FY2026 SBSRF Investment Justification Form.docx

State Border Security Reinforcement Fund (SBSRF) Investment Justification (IJ) Template Introduction and Instructions Paperwork Burden Disclosure Notice:

Public reporting burden for this data collection is estimated to average 100 hours per response. The burden estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and submitting this form. This collection of information is required to obtain or retain benefits. You are not required to respond to this collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is displayed on this form. Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to: Information Collections Management, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472-3100, Paperwork Reduction Project (1660-0125) NOTE: Do not send your completed form to this address.

Privacy Notice:

GENERAL: This information is being collected for the primary purpose of facilitating correspondence between the grant applicant and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and for determining eligibility and administration of the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund (SBSRF).

AUTHORITY: The Working Families Tax Cut Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-21)

USES AND SHARING: The information on this form may be disclosed as generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This includes using this information as necessary and authorized by the routine uses published in DHS/FEMA-004 Non-Disaster Grant Management Information Files System of Records, 87 FR 41141 (July 11, 2022), and upon written request, by agreement, or as required by law. Further information regarding FEMA’s use and sharing of information can be found with the DHS/FEMA/PIA – 013 Grants Management Programs Privacy Impact Assessment. The Department’s list of Privacy Impact Assessments can be found on the Department's website at https://www.dhs.gov/privacy-impact-assessments.

EFFECTS OF NONDISCLOSURE: The disclosure of information on this form is voluntary; however, failure to provide the information requested may delay or prevent the organization from receiving grant funding.

Security Warning: When opening the IJ Template, some users may see a note that says, "Security Warning: some active content has been disabled." Click on the [Options …] button next to the message, select "Enable this content," then click on the [OK] button. If this is not done, the text boxes may not function properly.

State Border Security Reinforcement Fund Investment Justification (IJ) Instructions:

Only one application will be submitted by the eligible entity. Eligible applicants must include at least one IJ as part of the overall application submission through the FEMA GO system, located at https://go.fema.gov/ no later than August 3, 2026 5:00PM ET. Information on the SBSRF goals and objectives are included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in Appendix D.

Requirements:

· Application level: This application includes a section for each of the allowable activities listed in the NOFO. Section headers specify each allowable activity. Applicants must complete the section for each funding category for which they are requesting funding. Additionally, each IJ must clearly distinguish between Forward-Looking Funding Pathway activities and Retroactive Funding Pathway activities. Details about these pathways are found in Appendix D of the NOFO.

· For each allowable activity for which the applicant is requesting funding, an IJ must be completed that includes the following sections. For each activity, applicants must distinguish between forward-looking pathway requests and retroactive pathway requests:

· Project Description: Describe planned or completed activities.

· Capability Gap: Explain how planned or completed activities will address or have addressed gaps in border security.

· Project Objectives: Specify how requested funding will address objectives listed in Appendix D of the NOFO for the relevant allowable activity.

· Subrecipient Impact (if Applicable): Describe how subrecipients will assist in described activities.

· Performance Goals: Specify how requested funding will address performance goals listed in Appendix D of the NOFO for the relevant allowable activity.

· Budget and Timeline: Provide a detailed budget breakdown and timeline for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs.

· General Notes for all Investment Justifications:

· Pathway Distinction: Clearly distinguish between forward-looking and retroactive activities in each IJ.

· Subrecipient Coordination: Include details on how subrecipients will be selected, managed, and monitored to ensure alignment with program priorities.

· Supporting documentation: Provide deployment orders, invoices, and other documentation for retroactive activities.

· Submission Format: SBSRF_InvestmentJustification_[Recipient Name].

The Application Worksheet (AW) (submitted separately from this IJ form) is useful for the Budget Details and Budget Narrative portion of the application. Eligible applicants must submit one AW as part of the overall application submission through the FEMA GO system. The AW should be used to record all proposed projects with budget details, budget narrative, and Management and Administrative (M&A) costs.

Helpful Hints:

Moving Through the Investment Justification Template: While entering information in the Template, applicants should try to minimize the use of the Tab and Enter keys to move between data entry fields. As the Template consists of a combination of text boxes and cells, using these keys may cause the cursor to move to an undesired location.

Copying & Pasting in the Investment Justification Template: Some applicants may find it helpful to begin drafting their IJ information in MS Word and then pasting this into the Template. However, please be aware that, when copying and pasting information from Word into the text boxes in the Template, any formatting may not carry over.

Character Count: The data entry fields included in the IJ allow for the maximum number of characters noted for that section, plus an additional number of characters to account for spaces. Once that limit has been reached, users will not be able to include any additional text.

Spell Check:

It is suggested that applicants use a word processor’s spell check software to ensure that the entered information is spelled correctly.

Self-Certification of Eligibility:

The SBSRF will use a competitive award method for FY 2026 applications. Applicants must self-certify as to whether they meet the eligibility requirements. Please sign the certification below:

A) Certification: I certify that I am an eligible state administrative authority. I have read and will abide by the requirements of the FY 2026 SBSRF NOFO.

B) Print signatory name: ______________________________

C) Please sign here: _________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

This draft Investment Justification Template should be used until the final form is approved by OMB

OMB Control Number: TBD Expiration date: TBD

POC Name:

POC Title:

POC Address:

POC Phone Number:

POC Email Address:

ACTIVITY 1: CONSTRUCTION OR DEPLOYMENT OF BORDER BARRIER OR BUOYS

I. Describe planned or completed activities, including site surveys, geospatial mapping, environmental impact, studies, and construction of barriers or buoys. Specify the geographic location(s) and anticipated or completed outcomes. Be sure to distinguish between forward-looking and retroactive pathways.

PART II. CAPABILITY GAP

II. Explain how planned or completed activities will address or have addressed gaps in physical border security.

PART III. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

III. Specify how requested funding will increase the total miles of border barriers or buoys deployed (forward-looking and retroactive combined). For forward-looking projects, specify how project will ensure compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act.

PART IV. SUBRECIPIENT IMPACT

IV. (If applicable) Describe how subrecipients will assist in described activities.

PART V. PERFORMANCE GOALS

V. State the following goals: the total miles of border barriers or buoys that have been deployed or will be deployed; the cost per mile of construction or deployment; and the number of contracts awarded with Build America, Buy America certifications.

PART VI. BUDGET AND TIMELINE

VI. A. Provide a detailed budget breakdown for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs.

VI. B. Provide a timeline for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs. For retroactive costs, indicate the actual start and end dates; milestones are not required for completed projects.

Note: For retroactive construction activities, applicants must provide proof of compliance with Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) requirements. Documentation demonstrating completed EHP review must be included with all retroactive reimbursement requests.

The implementation schedule table should be used as a planning tool for the key activities associated with each objective for which the applicant is requesting funding. For each project and each year of the grant, the applicant should include the activities necessary to accomplish the goals of each project, as well as the estimated start and completion dates (by calendar quarter) for each activity.

The standard definition of a project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or a deliverable), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value. Applying this standard to projects using preparedness grant funds, a project is a related set of activities and purchases supporting the building or sustaining of core capabilities; and it is associated with a single entity responsible for execution.

This approach will allow FEMA and applicants to categorize the grant-funded project as a discrete unit for post-award management, reporting, and monitoring purposes. The main steps and processes of the Project Management Lifecycle are Initiate, Execute, Control, Close Out.

a. Initiate: The authorization to begin work or resume work on any particular activity.

b. Execute: The period within the project life cycle during which the actual work of creating the project’s deliverables is carried out.

c. Control: A mechanism which reacts to the current project status to ensure accomplishment of project objectives. This involves planning, measuring, monitoring, and taking corrective action based on the results of the monitoring.

d. Close Out: The completion of all work on a project. Can also refer to completion of a phase of the project.

For additional information on the Project Management Lifecycle, please visit Project Management Institute's (PMI) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) at http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards.aspx. Specifically, applicants are encouraged to reference Chapter three of the PMBOK Guide, The Standard for Project Management of a Project.

Appendix A: Identify projects/activities, with start and end dates, which will be implemented during the period of performance

ACTIVITY 2: GROUND PREPARATION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF BORDER BARRIERS

PART I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

I. Describe planned or completed activities, such as access road repairs, drainage improvements, and erosion control measures. Specify the geographic location(s) and anticipated or completed outcomes. Be sure to distinguish between forward-looking and retroactive pathways.

PART II. CAPABILITY GAP

II. Explain how planned or completed activities will address or have addressed gaps in physical border security.

PART III. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

III. Specify how requested funding will increase the miles of access roads repaired or prepared (forward-looking and retroactive combined) and improve drainage and erosion control measures to ensure sustainability of barriers.

PART IV. SUBRECIPIENT IMPACT

IV. (If applicable) Describe how subrecipients will assist in described activities.

PART V. PERFORMANCE GOALS

V. State the following goals: the total miles of access roads that have been repaired or prepared (forward-looking and retroactive combined); and the number of drainage and erosion control improvements completed.

PART VI. BUDGET AND TIMELINE

VI. A. Provide a detailed budget breakdown for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs.

VI. B. Provide a timeline for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs. For retroactive costs, indicate the actual start and end dates; milestones are not required for completed projects.

The implementation schedule table should be used as a planning tool for the key activities associated with each objective for which the applicant is requesting funding. For each project and each year of the grant, the applicant should include the activities necessary to accomplish the goals of each project, as well as the estimated start and completion dates (by calendar quarter) for each activity.

The standard definition of a project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or a deliverable), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value. Applying this standard to projects using preparedness grant funds, a project is a related set of activities and purchases supporting the building or sustaining of core capabilities; and it is associated with a single entity responsible for execution.

This approach will allow FEMA and applicants to categorize the grant-funded project as a discrete unit for post-award management, reporting, and monitoring purposes. The main steps and processes of the Project Management Lifecycle are Initiate, Execute, Control, Close Out.

a. Initiate: The authorization to begin work or resume work on any particular activity.

b. Execute: The period within the project life cycle during which the actual work of creating the project’s deliverables is carried out.

c. Control: A mechanism which reacts to the current project status to ensure accomplishment of project objectives. This involves planning, measuring, monitoring, and taking corrective action based on the results of the monitoring.

d. Close Out: The completion of all work on a project. Can also refer to completion of a phase of the project.

For additional information on the Project Management Lifecycle, please visit Project Management Institute's (PMI) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) at http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards.aspx. Specifically, applicants are encouraged to reference Chapter three of the PMBOK Guide, The Standard for Project Management of a Project.

Appendix A: Identify projects/activities, with start and end dates, which will be implemented during the period of performance

PART IV. SUBRECIPIENT IMPACT

ACTIVITY 3: DETECTION AND INTERDICTION OF ILLICIT SUBSTANCES AND UNLAWFUL ALIENS

PART I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

I. Describe planned or completed activities, including surveillance, patrols, and apprehension operations. Specify the geographic location(s) and anticipated or completed outcomes. Be sure to distinguish between forward-looking and retroactive pathways.

PART II. CAPABILITY GAP

II. Explain how planned or completed activities will address or have addressed gaps in detection and interdiction capabilities.

PART III. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

III. Specify how requested funding will increase the number of arrests of unlawfully present aliens who have committed crimes (forward-looking and retroactive combined) and the quantity of illicit substances seized.

PART IV. SUBRECIPIENT IMPACT

IV. (If applicable) Describe how subrecipients will assist in described activities.

PART V. PERFORMANCE GOALS

V. State the following goals: the number of arrests of unlawfully present aliens who have committed crimes (forward-looking and retroactive combined); and the quantity of illicit substances seized.

PART VI. BUDGET AND TIMELINE

VI. A. Provide a detailed budget breakdown for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs.

VI. B. Provide a timeline for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs. For retroactive costs, indicate the actual start and end dates; milestones are not required for completed projects.

The implementation schedule table should be used as a planning tool for the key activities associated with each objective for which the applicant is requesting funding. For each project and each year of the grant, the applicant should include the activities necessary to accomplish the goals of each project, as well as the estimated start and completion dates (by calendar quarter) for each activity.

The standard definition of a project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or a deliverable), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value. Applying this standard to projects using preparedness grant funds, a project is a related set of activities and purchases supporting the building or sustaining of core capabilities; and it is associated with a single entity responsible for execution.

This approach will allow FEMA and applicants to categorize the grant-funded project as a discrete unit for post-award management, reporting, and monitoring purposes. The main steps and processes of the Project Management Lifecycle are Initiate, Execute, Control, Close Out.

a. Initiate: The authorization to begin work or resume work on any particular activity.

b. Execute: The period within the project life cycle during which the actual work of creating the project’s deliverables is carried out.

c. Control: A mechanism which reacts to the current project status to ensure accomplishment of project objectives. This involves planning, measuring, monitoring, and taking corrective action based on the results of the monitoring.

d. Close Out: The completion of all work on a project. Can also refer to completion of a phase of the project.

For additional information on the Project Management Lifecycle, please visit Project Management Institute's (PMI) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) at http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards.aspx. Specifically, applicants are encouraged to reference Chapter three of the PMBOK Guide, The Standard for Project Management of a Project.

Appendix A: Identify projects/activities, with start and end dates, which will be implemented during the period of performance

ACTIVITY 4: RELOCATION OF UNLAWFULLY PRESENT ALIENS

PART I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

I. Describe planned or completed activities, including transportation, processing, and coordination with DHS. Specify the geographic location(s) and anticipated or completed outcomes. Be sure to distinguish between forward-looking and retroactive pathways.

PART II. CAPABILITY GAP

II. Explain how planned or completed activities will address or have addressed gaps in relocation capabilities.

PART III. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

III. Specify how requested funding will increase the number of relocations or referrals unlawfully present aliens who have committed crimes (forward-looking and retroactive combined) and develop new processes or partnerships to improve relocation efficiency.

PART IV. SUBRECIPIENT IMPACT

IV. (If applicable) Describe how subrecipients will assist in described activities.

V. PERFORMANCE GOALS

V. State the following goals: the number of relocations or referrals completed (forward-looking and retroactive combined); and the number of new processes or partnerships established.

PART VI. BUDGET AND TIMELINE

VI. A. Provide a detailed budget breakdown for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs.

VI. B. Provide a timeline for forward-looking and/or retroactive costs. For retroactive costs, indicate the actual start and end dates; milestones are not required for completed projects.

The implementation schedule table should be used as a planning tool for the key activities associated with each objective for which the applicant is requesting funding. For each project and each year of the grant, the applicant should include the activities necessary to accomplish the goals of each project, as well as the estimated start and completion dates (by calendar quarter) for each activity.

The standard definition of a project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or a deliverable), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value. Applying this standard to projects using preparedness grant funds, a project is a related set of activities and purchases supporting the building or sustaining of core capabilities; and it is associated with a single entity responsible for execution.

This approach will allow FEMA and applicants to categorize the grant-funded project as a discrete unit for post-award management, reporting, and monitoring purposes. The main steps and processes of the Project Management Lifecycle are Initiate, Execute, Control, Close Out.

a. Initiate: The authorization to begin work or resume work on any particular activity.

b. Execute: The period within the project life cycle during which the actual work of creating the project’s deliverables is carried out.

c. Control: A mechanism which reacts to the current project status to ensure accomplishment of project objectives. This involves planning, measuring, monitoring, and taking corrective action based on the results of the monitoring.

d. Close Out: The completion of all work on a project. Can also refer to completion of a phase of the project.

For additional information on the Project Management Lifecycle, please visit Project Management Institute's (PMI) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) at http://www.pmi.org/PMBOK-Guide-and-Standards.aspx. Specifically, applicants are encouraged to reference Chapter three of the PMBOK Guide, The Standard for Project Management of a Project.

Appendix A: Identify projects/activities, with start and end dates, which will be implemented during the period of performance