle reporting;

• Collecting and processing information for FEMA data calls;

• Domestic travel related to grant administration (international travel requires prior DHS/FEMA approval); and,

• Purchasing authorized office equipment, such as computers, for grant management.

M&A costs do not include general overhead but must be directly related to the grant. Examples include preparing required reports, maintaining equipment inventories, tracking expenditures, responding to official information requests, and measuring grant performance.

M. Authorizing Authority

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

U.S.C. § 70107)

N. Appropriation Authority Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 119-86 (2026).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Submission Requirements and Application Deadlines 24

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts

Submission Requirements and Application

Deadlines A. Registration

You must have an active SAM.gov account which includes having a UEI. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number or to register, go to SAM.gov Entity

Registration and click “Get Started.” From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration

Checklist for the information you will need to register.

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions see the

Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

B. Requesting the Application Package The application package is accessible in the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

C. Application and Submission Instructions To apply for an award under this program, all applicants must:

1. Apply for, update, or verify their UEI number and EIN from the Internal Revenue Service;

2. Provide their UEI number in the application;

3. Have an account with login.gov;

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

5. 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 the FEMA GO Startup Guide;

6. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

7. Always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during which the applicant has an active federal award, 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.

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://grants.gov/help/get-started/ https://go.fema.gov/ https://login.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_startup_guide_051325.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-25/section-25.110#p-25.110(a)(2)(iv) mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts

D. 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.