Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due: August 17, 2026

Fiscal Year 2026 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program Assistance Listing Number: 97.045 Funding Opportunity Number:

Region 2 DHS-26-MT-045-02-99

Region 3 DHS-26-MT-045-03-99

Region 4 DHS-26-MT-045-04-99

Region 5 DHS-26-MT-045-05-99

Region 6 DHS-26-MT-045-06-99

Region 7 DHS-26-MT-045-07-99

Region 8 DHS-26-MT-045-08-99

Region 9 DHS-26-MT-045-09-99

Region 10 DHS-26-MT-045-10-99

Contents Before you begin 2

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 3

Basic information 4

Eligibility 5

Program Description 7

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 15

Submission Requirements and Application Deadlines 16

Step 3: Write Your Application 19

Application Contents and Format 20

Step 4: Learn About the Award Review Process 22

Application Review Information 23

Intergovernmental Review 28

Step 5: Learn What Happens After Award 29

Award Notices 30

Post-Award Requirements and Administration 30

Other Information 39

Contacts and Appendices 46

Contacts 47

Appendices 49

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

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

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

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

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

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

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

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Step 1: Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 4

Eligibility 5

Program description 7

Basic Information

A. Award Facts Agency Name: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Resilience, Federal Insurance Directorate (FID)

Assistance Listing Number: 97.045

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program

Funding Opportunity Number:

FEMA Region 2 DHS-26-MT-045-02-99

FEMA Region 3 DHS-26-MT-045-03-99

FEMA Region 4 DHS-26-MT-045-04-99

FEMA Region 5 DHS-26-MT-045-05-99

FEMA Region 6 DHS-26-MT-045-06-99

FEMA Region 7 DHS-26-MT-045-07-99

FEMA Region 8 DHS-26-MT-045-08-99

FEMA Region 9 DHS-26-MT-045-09-99

FEMA Region 10 DHS-26-MT-045-10-99

Announcement Type: Initial

Expected Award Range: $0 to $5,000,000

Expected Total Funding: $41,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: 100

B. Executive Summary The Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program is a mechanism that FEMA uses to identify flood-prone areas collaboratively with communities. CTP recipients develop and maintain flood hazard data and maps for communities to increase public awareness of flood risk and potential actions to reduce that risk.

The CTP Program supports the goal of building capability and capacity at the local level.

To support National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) goals, there will be no new mapping project study starts in FY 2026. In FY 2026, CTP recipients will be encouraged to use funding to finish existing mapping

Have questions? See Contacts and Support

Key Dates

Projected Application Start Date: July 1, 2026

Projected Application End Date: August 17, 2026

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: September 8, 2026

Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2026

Projected Period of Performance Start Date:

October 1, 2026

Projected Period of Performance End Date:

September 30, 2029

Budget Period: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2029

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts projects. In addition, available project types have been reduced to reflect the commitment to finish ongoing mapping projects, so Communications Outreach and Mitigation Strategies (COMS) and Special Projects Statements of Work are not included in the FY 2026 program. These types of projects will not be eligible for FY 2026 CTP funding. Instead, eligible project types will be limited to Flood Risk Projects (FRP), Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), and Project Management (PM).

Eligibility A. Eligible Entities

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

Applicant Eligibility

This funding opportunity is available to the following eligible entities:

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Federally recognized tribal governments

• Institutions of higher education as defined by Section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. § 1001.

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education

• Special district governments

• State governments

• Territories

Subapplicant Eligibility

Subapplicants and subawards are allowed.

Per 2 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Section 200.1, “Subaward.” Subaward means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a Federal program. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract.

B. Project Type Eligibility Allowable Project Types

The following are the allowable project types under this NOFO, which are explained in more detail in Appendix C: CTP Project Categories and Requirements of this NOFO:

• Project Management (PM)

• Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Review Activities

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• Technical Hazard Identification, Risk Analysis and Mapping, Flood Risk Project (FRP)

Unallowable Project Types

• Construction type projects are unallowed.

• Special Project type projects are unallowed.

• Community Outreach Mitigation Strategies (COMS) type projects are unallowed.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties Subapplicants/subrecipients should not include foreign nationals or noncitizens. If a subapplicant/subrecipients has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statutes, policies, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

Subapplicants/subrecipients must submit short bios and resumes. This should include the type of entity, organizational leadership, and board members along with both the names and addresses of the individuals. Resumes are subject to approval.

D. Maximum Number of Applications There is no maximum number of applications that can be submitted.

E. Additional Restrictions Only applicants with an active Partnership Agreement are eligible to apply.

The application must include a copy of the recipient’s signed Partnership Agreement with FEMA. The Partnership Agreement is a prerequisite to any funded activities under the CTP program. The Partnership Agreement is discussed in greater detail in Section 4. Application Contents and Format in this NOFO.

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

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

1. “Threshold Review Criteria” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

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

5. Appendix B: Establishing a Partnership Agreement

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G. Cost Share Requirements

There is no cost share requirement.

H. Cost Share Description, Type, and Restrictions Not applicable.

I. Cost Share Example Not applicable.

J. Required Information for Verifying Cost Share Not applicable.

Maintenance of Effort

Not applicable.

Program Description A. Program Purpose

The Cooperating Technical Partners Program (CTP) is one mechanism that FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) use to deliver flood information to communities. CTP recipients develop flood hazard data and maps for communities to increase public awareness of flood risk and potential actions to reduce that risk. Over the course of FY24, CTP recipients processed over 150 Letters of Map Change, delivered Flood Insurance Rate Maps to more than 370 communities for review and initiated approximately 60,000 miles of stream studies to be updated.

With flood mapping capacity and capabilities, CTPs strengthen the local ability to make informed decisions about reducing flood risk. The data that the program provides also contributes to responsible planning and decision-making across government agencies and the private sector.

For additional information on the CTP program, please visit the CTP program website located at Cooperating Technical Partners Program | FEMA.gov.

B. Goals and Objectives Support the NFIP by building capability and capacity at the local level to identify flood-prone areas, maintain flood maps, and understand what actions will reduce the impacts of flooding.

• Deliver high-quality flood hazard information to communities to support better informed and evidence-based decision-making at the local level

• Provide comprehensive flood risk information to communities to support risk-aware and more flood-resilient development decisions at the local level

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/cooperating-technical-partners

C. Performance Measures and Targets

Performance Measure Measure Type Project Type FY 2026 Target

Percent of listed activities for which a Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) is responsible in a specific grant year that are marked as complete in the mapping system of record within 120 days of actual completion.

Output All 100%

Percent of Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) cases in a specific grant year where internal reviews are completed by Cooperating Technical Assistance (CTP) review partners within 60 days to allow time for the audit and quality control (QC) steps by FEMA and ensure that LOMRs and CLOMRs are issued in the regulatory 90-day turnaround timeframe of the LOMR/CLOMR process.

Output LOMR 100%

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There are two required performance measures for the FY 2026 CTP NOFO. One measure is required for all projects and assesses the timeliness of CTP recipients in completing activities for flood mapping projects.

The other measure assesses the completion of Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) cases funded by CTP and helps the Agency monitor the timeliness and completeness of case activities and deliverables submitted to FEMA and/or provided to the public, which is critical for meeting regulatory requirements for CLOMRs/LOMRs.

Appendix 4: Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Performance Measures Matrix co ntains metrics for both of these required measures, other required metrics tracked by FEMA for LOMR and CLOMR and the quality of engineering and mapping deliverables, and optional metrics that can be used to track performance related to project management and valuable services provided by CTPs to the NFIP.

D. Federal Assistance Type Cooperative Agreement

The CTP program provides federal assistance through a cooperative agreement to eligible recipients to perform various projects and activities that stimulate and support the ability of NFIP state coordinating agencies and NFIP-participating communities (as defined in 44 C.F.R. § 59.1) to continue their ongoing regulatory NFIP responsibilities, as well as support the ability of states, communities, and the public and private sectors to mitigate flood risk.

CTP awards are cooperative agreements due to the level of substantial involvement required by FEMA, which is detailed below. FEMA will be substantially involved in the activities of the recipient beyond the level involved with typical award administration activities.

CTP program activities, especially mapping-related activities, have a direct and substantial impact on the success and sustainability of the NFIP, such as the development of map data, which are used to determine insurance and floodplain management requirements. Additionally, these activities provide significant benefits to recipients and the communities they serve by having improved data and resources to implement the NFIP program.

FEMA must provide substantial oversight to maintain quality control of deliverables and to ensure accountability for appropriate use of CTP program funds. Due to the project complexity and length, FEMA collaborates with the recipient on programmatic activities to minimize risk to the NFIP and local implementation of the National Flood Mapping Program. Additionally, certain statutory programmatic activities require Federal approval and involvement, such as coordination with the Office of the Federal Register to publicize notices of proposed and final flood hazard changes.

FEMA will provide technical assistance and support (as required or necessary) and approve deliverables, while closely monitoring performance.

Program authority and responsibility under cooperative agreements reside with FEMA. FEMA will work with recipients to review and refine work plans to ensure program goals and objectives can be effectively accomplished. The following bullets provide examples of FEMA’s substantial involvement in cooperative agreement partnership projects. However, they are not inclusive of all potential FEMA activities.

FEMA will participate in CTP cooperative agreements by:

• Identifying community training, outreach, and development needs, and ensuring activities undertaken to address needs are mutually beneficial, comply with NFIP requirements, and are performed appropriately with qualified personnel.

• Collaborating with the recipient to align and integrate state and local mapping needs with national mapping needs for prioritization (as defined in 44 C.F.R. Parts 59 and 60).

• Confirming that communication with local governments is executed according to statutory and regulatory program requirements.

• Collaborating with the recipient to develop, and/or review and approve, project-related communications and messaging that is considered sensitive or high-profile (such as media inquiries or congressional inquiries).

• Coordinating efforts among project team members to identify due dates, maintain schedules, and ensure communication and collaboration.

• Performing National Quality Review checks (QR1-QR8) per Standard 508 in FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mapping Standards (https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313) to ensure products and deliverables comply with programmatic policies and standards, including audits through FEMA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) process for mapping products.

• Attending community meetings and performing certain statutory or regulatory processing requirements, such as publication of Federal Register Notices, Scientific Review Panel activities as necessary, and distribution of final determination documents.

• Performing activities associated with the post-processing of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), including processing activities undertaken as a result of FEMA’s final determination on a LOMR request such as distribution of final determination documents, publication of Federal Register and

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313 newspaper notices, and regulatory appeal period processing.

• Processing regulatory fees associated with Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs) and LOMRs that recipients receive for review (note: recipients must forward the fee to FEMA for processing).

The recipient shall not develop or engage in the development of tasks not approved in the Mapping Activity Statement (MAS) and/or Statement of Work (SOW), without post-award approval from the program office, and the issuance of a cooperative agreement amendment from FEMA. FEMA will monitor the project on a continual basis by maintaining ongoing contact with the recipient and will provide input to the program's direction, in consultation with the recipient, as needed.

E. Program-Specific Unallowable 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, and 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.

CTP program funds must be used to supplement existing funds and cannot replace (supplant) funds that have been budgeted for the same purpose (whether federal, state, or local). Recipients may be required to supply certification and/or documentation validating that a reduction in resources for program-related activities occurred for reasons other than the receipt or expected receipt of funds through a CTP cooperative agreement.

Explanation of cost restrictions associated with the CTP program:

• Organization costs as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.455 are not allowable under the CTP program.

• Training: Costs associated with training provided by the recipient as part of the project scope are allowable in accordance with the approved scope and budget of the award. Funding to address training requests or needs of the recipient is allowable at the discretion of FEMA’s awarding office.

Training requests or needs must be fully identified in the draft SOW or MAS submitted with the application. The recipient must also identify if the training will be direct cost or indirect cost. For instance, funding may be allowable as a direct cost for the recipient to attend or deploy training provided by FEMA. However, training for finance personnel to attend grants management courses would not be allowable as a direct cost under this award but may be allowable as part of the

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts indirect cost rate agreement.

• Equipment (including computers and laptops) and software costs are not allowable under the CTP program.

• Exercise costs are not allowable under the CTP program.

• Domestic travel costs are allowable under this program.

• International travel is not an allowable cost under this program, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Assistant Administrator for Federal Insurance Directorate via the FEMA Headquarters CTP Program Lead.

• Operational overtime costs are not allowable under this program.

• Construction and renovation costs are not allowable under this program.

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

F. General Funding Requirements Costs charged to federal awards (including federal and non-federal cost share funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h)).

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

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

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

3. Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity (see 2 C.F.R. §

200.435).

G. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services FEMA provides additional resources regarding the prohibition on covered telecommunications equipment and services in its policy titled Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services (FEMA Policy #405-143-1). This policy outlines specific requirements related to the prohibition. Additionally, FEMA's Contract Provisions Guide offers sample language for the required contract provisions.

Recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must comply with the prohibitions set forth in Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which restrict the purchase of covered telecommunications and surveillance equipment and services. See 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for more information.

Prohibition on Covered Foreign Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:1913%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section1913)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_fy24.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/115/public/232 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.327 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.471 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20II%20to%20Part%20200

Recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must also comply with Section 1825 of the American Security Drone Act of 2023, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Pub. L. No. 118-31 §§ 1821-33, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.). This provision mandates that, beginning December 22, 2025, no federal funds awarded through a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or otherwise made available may be used to procure a covered unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. Significantly, no funds may be used in connection with the operation of such a drone or UAS. For more information, refer to Public Law 118-31 and OMB Memorandum M-26-02, Ensuring Government Use of Secure Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Supporting United States Producers.

H. Beneficiary and Participant E ligibility Beneficiary

There are no program requirements for beneficiary eligibility. This NOFO and any subsequent Federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

Participant

There are no program requirements for participant eligibility. This NOFO and any subsequent Federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant.

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

I. Indirect Costs Indirect costs are allowed for both recipients and subrecipients.

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

Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement, but are required to develop an IDC rate proposal, must provide a copy of their proposal with their applications. Applicants without a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an IDC rate proposal must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. As it relates to the IDC for subrecipients, a recipient must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.332 and 200.414 in approving the IDC rate for subawards.

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

K. Pre-Award Costs

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/M-26-02-Ensuring-Government-Use-of-Secure-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems-and-Supporting-United-States-Producers.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/M-26-02-Ensuring-Government-Use-of-Secure-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems-and-Supporting-United-States-Producers.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414

The following pre-award costs are allowable:

Pre-award costs directly related to developing the application or sub application and/or directly related to grant implementation after the application period has opened, but prior to the date of the cooperative agreement award or final approval, are allowed.

Applicants seeking pre-award costs must clearly articulate this request in the detailed budget narrative.

Pre-award cost justifications must include details regarding the costs, such as the project activities/scope to which costs are related, when costs were (or will be) incurred, and whether they are included as direct or indirect costs. The FEMA awarding office will review the request and negotiate the costs, as appropriate.

Upon written concurrence from the FEMA Project Officer, the Awarding Officer will include the appropriate statement in the Terms and Conditions affirming the parameters for allowable pre-award costs.

L. Management and Administration Costs Management and Administration (M&A) costs are allowed for all eligible applications.

It is the policy of the CTP program to allow Management and Administration costs which are activities directly related to implementing the award. FEMA will allow recipients to use up to 4% of the amount of the award for their M&A, and sub recipients may use up to 4% of the amount they receive for M&A. Funding levels for these costs must be negotiated on a per-project basis with the appropriate awarding office and should include an itemized listing of specific costs associated with M&A.

M&A costs include direct charges to the cooperative agreement related to the administrative aspects of implementing the award, such as salaries and benefits of human resources, as well as administrative or finance personnel who support the execution of the cooperative agreement but are not completing specific project activities.

Costs such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries in direct support of the administration of the award are also examples of typically allowable M&A costs. Other M&A costs might include general operating costs when direct billed. However, M&A costs are not allowable as direct charges to the award when these costs are included in a recipient’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.

Certain administrative costs are not considered to be M&A costs and are not subject to the M&A cap of 4% when those costs are directly related to a specific award activity. For example, a project management award may include staffing a mapping coordinator position as one of the specifically awarded activities of the cooperative agreement. In this situation, the portion of the associated salary and fringe benefits of the mapping coordinator that are funded by the award are considered part of the award costs and not included in M&A costs.

M&A are not overhead costs but are necessary direct costs incurred in direct support of the Federal award or as a consequence of it, such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries of full/part-time staff in direct support of the program. As such, M&A costs can be itemized in financial reports.

M. Authorizing Authority The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, Pub. L. No. 90-448, § 1302, 82 Stat. 572 (1968) and The Biggert- Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 Pub. L. No. 112–141, 126 Stat. 916 (2012), both of which are amended and codified at 42 U.S.C. § 4001 et seq.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiS0orWycSDAxVuJkQIHXTPAvwQFnoECBUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fema.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2020-07%2Fnational-flood-insurance-act-1968.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3sveMDsOqwuXTIFRlXJUbH&opi=89978449 https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001

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

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Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Submission Requirements and A pplication Deadlines 16

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Submission Requirements and Application Deadlines

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

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number or to register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click “Get Started.” From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions see the Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

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

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

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

2. Provide their UEI number in the application;

3. Have an account with login.gov;

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

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

Organizational Representative (AOR). The organization’s electronic business point of contact (eBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see the FEMA GO Startup Guide;

6. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

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

Per 2 C.F.R. 25.110(a)(2)(iv), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from obtaining an UEI number and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible. Contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov and provide the details of the exigent circumstances.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://grants.gov/help/get-started/ https://go.fema.gov/ https://login.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_startup_guide_051325.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-25/section-25.110#p-25.110(a)(2)(iv) mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov

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

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

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

Obtain a UEI Number All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a UEI number.

Obtain Employer Identification Number In addition to having a UEI number, all entities applying for funding must provide an EIN. The EIN can be obtained from the IRS at Get an employer identification number.

Create a login.gov account Applicants must have a login.gov account to register with SAM or update their SAM registration. Applicants can create a login.gov account at Create an account.

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

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

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

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

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, applicants must also provide the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the past three years, if applicable.

Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR Applicants must register in FEMA GO and add their organization to the system. The organization’s electronic business point of contact (eBiz POC) from the SAM.gov registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see the FEMA GO Startup Guide.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://login.gov/create-an-account/ https://login.gov/create-an-account/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://sam.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_startup_guide_051325.pdf https://login.gov https://login.gov https://login.gov https://login.gov https://login.gov

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

• Google Chrome;

• Mozilla Firefox;

• Apple Safari; and

• Microsoft Edge.

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

E. Submitting the Final Application Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information, and any program-specific information required in FEMA GO.

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

F. Application Deadline August 17, 2026 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

G. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

H. Post Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

I. Effects of Missing Deadlines All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of submission and generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives an application. The submitting AOR will receive an email with an official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number to serve as proof of timely submission prior to the application deadline.

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

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Step 3: Write Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 20

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Application Contents and Format A. Application Requirements

The following forms or information are integrated into the application package in FEMA GO. Applicants should review these forms at SF-424 Family | Grants.gov before applying to ensure they are providing all required information.

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

2. Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

3. SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction)

• If construction is permitted under the program, submit SF-424C, Budget Information (Construction), instead of SF-424A

4. SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)

• If construction is permitted under the program, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances

(Construction), instead of SF-424B

5. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

B. Required Documents, Content, and Formatting 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.

C. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information The following program-specific forms or information are required to be submitted in FEMA GO:

Partnership Agreement. The application must include a copy of the recipient’s signed Partnership Agreement with FEMA. The Partnership Agreement is a prerequisite to any further activities under the CTP program. The Partnership Agreement is discussed in greater detail in Section 4. Application Contents and Format in this NOFO.

Mapping Activity Statement (MAS)/Scope of Work (SOW). For all project categories, recipients are encouraged to work with FEMA in advance of the application to understand FEMA program priorities, objectives and measures, and to identify specific tasks to undertake in FY 2026. In support of program objectives, FEMA may provide technical assistance, training, and/or data to a recipient to enhance the activities within the project categories outlined above. Any funds that FEMA provides through a cooperative agreement to complete project activities are in addition to the leveraged resources and data, which may be provided by the recipient to complete the tasks agreed upon in the SOW or MAS. When awarded a cooperative agreement through the CTP program in support of program objectives and to advance program measures, the recipient must comply with the requirements outlined in this

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts announcement, the terms and conditions of the award (previously referred to as the Articles of Agreement), as well as the Partnership Agreement and the associated FEMA-approved SOW or MAS.

As a recipient and FEMA collaborate to identify specific activities to perform under their Partnership Agreement, they will develop an MAS or SOW to define the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in a flood risk project (see Section 4. Application Contents and Format in this NOFO for additional information).

The MAS or SOW supplements the Partnership Agreement and defines the activities that will be accomplished for a particular project. A cooperative agreement is the award mechanism by which FEMA provides Federal funds to qualified recipients to complete certain partnership activities. For additional information on qualifications for entering into a Partnership Agreement or receiving Federal assistance for partnership activities, see Section 4. Application Contents and Format in this NOFO.

D. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants Not applicable.

Step 4: Learn about the Award Review Process

Application Review Information 23

Intergovernmental Review 28

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Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria

For all activities/projects under all applications, FEMA will review applications submitted by each applicant to ensure eligibility factors defined in the NOFO are met, including:

• Eligibility of the applicant and subapplicant;

• Inclusion of the recipient’s signed Partnership Agreement with FEMA. The application must include a copy of the recipient’s signed Partnership Agreement with FEMA. The Partnership Agreement is a prerequisite to any further activities under the CTP program. The Partnership Agreement is discussed in greater detail in Section 4. Application Contents and Format in this NOFO.

• Eligibility of proposed activities, projects, and costs;

• Adherence to Program Priorities Criteria as described below.

Program Priorities Criteria Projects must meet criteria for all project types AND ALL criteria for the project type applicable to their project.

Project Type Criteria

All Project period of performance does not exceed September 30th, 2029.

Flood Risk Project

Proposed project reaches an agreed-upon milestone with FEMA Region.

Project does NOT include new study starts (including Discovery).

Project Management

• Project addresses the continuity of staffing needed to ensure completion of agreed-upon milestone.

Letter of Map Revision

LOMR Review Partner projects will be evaluated based on the criteria below.

FEMA will choose LOMR Review partners based on the capabilities demonstrated by the partner through the application process. The number of partners chosen to perform the LOMR Review activity will not be pre-determined, though it will not exceed the current number of pre-approved LOMR Review Partners.

As a prerequisite to complete LOMR Review activities, pre-approved project partners must:

o Ensure the cost effectiveness of their review and recommendation process. Be able to demonstrate how costs are in line with those the

Federal government would incur if doing the work completely at the Federal level.

o Have demonstrated the ability to perform technical aspects of the LOMR process.

o Have demonstrated the ability to manage contractors and oversee the products produced by contractors (if applicable).

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Description

B. Application Criteria Applications that pass the eligibility and completeness review in the Threshold Criteria section above will be scored with evaluation criteria described in this section. Scores will be used to prioritize funding and select recipients for FY 2026 awards. Each application will be scored according to these categories on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the lowest score, and 5 being the highest score, for a total of 15 points maximum for FRP and PM Project Types and 20 points for LOMR Project Types.

Evaluation Criteria

Criterion Maximum Points Available

Project Type

Past Performance 5 All FEMA utilizes assessments of the recipient’s performance on completed and/or on-going cooperative agreement projects when considering CTP for additional project funding. Throughout an on-going project and at the end of the period of performance for each completed SOW and/or MAS, FEMA evaluates the performance of the recipient and the effectiveness of the partnership to determine eligibility for future activities. If FEMA determines that the partnership has proven insufficient to complete the established project or achieve the goals of the partnership, FEMA’s funding of the activities may be terminated and/or future funding denied.

Additionally, given these projects support the National Flood Insurance Program which has objectives that must be met, those priorities and their ability to complete the tasks are primary.

FEMA bases its evaluation of the partner’s demonstrated performance on the following criteria:

• Commitment to and continued support of flood hazard identification and mapping activities conducted with and by FEMA. Evaluation of

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Project Type Criteria o Have demonstrated the ability to deliver recommendations to FEMA for determination within the regulatory timeframe that meet FEMA specifications.

o Provide evidence they have received training in necessary FEMA tools prior to application for a cooperative agreement to perform tasks associated with the LOMR Review and recommendation to FEMA.

o Agree to use FEMA workflow, tools, and templates.

Criterion Maximum Points Available

Project Type

Description historical support during previous CTP cooperative agreements.

Uniqueness and value of the national, state, regional, or local relationships maintained, including ability to effectively cooperate and coordinate with NFIP stakeholders as well as other whole community stakeholders affected by program activities. Ability of the applicant to identify the unique value they bring to the project being selected beyond what FEMA may provide in normal practice.

Adherence to program specific statutory and regulatory requirements as well as program standards for timeliness, completeness and quality of project activities and deliverables submitted to FEMA and/or provided to the public.

Demonstrated quality of product(s) submitted to FEMA and/or provided to the public.

Advancement of program metrics and/or accomplishment of project performance measures, as well as other measures identified by FEMA Regions and provided to all applicants prior to application submission.

Ability to cooperate and coordinate with the staff from the following organizations during all phases of project activities, as needed: FEMA Regional Offices; FEMA Headquarters office in

Washington, DC; and designated FEMA contractors. Applicant is able to demonstrate historical success shown from previous performance measure reviews of quarterly evaluation or other coordination with FEMA POC.

Adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements for grants management, and cooperation and coordination with appropriate FEMA grants management staff.

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Criterion Maximum Points Available

Project Type

Description

Technical Capability and Capacity

5 All FEMA evaluates the demonstrated capability and capacity of the recipient to perform, implement, or contract for the activities for which it is applying. For the purpose of these awards, “capability” means demonstrated experience in the performance of, or management through contracting of, similar activities.

This…