FY23 FEMA NEHRP Individual State Earthquake Assistance.pdf

FY 2023 ISEA NOFO Back to the Top

The Department of Homeland Security Notice of Funding Opportunity

Fiscal Year 2023 Individual State Earthquake Assistance

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the SAM 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: $2,145,416.00

2. Projected Number of Awards: 23

3. Maximum Award Amount: $721,905.00

4. Period of Performance: 18 months

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): Aug. 1, 2023

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): Jan. 31, 2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

a. Application Start Date: May 8, 2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: June 7, 2023 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than July 10, 2023

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than July 24, 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 Unique Entity Identifier (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. Electronic Signature:

8. Submitting the Final Application in FEMA GO

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. Intergovernmental Review

12. 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. Other Direct 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 F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Pass-Through Requirements

3. 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

4. Reporting

a. Financial Reporting Requirements

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements

d. Additional Reporting Requirements

5. 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. 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 Title 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. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

9. Actions to Address Noncompliance

10. Audits

11. Payment Information

12. Whole Community Preparedness

13. Appendix A - Vision, Mission, Strategic Goals, and Program Responsibilities

a. Vision

b. Mission

c. Strategic Goals

d. Program Responsibilities

14. Appendix B – Programmatic Information

a. Eligible States and Territories

b. Allowable Activities

c. Monitoring and Enhanced Monitoring Plan

d. Performance Measures

e. General Conditions

f. General Performance Measures for Allowable Activities

g. Performance Progress Report Template

a. Performance Progress Report Schedule

15. Appendix C - Sample Performance Progress Report

16. Appendix D - Combined Master Schedule/Deliverable Table Example

17. Appendix E - ISEA Grant Program Statement of Work

18. Appendix F - Template Grant Budget

19. Appendix G - Sample Logic Model

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Resilience/Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)/Risk Management Directorate/Planning, Safety, and Building Sciences Division/Earthquake and Wind Programs Branch

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.082

3. Assistance Listings Title Earthquake State Assistance

4. Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year 2023 Individual State Earthquake Assistance (ISEA)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

FEMA Region 2 DHS-23-MT-082-02-99 FEMA Region 4 DHS-23-MT-082-04-99 FEMA Region 5 DHS-23-MT-082-05-99 FEMA Region 6 DHS-23-MT-082-06-99 FEMA Region 7 DHS-23-MT-082-07-99 FEMA Region 8 DHS-23-MT-082-08-99 FEMA Region 9 DHS-23-MT-082-09-99 FEMA Region 10 DHS-23-MT-082-10-99

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Sections 7704 (a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(a)(i) and (b)(2)(B) of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-124 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C.

Section 7704 et seq.).

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law No. 117-328, Division F).

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Category Mitigation

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) seeks to mitigate earthquake losses in the United States through basic and directed research and implementation activities in the fields of earthquake science and engineering. NEHRP is a multi-agency program coordinated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, FEMA, the United States https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2011-title42/USCODE-2011-title42-chap86-sec7704 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2011-title42/USCODE-2011-title42-chap86-sec7704 https://www.nehrp.gov/

Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation. The NEHRP program supports the mission area of the FY2020-2024 DHS Strategic Plan titled “Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience,” as well as the national preparedness goal of mitigation, as provided in the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-8). NEHRP also supports the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, by contributing to the accomplishment of Strategic Goal 3: Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation.

Participation in the FEMA NEHRP Individual State Earthquake Assistance Grant Program (hereby after “ISEA Grant Program”) is limited to those states and territories that have been determined to be at a High to Very High risk of earthquakes. Participation in this funding opportunity is further limited to those states and territories that can provide the statutory 25% non-federal cost share. The cost share requirement does not apply to those territories that are considered "Insular Areas" (Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and otherwise eligible for program participation. See Section C below for additional details.

b. Objectives The program prioritizes reducing the risks to life and property from future earthquakes in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program. The program goals are:

• Advance the understanding of earthquake processes and their consequences.

• Enhance existing and develop new information, tools and practices for protecting the nation from earthquake consequences.

• Promote the dissemination of knowledge and implementation of tools, practices, and policies that enhance strategies to withstand, respond to, and recover from earthquakes.

• Learn from post-earthquake investigations to enhance the effectiveness of available information, tools, practices and policies to improve earthquake resilience.

c. Priorities

• Work with Model Building Codes and National Consensus Standards to promote implementation of research results.

• Develop and maintain Seismic Resistant Design and Construction Guidance and Tools (books, software, training) for new and existing structures, including Performance Based Seismic Design Guidelines.

• Program Implementation and Outreach (awareness campaigns, media, articles, initiatives).

• Support multi-state groups.

• Support for State Earthquake Programs.

• Disaster Support (Subject-Matter Expert, post-event studies) in accordance with the

FEMA Disaster Response Framework, Earthquake Incident Annex and other applicable policies.

• Support Standards for Critical Lifelines Infrastructure.

d. Accomplishments Support of Seismic Mitigation Planning; Developing inventories and seismic safety inspections of critical structures and lifeline infrastructure; Updating building codes, zoning codes, and ordinances to enhance seismic safety; Activities that increase earthquake awareness and education; Participating in emergency management exercises that 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 substantially benefit earthquake mitigation efforts; Promotion of earthquake insurance;

Monitoring the disaster-resistant provisions of the Nation’s model building codes; Support for the NETAP; Support for the development of multi-state groups to support the goals of

NEHRP.

11. Performance Measures

See Appendix B - Programmatic Information, for detailed performance measurement information.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $2,145,416.00

See Appendix B - Programmatic Information, for State Allocations.

2. Projected Number of Awards: 23

3. Maximum Award Amount: $721,905.00

4. Period of Performance: 18 months

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

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

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): Aug. 1, 2023

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): Jan. 31, 2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

See Appendix B - Programmatic Information, for a complete list of all eligible states and territories.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Determination of Risk. This funding opportunity is provided to those states and territories that have been determined to be at a high or very high risk of earthquakes. This determination is made and published annually by FEMA as the State Assistance Target Allocation Plan. The FY 2023 plan determination is based on the Seismic Design Category (SDC) per the 2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures FEMA P-2082, American Society of Civil Engineers and Structural Engineering Institute ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, as shown in the International Code Council (ICC) approved 2024 IBC SDC https://www.fema.gov/node/nehrp-recommended-seismic-provisions-new-buildings-and-other-structures https://www.fema.gov/node/nehrp-recommended-seismic-provisions-new-buildings-and-other-structures https://www.asce.org/asce-7/ https://www.asce.org/asce-7/ https://www.asce.org/asce-7/ map and at-risk population in a state. A state of high earthquake risk (with areas in the state boundary designated as SDC D or above per the 2024 IBC SDC map and at-risk population more than 50,000 based on 2020 US Census population), OR more than 1000 square miles of high seismic area (SDC D or above per 2024 IBC SDC map) will be eligible for a baseline amount plus an additional risk-based award amount. Applicants should be aware that changes in areas of earthquake hazard within the state and changes in population size affect the determination.

The additional amount is in proportion to the state’s Annualized Earthquake Loss, which is from the FEMA P-366 HAZUS Estimated Annualized Earthquake Losses for the United States.

3. Cost Share or Match

Recipients must provide 25% of the costs of the activities for which assistance is being given.

The cost share requirement does not apply to those territories that are considered "Insular Areas" (Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and otherwise eligible for program participation.

For a cost share, the recipient contribution is calculated based on total project cost as:

• The value of the federal contribution in US$ divided by the federal contribution in percent. This requires a two-step calculation.

• For example, if a program requires a 25% cost share and the federal contribution is

$75,000 then:

o Step 1: The federal contribution is 100% - 25% = 75% o Step 2: The recipient contribution is calculated as $100,000 (total project cost) x 25% (cost share requirement) = $25,000.

o The non-federal cost share in this example is $25,000.

See Appendix B - Programmatic Information, for individual state cost share amounts.

4. Third-Party In-Kind Contributions

States and territories may use third-party in-kind contributions to meet the 25% cost share requirement. Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.96 describes in-kind contributions as the value of non-cash contributions (i.e., property or services) that – (a) Benefit a federally assisted project or program; and (b) Are contributed by non-federal third parties, without charge, to a non-federal entity under a federal award.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: May 8, 2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: June 7, 2023 at 5 p.m. Eastern 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 notice.

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 before 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 notice, “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, 8a.m. – 6 p.m. 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 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than July 10, 2023

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than July 24, 2023

e. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Initial registration in SAM.gov includes UEI issuance Four weeks before actual submission deadline 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 FEMA GO Four weeks before actual submission deadline Starting application in FEMA GO One week before actual submission deadline Submitting the final application in FEMA GO By the submission deadline mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

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 notice, “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 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:

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 https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.login.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 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 Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 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 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.

mailto:askcsid@fema.dhs.gov

b. Obtain an Unique Entity Identifier (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.

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. Section 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 https://usfema.sharepoint.com/teams/FIMARMD/PSBSD/EWPB/EWPB%20Documents/3.%20NEHRP/5.%20State%20Assistance%20Grant%20Program/2.%20Grants%20Management%20Information/2.%20NOFOs/FY%202023%20NOFOs/Drafts/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 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 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

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

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

g. 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 in FEMA GO

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.

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

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 notice.

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.

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 notice, “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 notice, “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:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

• Work Plan Narrative: A summary (narrative) of an applicant’s Work Plan for grant funding that identifies the strategies, goals, and proposed activities and elements demonstrating enhanced seismic safety must be submitted. Work Plans must include expected products and measurable improvements associated with proposed activities, as identified below. Work Plans must also include any intended sub-award plans (see Appendix E – ISEA Grant Program Statement of Work).

• Master Schedule/Deliverable Table: A sample table that combines both is found in

Appendix D – Combined Master Schedule/Delivery Table Example. This one document will combine a schedule of planned activities with milestones and expected dates for completion, along with their associated deliverables (i.e. people trained, publications distributed, conferences/workshops/drills held, policies made, website improvements, etc.)

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

The budget must be completed within the FEMA GO at the time of application for an application to be submitted. The budget must be complete, reasonable and cost-effective in relation to the proposed project. The budget should provide the basis of computation of all project-related costs, any appropriate narrative, and a detailed justification of Management and Administrative (M&A) costs. To prepare the Grant Budget, the grantee must use Earned Value Management methodology to report the Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (Projected Costs), and the Actual Cost of Work Performed. The Grant Budget shall be prepared with Work Breakdown Structure cost categories. Tasks and sub-tasks will be categorized in terms of discrete effort and shall correlate directly with the work plan master schedule and deliverables identified in the work plan delivery table. Use a monthly spreadsheet provided by the respective FEMA Regional Earthquake Program Manager. ISEA Grant Program applicants may obtain a sample budget spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel source file) from the FEMA Regional Earthquake Program Manager. A template is available in Appendix F - Sample Grant Budget. Funds will not be made available for obligation, expenditure, or drawdown until the applicant’s budget and budget narrative have been approved by FEMA.

• Outcomes Report/Logic Model: The applicant must include an initial Outcomes

Report/Logic Model that includes all proposed activities (see Appendix G – Sample Logic Model). Only the “Activities” and “Inputs” need to be included in the initial Logic Model.

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;

www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf ).

12. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs All costs charged to awards covered by this funding notice must comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf%20).

unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO, or the terms and conditions of the award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered, within the period of performance of the award. See 2 C.F.R. Section 200.403(h) (referring to budget periods, which for FEMA awards 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 notice, the terms and condition of an award, or other program materials, costs charged to awards covered by this notice must be consistent with the Cost Principles for Federal Awards located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. In order to be allowable, all costs charged to a FEMA award or applied to the cost share must be reasonable in nature and amount and allocable to the particular FEMA award.

Additionally, all costs charged to awards must comply with the grant program’s applicable statutes, policies, requirements in this 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.

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.

Sections 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 Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services FEMA Policy #405-143-1, or superseding document.

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_prohibitions-expending-fema-award-funds-covered-telecommunications-equipment-services.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_prohibitions-expending-fema-award-funds-covered-telecommunications-equipment-services.pdf

Additional guidance is available at Contract Provisions Guide: Navigating Appendix II to Part 200 - Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards (fema.gov).

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

• 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

• 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. DEFINITIONS

Per section 889(f)(2)-(3) of the FY 2019 NDAA and 2 C.F.R. Section 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);

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. Section 200.471.

b. Pre-Award Costs Pre-Award costs are not allowed under this program.

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs M&A activities are those directly relating to the management and administration of Individual State Earthquake Assistance funds, such as financial management and monitoring.

M&A costs are not operational costs. They are the necessary costs incurred in direct support 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 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_6-14-2021.pdf of the grant or as a consequence of the grant and should be allocated across the entire lifecycle of the grant. ISEA Grant Program recipients may retain a maximum of 5 percent of Individual State Earthquake Assistance funds awarded for M&A purposes associated with the Individual State Earthquake Assistance award. An organization partnering with a recipient (limit one per recipient) may in turn retain 5% of the subaward they receive from the recipient for M&A purposes.

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. Section 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. Applicants who do not have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to the FEMA Regional Earthquake Program Manager for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an indirect cost rate must also reach out to the FEMA Regional Earthquake Program Manager for further instructions.

e. Other Direct Costs The following conditions/restrictions apply to Direct Costs:

i. Planning related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this notice.

ii. Personnel costs are allowed under this program only as described in this notice.

iii. Training related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this notice.

iv. Exercise related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this notice

(see Appendix B – Programmatic Information).

v. Domestic travel costs are allowed under this program only as described in this notice.

vi. Equipment costs are NOT allowed under this program.

vii. International travel is NOT allowed under this program unless approved in advance

viii. otherwise by FEMA.

ix. Construction and renovation costs are NOT allowed under this program.

x. Earth Science related costs are NOT allowed under this program.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

FEMA will review all applications to ensure compliance with all conditions stated in this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Once FEMA has determined that the application is eligible and complete, FEMA will make funding decisions based on the agency’s NEHRP responsibilities, and the most effective use of available funds as indicated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov.

The following Programmatic Criteria will apply:

• The applicant has proposed developing and implementing only those Activities described in Appendix B – Programmatic Information, of this Notice of Funding Opportunity. The applicant demonstrates the expertise and experience necessary to develop, communicate, implement, and manage the activities proposed in their application Work Plan.

• The applicant’s proposed Work Plan includes all requested information and employs realistic timetables; proposed projects are deliverable, sustainable and consistent with the goals and objectives of ISEA.

• The application contains all documents and all information as described in this Notice of Funding Opportunity and as explained in Part D. Application and Submission Information. Specific note should be taken regarding the Program Office requirements under Section D. 10 Content and Form of Application Submissions.

• The applicant proposes costs that are allowable, reasonable and cost-effective in relation to proposed activities.

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

Prior to making a federal award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. Section 3354, as enacted by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-117 (2020); 41 U.S.C.

Section 2313; and 2 C.F.R. Section 200.206 to review information available through any Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-designated repositories of governmentwide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, including whether the applicant is suspended or debarred. FEMA may also pose additional questions to the applicant to aid in conducting the pre-award risk review. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

i. Financial stability;

ii. Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards;

iii. History of performance in managing federal award;

iv. Reports and findings from audits; and

v. Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review Prior to making a federal award where the anticipated total federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000:

i. FEMA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant, including information on the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors, if applicable, that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through the System for Award Management (SAM), which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered.

https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/#/home https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/#/home

iii. FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R.

Section 200.206.

2. Review and Selection Process

FEMA Regional Earthquake Program Managers, professionally and technically serving as subject matter experts of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, will evaluate and select applications for funding. Applicants will be evaluated for funding based on the following:

• The applicant demonstrates the expertise necessary (education, training and/or experience of project staff) to develop and implement activities proposed in support of the goals and objectives of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

• The applicant’s proposed work plan employs realistic timetables; proposed projects are deliverable, sustainable and consistent with the goals and objectives of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

• The applicant proposes costs that are…