FY24 ST RLF NOFO_508 compliant_12-12-2023.pdf

FY 2024 Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF NOFO Back to the Top

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

Fiscal Year 2024 Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program

SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF KEY INFORMATION

SAFEGUARDING TOMORROW RLF PROGRAM

Program Overview

Fiscal Year 2024 Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund (Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF) program, part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant portfolio, provides unique hazard mitigation funding opportunities to local governments. This program supports mitigation projects at the local government level and increase the Nation’s resilience to natural hazards and climate change.

Eligible entities (refer to eligible applicants below) will use capitalization grants to administer a revolving loan fund from which they will provide direct loans to local governments for hazard mitigation projects.

Goals and Objective

The objective of the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is to provide funding to entities to establish a revolving loan fund for local governments to complete hazard mitigation projects and activities that will reduce risks from natural hazards for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities in order to decrease the loss of life and property; the cost of insurance; and federal disaster payments.

Eligible Projects Entities will use Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program grants to administer revolving loan funds and provide loans for projects and activities that mitigate the impacts of natural hazards. Eligible projects and activities for loan funding include construction or modification of natural or built infrastructure to increase resilience, building code adoption and enforcement, local zoning and land use planning changes encouraging low-impact development or watershed-level planning, and developing local hazard mitigation plans.

Deadlines NOFO Availability Window Start Date: 11/13/2023 NOFO Availability Window End Date: 1/15/2025 Application Start Date: 2/1/2024 Application Submission Deadline: 4/30/2024 at 5:00 PM ET

Funding Amount Available Funding for the NOFO: $150,000,000 Eligible Applicants

Any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Tribal Nations having received a direct major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act

SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF KEY INFORMATION

SAFEGUARDING TOMORROW RLF PROGRAM

Cost Share No less than 10 percent

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.

Updates in Grant Application Forms:

The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by SAM.gov. This new identifier is the Unique Entity Identifier.

Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov:

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

Table of Contents 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: $ 150,000,000.00

2. Period of Performance: 24 months from date of award

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): Will vary by award

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 24 months from date of award unless otherwise approved by FEMA

5. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Cost Share or Match

4. Entity Loan Fund 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

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 02/01/2024

b. Application Submission Deadline: 04/30/2024 at 5:00:00 PM ET

c. 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 through Grants.gov

a. General Instructions:

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number

d. Create a login.gov account:

e. Register with SAM:

f. Create a Grants.gov Account:

g. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account:

h. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles:

i. Track Role Status:

j. Electronic Signature:

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

a. Create a Workspace:

b. Complete a Workspace:

c. Adobe Reader:

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms:

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First:

f. Submit a Workspace:

g. Track a Workspace:

h. Additional Training and Applicant Support:

9. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants

10. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

11. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

12. Intergovernmental Review

13. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services

b. Entity Loan Fund

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

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

e. Funding Restrictions

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. 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

d. Davis-Bacon Act and Labor Standards

e. Mandatory Disclosures

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. FEMA Grants News

c. FEMA Regional Offices

d. Equal Rights

e. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

2. Systems Information

a. Grants.gov

b. Non-Disaster (ND) Grants

c. Payment and Reporting System (PARS)

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. Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure

a. Build America, Buy America Act

b. Waivers

c. Definitions

8. Record Retention

a. Record Retention Period

b. Types of Records to Retain

9. Actions to Address Noncompliance

10. Audits

11. Payment Information

12. Whole Community Preparedness

13. Report issues of fraud, waste, abuse

14. Hazard-Resistant Building Codes

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/ Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration/ Mitigation Division/Policy, Tools and Training Branch

2. Assistance Listings Number

97.139

3. Assistance Listings Title Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year 2024 Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-24-STORM-139-00-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program Section 205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), as amended (Pub. L. No. 93-288) (42 U.S.C. § 5135).

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Division J, Title V of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 117-58, 135 Stat. 1386–1387) (2021).

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Category Mitigation: Natural Hazards

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 5135, FEMA will provide grants to capitalize revolving loan funds which may be used to provide loans to finance various types of hazard mitigation projects to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters. Through the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund (Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF) program, eligible entities (refer to Section C.1) will use these capitalization grants to establish a revolving loan fund (referred to herein as an entity loan fund) from which they will provide direct loans to local governments for projects and activities that mitigate the impacts of drought, intense heat, severe storms (including hurricanes, tornadoes, wind storms, cyclones, and severe winter storms), wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. Eligible activities may include the construction or modification of natural or built infrastructure to increase resilience and reduce risk of harm. A full description of allowable costs under this NOFO is provided in Section D.13. Entity loan funds will be programmatically and financially administered by the respective entity. FEMA will monitor the administration of the entity loan funds during the period of performance per the reporting requirements described in Section F.3 and will continue to monitor administration of the entity loan funds after the capitalization grant closeout via biennial audits (described in Section G.10) and post-closeout reporting (described in Section F.3.c.i). Under 42 U.S.C. § 5135(h)(3)(C), FEMA may make recommendations for or require specific changes as needed to improve the effectiveness of the funds.

FEMA received $100 million annually from 2022-2026 for this grant program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). FEMA is making funding available through multiple Notices of Funding Opportunity until these funds are expended.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant portfolio to support mitigation projects at the local government level and increase the Nation’s resilience to natural hazards and climate change. Entity loan funds can be leveraged differently than other funding opportunities to meet unique funding needs. This program will support entity-led hazard mitigation priorities and allow participating entities to meet their funding needs as described in the entity’s Intended Use Plan (see Section D.11.b).

Such needs may include but are not limited to: meeting non-Federal cost-share requirements for other grants; upfront project design costs; smaller projects that may not qualify for other HMA grant programs; or projects that do not meet the cost-effectiveness requirements applicable for other programs.

For more detailed program information, please go to Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program (https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/storm-rlf).

b. Goals, Objectives, and Priorities

The objective of the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is to capitalize or recapitalize applicant-established revolving loan funds that will provide loans to local governments most in need of financing assistance to complete hazard mitigation projects and activities that will reduce risks from natural hazards for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities in order to decrease the loss of life and property; the cost of insurance; and federal disaster payments.

FEMA’s primary priority for the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is to capitalize multiple revolving loan funds that will provide local governments most in need of financing assistance with low-interest loans to finance hazard mitigation projects in their entirety, or the non-federal cost share requirement for other FEMA HMA grants (see Section D.13 for more information). Other priorities include collaborating with participating entities to understand programmatic capacity and capability needs; promoting equity in the distribution of loan funds; and supporting the delivery of innovative and transformational hazard mitigation projects addressing the priorities established in 42 U.S.C. § 5135 (d)(3).

c. Alignment to Program Purpose and the DHS and FEMA Strategic Plan https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/storm-rlf

FEMA’s primary priority for the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is to capitalize multiple revolving loan funds that will provide local governments most in need of financing assistance with low-interest loans to finance hazard mitigation projects in their entirety, or the non-federal cost share requirement for other FEMA HMA grants (see Section D.13 for more information). Other priorities include collaborating with participating entities to understand programmatic capacity and capability needs; promoting equity in the distribution of loan funds; and supporting the delivery of innovative and transformational hazard mitigation projects addressing the priorities established in 42 U.S.C. § 5135 (d)(3).

The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program aligns with the goal of promoting resilience and adaptation in light of current risks, including those posed by climate change, and Goal 5 of the 2020-2024 DHS Strategic Plan (https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024): Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience.

Specifically, Objective 5.1: Build a National Culture of Preparedness has several sub-objectives that the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program supports. The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program serves primarily to bolster Sub-Objective 5.1.1: Incentivize investments that reduce risk and increase pre-disaster mitigation, including expanding the use of insurance to manage risk through funding hazard mitigation projects, particularly ones that reduce risk to infrastructure. By focusing on increasing resilience and reducing harm to built infrastructure, this program will help residents of disadvantaged1 communities,2 who might be at heightened risk as a result of current hazards, including those associated with climate change. Additionally, all Tribal Nations3 are considered disadvantaged communities for the purposes of this program.

The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan (https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan) outlines three goals that address key challenges in emergency management: Goal 1 - Instill equity as a foundation of emergency management, Goal 2 - Lead the whole of community in climate resilience, and Goal 3 - Promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation. The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program specifically supports 2022-2026 Strategic Plan Objective 1.2: Remove barriers to FEMA programs through a people first approach, Objective 1.3: Achieve equitable outcomes for those we serve, and Objective 2.2: Build a climate resilient nation.

1 Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, 86 Fed. Reg., 7619 (Feb. 1, 2021), set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain covered federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities, which benefit from the Justice40 Initiative. Under the Addendum to the Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative, M-21-28, on using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), agencies should use the CEJST to geographically identify disadvantaged communities. For the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program, the CEJST methodology should be used to define a community as disadvantaged. The methodology, data, and indicators CEJST uses to define disadvantaged communities can be found here:

https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/methodology.

2 Communities are defined at the census tract level.

3 The term “Tribal Nation,” as used in this NOFO, has the same meaning as “Indian Tribal government,” as defined at 42 U.S.C. § 5122(6).

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/department-homeland-securitys-strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024 https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan https://www.fema.gov/about/strategic-plan https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/methodology

The program framework has incorporated key components of FEMA’s agency-wide strategic priorities to minimize administrative burden on entities. At the grant level, FEMA will leverage the technical assistance allowable under 42 U.S.C. § 5135 (d)(2) to work with entities in the application period to develop a more simplified grant application process, while still complying with statutory requirements and equity priorities. Application requirements are provided in more detail in Section C.2 of this NOFO.

11. Performance Measures The performance measures for the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program focus on evaluating the success of the entity loan funds in reaching local governments most in need of financing assistance, and the effectiveness of projects funded. Performance measures align with program objectives throughout and after the Period of Performance (POP). The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program requires entities to effectively monitor and evaluate the revolving loan fund program through four processes, including publication of project information, Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR), an annual audit, and a biennial audit. FEMA will evaluate the performance of the entity loan funds, and under 42 U.S.C. § 5135(h)(3)(C), as needed may make recommendations for or require specific changes to improve the effectiveness of the fund.

Performance evaluation will support execution of the following objectives:

• Fund Administration: Ensure Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF funds are administered efficiently, managed effectively, and maintained in perpetuity. FEMA will measure the efficiency of loan distribution through loans executed as a percent of total available assets. The measurement aims to assess the amount of capitalization grant funding disbursed as loans to local governments throughout the period of performance. FEMA will also monitor additional metrics related to entity loan fund health in areas such as but not limited to program management, staffing capacity and resources, and loan repayment.

• Equitable Distribution of Financing: Use Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF funds to reach local governments most in need of financing assistance, including low-income geographic areas4 and disadvantaged communities. Although the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is not currently included in the Justice40 Initiative, FEMA has included an equity-specific performance measure to align with Executive Order (EO) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad). FEMA will measure the percentage of loans and loan funds distributed in low-income geographic areas and/or disadvantaged communities. A goal of the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is that 40 percent of the overall benefits generated by the entity loan funds flow to disadvantaged communities.

4 Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 5135(m)(5), a “low-income geographic area” is an area, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 3161(a)(1) that meets one of the two following criteria: (1) “the area has a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average”; or (2) “the area has an unemployment rate that is, for the most recent 24-month period for which data are available, at least 1 percent greater than the national average unemployment rate.”

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad

• Effective Project Implementation: Use Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF funds to reduce natural hazards risk and future losses. FEMA will monitor metrics related to project effectiveness in areas such as but not limited to insurance premium reductions, expected avoided losses, and reduction in hazard risk and vulnerability.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF performance measurement process aims to ensure that the program’s intended goals are met. As each loan fund will be revolving in structure and operate beyond the POP of the grant, long-term monitoring is necessary to verify that the program is operating as intended, including monitoring the financial position of the fund and the use of federal dollars. Therefore, evaluating the performance of the fund administration, the promotion of loans going to the local governments most in need of financing assistance, and the effectiveness of projects, require monitoring throughout the life of the fund.

Performance reporting, including requirements after the POP of the grant, are discussed further under Section F.3 of this NOFO.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $ 150,000,000.00

2. Period of Performance: 24 months from date of award

Within the period of performance for capitalization grants awarded under this NOFO, recipients must establish the revolving loan fund, if said fund does not already exist, and utilize the full federal and non-federal share of funding made available to issue loans.

Projects funded by the loans do not need to be completed within the period of performance for capitalization grants. Loans do not need to be fully repaid during the period of performance for capitalization grants.

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

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

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): Will vary by award

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 24 months from date of award unless otherwise approved by FEMA

5. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply for Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program funds.

Tribal Nations having received a direct major disaster declaration under the Robert T.

Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act are also eligible to apply.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, applicants must:

• Provide an Intended Use Plan that has been published by the applicant for review and comment prior to submitting an application, as required by 42 U.S.C. § 5135(g).

• Provide a project proposal list, prior to submitting an application, that results from a public notice of no less than six weeks in length, inviting hazard mitigation project proposals from local governments, as required by 42 U.S.C. § 5135(b)(1)(A).

• Have a FEMA-approved State or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 201 by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of the award.

3. Cost Share or Match Once an applicant receives notification from FEMA of a potential grant award, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 5135(c)(4), the applicant must confirm its intent to contribute not less than 10 percent of the proposed grant to the entity loan fund. If the applicant indicates it will contribute less than 10 percent of the proposed grant amount, FEMA will reduce the amount of the capitalization grant to an amount that is 10 times that of what the applicant proposes to contribute. Thereafter, on or before the date on which the capitalization grant is received, the applicant entity must contribute to the entity loan fund an amount equal to at least 10 percent of the capitalization grant. The source of the entity contribution may include entity programs or budgets, private investment, or other available sources. Entities may not use contributions from potential loan recipients to source the entity contribution. Any source of funding an applicant uses towards the 10 percent contribution must comply with the requirements in 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

4. Entity Loan Fund Prior to receipt of a capitalization grant award, an entity loan fund must be established and thereafter administered by the applicant agency responsible for emergency management, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 5135(c).

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 02/01/2024

b. Application Submission Deadline: 04/30/2024 at 5:00:00 PM ET

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

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

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

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

A list of FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.” For additional assistance using the ND Grants System, please contact the ND Grants Service Desk at (800) 865-4076 or NDGrants@fema.dhs.gov. The ND Grants Service Desk is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). For programmatic or grants management questions, please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Specialist. If applicants do not know who to contact or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact the FEMA Grants Information Desk by e-mail at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR by phone at (800) 368-6498, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

c. Other Key Dates

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 Grants.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline Registering in ND Grants Four weeks before actual submission deadline Starting application in Grants.gov One week before actual submission deadline Submitting the final application in ND Grants By the submission deadline

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award mailto:NDGrants@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 Initial applications are processed through the Grants.gov portal. Final applications are completed and submitted through FEMA’s Non-Disaster Grants (ND Grants) System.

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

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

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.

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

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

b. In the application, provide 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. Create a Grants.gov account;

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

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

h. Register in ND Grants

i. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.login.gov/

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

k. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information, including information on a recipient’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well on all predecessors that have been awarded a federal contract or grant within the last 3 years, if applicable, at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. Applicants are advised that DHS 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 DHS is ready to make a 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 the federal award, DHS 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. Further, following a federal award, a recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of the federal award. If a recipient’s SAM registration expires during the period of performance of the federal award, DHS may take a remedy for noncompliance at 2 C.F.R. § 200.339, which could include terminating the federal award. Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(c)(2)(iii), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from receiving a UEI number and completing SAM registration before receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible by contacting [ See Section G. Contact Information] 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 a federal award, the applicant will be required to obtain a UEI number, if applicable, and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date. The Standard Language for Using Grants.gov to Apply is provided to aid in fulfilling these requirements if applicable, based off of https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html.

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 fema-grants-news@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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov 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 initial applications through Grants.gov and a final application through ND Grants.

7. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. General Instructions:

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

Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

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

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

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

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

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

b. Obtain 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://sam.gov/content/home

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. § 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 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 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. Create a Grants.gov Account:

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

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

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

See also Section D.9 in this NOFO, “Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants,” for instructions on how to register early in ND Grants.

g. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account:

A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, if applicable, enter the UEI number for the organization in the UEI field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

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

h. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles:

After a user registers with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role, thereby giving the user permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the applicant. A user will be able to submit an application online any time after the user has been assigned the AOR role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

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

i. Track Role Status:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

To track a user’s role request, refer to:

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

j. Electronic Signature:

When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the user with the AOR role that submitted the application on behalf of the applicant is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the applicant as a user with an AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

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

Standard Form 424 (SF-424) is the initial application for this NOFO.

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NOFO, a user can create individual instances of a Workspace.

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

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to:

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

a. Create a Workspace:

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

b. Complete a Workspace:

Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the status of the application process as the user applies. As the user applies using Workspace, the user may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

c. Adobe Reader:

If a user decides not to apply for an applicant by filling out webforms, the user can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to a local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

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

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

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

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms:

In the forms, a user will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit an application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First:

The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and UEI number. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace:

An application may be submitted through Workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting an application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace:

After successfully submitting a workspace package, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

h. Additional Training and Applicant Support:

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

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

Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 (except federal holidays) support via the toll-free number (800) 518-4726, email at support@grants.gov and the website at https://www.grants.gov/support.html. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist FEMA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

9. Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support.html

After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by FEMA and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in ND Grants. Applicants can register early with ND Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND Grants registration at the time of this announcement or, at the latest, seven days before the application deadline. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their applications.

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

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any program-specific information required as described in Section D.11 of this NOFO, “Content and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SF) are auto generated in ND Grants, but applicants may access these forms in advance through the Forms tab under the SF-424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required.

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

10. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of…