FY23 CTP NOFO_FINAL_508a.pdf

FY 2023 CTP NOFO Back to the Top

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2023 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the system. Requesting a UEI using Sam.gov can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at:

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

Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

On April 4, 2022, the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award

Management (SAM.gov). This new identifier is the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

Table of Contents

Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

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: $95,000,000

2. Projected Number of Awards : 130

3. Period of Performance:

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2023

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2025 and 09/30/2027

6. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 04/03/2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: 06/05/2023 at 5:00:00 PM (Eastern

Daylight Time)

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 08/30/2023

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/15/2023

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

3. Address to Request Application Package

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Register in the System for

Award Management (SAM)

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

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

6. Electronic Delivery

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

d. Create a login.gov account:

e. Register with SAM:

f. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

g. Track Role Status:

h. Electronic Signature:

8. Submitting the Final Application

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

11. Other Submission Requirements

12. Intergovernmental Review

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications

Equipment or Services

b. Pre-Award Costs

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

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

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

2. Review and Selection Process

a. Program Priorities

b. Past Performance

c. Technical Capability and Capacity

d. Partner Contributions

e. Specific Criteria for the LOMR Review partners tasks are as follows

f. Special Considerations for Non-Profits F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights

c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

3. Reporting

a. Financial Reporting Requirements

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements

d. Additional Reporting Requirements

4. Monitoring and Oversight

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

a. Program Office Contact

b. Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID)

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division

d. FEMA Regional Offices

e. Equal Rights

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

2. Systems Information

a. Grants.gov

b. Non-Disaster (ND) Grants

c. Payment and Reporting System (PARS)

d. Payment Management System (PMS) (“Smartlink”)

e. FEMA GO H. Additional Information

1. Termination Provisions

a. Noncompliance

b. With the Consent of the Recipient

c. Notification by the Recipient

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

a. Important Changes to Procurement Standards in 2 C.F.R. Part 200

b. Competition and Conflicts of Interest

c. Supply Schedules and Purchasing Programs

d. Procurement Documentation

7. Record Retention

a. Record Retention Period

b. Types of Records to Retain

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)/ Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.045

3. Assistance Listings Title

Cooperating Technical Partners

4. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2023 Cooperating Technical Partners

5. Funding Opportunity Number

CTP – Headquarters

CTP Regions 1-10

DHS-23-MT-045-00-99

DHS-23-MT-045-01-99

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, Pub. L. 90-448 § 1302, 82 Stat. 572 (1968) and

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 112–141), 126 Stat.

916, both of which are amended and codified at 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-328. Division F, Title III, Federal

Emergency Management Agency

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Category

Mitigation

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

The Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program exists to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CTP program supports efforts to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience, one of the main goals of the

2020-2024 DHS Strategic Plan. Additionally, the program supports the 2022-2026 FEMA

Strategic Plan, Goal 2: Lead whole of community in climate resilience and Goal 3: Promote and sustain a ready FEMA and a prepared nation. It helps achieve these goals by fostering strong federal, state, tribal, territorial, regional, and local partnerships to identify flood risks, reduce flood losses, and promote community resilience. It also supports the National

Mitigation Investment Strategy, a supporting document to Presidential Policy Directive

(PPD-8), National Preparedness.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/7277 https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/about/mission https://www.fema.gov/about/mission https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/fema_national-mitigation-investment-strategy.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/fema_national-mitigation-investment-strategy.pdf

FEMA’s Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program is classified as a

Justice40 “covered program” as outlined in the “Interim Implementation Guidance for the

Justice40 Initiative” for Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and

Abroad1. The CTP program is one way in which FEMA designs the Risk MAP program to meet the objectives of environmental justice laid out in the President’s Justice40 Initiative which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.

b. Objectives

The objectives of the CTP program are primarily to support the mission and objectives of the

NFIP’s Flood Hazard Mapping Program through FEMA’s flood hazard identification and risk assessment programs, including the Risk MAP program. The vision for Risk MAP is to deliver quality data that increases public awareness of flood risk and leads to action that reduces flood risk to life and property. Through more precise flood mapping products, risk assessment tools, and planning and outreach support, Risk MAP strengthens the local ability to make informed decisions about reducing flood risk. The Risk MAP process was developed not only to introduce new and useful tools to help address these challenges, but also to create partnerships with communities affected by flooding and other hazards. By engaging local communities throughout the process and by sharing ownership of the products, Risk MAP results in tools that meet the needs of individual communities and stakeholders, and can be used to effectively communicate and reduce risk from flooding and other hazards for citizens across the United States. Flood hazard and risk data is also used to inform applications and reviews for federal mitigation grants such as the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Pre-

Disaster Mitigation, the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program (HMGP), Public Assistance

(PA), and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. The data the program provides also contributes to responsible planning and decision-making by other government agencies, elected officials, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), land developers, property owners, and more reducing loss of life and property.

Risk MAP, as part of the NFIP, has many benefits to communities and the nation. These benefits are described in 1) Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report, National

Institute of Building Sciences, December 2017. 2) Flood Losses Avoided the History of the

National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA, July 2019. 3) Building Codes Save: A

Nationwide Study, Losses Avoided as a Result of Adopting Hazard-Resistant Building

Codes, FEMA, November 2020. The direct outputs of the Risk MAP program identify risk and are intended to be used to mitigate future risk. The accrued benefits of the Risk MAP program lie in how its direct outputs are used to mitigate risk such as utilizing the data to apply for other mitigation grant programs like BRIC, etc. As such, the main objective in

Risk MAP for serving disadvantaged communities receiving data is to be able to tailor the type of product received and training and support provided. The Risk MAP program focuses on the priorities shown in Table 1 for FY23 to determine where data is needed to be developed or updated. When that data is developed in a community identified as

1 M-21-28 (whitehouse.gov) https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2021/07/20/the-path-to-achieving-justice40/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/M-21-28.pdf disadvantaged as determined in the White House’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening tool (CEJST), the Risk MAP program will focus on more in-depth conversations with the community to ensure the product delivered is usable and identify where additional training or resources may be needed to allow the community to ensure resilience. The CTP program as one delivery mechanism of the Risk MAP program will adhere to these objectives in its delivery.

The CTP is one mechanism that FEMA uses to deliver Risk MAP to communities. CTPs develop flood hazard data and maps for communities that have never had identified risks, build on effective flood hazard data and flood insurance rate maps (FIRMS), and increase public awareness of flood risk and potential mitigation options to reduce that risk and better inform planning. Over the course of FY22, CTPs processed over 200 Letters of Map Change, delivered Flood Insurance Rate Maps to 307 communities for review and initiated approximately 40,000 miles of stream studies to be updated.

Additional information about Risk MAP (including goals, strategies, progress, and success stories), can be found on FEMA’s website at Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk

MAP) | FEMA.gov.

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

c. Priorities

The CTP program supports the FY 2023 Risk MAP Program Priorities shown below as they continue to sharpen our focus on advancing mitigation actions and prioritizing the technical credibility of data and community engagement throughout the Risk MAP lifecycle. As such, CTP’s FY 2023 approach will continue to focus on the following Risk MAP Program

Priorities:

• Maintaining 80% new, validated, or updated engineering (NVUE) data - The

NVUE metric is used to measure data quality by ensuring that flood hazard data is new, has been updated, or is deemed to be still valid through a continuous review and update process. NVUE metrics distinguish between engineering studies that adequately identify the level of flood risk (known as Valid) from those that need restudy (known as Unverified). The Risk MAP program is responsible for ensuring 80% of the Nation’s flood hazard data is current.

• Advancing Ongoing Risk MAP Projects - The initiation of work to maintain 80%

NVUE is one part of the mapping process. However, as the entire process takes six to eight years to complete, we need to invest in advancing the current backlog of projects to deliver them to communities. CTPs support this effort to take projects previously funded up to a certain phase and focusing efforts this grant season on funding and completing the remainder of the work for those areas.

• Addressing Remaining Statute Requirements - The Risk MAP Program is still addressing statutory requirements from The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance

Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). These requirements include, but are not limited to, mapping currently unmapped areas of possible population growth, mapping areas of residual risk (in areas protected by levees, dams, and other flood control https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources/risk-map https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources/risk-map https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/guidance-partners/cooperating-technical-partners structures), mapping inundation areas (resulting from failure of levees, dams, and other flood control structures), and mapping future conditions.

• Ensure equitable determination and delivery of products to communities in a tailored way based on their needs, including for disadvantaged communities whom the Justice40 Initiative aims to ensure receive benefits from this program.

Focusing on these areas will allow Risk MAP to continue to meet our key program measures and external reporting commitments, while providing the necessary management tools to assess performance and demonstrate Risk MAP’s value and effectiveness to program sponsors and stakeholders.

The CTP program helps achieve the Risk MAP measures and targets for FY 2023 which are provided in Table 1 below. The Regional Targets for the Risk MAP measures below were developed in partnership with FEMA Regional Offices. Any changes to these established targets will be based on joint Headquarters – Regional discussions.

Table 1. Fiscal Year 2023 Targets for Risk MAP Measures

Region

New

Validated or

Updated

Engineering

(NVUE)

Miles

Projects to be

Fully

Funded with

FY23

Budget

Projects

Forecasted to

Preliminary

Issuance

Projects

Forecasted to Letter of

Final

Determinat ion (LFD)

Mapping

Unmapped

Miles

2D Data

Developm ent

(linear miles)

2D Data

Develop ment

(square miles)

R1 152 7 7 7 290 - -

R2 1,857 3 11 4 643 2,865 -

R3 450 15 17 12 300 600 582

R4 5,000 11 42 25 3,050 5,000 -

R5 1,000 18 28 29 4,003 - 20,573

R6 920 9 8 15 2,427 25,938 27,415

R7 3,500 34 15 10 55 6,093 -

R8 5,221 28 5 9 21,385 24,607 -

R9 6,155 6 13 7 5,909 6,135 -

R10 1,124 13 3 13 722 1,778 -

Total 25,379 144 149 131 38,784 73,016 48,570

11. Performance Measures

The CTP program supports the establishment or update of flood-risk zone data in areas being updated via Risk MAP projects and makes estimates with respect to the rates of probable flood caused loss for the various flood risk zones for these projects. The program added the requirement for Performance Measures in 2015, which help track and quantify the effectiveness of the program. They ensure that FEMA has better visibility on the timeliness, adherence to standards, fiscal responsibility, and quality issues associated with projects.

Please refer to Appendix D: Performance Measure References for the suggested CTP performance metrics

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $95,000,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 130

3. Period of Performance:

25 Months for Program Management, Community Outreach and Mitigation Strategies, Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Review Projects, and Special Projects as defined in Appendix C:

CTP Project Categories and Requirements

49 Months for Technical Hazard Identification, Risk Analysis, and Mapping Projects as defined in Appendix C: CTP Project Categories and Requirements.

An extension to the period of performance is permitted. Please see Section H of this NOFO for details on the steps recipients must follow to request an extension and what information must be included in the justification for an extension to be considered.

FEMA awards 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.”

4. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2023

5. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2025 and 09/30/2027

6. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

The CTP program provides federal assistance through a cooperative agreement to eligible recipients to perform various projects and activities that stimulate and support the ability of

NFIP state coordinating agencies and NFIP-participating communities (as defined in 44

C.F.R. § 59.1) to continue their ongoing regulatory NFIP responsibilities as well as support the ability of states, communities, and the public and private sectors to mitigate flood risk.

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

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

FEMA must provide substantial oversight to maintain quality control of deliverables and to ensure accountability for appropriate use of CTP program funds. Due to the project complexity and length, FEMA collaborates with the recipient on programmatic activities to minimize risk to the NFIP and local implementation of the Flood Hazard Mapping Program.

Additionally, certain statutory programmatic activities require federal approval and involvement, such as coordination with the Office of the Federal Register to publicize notices of proposed and final flood hazard changes.

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

Program authority and responsibility under cooperative agreements reside with FEMA.

FEMA will work with recipients to review and refine work plans to ensure program goals and objectives can be effectively accomplished. The following bullets provide examples of

FEMA’s substantial involvement in cooperative agreement partnership projects. However, they are not inclusive of all potential FEMA activities. FEMA will participate in CTP cooperative agreements by:

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

• Coordinating and approving technical assistance activities provided to communities to advance mitigation activities.

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

60) as well as any Congressional priorities related to mapping.

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

• Collaborating with the recipient to develop, and/or review and approve, project-related communications and messaging that is considered sensitive or high-profile

(such as media inquiries or congressional inquiries).

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

• Performing National Quality Review checks (QR1-QR8) per Standard 508 in

FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mapping Standards (https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313) to ensure products and deliverables comply with programmatic policies and standards, including audits through FEMA’s Independent

Verification and Validation (IV&V) process for mapping products.

• Providing the base Hazards US (HAZUS) Level 1 National Average Annualized Loss

(AAL) risk assessment for the project area and reviewing and assessing the recipient’s enhanced annualized loss risk assessments and HAZUS model run results.

• Attending community meetings and performing certain statutory or regulatory processing requirements, such as publication of Federal Register notices, Scientific

Review Panel activities as necessary, and distribution of final determination documents.

• Performing activities associated with the post-processing of a Letter of Map Revision

(LOMR), including processing activities undertaken as a result of FEMA’s final determination on a LOMR request such as distribution of final determination documents, publication of Federal Register and newspaper notices, and regulatory appeal period processing.

• Processing regulatory fees associated with Conditional Letters of Map Revision https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/35313

(CLOMRs) and LOMRs that recipients receive for review (note: recipients must forward the fee to FEMA for processing).

The recipient shall not develop or engage in the development of tasks not approved in the

Mapping Activity Statement (MAS) and/or Statement of Work (SOW), without post-award approval from the program office, and the issuance of a cooperative agreement amendment from FEMA. FEMA will monitor the project on a continual basis by maintaining ongoing contact with the recipient and will provide input to the program's direction, in consultation with the recipient, as needed.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible for funding under this the CTP program:

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Federally recognized tribal governments

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

• Institutions of higher education as defined by section 101of the Higher

Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. § 1001)

• Public Housing Authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Special district governments

• Territories

• State governments, including the District of Columbia

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

The recipient and any subrecipients must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations regarding the National Flood Insurance Program, including specifically:

• The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Flood

Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).

• The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–141, 126

Stat. 916).

• The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-89).

• The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Parts 59 through 72.

Potential recipients must have also entered into a signed Partnership Agreement

(Memorandum of Agreement) with FEMA confirming they are a partner in FEMA’s

Cooperating Technical Partners Program to receive funds under the CTP program. The details for how to enter into a Partnership Agreement with FEMA are described under

Appendix B: Establishing a Partnership Agreement.

In addition, an applicant must meet the following additional eligibility criteria to qualify for federal assistance through a cooperative agreement under the

CTP program. The recipient must have:

• The capability to comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/7277 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2010-title42/USCODE-2010-title42-chap50-sec4001 https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-%20congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4348/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-%20bill/3370/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22publiclaw11%203-89%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1 https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3370/text/pl?overview=closed https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2011-title44-vol1/CFR-2011-title44-vol1-chapI-subchapB-subjectgroup-id467 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2011-title44-vol1/CFR-2011-title44-vol1-chapI-subchapB-subjectgroup-id467 terms and conditions for accepting and managing grants or cooperative agreements, including the systems and processes necessary for appropriate management of federal funds;

• Demonstrated capability and capacity to perform, implement, or contract the activities for which it is applying. This demonstrated ability may be indicated through (but not limited to) a FEMA review of the products or support previously prepared or provided by the recipient and the existing processes or systems the recipient intends to use for program-related activities. If the work for any portion of an activity is contracted, the recipient of the award must have in-house staff with the technical capability to monitor the contractor(s) and approve the product(s) developed by the contractor(s). For the purpose of these awards: “capability” means demonstrated experience in the performance of, or management through contracting of, similar activities;

• Evidence of continued maintenance, through non-federal funds, of the processes or systems in place to support the collection, development, evaluation, dissemination, and communication of flood hazard and risk assessment data and mapping (e.g., continued data collection related to changes in flood hazards and development in flood-prone areas;

continued upgrades to data collection or mapping capabilities to incorporate new technologies; preparation of multiple-year mapping or data collection plans; maintenance of hardware, software, licenses, and certifications, etc., necessary to complete, review, monitor and report on the work);

• The ability to achieve CTP program performance metrics outlined in

Appendix D: Performance Reporting References, and the Federal

Award Administration Information of this NOFO and provide timely and accurate reports to FEMA documenting performance and achievements; and

• The recipient must perform and manage work, when applicable, in

FEMA’s Mapping Information Platform (MIP) and update the activities within the MIP every 30 days in the Studies Workflow, and more frequently within the Revisions Workflow. Where the award activities are not capable of being performed and managed within a MIP workflow, the recipient is expected to develop and report on cost and performance schedules. In order to obtain access to FEMA’s Risk

Analysis Management systems including the MIP, the recipient must have a FEMA-approved Information Sharing Access Agreement

(ISAA).

3. Cost Share or Match

Cost Share or Match not required, but may be used as a non-mandatory preference factor

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 04/26/2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: 06/19/2023 at 5:00:00 PM

(Eastern Daylight Time)

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

FEMA’s Grants Outcomes System (FEMA GO) automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives the application. The individual with the Authorized Organization

Representative role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission. 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 the following: 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 technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the

FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 611-4700, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Management 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 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 08/30/2023 mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/15/2023

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

Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.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.

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Register in the System for

Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR 25.110, must:

1) Be registered in Sam.Gov before application submission.

2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in its application.

3) Continue to always maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration with current information during the Federal Award process.

5. 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 Initial registration in SAM.gov includes UEI issuance

Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining a valid Employer

Identification Number (EIN) Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Creating an account with login.gov Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in SAM or Updating

SAM registration Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Registering in FEMA GO Six weeks before actual submission deadline

Submitting the final application in

FEMA GO

By the submission deadline https://go.fema.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 and Employer

Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

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

Organizational Representative (AOR). The organization’s electronic business point of contact (EBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607;

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

g. 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.

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

6. 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/ https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 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 applications through

FEMA GO.

7. How to Register to Apply

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.

b. Obtain an 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

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.

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.

file:///C:/Users/rsalsbur/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/3T14KI4A/sam.gov 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 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

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. Organizations will be issued a UEI number with the completed SAM registration.

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 an 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, and 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.

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. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

Applicants must register in FEMA GO and add their organization to the system. The organization’s electronic business point of contact (EBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607.

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

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox 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 https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA GO.

g. Track Role Status:

To track your role request, refer to:

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

h. Electronic Signature:

When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR;

this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

8. Submitting the Final Application

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) may be accessed in 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.

After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the AOR that submitted the application. Applicants using slow internet connections, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before FEMA GO receives your application.

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

All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives the application. The individual with the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission on the date and time that FEMA GO received the application.

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

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The

Standard Forms (SF) are also available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction)

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Indirect Cost Agreement or Proposal 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, or contact the relevant

FEMA staff identified in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact

Information” for further instructions.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

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

GO:

Funding in FY 2023 for CTP cooperative agreements in support of Risk MAP measures includes the following project categories, which are explained in more detail in Appendix C:

CTP Project Categories and Requirements of this NOFO:

• Program Management (PM)

• Community Outreach and Mitigation Strategies (COMS)

• Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Review Activities

• Special Project(s)

• Technical Hazard Identification, Risk Analysis and Mapping

To qualify as complete, applicants must coordinate with their respective FEMA Regional or HQ representative identified in Section G: DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information in this NOFO in advance of applying, and the application must include the documents described below.

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

a) Partnership Agreement; and

b) MAS or SOW.

a) Partnership Agreement https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

The application must include a copy of the recipient’s signed Partnership Agreement with

FEMA. The Partnership Agreement is a prerequisite to any further activities under the

CTP program. The Partnership Agreement is discussed in greater detail in Section C:

Eligibility Information in this NOFO.

b) Mapping Activity Statement (MAS)/Scope of Work (SOW)

For all project categories, recipients are encouraged to work with FEMA in advance of the application to understand FEMA program priorities, objectives and measures, and to identify specific tasks to undertake in FY 2023. In support of program objectives, FEMA may provide technical assistance, training, and/or data to a recipient to enhance the activities within the project categories outlined above. Any funds FEMA provides through a cooperative agreement to complete project activities are in addition to the leveraged resources and data, which may be provided by the recipient to complete the tasks agreed upon in the SOW or MAS. When awarded a cooperative agreement through the CTP program in support of program objectives and to advance program measures, the recipient must comply with the requirements outlined in this announcement, the terms and conditions of the award (previously referred to as the Articles of Agreement), as well as the Partnership Agreement and the associated FEMA-approved SOW or MAS.

As a recipient and FEMA collaborate to identify specific activities to perform under their

Partnership Agreement, they will develop an MAS or SOW to define the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in a flood risk project (see Section E: Application

Review Information in this NOFO for additional information).

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

Section C: Eligibility Information in this NOFO.

11. Other Submission Requirements

The application must include a copy of the draft SOW and/or MAS which will be finalized…