FY25 FEMA NEHRP Individual State Earthquake Assistance (ISEA) NOFO - FINAL 508.pdf

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2025 FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

Individual State Earthquake Assistance

Fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and other criminal or noncriminal misconduct related to this program may be reported to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline. The toll-free numbers to call are 1 (800) 323-8603 and TTY 1 (844) 889-4357.

Contents

1. Basic Information A. Agency Name B. NOFO Title C. Announcement Type D. Funding Opportunity Number E. Assistance Listing Number F. Expected Total Funding G. Anticipated Number of Awards H. Expected Award Range I. Projected Application Start Date J. Projected Application End Date K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date L. Anticipated Award Date M. Projected Period of Performance Start Date N. Projected Period of Performance End Date O. Executive Summary P. Agency Contact

2. Eligibility A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types B. Project Type Eligibility C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties D. Maximum Number of Applications E. Additional Restrictions F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO G. Cost Sharing Requirement H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

3. Program Description A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History B. Goals and Objectives C. Program Rationale

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D. Federal Assistance Type E. Performance Measures and Targets F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs G. General Funding Requirements H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs J. Pre-Award Costs K. Beneficiary Eligibility L. Participant Eligibility M. Authorizing Authority N. Appropriation Authority O. Budget Period P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services

4. Application Contents and Format A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers B. Application Content and Format C. Application Components D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines A. Address to Request Application Package A. Application Deadline B. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline C. Post-Application Requirements Deadline D. Effects of Missing the Deadline

6. Intergovernmental Review A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact

7. Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria B. Application Criteria C. Financial Integrity Criteria D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection F. Merit Review Process G. Final Selection

8. Award Notices A. Notice of Award B. Pass-Through Requirements C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs D. Obligation of Funds E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions C. Financial Reporting Requirements

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D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements E. Closeout Reporting Requirements F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335 G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance H. Single Audit Report I. Monitoring and Oversight J. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements K. Termination of the Federal Award

2. Termination of the Federal Award by FEMA L. Best Practice M. Payment Information

10. Other Information A. Period of Performance Extension B. Other Information

11. Appendices A. Appendix A - Program Updates B. Appendix B - FEMA NEHRP Strategic Goals C. Appendix C – Programmatic Information D. Appendix D – Sample Performance Progress Report E. Appendix E - Required Supplemental Documents F. Appendix F – Monitoring and Enhanced Monitoring Plan

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1. Basic Information

A. Agency Name

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA)/Resilience/Hazard Mitigation

Directorate (HMD)/Building Science Division/Earthquake and Wind

Sciences Branch

B. NOFO Title

Fiscal Year 2025 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

Individual State Earthquake Assistance

C. Announcement

Type

Initial

D. Funding

Opportunity Number

FEMA Region 2 DHS-25-MT-082-02-99

FEMA Region 4 DHS-25-MT-082-04-99

FEMA Region 5 DHS-25-MT-082-05-99

FEMA Region 6 DHS-25-MT-082-06-99

FEMA Region 7 DHS-25-MT-082-07-99

FEMA Region 8 DHS-25-MT-082-08-99

FEMA Region 9 DHS-25-MT-082-09-99

FEMA Region 10 DHS-25-MT-082-10-99

E. Assistance Listing

Number

97.153

F. Expected Total

Funding

$2,094,650

G. Anticipated

Number of Awards

22 Awards

H. Expected Award

Range

$50,000 to $963,000

I. Projected

Application Start

Date

July 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)

J. Projected

Application End Date

August 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

K. Anticipated

Funding Selection

Date

September 30, 2025

L. Anticipated

Award Date

September 30, 2025

M. Projected Period of Performance Start

Date

October 1, 2025

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N. Projected Period of Performance End

Date

March 31, 2027

O. Executive

Summary

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is a coordinating program for earthquake monitoring, research, implementation, education, and outreach activities developed and conducted by these four agencies:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency

• National Institute of Standards and Technology

• National Science Foundation, and

• U.S. Geological Survey

FEMA awards non-competitive, grants to eligible states and territories with high to very high seismic risks to fund one or more of the following allowable activities. The purpose is to support the establishment of earthquake hazards reduction programming and the implementation of earthquake safety, mitigation, and resilience activities at the state and local level.

In accordance with this Individual State Earthquake Assistance

(ISEA) NOFO, funds available to eligible states and territories classified as having a high or very high risk of earthquakes.

Participation in this funding opportunity is limited to states and territories that can provide a statutory non-federal cost share of 25%.

However, the cost share requirement does not apply to territories classified as "Insular Areas," such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are still eligible to participate in the program.

All activities funded by the ISEA grant program must be consistent with the NEHRP vision, mission, and strategic goals.

P. Agency Contact

a. Program Office Contact

The Earthquake and Wind Sciences Branch (EWSB) provides programmatic management and delivery of the grant program under this NOFO. FEMA Regional Program Office Contacts will provide programmatic support and technical assistance to grant recipients awarded under this NOFO. Additional guidance and information may be obtained by contacting the Program Office via email at

FEMA-NEHRP@fema.dhs.gov. A list of contact information for

Headquarters and Regional Program Office Contacts is available at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake/contacts.

b. FEMA Grants News mailto:FEMA-NEHRP@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake/contacts https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake/contacts

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This channel provides general information on all FEMA grant programs and maintains a comprehensive database containing key personnel contact information at the federal, state, and local levels.

FEMA Grants News Team is reachable at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR (800) 368-6498, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration

Division

GPD’s Award Administration Division (AAD) provides support regarding financial matters and budgetary technical assistance. AAD can be contacted at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

d. FEMA Regional Offices

FEMA Regional Offices also may provide fiscal support, including pre- and post-award administration and technical assistance. FEMA

Regional Office contact information is available at https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts.

e. Civil Rights

Consistent with Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination

& Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the FEMA Office of Civil

Rights is responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of federal civil rights obligations in connection with programs and services conducted by FEMA. They are reachable at FEMA-

CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

The FEMA Office of Environmental Planning and Historic

Preservation (OEHP) provides guidance and information about the

EHP review process to FEMA programs and recipients and subrecipients. Send any inquiries regarding compliance for FEMA grant projects under this NOFO to FEMA-OEHP-

NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov.

g. Payment and Reporting System

FEMA uses the Payment and Reporting System (PARS) for financial reporting, invoicing, and tracking payments. The Direct

Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) method of payment is used for recipients. For any questions about the system, contact the

Customer Service Center at (866) 927-5646 or email to ask-

GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

h. FEMA GO mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-contacts mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/execute/LogIn?sawContentMessage=true mailto:ask-GMD@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ask-GMD@fema.dhs.gov

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For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the

FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.

i. FEMA Preparedness Toolkit

The FEMA Preparedness Toolkit (PrepToolkit) provides access to tools and resources needed to implement the National Preparedness

System and provide a collaborative space for communities completing the Unified Reporting Tool (URT). Recipients complete and submit their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), and other required assessments using the PrepToolkit. For assistance, contact mailto:support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov.

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible

Entities/Entity Types

Only the following entities or entity types are eligible to apply.

a. Applicants

This funding opportunity is available to states and territories classified as having a high or very high risk of earthquakes. FEMA determines and publishes this classification annually in the State Assistance

Target Allocation Plan. The FY 2025 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 map and at-risk population in a state.

A state or territory is classified as having a high risk of earthquakes if it meets one of the following criteria:

• It has areas designated as SDC-D or above on the 2024 IBC SDC map and an at-risk population exceeding 50,000 based on the 2020

U.S. Census population, OR

• It covers over 1,000 square miles of high seismic risk area (SDC-

D or above as per the 2024 IBC SDC map).

Such states will be eligible for baseline funding plus an additional risk-based award. Applicants should note that changes in earthquake hazard areas and population size within the state can impact this determination. The additional amount is based on the state's

Annualized Earthquake Loss as outlined in FEMA P-366, which mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/ mailto:support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov

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United States.

Participation in this funding opportunity is limited to states and territories that can provide a statutory non-federal cost share of 25%.

However, the cost share requirement does not apply to territories classified as "Insular Areas," such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are still eligible to participate in the program. For more details, please refer to Section C - Eligibility Information below.

b. Subapplicants

Subapplicants and subawards are allowed.

Per 2 C.F.R., Section 200.1, “Subaward.” Subaward means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a Federal program. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract.

Tribes and Tribal Nations are an example of a subrecipient. Subaward recipients are subject to the same conditions of the award as the pass-through entity.

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statues, polices, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

B. Project Type

Eligibility

a. Unallowable Project Types

Real property and equipment procurement, international travel, construction and renovation costs, retrofits, and earth science related costs are not allowed under this program.

b. Allowable Project Types

• Support seismic mitigation planning.

• Prepare inventories and conduct seismic vulnerability evaluations and safety inspections of buildings, critical structures, and lifeline infrastructure.

• Update building codes, zoning codes, and ordinances to enhance seismic safety.

• Increase earthquake awareness and education.

• Participation in emergency management exercises that substantially benefit earthquake mitigation efforts.

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• Promotion of earthquake insurance.

• National Earthquake Program Managers (NEPM) meeting participation and support.

• Assistance to multi-state groups for the purpose of supporting any or all allowable activities under this funding opportunity.

For more information, see Appendix C – Programmatic Information.

C. Requirements for

Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statues, polices, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

Subapplicants/subrecipients must submit short bios and resumes. This should include the type of entity, organizational leadership, and board members along with the both the names and addresses of the individuals. Resumes are subject to approval.

D. Maximum

Number of

Applications

Only one application per eligible applicant may be submitted as determined by the applicant Universal Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

E. Additional

Restrictions

Applicants/subapplicants or recipients/subrecipients are required to certify their compliance with federal statues, DHS directives, polices, and procedures.

F. References for

Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Responsiveness Review Criteria” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. FEMA may/will request financial information such as Employer

Identification Number (EIN) and bank information as part of the potential award selection. This will apply to everyone prospered, including subrecipients.

5. Appendix C - Programmatic Information, for individual state cost share amounts

G. Cost Sharing

Requirement

Applicants selected for this award must agree to an acceptable cost share agreement or receive an exception from FEMA. Otherwise, they will not be funded.

Exceptions to the cost share requirement are:

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

H. Cost Share

Description, Type and Restrictions

A cost share is required for all ISEA grants funded under this program. Recipients must provide a statutory 25% non-federal cost share for which assistance is being given. The non-federal cost share may consist of cash, donated or third-party in-kind services, materials, 10 | P a g e or any combination thereof.

States and territories may use third-party in-kind contributions to meet the 25% cost share requirement. 2 CFR 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.

In accordance with Public Law 96-205, title VI, section 601, Mar.

12,1980 as amended, 48 U.S.C. § 1469a(d), and OMB Controller

Alert CA-23-04, Waiving Matching Fund Requirements for Insular

Areas (Feb. 6, 2023) agencies are required to waive any requirement for local matching funds for grants to an Insular Area under $200,000, when the match is otherwise required by law.

See Appendix C – Programmatic Information, for individual state cost share amounts.

I. Cost Sharing

Calculation Example

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

• The value of the federal contribution in U.S. dollars 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 total non-federal cost share required in this example is

$25,000.

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

Applicants should submit the following cost share (or match) documents:

All applications must include evidence of an applicant’s ability to provide the required cost share (if applicable).

Please see the “Application Format and Contents” section for more details.

Maintenance of Effort: Not applicable

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3. Program Description

A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History

The FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) State Assistance Grant

Program was created to increase and enhance the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction at the local level and has two separate funding opportunities. Both the Individual

State Earthquake Assistance (ISEA) and Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance

(MSNEA) funding opportunities are designed to increase and enhance the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction at the national, state, and local level.

The ISEA grant program makes funds available to states and U.S. territories to increase and enhance the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction at the state and local level.

The MSNEA grant program makes funds available to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education that possess the critical skills necessary to develop and implement regional

(multi-state) and/or national earthquake risk mitigation activities.

FEMA recognizes that earthquakes cannot be prevented, but their impacts on life, property, and the economy can be managed. The ISEA grant program prioritizes reducing the risks to life and property from future earthquakes in the U.S. through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program.

All activities funded by the ISEA grant program must be consistent with the National Earthquake

Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) vision, mission, and strategic goals.

B. Goals and Objectives

FEMA awards grants to eligible states and territories with high to very high seismic risk to fund one or more of the following allowable activities. The purpose is to support the establishment of earthquake hazards reduction programming and the implementation of earthquake safety, mitigation, and resilience activities at the state and local level.

Priorities include:

• Support seismic mitigation planning.

• Prepare inventories and conduct seismic vulnerability evaluations and safety inspections of buildings, critical structures, and lifeline infrastructure.

• Update building codes, zoning codes, and ordinances to enhance seismic safety.

• Increase earthquake awareness and education.

• Participation in emergency management exercises that substantially benefit earthquake mitigation efforts.

• Promotion of earthquake insurance.

• National Earthquake Program Managers (NEPM) meeting participation and support.

• National Earthquake Program Managers (NEPM) meeting participation and support.

• Assistance to multi-state groups for the purpose of supporting any or all allowable activities under this funding opportunity.

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C. Program Rationale

The stated goals, objectives, and priorities of NEHRP supports Sections 7704 (a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(A)(i) and (b)(2)(B) of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-124 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §7704 et seq.).

D. Federal Assistance Type

Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets

See Appendix C – Programmatic Information for detailed Performance Measures.

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs

Real property and equipment procurement, international travel, construction and renovation costs, retrofits, and research related costs are not allowed under this program.

G. General Funding Requirements

Costs charged to federal awards (including federal and non-federal cost share funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. §

200.403(h).

Recipients may not use federal funds or any cost share funds for the following activities:

1. Matching or cost sharing requirements for other federal grants and cooperative agreements

(see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306).

2. Lobbying or other prohibited activities under 18 U.S.C. § 1913 or 2 C.F.R. § 200.450.

3. Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity (see 2

C.F.R. § 200.435).

H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs)

Indirect costs are allowed for recipients.

Indirect costs (IDC) are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to specific cost objectives without disproportionate effort. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications.

Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement, but are required to develop an IDC rate proposal, must provide a copy of their proposal with their applications. Applicants without a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an IDC rate proposal must reach out to FEMA for further instructions.

As it relates to the IDC for subrecipients, a recipient must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§

200.332 and 200.414 in approving the IDC rate for subawards.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

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I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

M&A costs are allowed for all eligible states and territories.

Recipients may retain a maximum of 7% of Individual State Earthquake Assistance funds awarded for M&A purposes associated with the Individual State Earthquake Assistance award in accordance with the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, §§ 1210(A)-1219, Public Law No.

115-254, 132 Stat. 3186. An organization partnering with a recipient (limit one per recipient) may in turn retain 7% of the subaward they receive from the recipient for M&A purposes.

M&A costs are not overhead costs but are necessary direct costs incurred in direct support of the federal award or as a consequence of it, such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries of full/part-time staff in direct support of the program. As such, M&A costs can be itemized in financial reports.

J. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are not allowed.

K. Beneficiary Eligibility

To be an eligible beneficiary, you must be a state or territory classified as having a high or very high risk of earthquakes as further defined in Section 2 of this NOFO. This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

L. Participant Eligibility

There are no program requirements for participant eligibility

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant.

M. Authorizing Authority

Sections 7704 (a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(A)(i) and (b)(2)(B) of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction

Program Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-124 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §7704 et seq.).

N. Appropriation Authority

Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, Pub. L. No. 119-4.

O. Budget Period

There will be only a single budget period with the same start and end dates as the period of performance.

P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services

Recipients, sub-recipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must comply with the prohibitions set forth in Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which restrict the purchase of covered telecommunications and surveillance equipment and services. Please see 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and

Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and FEMA Policy #405-143-1 - Prohibitions on Expending https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ4/PLAW-119publ4.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf

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FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services for more information.

4. Application Contents and Format

A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers

Pre-application, letters of intent and whitepapers are not required.

B. Application Content and Format

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

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.

C. Application Components

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

Forms (SF) are also available at Forms | Grants.gov.

• 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

D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information

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

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 – Required Supplemental Documents).

Master Schedule/Deliverable Table. A sample table that combines both 1 and 2 is available on

FEMA.gov. 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.).

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.grants.gov/forms

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Grant Budget. The applicant must provide a detailed budget with planned line-item expenditures listed, to include any supplies or materials for purchase. The budget must be completed within the FEMA GO system 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, a detailed justification of Management and Administrative (M&A) costs, and include the recipients cost share factored into each category.

• 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.

• Activities and tasks will be categorized in terms of discrete effort and shall correlate directly with the work plan master schedule and deliverables identified in the workplan delivery table. Use a monthly spreadsheet provided by the respective FEMA Regional

Program Office.

• ISEA Grant Program applicants may obtain a sample budget spreadsheet (Microsoft

Excel source file) from the FEMA Regional Program Office. A template is available on

FEMA.gov. Funds will not be made available for obligation, expenditure, or drawdown until the applicant’s budget and budget narrative have been approved by FEMA.

• All applications must include evidence of an applicant’s ability to provide the required cost share (if applicable).

• Template spreadsheets are available as a reference tool FEMA.gov. For more information, please contact the Regional Program Office.

Outcomes Report/Logic Model. The Applicant must include an initial Outcomes Report/Logic

Model that includes all proposed activities. Only the “Activities,” and “Inputs” need to be included in the initial Logic Model. A sample logic model is available on FEMA.gov.

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Address to Request Application Package

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

Steps Required to Apply For An Award Under This Program and Submit an Application:

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and 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 System for Award Management (SAM) account and ensure the account is active before submitting the application;

https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.login.gov/

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

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

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

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

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(a)(2)(iv) 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. Contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov and provide the details of the exigent circumstances.

How to Register to Apply:

General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Below are instructions for registering to apply for FEMA funds. Read the instructions carefully and prepare the requested information before beginning the registration process. Gathering the required information before starting the process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

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

Organizations must have a UEI number, EIN, and an active SAM registration.

Obtain a UEI Number:

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, 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.

Obtain Employer Identification Number:

In addition to having a UEI number, all entities applying for funding must provide an 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.

Create a login.gov account:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov https://sam.gov/content/home 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

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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 at:

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd.

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For existing SAM users, use the same email address for both login.gov and 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.

Register with SAM:

In addition to having a UEI number, all organizations must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through FEMA GO. SAM registration must be renewed annually and must remain active throughout the entire grant life cycle.

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: 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 past three years, if applicable.

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 FEMA GO Startup Guide.

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

Google Chrome;

Mozilla Firefox;

Apple Safari; and

Microsoft Edge.

Applicants using tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA

GO.

Submitting the Final Application:

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information, and any program-specific information required. Standard Forms (SF) may be accessed in the Forms tab under the https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd 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 https://usfema-my.sharepoint.com/personal/0847369848_fema_dhs_gov/Documents/Desktop/Final%20Version%20NOFO%20Template%20&User%20Guide/FEMA%20Version/FEMA%20Version%20template/FY%2025%20NOFO%20Template%20-%20FEMA%20Version%20-.docx https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FEMA-GO-startup-guide-3.0_112021.pdf

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SF-424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they are providing all required information.

After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message, or an email to the submitting AOR confirming the transmission was successfully received.

A. Application Deadline

August 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

B. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline

Not applicable.

C. Post-Application Requirements Deadline

Not applicable.

D. Effects of Missing the Deadline

All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of submission and generates an electronic date/time stamp when

FEMA GO successfully receives an application. The submitting AOR will receive via email the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number to serve as proof of timely submission prior to the application deadline.

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

6. Intergovernmental Review

A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact

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.

7. Application Review Information

A. Threshold Criteria

FEMA will review applications to ensure eligibility factors defined in the NOFO are met.

B. Application 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.

The following Programmatic Criteria will apply:

1. The applicant has proposed developing and implementing only those activities described in Appendix C – Programmatic Information of this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf

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2. The applicant demonstrates expertise and experience necessary, including technical experience and qualifications, as required to develop, communicate, implement, and manage the activities proposed in their application work plan. This may include information about the qualifications they will use to identify and engage key project personnel and roles, such as seismic design professionals, building officials, or other trained/certified professionals as required for technical activities.

3. 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 NEHRP.

4. The application contains all documents and information as described in this Notice of

Funding Opportunity, and as explained in Section 4. Application Contents and Format.

Specific note should be taken regarding Program Office requirements under Section 5.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

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

C. Financial Integrity Criteria

Before making an award, FEMA is required to review OMB-designated databases for applicants’ eligibility and financial integrity information. This is required by the Payment Integrity

Information Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116-117, § 2 (2020)), 41 U.S.C. § 2313, and the “Do Not

Pay Initiative” (31 U.S.C. 3354). For more details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

Thus, the Financial Integrity Criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

1. Financial stability.

2. Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards.

3. History of performance in managing federal award.

4. Reports and findings from audits.

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

D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

Before making an award expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently a total federal share of $250,000) over the period of performance:

1. FEMA is required by 41 U.S.C. § 2313 to review or consider certain information found in

SAM.gov. For details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206(a)(2).

2. An applicant may review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

3. Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 C.F.R. § 200.206, FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant.

E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection

FEMA Regional Program Office personnel professionally and technically serving as subject matter experts of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) will evaluate and select applicants for funding.

https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/41/2313 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206

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F. Merit Review Process

Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to demonstrate the expertise necessary (i.e., education, training and/or experience of project staff) to develop and implement activities proposed in support of the goals and objectives of NEHRP.

G. Final Selection

Applications are reviewed by the FEMA Regional Program Office to ensure compliance with grants management principles, such as administrative requirements and cost principles.

Applicants/applications that do not meet eligibility requirements are removed from consideration.

8. Award Notices

A. Notice of Award

The Authorized Organization Representative should carefully read the federal award package before accepting the federal award. The federal award package includes instructions on administering the federal award as well as terms and conditions for the award.

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the prerequisites stated in this

NOFO and the material terms and conditions of the federal award, should they receive an award.

FEMA will provide the federal award package to the applicant electronically via FEMA GO.

Award packages include an Award Letter, Summary Award Memo, Agreement Articles, and

Obligating Document. An award package notification email is sent via the grant application system to the submitting AOR.

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 30 days from the award date. Recipients shall notify FEMA of their intent to accept the award and proceed with work via the FEMA GO system.

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award via FEMA GO and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied, or until the award is otherwise rescinded. Failure to accept a grant award within the specified timeframe may result in a loss of funds.

B. Pass-Through Requirements

Subaward recipients are subject to the same conditions of the award as the pass-through entity.

C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs

Even if pre-award costs are allowed, beginning performance is at the applicant and/or sub-applicant’s own risk.

D. Obligation of Funds

After review of a successful application, the FEMA Regional Program Office coordinates with the Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division for awards to be recommended through FEMA GO.

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E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the FEMA Program Office point of contact for the

FEMA Region in which the applicant entity is located.

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Presidential Executive Orders

Recipients must comply with the requirements of Presidential Executive Orders related to grants

(also known as federal assistance and financial assistance), the full text of which are incorporated by reference.

In accordance with Executive Order 14305, Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty (June 6, 2025), and to the extent allowed by law, eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial grant recipients under this NOFO are permitted to purchase unmanned aircraft systems, otherwise known as drones, or equipment or services for the detection, tracking, or identification of drones and drone signals, consistent with the legal authorities of state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies.

Recipients must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and adhere to any statutory requirements on the use of federal funds for such unmanned aircraft systems, equipment, or services.

Subrecipient Monitoring and Management

Pass-through entities must comply with the requirements for subrecipient monitoring and management as set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.331-333.

B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

A recipient under this funding opportunity must comply with the DHS Standard Terms and

Conditions in effect as of the date of the federal award. The DHS Standard Terms and

Conditions are available online: DHS Standard Terms and Conditions | Homeland Security. For continuation awards, the terms and conditions for the initial federal award will apply unless otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of the continuation award. The specific version of the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions applicable to the federal award will be in the federal award package.

A recipient under this funding opportunity must comply with the FY 2025 Department of

Homeland Security Standard Terms and Conditions, v. 3 (Apr. 18, 2025), with the exception

Paragraph C.IX (Communication and Cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Officials) and paragraph C.XVII(2)(a)(iii) (Anti-Discrimination Grant Award

Certification regarding immigration). Paragraphs C.IX and C.XVII(2)(a)(iii) do not apply to any federal award under this funding opportunity. The FY 2025 Department of Homeland Security

Standard Terms and Conditions, v. 3 (Apr. 18, 2025) are available at http://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/11/2025-10803/restoring-american-airspace-sovereignty https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/11/2025-10803/restoring-american-airspace-sovereignty https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions http://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions

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C. Financial Reporting Requirements

1. Recipients must report obligations and expenditures through a federal financial report.

The Federal Financial Report (FFR) form, also known as Standard Form 425 (SF-425), is available online at: SF-425 OMB #4040-0014.

2. Recipients must submit the FFR quarterly throughout the period of performance (POP) as detailed below:

Quarter Reporting Period Report Period Due Date

1 October 1 to…