FY22 HSNTP CTG NOFO_(Competitive)_Clean.pdf

FY 2022 CTG NOFO

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

Fiscal Year 2022 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) Continuing Training Grants (CTG)

Effective April 4, 2022, the Federal Government transitioned from using the Data Universal Numbering System or DUNS number, to a new, non-proprietary identifier known as a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI. For entities that had an active registration in SAM.gov prior to the April 4 date, the UEI has automatically been assigned and no action is necessary. For all entities filing a new registration in SAM.gov on or after April 4, 2022, the UEI will be assigned to that entity as part of the SAM.gov registration process.

Unique Entity Identifier registration information is available on GSA.gov at: Unique Entity Identifier Update | GSA.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding UEI and SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listings Number

3. Assistance Listings Title

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Category

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

11. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $6,000,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 3-5

3. Maximum Award Amount: $3,000,000

4. Period of Performance: 36 months

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2022

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/31/2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Cost Share or Match https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

5. Electronic Delivery

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

7. How to Submit an Initial Application to FEMA via Grants.gov

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. Intergovernmental Review:

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. Monitoring and Oversight

5. Program Evaluation......………………………………………………………………. 31

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

2. Systems Information

H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

2. Period of Performance Extensions

3. Disability Integration

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

5. Procurement Integrity

6. Record Retention

7. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance

9. Audits

10. Payment Information

11. Whole Community Preparedness

12. Appendices

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Resilience/National Preparedness Directorate (NPD), National Training and Education Division (NTED)

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.005

3. Assistance Listings Title State and Local Homeland Security National Training Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year 2022 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) – Continuing Training Grants (CTG)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-22- NPD-005-00-04

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022, (Pub. L. No. 117-103)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022, (Pub. L. No. 117-103)

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Category Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) – Continuing Training Grants

(CTG)

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

Through its Continuing Training Grants (CTG) program, the Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) plays an important role in the National Preparedness System. The CTG program supports building, sustaining, and delivering core capabilities through the development and delivery of training to achieve the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal), which 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”.

Specifically, the CTG program provides funding for eligible applicants to support and target training solutions for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners, supporting the https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7669 objective of the National Preparedness System to facilitate an integrated, whole community, risk-informed, capabilities-based approach to preparedness.

The Fiscal Year 2022 CTG program’s purpose is to address specific threats and gaps through the development and delivery of learning solutions and facilitate a national whole community approach to focus on the challenges with the greatest impact on the Nation’s preparedness. FEMA, through CTG recipients, will concentrate on developing training to address national priorities while considering the challenges presented by a pandemic environment.

The CTG program supports multiple goals and objectives of the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, particularly Goal 3: Promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation and Objective 3.1 to Strengthen the emergency management workforce. Training developed under this Funding Opportunity will address two of the five core DHS mission areas; prevent terrorism and enhance security and ensure resilience to disasters as specified in the DHS Strategic Plan: https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

b. Objectives The FY 2022 CTG program supports Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness and aims to close national capability gaps through training that follows specific criteria and provides a return on investment.

Closing Capability Gaps. States and territories provide annual data on their proficiency across 32 core capabilities through the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, Stakeholder Preparedness Reviews, exercise and real world after-action reports, and other preparedness data. This data feeds into the National Preparedness Report, which summarizes progress made, and challenges that remain, in building and sustaining the capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats, hazards, and incidents that pose the greatest risk to the nation. This annual report offers all levels of government, tribes, and the private and nonprofit sectors, and the public practical insights into preparedness that support decisions about program priorities, resource allocation, and actions that can create more resilient communities.

c. Priorities FEMA Strategic Plan Alignment: Applications should propose solutions that align with the goals and objectives established in the 2022 – 2026 FEMA Strategic Plan. Specifically:

• Instill equity as a foundation of emergency management through learning. Training produced through the FY 2022 CTG program must convey the fact that disasters affect individuals and communities differently, and through training, offer solutions to reducing barriers to access, and deliver equitable outcomes for all whom we serve.

• Lead the whole of community in climate resilience through learning. Training produced through the FY 2022 CTG program must convey the fact that we are facing a climate crisis and that as a nation, we must integrate planning for future conditions.

• Promote and sustain a prepared nation through learning. Training produced through the FY 2022 CTG program must recognize that the demands on emergency managers https://www.fema.gov/core-capabilities https://www.fema.gov/stakeholder-preparedness-review https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_2020-national-preparedness-report.pdf https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/threat-and-hazard-identification-and-risk-assessment will only continue to increase. Training should include new approaches for preparedness investments, community engagement, and response and recovery approaches to ensure communities are better prepared.

Innovation: Applications should include innovative training and technical assistance ideas and concepts that can help solve the tough problems that the Nation’s emergency management community is expected to confront. These innovations should be replicable, satisfy a specific need, and include processes where new ideas result in useful products.

Focus Areas: The FY 2022 CTG Focus Areas are:

• Operationalize Climate Resilience for Equitable Outcomes; and

• Rural and Tribal Preparedness for Equitable Outcomes.

Note: Please refer to Appendix B of this NOFO for specific requirements related to each focus area including standards, intended audience, required training objectives, and other key factors.

The following table displays alignment between the focus areas and the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan along with learning solution examples that are appropriate for the FY 2022 CTG program.

Focus Area Strategic Goal Objectives Learning Solution Examples

Operationalize Climate Resilience for Equitable

Outcomes

Objective 1.3: Achieve equitable outcomes for those we serve Objective 2.1: Increase climate literacy among the emergency management community Objective 2.2: Build a climate resilient nation Objective 3.1: Strengthen the emergency management workforce

• Online Training

• In-person instructor-led training

• Synchronous, virtual instructor-led training

• Asynchronous, virtual instructor-led training

• Facilitated workshops and seminars

Rural and Tribal Preparedness for

Equitable Outcomes

Objective 1.3: Achieve equitable outcomes for those we serve Objective 2.1: Increase climate literacy among the emergency management community Objective 2.2: Build a climate resilient nation

• Online Training

• In-person instructor-led training

• Synchronous, virtual instructor-led training

• Asynchronous, virtual instructor-led training

• Facilitated workshops and seminars

Objective 3.1: Strengthen the emergency management workforce

Equity in emergency management: Equity in emergency management requires proactively prioritizing actions that reinforce cultural competency, accessibility, and inclusion, as well as reflect the historical context of specific groups of people. To that end, CTG applicants are strongly encouraged to explore how funded activities can address the needs of underserved, at-risk communities to help ensure consistent and systematic, fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals before, during and after a disaster.

The focus on equity and investing in strategies that meet the needs of underserved communities will strengthen the whole of community system of emergency management.

Substantial and ongoing prioritization of, and investment in, underserved communities is essential for the entire system to be effective and efficient. Engaging the whole community requires all members of the community to be part of the emergency management team, including representatives of underserved communities, diverse community members, social and community service groups and institutions, faith-based and disability advocacy groups, academia, professional associations, the private and nonprofit sectors, and government agencies that may not traditionally have been directly involved in emergency management.

The whole community includes children; older adults; individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; those from religious, racial, and ethnically diverse backgrounds; people with limited English proficiency; and owners of animals including household pets and service animals.

11. Performance Measures The New World Kirkpatrick Model is applied for analyzing and evaluating the results of training and educational programs. This model considers any style of training, both informal and formal, to assess learning.

FEMA applies the New World Kirkpatrick Model for the FY 2022 CTG program as follows:

Level 1: a student’s assessment of the training setting, material, and instruction. This is evaluated through surveys administered during or directly following curriculum delivery and uses a numerical (e.g., Likert Scale) and narrative responses. Results are reported to the FEMA NTED Training Partners Program Branch and assessed to measure experiences compared with standards and student expectations. NTED reports the percentage of trainings where the majority of students have a positive learning experience.

Level 2: a comparison of pre-course knowledge and skills with post-course knowledge and skills; this is evaluated through testing administered during or directly following curriculum delivery. Results are reported to the FEMA NTED Training Partners Program Branch and assessed to measure knowledge transfer compared with an established standard of a twenty-six-point increase. NTED reports the percentage of students that meet or exceed a pre-post 26 point increase standard.

Level 3: an assessment of learning applicability at the home organization or jurisdiction, through surveys administered following curriculum delivery, typically 90 to 180 days after training, using a numerical (e.g., Likert) scale and narrative responses. NTED reports the percentage of students that self-report application of learning.

FEMA’s First Responder Training System (FRTS) provides the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and project management support for all of its components. The FRTS serves internal/external stakeholders to accomplish training related activities through a public and administrative web presence to include: an online searchable National Preparedness Course Catalog for approved NTED, Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) training and education programs; a robust course development tool for the Training Partners Program (TPP) Training Providers; submission tool for requests to review non-FEMA training (state and federal courses); scheduling information from Training Providers; and a data collection and reporting tool, the Registration and Evaluation System (RES). The RES is an especially critical component of the FRTS which manages course registration and evaluation data (Kirkpatrick’s’ Level 1 Reaction, Level 2 Learning, and Level 3 Application).

Sustainment FEMA has the option to sustain any training course created under the HSNTP/CTG at the end of the award period of performance. Once FEMA determines to sustain a course, after consulting with the award recipient, FEMA may transfer any or all course material to another organization or entity to ensure program sustainability and to continue training delivery.

FEMA will coordinate the orderly transition of courses between organizations. Not all training developed under this Funding Opportunity will be sustained. Only those courses that meet quality standards as determined through course evaluation and demand as determined through stakeholder requests for continued course delivery will be considered for sustainment. The sustainment of any course must enhance the response capabilities of the Nation’s first responders.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $6,000,000

Of this funding, not less than $3,000,000 will be awarded FEMA-certified for rural and tribal training.

2. Projected Number of Awards: 3-5

3. Maximum Award Amount: $3,000,000

4. Period of Performance: 36 months

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

FEMA awards under most programs, including this program, only include one budget period, so it will be same as the period of performance. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for definitions of “budget period” and “period of performance.”

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2022

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/31/2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

The CTG program, prescribed by this NOFO, is awarded through separate cooperative agreements, as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, and consistent with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (Pub. L. No. 95-224), (31 U.S.C. §§6301-6308). FEMA maintains substantial involvement with all recipients as they carry out activities under the 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 the Performance Metrics as listed within this NOFO. Each Training Partner is assigned a Program Manager (PM). PMs maintain extensive involvement from the initial engagement at annual kickoff meetings and throughout the Period of Performance (POP) to award closeout. FEMA’s substantial involvement is designed to ensure the successful development and implementation of each CTG program in a timely and cost-effective manner.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

• State governments, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territory governments

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Federally recognized Indian tribal governments (tribal governments)

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) status

• Nonprofit private institutions of higher education

• Nonprofit national associations and organizations

• Public and state controlled institutions of higher education

2. Applicant 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 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.

https://www.govinfo.gov/

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 CTG program. Organizations that do not describe suitable expertise in training are ineligible.

Organizational Partnerships. Eligible applicants may apply 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.

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

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date:

b. Application Submission Deadline:

07/14/2022

08/15/2022 at 5:00:00 PM ET All applications must be received by the established deadline.

The Non-Disaster (ND) Grants System has a date stamp that indicates when an application is submitted. Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of their submission. For additional information on how an applicant will be notified of application receipt, see the subsection titled “Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission” in Section D of this NOFO.

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

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

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” For additional assistance using the ND Grants System, please contact the ND Grants Service Desk at (800) 865-4076 or NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov. The ND Grants Service Desk is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Specialist. If applicants do not know who to contact or if there are programmatic mailto:NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov questions or concerns, please contact the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) by phone at (800) 368-6498 or by e-mail at askcsid@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 09/01/2022

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/01/2022 at 11:59:00

e. Other Key Dates

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

3. Address to Request Application Package Initial applications are processed through the Grants.gov portal. Final applications are completed and submitted through FEMA’s Non-Disaster Grants (ND Grants) System.

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov.

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

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.

Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal.

4. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier, Register in the System for Award Management (SAM), and Submit an Application Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Applicants are encouraged to register early as the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

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

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

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion

Obtaining a UEI 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 final application in ND Grants By the application deadline https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number from

SAM.gov and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide a valid UEI number, which is currently the unique entity identifier;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

e. Create a Grants.gov account;

f. Add a profile to a Grants.gov account;

g. Establish an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

h. Register in ND Grants

i. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

j. Submit the final application in ND Grants, including electronically signing applicable forms; and

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

Specific instructions on how to apply for, update, or verify a UEI number or SAM registration or establish an AOR are included below in the steps for applying through Grants.gov.

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

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

https://www.login.gov/ https://www.govregs.com/regulations/2/25.110 mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

5. Electronic Delivery

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

For this funding opportunity, FEMA requires applicants to submit initial applications through Grants.gov and a final application through ND Grants.

6. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. General Instructions:

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

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

Organizations must have an UEI Number, an EIN, an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants.

Organizations must also have a Grants.gov account to apply for an award under this program.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but UEI and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

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

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to:

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

b. Obtain a UEI Number:

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, prior to April 4, 2022, must have a UEI number. Applicants must enter the UEI number in the applicable data entry field on the SF-424 form.

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

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number In addition to having a UEI number, all entities applying for funding must provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

d. Create a login.gov account:

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

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

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

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf.

e. Register with SAM:

All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with 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.

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

I. ADDITIONAL SAM REMINDERS

Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to make sure it is “ACTIVE.”

SAM registration should be completed at the very beginning of the application period and should be renewed annually to avoid being “INACTIVE.” Please allow plenty of time before the grant application submission deadline to obtain a UEI number and then to register in SAM. It may be four weeks or more after an applicant submits the SAM registration before the registration is active in SAM, and then it may be an additional 24 hours before FEMA’s system recognizes the information.

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

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

II. HELP WITH SAM

The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration (GSA) to assist those registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a SAM registration, please contact the Federal Support Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do or call toll free (866) 606-8220.

f. Create a Grants.gov Account:

The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. If applicable, applicants must know their organization's UEI number to complete this process.

For more information, follow the on-screen instructions or refer to:

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

See also Section D.8 in this NOFO, “Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants,” for instructions on how to register early in ND Grants.

g. 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 UEI Number for the organization in the UEI 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.

h. 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 are sent to the EBiz POC.

The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the Authorized Organization Representative (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.

i. Track Role Status:

To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.

j. 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 https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do 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 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.

7. How to Submit an Initial Application to FEMA via Grants.gov Standard Form 424 (SF-424) is the initial application for this NOFO.

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using a workspace. A 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, you can create individual instances of a workspace. Applicants are encouraged to submit their initial applications in Grants.gov at least seven days before the application deadline.

In Grants.gov, applicants need to submit the following forms:

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; and

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying.

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

a. Create a Workspace:

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

b. 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.

c. Adobe Reader:

If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms 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.

d. 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.

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

e. 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 UEI 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.

f. 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.

g. 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.

h. Additional Training and Applicant Support:

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html.

Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 (except federal holidays) support via the toll-free number (800) 518-4726, email at support@grants.gov and the website at https://www.grants.gov/support.html. 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 FEMA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants

After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by 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 or, at the latest, seven days before the application deadline. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their applications.

Applicants needing assistance registering for the ND Grants system should contact ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 865-4076. For step-by-step directions on using the ND Grants system and other guides, please see https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support.html mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/non-disaster-grants-management-system

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any program-specific information required as described in Section D.10 of this NOFO, “Content and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SF) are auto generated in ND Grants, but applicants may access these forms in advance through the Forms tab under the SF-424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

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

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application in Grants.gov will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of its initial application. This notification does not serve as proof of timely submission, as the application is not complete until it is submitted in ND Grants. Applicants can also view the ND Grants Agency Tracking Number by accessing the Details tab in the submitted workspace section in Grants.gov, under the Agency Tracking Number column. Should the Agency Tracking Number not appear, the application has not yet migrated from Grants.gov into the ND Grants System. Please allow 24 hours for your ND Grants application tracking number to migrate.

All applications must be received in ND Grants by 5:00 PM ET on the application deadline.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by ND Grants. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by ND Grants. Additionally, the applicant(s) listed as contacts on the application will receive a system-generated email to confirm receipt.

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

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

The following forms or information are required to be submitted in either Grants.gov or ND Grants. The Standard Forms (SF) are submitted either through Grants.gov, through forms generated in ND Grants, or as an attachment in ND Grants. Applicants may also access the SFs at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

I. GRANTS.GOV

i. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, initial application submitted through Grants.gov

ii. Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying, submitted through Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

II. ND GRANTS

i. SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

ii. SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

iii. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

iv. Indirect Cost Agreement or Proposal, submitted as an attachment in ND Grants if the budget includes indirect costs and the applicant is required to have an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal. If the applicant does not have or is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal, please see Section D.13 of this NOFO, “Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs,” for further information regarding allowability of indirect costs and whether alternatives to an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal might be available, contact the relevant FEMA staff identified in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” for further instructions.

FEMA will evaluate indirect costs as part of the application for federal funds to determine if allowable and reasonable.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

The following forms are required to be submitted in either Grants.gov or ND Grants. The Standard Forms (SF), submitted either through Grants.gov, through forms generated in ND Grants, or as an attachment in ND Grants, are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

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

a. Grants.gov

• Standard Form 424 (Initial Application)

b. ND Grants

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

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

• Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Indirect Cost Agreement, if the budget includes indirect costs and the applicant is required to have an indirect cost rate agreement. If the applicant is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement but will charge indirect costs and is required to have an indirect cost rate proposal, the applicant must provide a copy of their indirect cost rate proposal with the application. See the section below on indirect costs for more information or contact the relevant Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist for further instructions.

• Program Narrative

• Program Budget

The Program Office suggests that applicants use their 26% “Off Campus-All Programs” or similar) indirect cost rate. In general, this would apply since recipients will not likely host https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html any student in-person/direct training or deliveries on campus/on-site. This rate aligns to existing NTED/TPP Training Partners for the design, development, and implementation of non-resident training courses.

11. Other Submission Requirements

Not applicable

12. Intergovernmental Review:

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372 (See https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html;

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/spoc_1_16_2020.pdf).

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs All costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must 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 award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered, within the period of performance of the award. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h) (referring to budget periods, which for FEMA awards under this program is the same as the period of performance).

In general, the Cost Principles establish standards for the allowability of costs, provide detailed guidance on the cost accounting treatment of costs as direct or administrative costs, and set forth allowability principles for selected items of cost. More specifically, except as otherwise stated in this NOFO, the terms and condition of an award, or other program materials, costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must be consistent with the Cost Principles for Federal Awards located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. In order to be allowable, all costs charged to a FEMA award or applied to the cost share must be reasonable in nature and amount and allocable to the particular FEMA award.

Additionally, all costs charged to awards must comply with the grant program’s applicable statutes, policies, requirements in this NOFO as well as with the terms and conditions of the award. If FEMA staff identify costs that are inconsistent with any of these requirements, these costs may be disallowed, and FEMA may recover funds as appropriate, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

As part of those requirements, grant recipients and subrecipients may only use federal funds or funds applied to a cost share for the purposes set forth in this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, and those costs must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award.

Grant funds may not be used for matching funds for other federal grants/cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the federal government or any other government entity.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-o…