FY 24 FEMA SFTSG Revised NOFO as of 6-6-24 Final.pdf

FY 2024 NOFO Template – FEMA Version 24-02

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2024 State Fire Training Systems Grant

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

Updates in Grant Application Forms:

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

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

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

Table of Contents Updates in Grant Application Forms:

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listings Number

3. Assistance Listings Title

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Category

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

11. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): $1 million

2. Projected Number of Awards: 50

3. Maximum Award Amount: $20,000

4. Period of Performance (POP): 12 months

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2024

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2025

7. Projected Budget Period

8. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Subawards and Beneficiaries

4. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 06/05/2024

b. Application Submission Deadline: 07/05/2024 at 5:00:00 PM [ET]

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 08/01/24

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/13/2024

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and Register in the System for Award

Management (SAM.gov)

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

6. Electronic Delivery

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

b. Obtain a UEI Number:

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

d. Create a login.gov account:

e. Register with SAM:

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

g. Electronic Signature:

8. Submitting the Application

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. Intergovernmental Review

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services

b. Pre-Award Costs

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

2. Review and Selection Process F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights

c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

d. Mandatory Disclosures

3. Reporting

a. Financial Reporting Requirements

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements

d. Additional Reporting Requirements

4. Monitoring and Oversight G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

a. Program Office Contact

b. FEMA Grants News

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division

d. Equal Rights

e. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

2. Systems Information

a. Grants.gov

b. FEMA GO

H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

a. Noncompliance

b. With the Consent of the Recipient

c. Notification by the Recipient

2. Program Evaluation

3. Period of Performance Extensions

4. Disability Integration

5. Conflicts of Interest in the Administration of Federal Awards or Subawards

6. Procurement Integrity

a. Important Changes to Procurement Standards in 2 C.F.R. Part 200

b. Competition and Conflicts of Interest

c. Supply Schedules and Purchasing Programs

d. Procurement Documentation

7. Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure

a. Waivers

b. Definitions

8. Record Retention

a. Record Retention Period

b. Types of Records to Retain

9. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

10. Actions to Address Noncompliance

11. Audits

12. Payment Information

13. Whole Community Preparedness

14. Report issues of fraud, waste, abuse

15. Hazard-Resistant Building Codes

16. Appendices

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) /U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), National Fire Academy (NFA)

2. Assistance Listings Number 97.043

3. Assistance Listings Title State Fire Training Systems Grant (SFTSG) (97.043)

4. Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 State Fire Training Systems Grant

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-24-USFA-043-00-99

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 7(f) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-498), as amended (15 U.S.C. § 2206(f))

7. Appropriation Authority for Program Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-47, Division C, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2024, Title III Protection Preparedness Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Assistance

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Category Emergency Management Training

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities In accordance with the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, the Superintendent of the National Fire Academy (NFA) delivers training in cooperation with State fire service training agencies. This cooperation includes the State Fire Training Systems Grant (SFTSG) program providing grants to pay for: the direct delivery of government-funded courses in the states; the distribution and sharing of Student Manuals, Instructor Guides, and other course materials; and funding to the states to help supplement and tailor their training delivery needs using NFA courses and programs.

a. Overview The SFTSG allows state fire training agencies to choose from more than 200 courses.

Some of the topics in these courses include leadership, community risk reduction, and incident management.

A sample of SFTSG awardees showed an average of 12 classes completed, which trained on average 162 students in one award year.

b. Goals, Objectives, and Priorities The goal of the SFTSG is to enhance public safety and reduce burden that result from fire through promotion of the professional development of the fire and emergency response community and its allied professionals and support state and local organizations in fulfilling their obligation to career and volunteer fire and emergency services.

The objectives of the SFTSG are to:

• Develop, deliver, and manage educational and training programs having a national focus that are outside state and local training missions or that exceed state and local capabilities because of cost or audience.

• Establish a safer FEMS community through training that results in fewer fire and emergency service-related deaths for first responders and the public.

• Build understanding and application of fire reduction and response strategies.

• Fill training gaps that are outside state and local training missions or that exceed state, local, Tribal, and Territory capabilities.”

c. Alignment to Program Purpose and the DHS and FEMA Strategic Plan State Fire Training Programs support Goal 5 of the DHS Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024, Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience, and Goal 3 of the 2022- 2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation.

11. Performance Measures

• The number of courses that are consistent with NFA-approved curriculum.

• The number of subjects (below) that are taught within the course(s) as outlined by the program office:

o Leadership o Incident Management o Community Risk Reduction o Wildland Urban Interface o Basic Training o Advanced Training

• The percent of volunteer personnel that passed the course (pass/success rate).

• The percent of career personnel that passed the course (pass/success rate).

We assess the effectiveness of our programs and instruction by asking students to complete a course evaluation at the end of their training experience. End-of-course evaluations are used to identify opportunities for improvement and to ensure our training meets the needs of the fire and EMS community.

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): $1 million

2. Projected Number of Awards: 50

3. Maximum Award Amount: $20,000

4. Period of Performance (POP): 12 months

Extensions to the period of performance are allowed. For additional information on period of performance extensions, please refer to Section H.

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2024

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2025

7. Projected Budget Period

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

8. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

State fire training systems as designated by state legislation or Governor’s declaration.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be designated either by legislation or by Governor’s declaration as the sole state fire service training agency within a state.

3. Subawards and Beneficiaries

a. Subawards are not allowed for the State Fire Training Systems Grant.

4. Cost Share or Match

There is not a cost share/match requirement. This is not a preference factor.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 06/05/2024 at 9:00:00 AM [ET]

b. Application Submission Deadline: 07/05/2024 at 5:00:00 PM [ET]

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

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

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

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist. If applicants do not know who to contact or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 08/01/24

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/13/2024

e. Other Key Dates mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

Hard copies of the NOFO can be downloaded at Grants.gov or obtained via email from the Awarding Office points of contact listed in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” or by TTY (800) 462-7585.

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and Register in the System for Award

Management (SAM.gov) Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR §25.110, must:

a. Be registered in SAM.gov before application submission.

b. Provide a valid UEI in its application.

c. Continue to always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during the federal award process. Note: Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.300, subrecipients are NOT required to go through the full SAM registration process. First-tier subrecipients (meaning entities receiving funds directly from the recipient) are only required to obtain a UEI through SAM, but they are not required to complete the full SAM registration in order to obtain a UEI. Recipients may not make subawards unless the subrecipient has obtained and provided the UEI.

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

Applicants are also not permitted to require subrecipients to complete a full registration in SAM beyond obtaining the UEI.

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Applicants are encouraged to register early as the registration process can take four

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number

Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Creating an account with login.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline Registering in SAM or updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering organization in FEMA GO Prior to beginning application

Submitting complete application in FEMA GO One week before actual submission deadline https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home weeks or more to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

Please review the table above for estimated deadlines to complete each of the steps listed.

Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for submitting an application may disqualify that application from funding.

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their UEI number and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide a UEI number;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

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

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

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

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

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

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

https://www.login.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go/startup

6. Electronic Delivery DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity.

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

FEMA GO.

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for FEMA funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process.

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

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

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

Organizations must have a FEMA GO account to apply for an award under this program. Creating a FEMA GO account can be completed online in minutes, but UEI and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go/startup

b. Obtain a UEI Number:

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

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

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number All entities applying for funding must provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting:

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

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

d. Create a login.gov account:

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

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

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

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

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

e. Register with SAM:

All applicants applying online through FEMAGO must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent an applicant from completing the application in Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Organizations will be issued a UEI number with the completed SAM registration.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm.

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

I. ADDITIONAL SAM REMINDERS

Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to make sure it is “ACTIVE.” SAM registration should be completed at the very beginning of the application period and should be renewed annually to avoid being “INACTIVE.”

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

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

Please ensure that your organization’s name, address, and EIN are up to date in SAM and that the UEI number used in SAM is the same one used to apply for all other FEMA awards. Payment under any FEMA award is contingent on the recipient’s having a current SAM registration.

II. HELP WITH SAM

The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

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

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

AOR:

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

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

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

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

g. Electronic Signature:

When applications are submitted through FEMA GO, the name of the user with the AOR role that submitted the application on behalf of the applicant is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the applicant as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

8. Submitting the Application

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any program-specific information required as described in Section D.10 of this NOFO, “Content and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SFs) may be accessed in the Forms tab under https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

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

For additional application submission requirements, including program-specific requirements, please refer to the subsection titled “Content and Form of Application Submission” under Section D.10 of this NOFO.

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

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

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

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

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

The SFs are also available at https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

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

FEMA GO:

• program narrative;

• budget narrative;

• detailed budget breakdown; and

• workplan — to include title of course delivery, beginning/end dates, and city/state of course delivery.

11. Other Submission Requirements

See Appendix A.

12. Intergovernmental Review

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 (See https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html;

Intergovernmental Review (SPOC List) (whitehouse.gov)) https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs All costs charged to federal awards (including both federal funding and any non-federal matching or cost-sharing funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. They must also comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO or the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h). The following identifies a list of activities for which a recipient may not use federal funds and any cost sharing or matching funds under federal awards:

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

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

• Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity

(see 2 C.F.R. § 200.435). See subsections below for information on any other funding restrictions.

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services Recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors must comply with the prohibitions set forth in Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, Pub. L. No. 115-232 (2018) (FY 2019 NDAA) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200. The FY 2019 NDAA and these regulations, as they apply to recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors and subcontractors, provide for two distinct prohibitions: (1) prevent the use of federal award funds to procure or obtain covered telecommunications equipment or services; and (2) prevent the use of federal award funds to contract with an entity that uses such covered telecommunications equipment or services.

Guidance is available at FEMA Policy #405-143-1: Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services.

Additional guidance is available at Contract Provisions Guide: Navigating Appendix II to Part 200 — Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards (fema.gov).

FEMA recipients and subrecipients may not use any FEMA funds under open or new awards to:

• Procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology of any system;

• Enter into, extend, or renew a contract to procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology of any system; or

• Enter into, extend, or renew contracts with entities that use covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-15483/pdf/COMPS-15483.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-15483/pdf/COMPS-15483.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_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf

I. DEFINITIONS

Per Section 889(f)(2)-(3) of the FY 2019 NDAA and 2 C.F.R. § 200.216, covered telecommunications equipment or services means:

i. Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

ii. For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

iii. Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or

iv. Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the People’s Republic of China.

Examples of the types of products covered by this prohibition include phones, internet, video surveillance, and cloud servers when produced, provided, or used by the entities listed in the definition of “covered telecommunications equipment or services.” See 2 C.F.R. § 200.471.

b. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are not allowed under this program.

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs Management and Administration costs ARE allowed under this program.

Management and administration costs are activities directly related to implementing the award. FEMA will permit recipients to use up to 5% of the amount of the award for their M&A.

d. Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs Indirect (F&A) costs (IDC) means those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved. IDC are allowable by the recipient [and subrecipients] as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. §

200.414. 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 who do not have 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 the FEMA Point of Contact 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.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria Will be reviewed to ensure conformance with the Eligibility Criteria in this notice and the Application Submissions requirements. Applicants that do not meet eligibility or application submission requirements will be removed from consideration.

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

Prior to making a federal award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3354, as enacted by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-117 (2020); 41 U.S.C. § 2313; and 2 C.F.R. § 200.206 to review information available through any Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, including whether SAM.gov identifies the applicant as being excluded from receiving federal awards or is flagged for any integrity record submission. FEMA may also pose additional questions to the applicant to aid in conducting the pre-award risk review. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

i. Financial stability.

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

iii. History of performance in managing federal award.

iv. Reports and findings from audits.

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

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

Prior to making a federal award where the anticipated total federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000:

i. FEMA is required by 41 U.S.C. § 2313 and 2 C.F.R. § 200.206(a)(2) to review and consider any information about the applicant, including information on the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors, if applicable, that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through the System for

Award Management (SAM), which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered.

iii. FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applicants selected for funding will clearly demonstrate the ability to develop, deliver, and manage educational and training programs that have a national focus and are consistent with the State Fire Training Priorities listed in Appendix A of this notice. This is a fixed $20,000 per state award.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

Before accepting the award, the AOR and recipient should carefully read the award package.

The award package includes instructions on administering the grant award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under federal awards. Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO.

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 email notification of the award package will be sent through FEMA’s grant application system to the AOR that submitted the application.

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

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the FEMA GO system 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 time frame may result in a loss of funds.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements In addition to the requirements in this section and in this NOFO, FEMA may place specific terms and conditions on individual awards in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/#/home https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/#/home

All successful applicants for DHS grant and cooperative agreements are required to comply with DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, which are available online at:

DHS Standard Terms and Conditions.

The applicable DHS Standard Terms and Conditions will be those in effect at the time the award was made. What terms and conditions will apply for the award will be clearly stated in the award package at the time of award.

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights

As the nation works towards achieving the National Preparedness Goal, it is important to continue to protect the civil rights of individuals. Recipients and subrecipients must carry out their programs and activities, including those related to the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities, in a manner that respects and ensures the protection of civil rights for protected populations.

Federal civil rights statutes, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, along with FEMA regulations, prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, limited English proficiency, or economic status in connection with programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance from FEMA, as applicable.

The DHS Standard Terms and Conditions include a fuller list of the civil rights provisions that apply to recipients. These terms and conditions can be found in the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions. Additional information on civil rights provisions is available at https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/equal-rights/civil-rights.

Monitoring and oversight requirements in connection with recipient compliance with federal civil rights laws are also authorized pursuant to 44 C.F.R. Part 7 or other applicable regulations.

In accordance with civil rights laws and regulations, recipients and subrecipients must ensure the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.

c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

As a federal agency, FEMA is required to consider the effects of its actions on the environment and historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by FEMA, including grant-funded projects, comply with federal EHP laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies, as applicable.

Recipients and subrecipients proposing projects that have the potential to impact the environment, including, but not limited to, the construction of communication towers, modification or renovation of existing buildings, structures, and facilities, or new construction including replacement of facilities, must participate in the FEMA EHP review process. The EHP review process http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.fema.gov/national-preparedness-goal https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5e41f4d1a74f253d602c5a7fdc4fc2d8&mc=true&node=se44.1.7_1913&rgn=div8 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/equal-rights/civil-rights https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/equal-rights/civil-rights involves the submission of a detailed project description along with any supporting documentation requested by FEMA in order to determine whether the proposed project has the potential to impact environmental resources including, but not limited to, threatened or endangered species and historic properties; and identify mitigation measures and/or alternative courses of action that may lessen any impact to those resources.

In some cases, FEMA is also required to consult with other regulatory agencies and the public in order to complete the review process. Federal law requires EHP review to be completed before federal funds are released to carry out proposed projects.

FEMA may not be able to fund projects that are not in compliance with applicable EHP laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies. FEMA may recommend mitigation measures and/or alternative courses of action to lessen any impact to environmental resources and bring the project into compliance with EHP requirements.

Guidance on the EHP process is found at Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation. The site contains links to various documents including those identifying agency EHP responsibilities and program requirements, such as implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act and other EHP laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. DHS and FEMA EHP policy is also found in the EHP Directive & Instruction.

All FEMA actions, including grant-funded actions, must comply with National Flood Insurance Program criteria or any more restrictive federal, state, or local floodplain management standards or building code (44 CFR § 9.11(d)(6)).

All FEMA-funded non-critical actions in 1% annual chance floodplains (also known as 100-year floodplains) that involve new construction or substantial improvement of structures must be elevated, at a minimum, to the lower of:

• Two feet above the 1% annual chance flood elevation (also known as the base flood elevation), in accordance with the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) “Freeboard Value Approach” (FVA); or

• The 0.2% annual chance flood elevation. Where 0.2% annual chance flood elevations are not available, such actions must be elevated to at least two feet above the 1% annual chance flood elevation.

All FEMA-funded critical actions in 1% annual chance floodplains or 0.2% annual chance floodplains (also known as 500-year floodplains) that involve new construction or substantial improvement of structures must be elevated, at a minimum, to the higher of:

• Three feet above the 1% annual chance flood elevation; or https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/laws/ehp-directive-instruction https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/laws/ehp-directive-instruction

• The 0.2% annual chance flood elevation. Where 0.2% annual chance flood elevations are not available, such actions must be elevated to at least three feet above the 1% annual chance flood elevation.

See Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, as amended by Executive Order 13690, Establishing an Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input.

Individual FEMA programs have separate procedures to conduct and document EHP review. Guidance for individual grant programs is available from applicable program offices.

d. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation: N/A

e. Mandatory Disclosures The non-federal entity or applicant for a federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award (2 C.F.R. § 200.113)

Please note applicants and recipients may report issues of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or other criminal or noncriminal misconduct 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.

3. Reporting Recipients are required to submit various financial and programmatic reports as a condition of award acceptance. Future awards and funds drawdown may be withheld if these reports are delinquent.

a. Financial Reporting Requirements

I. FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORT (FFR)

Recipients must report obligations and expenditures through the FFR form (SF-

425) to FEMA.

Recipients may review the Federal Financial Reporting Form (FFR) (SF-425) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF425-V1.0.pdf

Recipients must file the FFR electronically using FEMA GO.

II. FFR REPORTING PERIODS AND DUE DATES

An FFR must be submitted quarterly throughout the POP, including partial calendar quarters, as well as in periods where no grant award activity occurs. The final FFR is due within 120 calendar days after the end of the POP. Future awards https://www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline https://www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF425-V1.0.pdf and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail.

Except for the final FFR due at 120 days after the end of the POP for purposes of closeout, the following reporting periods and due dates apply for the FFR:

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

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

I. PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORT (PPR)

The recipient is responsible for completing and submitting a PPR using FEMA GO. The PPR must be submitted through FEMA GO based on the calendar year beginning with the period after the award is made. Grant recipients are required to submit a PPR throughout the entire period of performance of the grant and for closeout. The PPR should include the following:

• Provide report on all performance measures as outlined in the performance measures section of this document. The report will be due on a quarterly basis.

• Enhance training for the local FEMS community using grant funds and report the number of classes and number of students served in each class.

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements

I. CLOSEOUT REPORTING

Within 120 calendar days…