FY22 NGWS NOFO FINAL 8.31.22.pdf

Next Generation Warning System Back to the Top

The Department of Homeland Security Notice of Funding Opportunity

Next Generation Warning System Grant

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 have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM)before April 4, 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.

UEI 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 funding notice.

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: $40 million

2. Projected Number of Awards: One

3. Maximum Award Amount: $40 million

4. Period of Performance: 36 months

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): October 1, 2022

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): September 30, 2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Sub-applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

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. Intergovernmental Review

12. 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

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

2. Systems Information

H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

2. Program Evaluation

3. Period of Performance Extensions

4. Disability Integration

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

6. Procurement Integrity

7. Record Retention

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance

9. Audits

10. Payment Information

11. Whole Community Preparedness

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/ National Continuity Programs

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.138

3. Assistance Listings Title Next System Generation Warning System

4. Funding Opportunity Title Next System Generation Warning System

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-22-IPAWS-138-00-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022, Title III, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Assistance § 11, 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 Preparedness & Emergency Management

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

Having in place an effective system for warning and informing the American public of impending natural and man-made disasters is an essential part of America's emergency preparedness. FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) is the national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public. Local radio and TV stations, along with cable, direct broadcast satellite and wireless service providers, disseminate the public safety messages they receive from IPAWS.

The pace of innovation in communications technology is faster than ever before making it imperative that the providers of the nation’s alert and warning information - public broadcasting entities - have the capacity to acquire and implement emerging technologies that advance the Nation’s public alert and warning system. The Next Generation Warning System Grant Program (NGWSGP) makes Federal funds available to enable the adoption of emerging digital broadcast technology and standards and furthers the 2020-2024 DHS Strategic Plan Goal 5 (Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience). It also supports the 2022-

2026 FEMA Strategic Plan Goal 1 (Instill Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management) and Goal 3 (Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and a Prepared Nation).

The NGWSGP will support projects that result in the adoption of the Common Alerting Protocol standard (CAP) which permits a single CAP compatible message to activate multiple compliant warning systems. Television broadcasters may leverage NGWSGP funding to upgrade to the Advanced Television Systems Committee broadcast standard (ATSC 3.0) allowing broadcast to reach a greater number of differing types of communication devices along with incorporating multimedia in alert and warning messaging.

This program will support investments that improve the resilience and security of public broadcasting networks and systems. Projects that enable the capability to alert, warn and provide equivalent information to individuals with disabilities, individuals with access and functional needs, and individuals with limited-English proficiency, are within the priorities of the NGWSGP. The NGWSGP will further support projects that enable alerts and warnings on the basis of geographic location as well as those projects that improve the ability of remote rural areas to receive alerts and warnings.

Upgrading to this advanced technology requires investments in technology, training, and support equipment that may create burdens for broadcasters, especially small stations in rural and underdeveloped areas. In these areas, public broadcast stations often serve a much larger role in providing critical emergency information than in other areas with greater concentrations of private broadcasters. The NGWSGP is intended to ease this burden for qualified public broadcast recipients of grant funding.

FEMA intends to award this grant to a single awardee. That awardee will then manage a competitive process to solicit sub-grant applications from eligible sub-grantees to use these funds in accordance with the requirements and priorities set forth in this notice. The awardee will describe their intended approach for managing this process in their grant application, which FEMA will approve as part of the overall grant award. Ongoing program reporting to FEMA will assess performance of the sub-grant process and of sub-grantee’s effective use of funds.

b. Objectives

To have in place a public alert and warning system that provides timely and effective warnings using the latest broadcast technology standards, especially including areas that are traditionally underserved by broadcast providers. Specifically, this NGWSGP grant seeks to:

• Enhance capacity of local broadcast stations to receive, broadcast, and redistribute emergency alert messages from the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System using IPAWS Specification for Common Alerting Protocol (CAP);

• Implement upgrades to the NEXTGEN TV ATSC3 broadcast standard;

• Enhance technology infrastructure to ensure local public broadcast stations can launch new, enhanced broadcast services, that improve and expand the distribution of public alerts and warnings; and

• Expand the delivery and distribution of emergency alert messages from IPAWS to fill gaps in alert and warning delivery to people in underserved areas.

c. Priorities

FEMA IPAWS has established priority areas for grant awards to authorized sub-recipients.

These priorities are intended to convey the importance of the twin objectives of implementing advanced ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology (and comparable technology for radio stations) and to focus on the needs of communities, primarily in rural and Tribal areas, who have more limited broadcast options than more urban areas. The NGWS Grant Program is guided by Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

FEMA and the awardee will review these priorities quarterly and refine them as needed based on evolving understanding of overall needs and opportunities. It is not FEMA’s intent for the awardee to undertake risky or low-value grant investments simply to favor a sub-grant application in a higher-priority investment area.

Across the overall objectives, the program has established priorities to provide:

1. Advanced Technology for Public Broadcast Entities o For television stations: ATSC 3.0 or other NGWSGP technology, equipment and maintenance for stations primarily serving underserved communities o For radio stations: digital broadcast technology, equipment, and maintenance for capabilities that deliver emergency alert messages from IPAWS to people in underserved communities

2. Resilience-related Equipment for Public Broadcast Entities o Emergency generators and related resilience equipment for stations primarily serving underserved communities

3. Training for Technology and Resilience o Training in using NGWSGP and related technology to improve the distribution of emergency messages from IPAWS and in techniques to increase station resilience during emergencies

11. Performance Measures

Performance metrics for the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program are as follows:

• As a result of NGWSGP funding, the percentage increase in public television stations that are capable of broadcasting IPAWS alerts;

• As a result of NGWSGP funding, the percentage increase in public radio stations that are capable of broadcasting IPAWS alerts;

• The number of broadcast entities that used NGWSGP funds to replace emergency generators that were at or near their lifecycle; and,

• The number of public broadcasting staff members trained in ATSC 3.0 technology (or related digital broadcast technologies) and station resilience using NGWSGP funds.

FEMA will calculate and analyze the above metrics through a review of the recipient’s required financial and programmatic reports. FEMA will review and update performance measures as necessary to adequately track the success of this program.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $40 million

2. Projected Number of Awards: One

3. Maximum Award Amount: $40 million

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. Additional Information

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): October 1, 2022

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): September 30, 2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Congress intended that FEMA work with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to implement the NGWSP for public broadcast entities. Therefore, CPB is the only entity eligible to submit an application to DHS/FEMA for funding under the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program in FY2022.

2. Sub-applicant Eligibility Criteria

Eligible sub-applicants include those entities that meet the definition of “public broadcast entities” as defined in the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. §397(11)).

To receive sub-grant awards, these sub-applicants shall follow a competitive application process designed by the primary awardee and approved by FEMA.

3. Cost Share or Match

There is no cost share/match requirement.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: September 1, 2022

b. Application Submission Deadline: September 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. 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 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 p.m. – 5:00 p.m ET.

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.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than September 15, 2022

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 29, 2022

e. Other Key Dates

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Four weeks before actual submission deadline mailto:NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

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

3. Address to Request Application Package 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 notice can be downloaded at Grants.gov or obtained via email from the Awarding Office points of contact listed in Section G of this notice, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” or by TTY (800) 462-7585. It can be downloaded at Grants.gov or obtained via email from the Awarding Office points of contact listed in Section G of this notice, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” or by TTY (800) 462-7585.

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.

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

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

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

Registering in Grants.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in ND Grants Four weeks before actual submission deadline

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

Submitting the final application in ND Grants By the submission deadline https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov, if applicable, and Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide a valid UEI;

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 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 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 if applicable, 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 if applicable, and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date.

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 https://www.login.gov/ mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov 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 a UEI , 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, if applicable, or UEI in the applicable data entry field on the SF-424 form.

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

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number All entities applying for funding must provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

d. Create a login.gov account:

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

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

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

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

e. Register with SAM:

All 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 if applicable, and then to register in SAM. It may be four weeks or more after an applicant submits the SAM registration before the registration is active in SAM, and then it may be an additional 24 hours before FEMA’s system recognizes the information.

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

II. HELP WITH SAM

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd3 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

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 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, if applicable, enter the UEI 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 is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the 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.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First:

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

The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and UEI if applicable. 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 notice.

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 p.m. 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.

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

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, initial application submitted through

Grants.gov

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying, submitted through

Grants.gov

II. ND GRANTS

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html o For construction under an award, submit SF-424C, Budget Information (Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants, in addition to or instead of SF-424A

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants o For construction under an award, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances (Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants, in addition to or instead of SF-424B

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

Generally, applicants have to submit either the non-construction forms (i.e., SF-424A and SF-424B) or construction forms (i.e., SF-424C and SF-424D), meaning that applicants that only have construction work and do not have any non-construction work need only submit the construction forms (i.e., SF-424C and SF-424D) and not the non-construction forms (i.e., SF-424A and SF-424B), and vice versa. However, applicants who have both construction and non-construction work under this program need to submit both the construction and non-construction forms.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information –

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

• Work Plan Narrative. A summary (narrative) of an applicant’s Work Plan for the grant funding that identifies the proposed Allowable Activities, tasks, schedule, and deliverables, and the project management strategy.

• Budget: The applicant must provide a budget for the funds requested

• Master Schedule/Deliverable Table. This document will combine a schedule of planned activities with milestones and expected dates for completion, along with their associated deliverables (e.g., people trained, publications distributed, conferences/workshops/drills held, policies made, website improvements, etc.)

• Competitive Sub-grant Process Description. A description, including a planned schedule and evaluation criteria, of how the awardee plans to solicit, review, and award sub-grants using these funds to focus sub-award funding at the areas of greatest need and greatest likely benefit to communities

11. 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).

12. 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 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 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. 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 notice 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 notice and the terms and conditions of the award, and those costs must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award.

As noted in Section A.10 (Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities), this funding is intended to provide:

• Advanced Technology to enable IPAWS alerting capability. For television stations, this includes ATSC 3.0 and related technologies, equipment and maintenance. For radio stations, this includes digital broadcast technology, equipment and maintenance;

• Resilience-related Equipment to enable operation during disasters, including emergency generators and related resilience equipment; and,

• Training in using NGWS and related technology to improve the distribution of emergency messages from IPAWS and in techniques to increase station resilience during emergencies

Grant funds are not to be used for:

• Vehicles;

• Funding staff positions; or

• General cosmetic and structural station upgrades and maintenance unrelated to technologies and equipment described in section A.10 and above

The awardee and sub-awardees shall follow requirements set forth in 2 C.F.R. § 200.313, 2 C.F.R. § 200.439 and related guidance related to allowable costs and management requirements for equipment purchased through this program. These include requirements to maintain records and conduct inventories until equipment is disposed of.

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.

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services Recipients and subrecipients of FEMA federal financial assistance are subject to the prohibitions described in section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019 NDAA), Pub. L. No. 115-232 (2018) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200. Beginning August 13, 2020, the statute – as it applies to FEMA recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors and subcontractors – prohibits obligating or expending federal award funds on certain telecommunications and video surveillance products and contracting with certain entities for national security reasons.

Guidance is available at FEMA Policy 405-143-1: Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services Additional guidance is available at Contract Provisions Guide: Navigating Appendix II to Part 200 - Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards .

Effective August 13, 2020, FEMA recipients and subrecipients may not use any FEMA funds under open or new awards to:

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

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

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

I. REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

FEMA grant funding may be permitted to procure replacement equipment and services impacted by this prohibition, provided the costs are otherwise consistent with the requirements of the NOFO.

II. DEFINITIONS

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

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

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text?format=txt https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text?format=txt https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf

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

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

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

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

b. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are not allowable.

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs Management and Administration costs are allowed under this program. Management and Administration costs are activities directly related to implementing the award. FEMA will allow recipients to use up to 5% of the amount of the award for their M&A and sub recipients may use up to 5% 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 grant related to the administration aspects of implementing the award, such as salaries and benefits of human resources, administrative or finance personnel who support the execution of the grant 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 5% when those costs are directly related to a specific award activity.

d. Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs

Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants with a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement that desire to charge indirect costs to an award must provide a copy of their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement at the time of application. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Applicants that are not required by 2 C.F.R.

Part 200 to have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement but are required by 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to develop an indirect cost rate proposal must provide a copy of their proposal at the time of application.