Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due: July 24, 2026

Fiscal Year 2026 Intercity Passenger Rail

Grant Program (IPR)

Assistance Listing Number: 97.157

Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-26-GPD-157-00-98

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Contents

Before you begin 2

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 3

Basic information 3

Eligibility 4

Program Description 6

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17

Submission Requirements and Application Deadlines 18

Step 3: Write Your Application 21

Application Contents and Format 22

Step 4: Learn About the Award Review Process 25

Application Review Information 26

Intergovernmental Review 29

Step 5: Learn What Happens After Award 30

Award Notices 31

Post-Award Requirements and Administration 32

Other Information 40

Contacts and Appendices 47

Contacts 48

Appendices 50

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Before you begin

If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your System for

Award Management (SAM.gov) and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

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 (800) 323-8603 and TTY (844) 889-4357.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were before clicking an internal link by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://login.gov/

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Step 1: Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 3

Eligibility 4

Program description 6

Jump to a step

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Basic Information A. Award Facts

Agency Name: Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Resilience, Grant Programs

Directorate, Preparedness Grants Division, Transportation

Infrastructure Security Branch

Assistance Listing Number: 97.157

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026

Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Grant Program

Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-26-GPD-157-00-98

Announcement Type: Initial

Expected Award Range: $9.5 million

Expected Total Funding: $9.5 million

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1

B. Executive Summary The FY 2026 IPR provides funds to the National Railroad Passenger

Corporation (Amtrak) to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism.

Eligibility A. Eligible Entities

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

Applicant Eligibility

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is the only eligible entity per the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing

Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 119-86 (2026).

Subapplicant Eligibility

Subapplicants and subawards are not allowed.

B. Project Type Eligibility

Key Dates

Projected Application Start

Date: June 24, 2026

Projected Application End Date: July 24, 2026

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: September 30, 2026

Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2026

Projected Period of

Performance Start Date:

September 01, 2026

Projected Period of Performance End Date:

August 31, 2029

Budget Period:

September 1, 2026 – August 31, Have questions? See Contacts and Support

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Allowable Project Types

Costs generally need to fit within one of the categories listed below to be allowable under this program.

Specific investments made in support of the NOFO funding priorities generally fall into one of the following allowable cost categories:

• Planning;

• Operational Activities;

• Equipment and Capital Projects;

• Training and Awareness Campaigns; and

• Exercises.

Please see Appendix I: Allowable Costs for more information on allowable costs.

Applicants who have questions about whether a cost is allowable under this program should contact their

Preparedness Officer.

Unallowable Project Types

Specific unallowable costs for the IPR include:

• Personnel costs (except as detailed above);

• Activities unrelated to the completion and implementation of the IPR; and,

• Other items not in accordance with the Authorized Equipment List (AEL) or not previously listed as allowable costs.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties An application submitted by an otherwise eligible non-federal entity (i.e., the applicant) may be deemed ineligible when the person that submitted the application is not: 1) a current employee, personnel, official, staff or leadership of the non-federal entity; and 2) duly authorized to apply for an award on behalf of the non-federal entity at the time of application.

Further, the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and Signatory Authority (SA) must be a duly authorized current employee, personnel, official, staff or leadership of the recipient and provide an email address unique to the recipient at the time of application and upon any change in assignment during the period of performance. Consultants or contractors of the recipient are not permitted to be the AOR or the

SA of the recipient. It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to keep their points of contact for the organization up-to-date and accurate in all federal systems.

The AOR is responsible for submitting programmatic and financial performance reports, accepting award packages, signing assurances and certifications, and submitting award amendments.

D. Maximum Number of Applications The maximum number of applications that can be submitted is one per applicant.

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E. Additional Restrictions Recipients/subrecipients, and if applicable, applicants/subapplicants, are required to certify their compliance with federal statues, DHS directives, policies, and procedures.

F. References to Other Eligibility Factors Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Threshold Review Criteria” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. FEMA may request financial information such as the Employer Identification Number (EIN) and bank information as part of the potential award selection. This will apply to everyone who benefits from the award, including subrecipients.

G. Cost Share Requirements There is no cost share requirement.

H. Cost Share Description, Type, and Restrictions Not applicable.

I. Cost Share Example

J. Required Information for Verifying Cost Share

Maintenance of Effort

Program Description A. Program Purpose

The IPR program is one of four grant programs that constitute DHS/FEMA's focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the Nation's critical infrastructure against potential terrorist attacks. The IPR provides funds to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation

(Amtrak) to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism.

Examples of recent IPR accomplishments include successfully executed full-scale and tabletop exercises building upon the outcomes of previously funded exercises with a focus on response plans, policies, and procedures. Additional examples of IPR accomplishments include efforts to increase security awareness through public campaigns (e.g., Text-a-Tip, passenger security awareness videos displayed through kiosks,

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts etc.), as well as providing training for law enforcement personnel focusing on railroad infrastructure and counterterrorism.

DHS is focused on the criticality of information sharing and collaboration in building a national mindset of preparedness and protecting against terrorism and other threats to our national security. DHS and its homeland security mission were born from the failures among federal agencies and between the federal agencies and state and local authorities to share critical information related to the threat of terrorism before the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the threat profile has changed in the past two decades.

We now face continuous cyberattacks by sophisticated actors, as well as ongoing threats to soft targets and crowded places, such as intercity passenger rail infrastructure. The IPR reflects DHS's commitment to risk-informed investment, collaboration, and resilience. To ensure that priorities reflect the current threat environment, FEMA's Preparedness Grant Programs are guided by annually designated National Priority

Areas (NPAs). The FY 2026 NPAs are:

1. Enhancing the protection of soft targets and crowded places,

a. This includes faith-based organizations and election sites;

2. Supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and fusion centers;

3. Enhancing and integrating cybersecurity resiliency;

4. Enhancing election security; and

5. Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement.

a. Example activities under border crisis response and enforcement support may include:

i. Participation in the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement 287(g) training program;

ii. Cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers; and

iii. Other jurisdictional responsibilities to support the enforcement of United States immigration law.

For FY 2026, the Administration encourages applicants to propose innovative solutions that support the broader homeland security mission reflected in the NPAs, as applicable. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposed projects address an NPA and how they align with the stated purpose and objectives of this NOFO.

Applicants may also request funding for legacy projects which are based in continuing need. Enduring needs projects include:

1. Effective planning;

2. Training and awareness campaigns;

3. Equipment and capital projects; and

4. Exercises.

For FY 2025, one application was received and approved for funding. Amtrak is the only permitted recipient for this grant.

B. Goals and Objectives Goals: Strengthen the nation's critical transportation infrastructure against risks associated with potential

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Objectives: IPR achieves this goal through the following objectives:

1. Building and sustaining Amtrak’s core capabilities (Core capabilities are the means required to deal with the security risks Amtrak is most likely to face, an assessment of which will describe the security and resilience posture for Amtrak. Core capabilities are outlined in the National

Preparedness Goal);

2. Building and sustaining Amtrak’s capabilities in the national priority areas;

3. Addressing and closing gaps identified in Amtrak’s Vulnerability Assessment and Security Plan (e.g., based on the Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement).

The following provides a breakdown of the NPAs along with their tie-in to core capabilities and examples of eligible transit security project types for each area. More information on allowable investments can be found in the Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs section below.

FY 2026 IPR Funding Priorities

All priorities in this section concern the Safety and Security and Transportation Lifelines.

National Priority

1. Enhancing the Protection of Soft Targets and Crowded Places

Core Capabilities

• Operational coordination

• Public information and warning

• Intelligence and Information Sharing

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

Example Project Types

• Physical security enhancements at rail and bus stations located in Urban Area Security Initiative urban areas o Security cameras (closed circuit television) o Security screening equipment and technology for people and baggage o Access controls: Fencing, gates, barriers, etc.

• Use of visible, unpredictable deterrence, to include Operational Packages o Explosive detection canine teams o Mobile Screening Teams o Anti-terrorism Teams

• Directed/Surge Patrols on Overtime

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2. Supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and Fusion Centers

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Interdiction and disruption

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

Example Project Types

• Establishing or enhancing multi-agency Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs), including operational coordination centers

• Enhancing capabilities and integration with local fusion centers

• Procuring technology or equipment to support surveillance, communications, and data analysis

• Developing standard operating procedures for information sharing, joint operations, and immigration enforcement coordination

• Personnel training, credentialing, and certification to improve interoperability and mission alignment

• Intelligence analysis, reporting, and suspicious activity monitoring

• Exercises and simulations focused on joint operations, intelligence sharing, or interdiction/disruption of criminal or smuggling networks

• Community engagement efforts to foster trust and encourage threat reporting

• Information sharing with all DHS components; fusion centers; other operational, investigative, and analytic entities; and other federal law enforcement and intelligence entities

• Cooperating with DHS and other entities in intelligence, threat recognition, assessment, analysis, and mitigation

• Identifying, assessing, and reporting of threats of violence

• Intelligence analysis training, planning, and exercises

• Coordinating the intake, triage, analysis, and reporting of tips/ leads and suspicious activity, to include coordination with the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI)

3. Enhancing Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Planning

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Supply chain integrity and security https://www.dhs.gov/nationwide-sar-initiative-nsi

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• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Situational assessment

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

Example Project Types

• Cybersecurity risk assessments

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments o Improving cybersecurity to meet minimum levels identified by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure

Security Agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity

Framework (Version 1.1) or equivalent o Adoption of cybersecurity performance goals (CISA's Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance

Goals)

• Cybersecurity training and planning

4. Enhancing Election Security

• Cybersecurity

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Planning

• Long-term vulnerability reduction

• Situational assessment

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational coordination

• Community resilience

Example Project Types

• Prioritize compliance with the VVSG 2.0 established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

• Complete testing through a VSTL accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

• Physical security planning and exercise support

• Physical/site security measures – e.g., locks, shatter proof glass, alarms, access controls, etc.

• General election security navigator support

• Cyber and general election security navigator support

• Cybersecurity risk assessments, training, and planning

• Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments

• Iterative backups, encrypted backups, network segmentation, software to monitor/scan, and endpoint protection

• Distributed Denial of Service protection

• Migrating online services to the “.gov” internet domain

• Public awareness/preparedness campaigns discussing election security and integrity measures

• Long-term vulnerability reduction and community resilience https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework https://www.cisa.gov/cpg https://www.cisa.gov/cpg https://www.cisa.gov/cpg

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5. Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement

• Training and awareness

• Community resilience

• Operational coordination

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

Example Project Types

• Staffing support to expand 287(g) screening operations within correctional facilities

• Operational overtime costs directly tied to 287(g) screening, processing, and enforcement activities

• Training programs for state and local law enforcement officers in immigration law, civil rights and civil liberties protections, and 287(g) procedures

• Developing or enhancing information-sharing platforms between ICE and local agencies

• Procuring screening, detection, and communications technology to support immigration enforcement activities

• Establishing secure and dedicated communication networks with ICE Field Offices

• Conducting joint training exercises with ICE and local law enforcement to test operational coordination

• Supporting facilities upgrades, such as creating dedicated interview rooms and secure processing spaces

• Community engagement and public briefings to promote transparency and understanding of

287(g) operations and protections

6. Enduring Needs

Priority Area

Planning

Core Capabilities

• Planning

• Risk management for protection programs and activities

• Risk and disaster resilience assessment

• Threats and hazards identification

• Operational coordination

• Community resilience

Development of:

• System-wide Security Risk Management Plans

• Continuity of Operations Plans

• Response Plans

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• System-wide and/or asset-specific vulnerability assessments

• Efforts to strengthen governance integration between/among regional partners

Training and Awareness

• Public information and warning

• Operational coordination

• Situational assessment

• Active shooter training, including integrating the needs of persons with disabilities

• Security training for employees, to include Basic security awareness

• Public awareness/preparedness campaigns

Equipment and Capital Projects

• Infrastructure systems

• Operational communications

• Interdiction and disruption

• Screening, search, and detection

• Access control and identity verification

• Physical protective measures

• Supply chain integrity and security

• Threats and hazards identification

• Infrastructure systems

• Intelligence and information sharing

• Top Transit Asset List risk remediation

• Protecting other high-risk, high-consequence areas or systems that have been identified through system-wide risk assessments

• Sharing and leveraging intelligence and information

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive prevention, detection response and recovery equipment

• Unmanned Aircraft Systems and detection technologies

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Exercises

• Response exercises

• Operational coordination

• Operational communications

C. Performance Measures and Targets

1. Performance Measure Name 1: Cybersecurity vulnerabilities reduced (Target: 20 Cybersecurity vulnerability reduced);

2. Performance Measure Name 2: Number of Dedicated Surge Force Hours (Target: 4000 hours of

Dedicated Surge Force Hours);

3. Performance Measure Name 3: Number of Security Exercises conducted (Target: 5 Security

Exercises conducted);

4. Performance Measure Name 4: Number of Security Trainings conducted (Target: 5 Security

Trainings conducted);

5. Performance Measure Name 5: Number of Physical Security Hardening improvements completed

(Target: 5 Physical Security Hardening improvements completed).

D. Federal Assistance Type Cooperative Agreement

E. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs Specific unallowable costs for IPR include:

• Intelligence and information sharing above or otherwise allowed by statute;

• Activities unrelated to the completion and implementation of the IPR program;

• Other items not in accordance with the AEL or not previously listed as allowable costs;

• Costs related to any matching or cost share requirement for any other federal award;

• Costs related to lobbying or intervention in federal regulatory proceedings;

• Costs related to suing the Federal Government or any other government entity;

• Pre-award costs, unless approved in writing by FEMA and included in the grant award; and

• Costs that are not consistent with the Cost Principles located in FAR 31.2, as applicable.

Note: The above may not be exhaustive. Please consult the applicable terms and conditions and with

FEMA for more information.

F. 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

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period (see 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).

G. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services FEMA provides additional resources regarding the prohibition on covered telecommunications equipment and services in its policy titled Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services (FEMA Policy #405-143-1). This policy outlines specific requirements related to the prohibition. Additionally, FEMA's Contract Provisions Guide offers sample language for the required contract provisions.

Recipients, subrecipients, 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. See 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for more information.

Prohibition on Covered Foreign Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must also comply with Section 1825 of the American Security Drone Act of 2023, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Pub. L. No. 118-31 §§ 1821-33, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.). This provision mandates that, beginning December 22, 2025, no federal funds awarded through a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or otherwise made available may be used to procure a covered unmanned aircraft system

(UAS) that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. Significantly, no funds may be used in connection with the operation of such a drone or UAS. For more information, refer to Public Law 118-31 and OMB Memorandum M-26-02, Ensuring Government Use of Secure Unmanned Aircraft Systems and

Supporting United States Producers.

H. Beneficiary and Participant Eligibility Beneficiary Participant

There are no program requirements. This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

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

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary or participant. Please consult the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, your awarding agency’s terms and 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://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:1913%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section1913)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true 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-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_contract-provisions-guide_fy24.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/115/public/232 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.327 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.471 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20II%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/M-26-02-Ensuring-Government-Use-of-Secure-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems-and-Supporting-United-States-Producers.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/M-26-02-Ensuring-Government-Use-of-Secure-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems-and-Supporting-United-States-Producers.pdf

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I. Indirect Costs Indirect costs (IDC) are allowed for recipients.

Indirect costs (IDC) are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting 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.

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

K. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs are not allowed unless approved in writing by FEMA and included in the grant award.

L. Management and Administration Costs Recipients may use up to 5% of the award for Management and Administration (M&A). M&A activities are defined as directly relating to the management and administration of IPR funds, such as financial management and monitoring. M&A expenses must be based on actual expenses or known contractual costs. M&A requests that simple percentages of the award, without supporting justification, will not be allowed or considered for reimbursement.

M&A costs are not operational costs but are necessary 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. Other M&A cost examples include preparing and submitting required programmatic and financial reports, establishing and/or maintaining equipment inventory, documenting operational and equipment expenditures for financial accounting purposes, responding to official informational requests from state and federal oversight authorities, and grant performance measurement or evaluation activities. Please see the

Preparedness Grants Manual for additional information on Direct Costs.

Funds may be used for the following M&A costs:

• Hiring full-time or part-time staff, including contractors and consultants, to execute the following:

• Management of the current fiscal year IPR award;

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414

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• Design and implementation of the current fiscal year IPR submission meeting compliance with reporting/data collection requirements, including data calls;

• Information collection and processing necessary to respond to FEMA data calls;

• Travel expenses (domestic travel only) related to IPR grant administration, in compliance with 2

C.F.R. Part 200; and

• Acquisition of authorized office equipment, including personal computers or laptops for M&A purposes.

M. Authorizing Authority Section 1513 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. No. 110-

53) (6 U.S.C. § 1163)

N. Appropriation Authority Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. No. 119-86

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Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Submission Requirements and Application Deadlines 18 18

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Submission Requirements and Application

Deadlines A. Registration

You must have an active SAM.gov account which includes having a UEI. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number or to register, go to SAM.gov Entity

Registration and click “Get Started.” From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration

Checklist for the information you will need to register.

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions see the

Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

B. Requesting the Application Package The application package is accessible in the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

C. Application and Submission Instructions To apply for an award under this program, all applicants must:

1. Apply for, update, or verify their UEI number and EIN from the Internal Revenue Service;

2. Provide their UEI number in the application;

3. Have an account with login.gov;

4. Register for, update, or verify their SAM.gov account and ensure the account is active before submitting the application;

5. 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 the FEMA GO Startup Guide;

6. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

7. Always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during which the applicant has an active federal award, 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.

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://grants.gov/help/get-started/ https://go.fema.gov/ https://login.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_startup_guide_051325.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-25/section-25.110#p-25.110(a)(2)(iv) mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov

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D. 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.

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 at Get an employer identification number.

Create a login.gov account

Applicants must have a login.gov account to register with SAM or update their SAM registration. Applicants can create a login.gov account at Create an account.

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 SAM.gov.

Register with SAM.gov

In addition to having a UEI number, all organizations must register with SAM.gov. Failure to register with

SAM.gov will prevent your organization from applying through FEMA GO. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually and must remain active throughout the entire grant life cycle.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM.gov, refer to Register with SAM.gov.

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, 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.gov registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see the FEMA GO Startup Guide.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://login.gov/create-an-account/ https://login.gov/create-an-account/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://sam.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_startup_guide_051325.pdf

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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.

E. Submitting the Final Application Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information, and any program-specific information required in FEMA GO.

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

F. Application Deadline July 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

G. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline Not Applicable.

H. Post Application Requirements Deadline Not Applicable.

I. Effects of Missing Deadlines 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 an email with an 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 p.m. 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.

Step 3: Write Your Application

Application contents and format 22

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Application Contents and Format A. Application Requirements

The following forms or information are integrated into the application package in FEMA GO. Applicants should review these forms at SF-424 Family | Grants.gov before applying to ensure they are providing all required information.

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

2. Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

3. SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction)

• If construction is permitted under the program, submit SF-424C, Budget Information

(Construction), instead of SF-424A

4. SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)

• If construction is permitted under the program, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances

(Construction), instead of SF-424B

5. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

B. Required Documents, Content, and Formatting 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

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

• For construction under an award, submit SF-424C, Budget Information (Construction), in addition to or instead of SF-424A

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

• For construction under an award, submit SF-424D, Standard Assurances (Construction), in addition to or instead of SF-424B SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

C. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information The following program-specific forms or information are required to be submitted in FEMA GO:

• Associated Investment Justifications (IJs)

• Detailed budgets

• Operational Package Sustainability Plan

• Associated Memoranda of Understanding/Memoranda of Agreement

• Election Security Requirements

Investment Justification

As part of the FY 2026 IPR application process, applicants must develop a formal IJ that addresses each initiative being proposed for funding, including a project’s M&A costs. An agency may submit up to eight IJs.

Agencies may also submit up to five additional IJs for projects related to law enforcement providers that are not part of the public transportation agency. Law enforcement providers may only submit projects that support a transit system’s operational security capability and capacity. IJs must demonstrate how https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts proposed projects address gaps and deficiencies (identified in a current vulnerability assessment) and must link to one or more core capabilities identified in the NPG. Please see grants.gov for the IJ template.

Applicants may attach the vulnerability assessment or cite relevant sections/passages within an IJ to demonstrate the linkage between the project request and the identified vulnerability. IJs should also describe an agency’s current security posture to demonstrate why the proposed project is necessary and appropriate. IJs must demonstrate the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by DHS/FEMA. Applicants shall submit a separate IJ for each proposed project. IPR projects must be both 1) feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed; and 2) able to be fully completed within the period of performance. Applicants must ensure that

IJs are consistent with all requirements outlined in this funding notice. Applicants must provide information in the following categories for each proposed investment:

1. Background

2. Strategic and Program Priorities

3. Impact

4. Funding/Implementation Plan

Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting the IJs as part of the FY 2026

IPR: Region_Agency Name_IJ Number (Example: AMTRAK_IJ 1)

Detailed Budget

Applicants must provide a detailed budget for the funds requested. The detailed budget must be submitted with the grant application as a file attachment within FEMA GO. The budget must be complete, reasonable, and cost-effective in relation to the proposed project. The budget should provide the basis of computation of all project-related costs, any appropriate narrative, and a detailed justification of M&A costs. A recipient may not obligate, expend, or draw down funds until a budget and budget narrative have been approved by DHS/FEMA. The budget detail worksheet may be used as a guide to assist applicants in the preparation of the budget and budget narrative. Note: Design and Planning/Engineering costs must be clearly identified in a separate line item in order for partial funding to be released prior to Environmental

Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) review and approval. Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for information on the EHP review process.

Detailed budgets must be submitted with the grant application as a file attachment within FEMA GO.

Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting detailed budgets as part of the

IPR: Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting detailed budgets as part of the IPR: Region_Agency Name_IJ Number_Budget (Example: AMTRAK_IJ _1_Budget)

Operational Packages (OPacks)

Applicants that meet basic OPack eligibility requirements may elect to pursue OPack funding for Canine

Teams, Mobile Explosives Detection Screening Teams, and Anti-Terrorism Teams, for new capabilities as well as to sustain existing OPacks. Applicants pursuing both new OPacks and sustainment funding for existing OPacks must indicate in their IJs which option is the higher priority for their agency. Additionally, applicants pursuing either new teams or sustainment of existing teams must include the number of OPack

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Award Contacts teams already in place (either funded by the agency or by IPR). In addition, recipients must commit to minimum training standards for all federally funded OPack positions. For an application for an OPack to be considered eligible, it must include a Five-Year Security Capital and Operational Sustainment Plan.

Please see www.grants.gov for the required template. Please refer to the Operational Activities section below for more information.

Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Requirements

A portion of the information that is routinely submitted in the course of applying for funding or reporting under certain programs or that is provided in the course of an entity’s grant management activities under those programs that are under federal control may be subject to protection under an SSI marking and must be properly identified and marked accordingly. SSI is a control designation used by DHS/FEMA to protect transportation security-related information. It is applied to information about security programs, vulnerability and threat assessments, screening processes, technical specifications of certain screening equipment and objects used to test screening equipment, and equipment used for communicating security information relating to air, land, or maritime transportation. Further information can be found at

49 C.F.R. Part 1520, Protection of Sensitive Security Information.

For the purposes of the IPR, and due to the high-frequency of SSI found in IPR-related IJs, all IPR IJs shall be considered SSI and treated as such until they have been subject to review for SSI by DHS/FEMA.

Therefore, applicants shall label all application documents as SSI in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 1520.13.

D. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

a. Before any federal preparedness awards are allocated, recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. The list of objectives used for progress and achievement reporting is on FEMA’s website at NIMS Implementation and Training.

b. Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for more information on NIMS.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-XII/subchapter-B/part-1520?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-XII/subchapter-B/part-1520/section-1520.13 https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/implementation-training https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/manual

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Step 4: Learn about the Award Review

Process

Application Review Information 26

Intergovernmental Review 29

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Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria

FEMA conducts reviews of all applications received to compare them for duplication including the narrative statements and statistical data. Therefore, all elements of the narrative statement must be specific and unique to the applying entity, and all statistical data must be accurate. Applications with narrative statements that have substantial duplication of statements, sentences, or paragraphs to other submitted applications, or inaccurate data that may mislead reviewers may be disqualified. Discovery of falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism of other grant proposals will disqualify the application(s).

Note: FEMA evaluates the application on its merit, veracity, and accuracy to ascertain how the narrative statement(s) outlined within the application depicts the applicant's and their organization's uniqueness, their particular risks, and how selecting them over a similarly situated applicant advances the objectives of the IPR program to assist transportation agencies with the capabilities to respond to threats and assure that traveling public has adequate protection from all hazards.

B. Application Criteria Overview

The FY 2026 IPR application will be evaluated through a review process for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, and anticipated effectiveness of the proposed investments. Amtrak is the only entity eligible to apply for IPR and must comply with all administrative requirements described herein including the submission of IJs, budgets, and other application materials, as required.

Investment Justification Review

IJs will be reviewed and selected based on the following criteria:

1. Funding priorities. Projects will be evaluated and prioritized based on the extent to which they address the priorities contained in this NOFO.

2. Ability to reduce risk of catastrophic events. Projects will be evaluated and prioritized on their ability to reduce risks associated with potential terrorist attacks and all other types of hazards. For projects where an applicant's collaboration with others is relevant to the project's ability to reduce risks, projects will be evaluated based on the degree to which the proposal adequately details how the applicant will use investments to overcome existing logistical, technological, legal, policy and other impediments to collaborating, networking, sharing information, cooperating and fostering a culture of national preparedness with federal, state, regional and nonprofit partners. In evaluating an applicant's ability to collaborate, FEMA will consider any information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources.

3. Sustainability without additional federal funds and leveraging of other funding. Projects will be evaluated and prioritized regarding the extent to which they exhibit a likelihood of success or continued success without requiring additional federal assistance.

4. Timelines. Projects will be evaluated and prioritized based on Amtrak's ability to complete the proposed project within submitted timeframes

Feasibility and Effectiveness Review

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Grant projects must be both (1)…