FY18_Continuing_Training_Grants_NOFO.pdf

FY 2018 HSNTP CTG NOFO

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2018 Homeland Security National Training Program

Continuing Training Grants

NOTE: If you are going to apply for this funding opportunity and have not obtained a

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and/or are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), please take immediate action to obtain a DUNS

Number, if applicable, and then to register immediately in SAM. It may take 4 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding DUNS and

SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO, subsection, Content and Form of Application

Submission.

A. Program Description

Issued By

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

(FEMA), National Preparedness Directorate (NPD), National Training and Education

Division (NTED)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

97.005

CFDA Title

State and Local Homeland Security National Training Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

FY 2018 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) – Continuing Training

Grants (CTG)

NOFO Number

DHS-18-NPD-005-00-01

Authorizing Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-141)

Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-141)

Program Type

New http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

Overview

The Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Homeland Security National

Training Program (HSNTP), Continuing Training Grants (CTG) plays an important role in the National Preparedness System to build, sustain, and deliver core capabilities in order to achieve the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal). The Goal is “a secure and resilient

Nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.” The objective of the National Preparedness System is to facilitate an integrated, whole community, risk-informed, capabilities-based approach to preparedness. Complex and far-reaching threats and hazards require the engagement of individuals, families, communities, private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all levels of government

(http://www.fema.gov/whole-community).

The FY 2018 HSNTP/CTG supports efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery mission areas, with specific focus on addressing the training needs of our nation.

Objectives FY 2018 HSNTP/CTG training programs provides funding to eligible applicants to develop and provide training solutions to address national preparedness gaps, correlate training needs with exercise activities and outcomes, incorporate the core capabilities identified in the

National Preparedness Goal, and ensure training is available and accessible to a nationwide audience.

The CTG activities align directly with the FEMA Strategic Plan, in particular, Goal 1 – Build a Culture of Preparedness, Objective 1.3 Help People Prepare for Disasters (through CTG training) and Goal 2 – Ready The Nation for Catastrophic Disasters, Objective 2.1 - Organize the “BEST” (Build, Empower, Sustain, and Train) scalable and capable incident workforce

(through CTG training).

FEMA has the option to sustain any training course created under the HSNTP at the end of the award period of performance. Once FEMA determines to sustain a course, after consulting with the course developer, FEMA may transfer any or all course material to another organization or entity in order to ensure program sustainability and to continue training delivery. FEMA will coordinate the orderly transition of courses between organizations.

Priorities The highest priority of the HSNTP/CTG is to develop and deliver training to build and sustain the core capabilities identified in the National Preparedness Goal. FEMA places particular emphasis on development and delivery of training programs addressing training gaps reported through the annual Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) and capability targets set by Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA). For http://www.fema.gov/whole-community https://www.fema.gov/national-preparedness-goal additional information on the SPR/THIRA, refer to: https://www.fema.gov/stakeholder-preparedness-review.

The FY 2018 HSNTP/CTG Program focuses on training to address gaps within all or some of the following focus areas:

Housing;

Cybersecurity;

Economic Recovery;

Logistics and Supply Chain Management; and

Tribal and Rural Preparedness.

Performance Metric

Training outcomes that present a 26-point increase in knowledge, skills, and abilities as captured from the Kirkpatrick training evaluation model - level 2 assessment.

B. Federal Award Information

Award Amounts, Important Dates, and Extensions

Available Funding for the NOFO: $8,000,000

Projected number of Awards: 4-5

FEMA will continue to prioritize funding for Tribal and Rural Preparedness training programs. FEMA may make awards in all or some of the other identified focus areas contingent upon the evaluation of proposals received.

Period of Performance: Thirty-Six (36) Months

FEMA allows extensions to the period of performance. For additional information on period of performance and extensions, refer to additional information in Section H in this NOFO.

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/30/2018

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/29/2021

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreements The HSNTP/CTG program, prescribed by this NOFO, is awarded through separate cooperative agreements, as defined by 2 C.F.R. §200.24, and consistent with the Federal

Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (P.L. No. 95-224), (31 U.S.C. §§6301-6308).

FEMA maintains substantial involvement with all non-federal entities in carrying out the activities under each HSNTP/CTG award to include financial monitoring and all training development and delivery activities, including the creation and approval of course content, arrangement of learning objectives, establishment of training delivery modes and methods, and use of Kirkpatrick’s four-level training evaluation model. The levels include level 1: the https://www.fema.gov/stakeholder-preparedness-review https://www.fema.gov/stakeholder-preparedness-review student’s assessment of the training setting, material, and instruction; level 2: a comparison of pre-course knowledge and skills with post-course knowledge and skills; level 3: an assessment of post-course applicability at the home organization or jurisdiction; and level 4:

the impact of training on the organization or jurisdiction. FEMA program managers and training specialists provide approval and disapproval for all activities over the life cycle of the award.

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

State governments

City or township governments

County governments

Federally recognized Indian tribal governments (tribal governments)

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) status, other than institution of higher education

Nonprofit private institutions of higher education

Nonprofit national associations and organizations

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Eligibility Criteria Training Expertise. Applicants must currently administer an existing training program, consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), relevant to the selected focus area(s), or have demonstrable expertise to create and administer a training program capable of developing and delivering training for a national whole community audience, relevant to the selected focus area(s). For the purposes of the HSNTP/CTG program, the minimum standard for training expertise is defined as the principal activities that an organization conducts which are primarily focused on the development and delivery of training for an external audience, but may include an internal audience, resulting in a change or increase of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. Training types/modes that meet this definition include web-based training, instructor-led courses conducted in classrooms and/or training areas (to include mobile courses), and seminars and workshops that measure a change in knowledge, skill, and/or abilities. Drill and exercise-only type activities, without a learning component, do not meet the definition of training expertise for the HSNTP/CTG program. Organizations that do not describe suitable expertise in training are ineligible.

Organizational Partnerships. Eligible applicants may submit an application individually or as the submitting member (e.g., executive agent) of a partnership such as a consortium.

However, only one organization may serve as the applicant.

Other Eligibility Criteria Not Applicable

Maintenance of Effort (MOE)

There is not a Maintenance of Effort requirement for this program.

Cost Share or Match

There is no Cost Share or Cost Match requirement for this program.

D. Application and Submission Information

Key Dates and Times

Date Posted to Grants.gov: 07/25/2018

Application Submission Deadline: 08/24/2018 at 11:59:59 PM EST

Applicants must submit their application by the established deadline. The Non-Disaster

(ND) Grants System will date stamp a submitted application and applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of the full application. In general, FEMA will not review or consider for funding applications submitted after the established deadline. FEMA may 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, or other exigent or emergency circumstances. Applicants that experience technical issues must notify the respective FEMA Headquarters Program

Manager, listed in Section G of this NOFO, as soon as possible.

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: 09/30/2018

Anticipated Award Date: 09/30/2018

Other Key Dates

Event Suggested Deadline For Completion Obtaining DUNS Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid EIN Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Starting application in Grants.gov One week before actual submission deadline

Submitting complete application in ND grants One week before actual submission deadline

Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov on the Workspace application platform. To access the application package, select “Applicants” then “Apply for Grants” followed by “Get Application Package.” Enter the Funding Opportunity Number or

Opportunity Package ID located in this NOFO. Select “Apply” and then “Create

Workspace.” Follow the prompts to download the instructions and begin the application.

Hardcopies of the NOFO and associated application materials are not available.

In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information

Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: (800) 462-7585.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Initial Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal and the complete application will be processed through the ND Grants System.

Applications in Hard Copy are not accepted.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. FEMA advises applicants to start the required steps well in advance of their submission. Please review the table above under “Submission Dates and Other Key Dates and Times” for estimated deadlines to complete each of the seven steps listed below. Failure to comply with the required steps before the application deadline may disqualify the application from funding.

The steps required to apply for an award are:

1. Applying for, updating, or verifying the DUNS Number;

2. Applying for, updating, or verifying the EIN Number;

3. Updating or verifying the SAM Number;

4. Establishing an AOR in Grants.gov; and

5. Submitting an initial application in Grants.gov.

For additional information regarding the DUNS Number, EIN Number, SAM Number, and

AOR requirements, please see the section below entitled Dun and Bradstreet Universal

Numbering System (DUNS) Number, System for Award Management (SAM), and

Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

All applicants for this award must:

1. Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

2. Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and

3. 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 DHS FAO.

DHS may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DHS is ready to make a federal award. DHS 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.

The Standard Language for Using Grants.gov Apply is provided to aid in fulfilling these requirements:

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 applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov.

How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

1. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS 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. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants.

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

2. Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun

& Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form. For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html.

3. Register with SAM: In addition to having a DUNS number, all organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management

(SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

4. Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

For more information, follow the on-screen instructions or refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

5. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the

DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

6. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an

Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to

Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html.

7. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.

8. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature.

The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

How to Submit an Initial Application to DHS via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each notice of funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html.

1. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

2. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission.

3. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out web forms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard or DHS forms. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe

Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

4. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

5. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS number.

To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first.

Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

6. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the “Sign and Submit” button on the Manage Workspace page, under the

Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-

48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

7. Track a Workspace: After successfully submitting a workspace package, a Grants.gov

Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html.

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-

800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov

Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the

DHS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov

Submitting the Final Application in Non Disaster Grants System (ND Grants)

After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by

DHS/FEMA and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in ND

Grants. Applicants can register early with ND Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND

Grants registration at the time of this announcement. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their application.

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit all of the information contained in the following forms:

Standard Form 424A, Budget Information (Non-construction);

Standard Form 424B, Standard Assurances (Non-construction);

Grants.gov Lobbying Form; and

Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if the grantee has engaged or intends to engage in lobbying activities).

These forms can be found online.

If you need assistance registering for the ND Grants system, please email ndgrants@fema.gov or call (800) 865-4076 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Applicants are also be required to submit their Application Narrative and Program

Budget into ND Grants.

Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Online Submissions. All applications must be received by Midnight Eastern Standard

Time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the

AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DHS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that

Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by DHS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html https://portal.fema.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/ file:///C:/Users/sheath/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/TROS8IAK/at%20https:/portal.fema.gov http://www.fema.gov/preparedness-non-disaster-grants mailto:ndgrants@fema.gov an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

Intergovernmental Review (You may remove this paragraph if not applicable)

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 http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf).

Funding Restrictions Federal funds made available through this award are restricted to the purpose set forth in this award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Recipients may not use award funds for matching funds on any other Federal award, lobbying, or intervention in

Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, recipients cannot use Federal funds to sue the Federal government or any other government entity.

Management and Administration (M&A) Costs.

Management and Administration costs are activities directly related to managing and administering the award. Recipients may use up to 5 percent of the amount of the award for their M&A.

Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs.

Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. With the exception of recipients who have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), recipients must have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with their cognizant federal agency to charge indirect costs to this award. A copy of the approved rate (a fully executed, agreement negotiated with the applicant’s cognizant federal agency) is required at the time of application, and must be provided to DHS/FEMA before indirect costs are charged to the award.

Fringe Benefits The cost of fringe benefits are allowable in a manner consistent with the Cost Principles for

Federal awards at 2 C.F.R. § 200.431. The full text of 2 C.F.R. § 200.431 is at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2fbfda2c4f9b5952adfa67429facb2fb&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1431&rgn=div8

Pre-award Costs

Pre-award costs are allowable only with the prior written approval of DHS/FEMA and if they are included in the award agreement. To request pre-award costs a written request must be included with the application, signed by the Authorized Representative of the entity. The letter must outline what the pre-award costs are for, including a detailed budget breakout of pre-award costs from the post-award costs, and a justification for approval.

Direct Costs

Cost Principles http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2fbfda2c4f9b5952adfa67429facb2fb&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1431&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2fbfda2c4f9b5952adfa67429facb2fb&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1431&rgn=div8

Costs charged to this award must be consistent with the Cost Principles for Federal Awards located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E.

Equipment

This program allows equipment costs.

Travel

This program allows domestic travel costs, as provided for in this NOFO. This program does not allow international travel unless approved in advance by DHS/FEMA.

Construction and Renovation

This program does not allow construction and renovation costs.

Other Cost Requirements

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/or historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by the agency, including grants-funded projects, comply with Federal EHP regulations, laws and

Executive Orders as applicable. Recipients and sub-recipients proposing projects that have the potential to impact the environment, including but not limited to 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 involves the submission of a detailed project description that explains the goals and objectives of the proposed project along with supporting documentation so that FEMA may determine whether the proposed project has the potential to impact environmental resources and/or historic properties. In some cases, FEMA is also required to consult with other regulatory agencies and the public in order to complete the review process. The EHP review process must be completed before funds are released to carry out the proposed project. FEMA will not fund projects that are initiated without the required EHP review.

Other Submission Requirements

Not Applicable

E. Application Review Information

Application Evaluation Criteria Prior to making a federal award, the DHS FAO is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3321 and

41 U.S.C. § 2313 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk based considerations of the applicant:

1. Financial stability.

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

3. History of performance in managing federal award.

4. Reports and findings from audits.

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

Review and Selection Process

Subject-Matter Expert (SME) Review and Scoring. SMEs from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and agencies, along with SMEs from industry and academia, as appropriate for each focus area, will review and score eligible applications.

SMEs will score (numerically) each application based on the criteria described in this NOFO.

SMEs will review and score five categories (described in the evaluation criteria table in

Appendix D) and may award a total of 90 points. An average of SME scores will result in the final SME score.

FEMA Review and Scoring. FEMA program managers, training specialists, and members of leadership from FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate will review and score applications that pass eligibility screening, as described in Section C Eligible Applicants and

Eligibility Criteria. FEMA will review and score seven categories (described in the evaluation criteria table in Appendix D) and may award a total of 120 points. An average of

FEMA scores will result in the final FEMA score.

All reviewers will utilize the guidance contained in this notice for evaluation; this includes all focus area objectives and referenced standards. Reviewers will provide narrative support

(i.e., scoring comments) for each scored application.

FEMA senior leadership will review all scoring results and will then apply additional factors such as executive and legislative guidance, alignment with DHS and FEMA strategic priorities, along with investment strategy and budgetary limits in order to prioritize the top-scoring applications.

Prior to making a federal award with a total amount of federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, ($150,000.00) DHS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS).

An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.

DHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, 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 CFR § 200.205 federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Notice of Award FEMA will notify recipients of awards through the ND Grants system using an automatic e-mail to the recipient point of contact (the “authorized official”) listed in the initial application. The date FEMA approves the award is the “award date.” The recipient should follow the directions in the notification to accept the award.

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 90 days from the award date. The recipient shall notify FEMA of its intent to accept and proceed with work under the award, or provide a notice of intent to decline through the ND Grants system. For instructions on how to accept or decline an award in the ND Grants system, please use the following link to access the ND

Grants Grantee Training Manual.

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the ND Grants system and all other conditions of award have been satisfied. FEMA may rescind the award if the intended recipient does not accept the award or if conditions are not satisfied within a

90-day timeframe.

Before accepting the award, the authorized official should carefully read the award package.

The award package contains instructions on administering the grant award, as well as terms and conditions with which the recipient must comply. Recipients must accept the conditions in this NOFO as well as Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program. Appendix A of this NOFO lists the Special Terms and Conditions.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

Terms and Conditions will be those in effect at the time the award was made.

Reporting

Recipients are required to submit various financial and programmatic reports as a condition of their award acceptance. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent.

Federal Financial Reporting Requirements

Recipients must report obligations and expenditures on a quarterly basis through the FFR

(SF-425) to DHS/FEMA. Recipients must file the FFR electronically using the Payment and

Reporting System (PARS). Award recipients must submit an FFR quarterly throughout the period of performance, including partial calendar quarters, as well as for periods where no grant award activity occurs. FEMA may withhold future awards and fund drawdowns if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail.

The Financial Reporting Form (FFR) is available online at: SF-425 OMB #4040-0014

The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the FFR:

https://www.fema.gov/ar/media-library/assets/documents/25949 https://www.fema.gov/ar/media-library/assets/documents/25949 http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1

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

Financial and Compliance Audit Report

For audits of fiscal years beginning on or after December 26, 2014, recipients that expend

$750,000 or more from Federal funding sources during their fiscal year are required to submit an organization-wide financial and compliance audit report. The audit must be performed in accordance with the requirements of Government and Accountability Office’s

(GAO) Government Auditing Standards, located at: http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm, and the requirements of Subpart F of 2 C.F.R. Part 200, located at:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR

Program Performance Reporting Requirements.

Performance Progress Reports

Recipients are responsible for providing updated performance reports in Microsoft Word on a semi-annual basis. These is no prescribed government form for this report. The report is due within 30 days after the end of the reporting period. Recipients must submit it as an attachment to the ND Grants system.

The semi-annual Performance Progress Report must follow the guidance provided by

FEMA’s National Training and Education Division (NTED) in the NTED Monitoring Policy and Procedure Guide. FEMA/NTED will provide this guide to recipients of a FY 2018

HSNTP/CTG award as a post-award action.

Program Performance Reporting Periods and Due Dates

The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the PPR:

Reporting Period Report Due Date

January 1 – June 30 July 30

July 1 – December 31 January 30

Close Out Reporting Requirements.

Within 90 days after the end of the period of performance, or after an amendment has been issued to close out a grant, whichever comes first, recipients must submit a final FFR and final progress report detailing all accomplishments and a qualitative summary of the impact of those accomplishments throughout the period of performance.

After these reports have been reviewed and approved by FEMA, a close-out notice will be completed to close out the grant. The notice will indicate the period of performance as http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR closed, list any remaining funds that will be deobligated, and address the requirement of maintaining the grant records for three years from the date of the final FFR.

The recipient is responsible for returning any funds that have been drawn down but remain as unliquidated on recipient financial records.

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

Contact and Resource Information

Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Grant Operations Division

GPD’s Grant Operations Division Business Office provides support regarding financial matters and budgetary technical assistance. Applicants and recipients can obtain additional guidance and information by contacting the FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time or via e-mail to ASK-GMD@dhs.gov.

FEMA National Training and Education Division (NTED)

NTED maintains programmatic responsibility for the HSNTP/CTG program and will maintain the program management function and responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the awarded grant. Contact the NTED point of contact Mr. Casey Berg at (202) 212-7682 or via e-mail casey.berg@fema.dhs.gov, or Mr. Terry Pruitt at (202) 786-9565 or via e-mail terry.pruitt@fema.dhs.gov, or email NTED at fema-ntes@fema.dhs.gov for additional information.

Systems Information

Grants.gov. For technical assistance with Grants.gov, please call the customer support hotline at (800) 518-4726; the hotline is open 24/7 except for Federal holidays.

ND Grants. For technical assistance with the ND Grants system, please email ndgrants@fema.gov or call (800) 865-4076 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

For Financial and Administrative Questions GPD’s Grant Operations Division Business Office provides financial support and technical assistance, such as for password resets and registration requests, questions regarding Form

1199A, payment status, amendments, closeouts, and tracking de-obligation and award amounts. The FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard

Time or via email at ASK-GMD@dhs.gov can provide additional guidance.

GPD Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (GPD-EHP)

OEHP provides guidance and information about the EHP review process to FEMA programs and its recipients and sub-recipients. All inquiries and communications about EHP compliance for FEMA grant projects or the EHP review process should be sent to: Portia

Ross, CFM, Integration and Technology Branch Chief, Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation, FEMA / DHS, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472, Desk:

202-212-5929, portia.ross@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@dhs.gov mailto:casey.berg@fema.dhs.gov mailto:terry.pruitt@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-ntes@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@dhs.gov mailto:portia.ross@fema.dhs.gov

Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD)

The Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this announcement is (800) 462-7585 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern

Standard Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

H. Additional Information

Extensions Extensions to this program are allowed. FEMA allows no-cost extensions to the Period of

Performance for this program on a case-by-case basis. FEMA will consider only no-cost extensions to the initial period of performance identified in the award. FEMA will consider these requests for extensions made through formal, written requests to FEMA National

Training and Education Division (NTED). Extension requests must contain specific and compelling justifications as to why an extension is required. Extension requests may not exceed 12 months. FEMA advises recipients to coordinate with NTED as needed when preparing an extension request.

All extension requests must address the following:

Grant Program, Fiscal Year, and award number;

Reason for delay – this must include details of the legal, policy, or operational challenges being experienced that prevent the final outlay of awarded funds by the applicable deadline;

Current status of the activity/activities;

Approved period of performance termination date and new project completion date;

Amount of funds drawn down to date;

Remaining available funds, both Federal and non-Federal;

Budget outlining how remaining Federal and non-Federal funds will be expended;

Plan for completion including milestones and timeframes for achieving each milestone and the position/person responsible for implementing the plan for completion; and

Recipients must provide assurance of task completion for the proposed extended period of performance. Applicants may not modify the original Statement of Work approved by FEMA.

Payments

FEMA utilizes the Payment and Reporting System (PARS) for financial reporting, invoicing and tracking payments. For additional information, refer to https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/execute/LogIn?sawContentMessage=true.

DHS/FEMA uses the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) method of payment to recipients. To enroll in the DD/EFT, the recipients must complete a Standard

Form 1199A, Direct Deposit Form.

Monitoring https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/execute/LogIn?sawContentMessage=true.%20

FEMA staff will monitor the grant and will perform a desk-based review or on-site monitoring visits, or both. Monitoring will involve the review and analysis of the financial, programmatic, performance, compliance and administrative processes, policies, activities, and other attributes of each Federal assistance award and will identify areas where technical assistance, corrective actions and other support may be needed.

Conflict of Interest

Recipients and pass-through entities must follow their own policies and procedures regarding the elimination or reduction of conflicts of interest when making sub-awards and will serve to eliminate and reduce the impact of conflicts of interest in the sub-award process.

Recipients and pass-through entities are also required to follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial statutes or regulations governing conflicts of interest in the making of sub-awards.

The recipient or sub recipient must disclose to the respective Program Manager, in writing, any real or potential conflict of interest as defined by the federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial statutes or regulations or their own existing policies, which may arise during the administration of the federal award within five days of learning of the conflict of interest. Similarly, sub recipients must disclose any real or potential conflict of interest to the pass-through entity as required by the recipient’s conflict of interest policies, or any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial statutes or regulations.

Conflicts of interest may arise during the process of DHS/FEMA making a Federal award in situations where an employee, officer, or agent, any members of his or her immediate family, his or her partner has a close personal relationship, a business relationship, or a professional relationship, with an applicant, sub applicant, recipient, sub recipient, or DHS/FEMA employees.

Appendix A - Budget Template (Applicants may recreate and submit as a table or spreadsheet)

Personnel (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed) | % refers to the percent of time/labor planned per person

Name Position Salary Year 1 % Total Yr 1 Year 2 % Total Yr 2 Year 3 % Total Yr 3 Total

Total Personnel Costs (Salary) $

Explain salary changes (e.g., annual scheduled increases) here:

Explain/clarify any figures here:

Fringe Benefits (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Name Benefit Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Fringe

Total Personnel Costs (Fringe Benefits) $

Travel (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Name # of Trips: From > To and Purpose Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Travel

Equipment (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Item # of Items Purpose Cost

Supplies (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Item # of Items Purpose Cost

Appendix A - Budget Template (Applicants may recreate and submit as a table or spreadsheet)

Consultant Costs (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Name Purpose Cost Total Yr 1 Total Yr 2 Total Yr 3 Total

Total Consultant Costs $

Explain consultant costs here:

Other Expenses (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Expense Source and Purpose Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Cost

Total Personnel Costs (Fringe Benefits) $

Explain other costs here:

Total Direct Costs (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Direct

Total Indirect Costs (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Indirect

Grand Total Proposed Federal Government Cost

Cost Per Student

(Add Rows for Courses with Varying Costs)

Course Title: $

Course Title: $

Course Title: $

Course Title: $

Appendix B – Programmatic Terms and Conditions

Programmatic Terms and Conditions are Special Conditions or Agreement Articles that are specific to the HSNTP/CTG, beyond the standard DHS Terms and Conditions.

Title of Term and

Condition

Language/Description

Use of DHS Seal The recipient will use the DHS/FEMA seal and Design Standards when producing training course materials, aids, or other products funded through this award. Any use of the DHS/FEMA seal not addressed by these standards requires preauthorization and approval by

NTED.

Assessments and

Data Collection

The recipient agrees to cooperate with any assessments, national evaluation efforts, information, or data collection requests, including, but not limited to, the provision of any information required for the assessment or evaluation of any activities within this agreement.

Program Authority The recipient acknowledges that DHS/FEMA reserves a royalty-free, non-exclusive and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and authorize others to use, for Federal government purposes: 1) the copyright in any work developed under an award or sub-award; and 2) any rights of copyright to which a recipient or subrecipient purchases ownership with Federal support.

Learning

Management/Content

System Requirements

The recipient agrees that any learning management, learning content, content management systems, browser or computer-based training employed by the recipient will be standards-based, meeting Section

508 accessibility requirements of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, 29 U.S.C.