oppDHS-18-GPD-075-00-01-cfda97.075-instructions.pdf

FY 2018 IPR

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) - Amtrak

NOTE: If you are going to apply for this funding opportunity and have not obtained a

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and/or are not currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), please take immediate action to obtain a DUNS

Number, if applicable, and then to register immediately in SAM. It may take 4 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information. Information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is available from Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Detailed information regarding DUNS and

SAM is also provided in Section D of this NOFO, subsection, Content and Form of Application

Submission.

A. Program Description

Issued By

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

(FEMA), Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

97.075

CFDA Title

Rail and Transit Security Grant Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title

Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) - Amtrak

NOFO Number

DHS-18-GPD-075-00-01

Authorizing Authority for Program

Section 1513 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, (Pub.

L. No. 110-53) (6 U.S.C. § 1163)

Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-141)

Program Type

New

Program Overview, Objectives and Priorities

Overview http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

The FY 2018 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) - Amtrak is set against the backdrop of a year in which the United States faced numerous and unprecedented homeland security challenges.

These included the three major hurricanes that devastated parts of Texas, Florida, and much of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as massive wildfires across the State of

California. In addition to these natural disasters, the Nation also responded to multiple incidents as part of the evolving threat landscape, including witnessing the first known terrorist attack executed against mass transportation on our soil; cyberattacks against critical port infrastructure; and mass casualty events involving both vehicles and active shooters.

The National Preparedness Goal (the Goal) defines what it means to be prepared for such diverse and complicated events. The National Preparedness System is the instrument the

Nation employs to build, sustain, and deliver the core capabilities needed to achieve the goal of a more secure and resilient Nation. The development and sustainment of these core capabilities is not exclusive to any single level of government or organization, but rather requires the combined effort of the whole community. To that end, the FY 2018 IPR represents one part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration. Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the IPR supports the goal to Strengthen

National Preparedness and Resilience.

The recently released 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for the field of emergency management and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. The Intercity Passenger

Rail Grant Program supports the goal of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation.

Objectives

FY 2018 IPR directly supports transportation infrastructure security activities for the Amtrak

System and is one tool in the comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to strengthen the Nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

Performance metrics for this program are as follows:

Percent Change in the relative risk score for the top fifty (50) most critical assets.

Priorities

FY 2018 IPR priorities include building and sustaining core capabilities through:

Strengthening governance integration

Protection of high-risk, high-consequence underwater and underground rail assets

Planning (Operational, Continuity of Operations, Evacuation, Recovery)

Use of visible, unpredictable deterrence

Targeted counter-terrorism training for key front-line staff

Emergency preparedness drills and exercises https://www.fema.gov/strategic-plan

The FY 2018 IPR program plays an important role in the implementation of the NPS by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the Goal. The FY 2018 IPR program supports all core capabilities in the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas based on allowable costs.

Examples of tangible outcomes from IPR include building and sustaining emergency management capabilities through operational activities, operational packages (OPacks), Top

Transit Asset List (TTAL) remediation; protection of high-risk, high-consequence underwater and underground rail assets; planning; use of visible, unpredictable deterrence;

emergency preparedness drills and exercises; public awareness and preparedness campaigns;

and protection of other high-risk, high-consequence areas and systems that have been identified through system wide risk assessments.

For additional information on program priorities and objectives for FY 2018 IPR, refer to

Appendix A – Program Priorities.

B. Federal Award Information

Award Amounts, Important Dates, and Extensions

Available Funding for the FY 2018 IPR: $10,000,000

Period of Performance: Thirty-six (36) Months

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

DHS/FEMA anticipates the overall period of performance for awards issued under this NOFO will be up to 84 months, encompassing five (5) program years. DHS/FEMA anticipates that it will fund a program year every twelve (12) months, and that the period of performance for the funds provided in each program year will be three (3) years. The funds provided under this announcement will be for the first program year, which will have a three-year period of performance. Annual funding for program years two through five is not currently available, and will only be provided subject to the availability of funds. Should funding become available for additional program years, applicants will be required to submit an application and proposed budget for approval by DHS/FEMA before any additional funds are awarded.

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): September 1, 2018

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): August 31, 2021

Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

Program authority and responsibility under this Cooperative Agreement reside with DHS/FEMA.

DHS/FEMA retains the right to terminate all or part of the Cooperative Agreement as permitted by 2 C.F.R. § 200.339 and may conduct site visits and monitoring throughout the period of performance.

DHS/FEMA will work with Amtrak to develop and refine the details of executing this award, for example, including work plans, goals and objectives, timelines, deliverables and effectiveness measures, selection of key partners, development of outreach or educational materials, coordination of multistate efforts, and defining eligible and ineligible tasks to ensure that the program is effectively implemented. Amtrak shall not develop or engage in the development of tasks not approved in the application without prior approval and the issuance of an amendment to the award by DHS/FEMA.

IPR Program Management: Roles and Responsibilities at DHS/FEMA (Substantial Role of

Agency)

Effective management of the IPR program entails a collaborative effort and partnership within

DHS/FEMA. For the FY 2018 IPR program, DHS/FEMA is responsible for designing and operating the required administrative mechanisms to implement and manage the grant program.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides programmatic subject matter expertise for the transportation industry. TSA assists by coordinating the intelligence information and risk/vulnerability assessments resulting in ranking and rating rail and mass transit assets nationwide against threats associated with potential terrorist attacks and in defining the parameters for identifying, protecting, deterring, responding, and recovering from such incidents. Together, these two agencies, with additional assistance and cooperation of the

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), determine the primary security architecture of the IPR program.

DHS/FEMA and TSA provide substantial federal involvement with the following activities:

Review and approve the Investment Justifications (IJs) prior to submitting the formal application

Retain the authority to halt Amtrak’s funded activity immediately if Amtrak does not meet all conditions as listed in the award

Review Amtrak’s project management plans and decisions

Require Amtrak to maintain close collaboration with federal program staff for the purpose of controlling all aspects of Amtrak’s performance of grant program activities

On a quarterly basis, review Amtrak’s progress towards resolution of identified project issues

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is the only entity eligible to apply for funding under the FY 2018 Intercity Passenger Rail Program.

Eligibility Criteria

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Prior to allocation of any federal preparedness awards in FY 2018, recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. DHS/FEMA describes the specific activities involved in NIMS implementation in the NIMS Implementation Objectives

(https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting).

Incident management\activities require carefully managed resources (personnel, teams, facilities, equipment and/or supplies) to meet incident needs. Utilization of the standardized resource management concepts such as typing, credentialing, and inventorying promote a strong national mutual aid capability needed to support delivery of core capabilities.

Additional information on resource management and NIMS resource typing definitions and job titles/position qualifications at http://www.fema.gov/resource-management-mutual-aid.

Although state, local, tribal, and private sector partners—including nongovernmental organizations—are not required to credential their personnel in accordance with these guidelines, DHS/FEMA strongly encourages them to do so in order to leverage the Federal investment in the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 201 infrastructure and to facilitate interoperability for personnel deployed outside their home jurisdiction. Additional information is available from the http://www.fema.gov/nims-doctrine-supporting-guides-tools.

Cost—Share or Match

There is no cost share or cost match requirement for the FY 2018 IPR program.

D. Application and Submission Information

Key Dates and Times

Date Posted to Grants.gov: May 21, 2018

Application Submission Deadline: June 20, 2018, 5:00PM ET

All applications must be received by the established deadline. The Non-Disaster (ND)

Grants System has a date stamp that indicates when an application is submitted. Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of the full application. DHS/FEMA will not review applications that are received after the deadline or consider them for funding. DHS/FEMA may, however, extend the application deadline by request for any applicant who can demonstrate that good cause exists to justify extending the deadline.

Good cause for an extension may include technical problems outside of the applicant’s control that prevent submission of the application by the deadline, or other exigent or emergency circumstances. Technical issues should be addressed to the FEMA Headquarters

(HQ) Program Analyst as soon as possible before the application deadline. Applicants should contact the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) for HQ Program

Analyst contact information. CSID can be reached by phone at (800) 368-6498 or by e-mail at askcsid@fema.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: August 27, 2018

Anticipated Award Date: No later than September 30, 2018 https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting http://www.fema.gov/resource-management-mutual-aid http://www.fema.gov/nims-doctrine-supporting-guides-tools http://www.fema.gov/nims-doctrine-supporting-guides-tools mailto:askcsid@fema.gov

Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available on Grants.gov (hardcopies of the NOFO and associated application materials are not available.) To access the application package, select

“Applicants” then “Apply for Grants” followed by “Get Application Package.” Enter the

Funding Opportunity Number located on the first page of this NOFO. Select “Apply” and then

“Create Workspace.” Follow the prompts to download the instructions and begin the application.

In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information

Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: (800) 462-7585.

Initial applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal. Final applications are completed and submitted through FEMA’s Non-Disaster Grants (ND Grants) System.

Content and Form of Application Submission Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process. To ensure that an application is submitted on time, applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission. Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for submitting their application may disqualify their application from funding.

The steps involved in applying for an award under this program are:

1. Applying for, updating, or verifying their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

Number and Employer ID Number (EIN);

2. Updating or verifying their System for Award Management (SAM) Registration;

3. Establishing an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

4. Submitting an initial application in Grants.gov; and

5. Submitting the final application in the ND Grants system.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

All applicants for this award must:

1. Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

2. Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and

3. 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 DHS/FEMA.

DHS/FEMA may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DHS/FEMA is ready to make a federal award. DHS/FEMA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

Electronic Delivery

DHS/FEMA is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS/FEMA requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov and ND Grants.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://portal.fema.gov/

How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

1. Overview: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS/FEMA funds.

Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organizations must have a DUNS Number, active SAM registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants.

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to:

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

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

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

2. Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

3. Register with SAM: In addition to having a DUNS number, all organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

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

4. Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process.

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

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

5. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile.

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

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

6. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an

Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role.

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

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

7. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

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

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

How to Submit an Initial Application to DHS/FEMA via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), you can create individual instances of a Workspace. Applicants are encouraged to submit their initial application in Grants.gov at least seven days before the June 20, 2018, application deadline.

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

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

1. Create a Workspace: Creating a Workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission.

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

3. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard or

DHS/FEMA forms. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

4. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

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

6. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the

“Sign and Submit” button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least seven days prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

7. Track a Workspace: After successfully submitting a workspace package, a Grants.gov

Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the

Details tab in the submitted workspace.

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

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

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-

518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support

Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the DHS/FEMA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

Submitting the Final Application in Non Disaster Grants System (ND Grants) After submitting the initial application in Grants.gov, eligible applicants will be notified by

DHS/FEMA and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in ND http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/

Grants. Applicants can register early with ND Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND

Grants registration at the time of this announcement or at the latest, seven days before the application deadline. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their application.

In ND Grants applicants will be prompted to submit all of the information contained in the following forms. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required:

Standard Form 424A, Budget Information (Non-construction)

Standard Form 424B, Standard Assurances (Non-construction)

Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

In addition, applicants must submit copies of the following in ND Grants:

Standard Form 424D, Standard Assurances (Construction) if applying for funds to use for construction;

Standard Form 424C, Budget Information (Construction) if applying for grants to support construction;

Investment Justification(s);

Detailed Budget(s); and

Indirect Cost Agreement, if applicable.

For assistance registering for the ND Grants system, please contact ndgrants@fema.gov or (800)

865-4076.

Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

All applications must be received in ND Grants by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on June 20, 2018.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by ND Grants. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by ND

Grants. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their initial application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov and ND Grants receive your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the systems time to process the application.

Applicants needing assistance with the ND Grants system should contact ndgrants@fema.gov or

(800) 865-4076.

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Funding Restrictions

Federal funds made available through this award may be used for the purpose set forth in this award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Award funds may not be used for matching funds for any other federal awards, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the

Federal Government or any other government entity.

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

As a Federal agency, DHS/FEMA is required to consider the effects of its actions on the environment and historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by the agency, including grants funded projects, comply with federal EHP regulations, laws and

Executive Orders as applicable. Recipients and subrecipients proposing projects that have the potential to impact the environment, including but not limited to construction of communication towers, modification or renovation of existing buildings, structures and facilities, or new construction including replacement of facilities, must participate in the FEMA EHP review process. The EHP review process involves the submission of a detailed project description along with supporting documentation so that FEMA may determine whether the proposed project has the potential to impact environmental resources and/or historic properties. In some cases, DHS/FEMA also is required to consult with other regulatory agencies and the public in order to complete the review process. The EHP review process must be completed and approved before funds are released to carry out the proposed project; otherwise, DHS/FEMA may not be able to fund the project due to non-compliance with EHP laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies.

Additionally, all recipients are required to comply with DHS/FEMA EHP Policy Guidance, FEMA Policy #108-023-1. The EHP screening form is located here and further EHP guidance can be found at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/85376.

Emergency Communications and Resilience

IPR funding used to support emergency communications investments are required to comply with the SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants (SAFECOM

Guidance). The SAFECOM Guidance provides current information on emergency communications policies, eligible costs, best practices, and technical standards for State, local, tribal, and territorial grantees investing Federal funds in emergency communications projects. It is also designed to promote and align with the National Emergency Communications Plan

(NECP). Conformance with the SAFECOM Guidance helps ensure that Federally-funded investments are compatible, interoperable, resilient, and support national goals and objectives for improving emergency communications.

FirstNet The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-96, as amended

(codified in part at 47 U.S.C. §§ 1401-1473) established the First Responder Network Authority

(hereinafter FirstNet Authority) as an independent authority within the National https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1501003650506-853eeedee8632ebd25408cd0241683c4/FEMA_Form_024-0-1_Final_Version_7-25-2017.pdf https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/85376 https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/funding https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/funding https://www.dhs.gov/national-emergency-communications-plan

Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”).1 The FirstNet Authority’s statutory mission is to establish a nationwide public safety broadband network (FirstNet).2

FirstNet uses the 700 MHz D block spectrum to provide Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-based broadband services and applications to public safety entities.3 FirstNet became operational in

March 2018 and is based on a single, national network architecture that will evolve with technological advances and initially consists of a core network and radio access network (RAN).

FirstNet will provide public safety entities with mission critical broadband data capabilities and services including, but not limited to messaging, image sharing, video streaming, group text, voice, data storage, application, location-based services, and Quality of Service, and Priority and

Preemption. Public safety entities seeking to enhance their operational capabilities using broadband technology may seek grant funding to support the following:

Planning for integration of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, software, and site upgrades necessary to connect to FirstNet.

Handheld broadband devices including smartphones, feature phones, tablets, wearables, push-to-talk (PTT) devices.

Vehicle-mounted or otherwise field operated data devices such as ruggedized laptops.

Network access devices including portable Wi-Fi devices, Universal Serial Bus (USB) modems/dongles, trunk-mounted modems, routers.

Customer Owned and Managed (COAM) broadband deployable equipment, enabling public safety to own and dispatch coverage expansion or capacity enhancement equipment within their jurisdiction.

Broadband device accessories that enable efficient and safe public safety operations such as headsets, belt clips, ear pieces, remote Bluetooth sensors, ruggedized cases.

Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs)/Universal Integrated Circuit Cards

(UICCs) to allow public safety users to update existing devices to operate on public safety prioritized services.

One-time purchase and Subscription-based applications for public safety use which could include, among a number of other options, enterprise mobility management

(EMM), mobile device management (MDM), mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN), identify services, or cloud service tools.

As FirstNet is built out in all 56 states and territories and coverage and capacity for first responders expands, recipients are strongly encouraged to coordinate with the Statewide

Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) and FirstNet on (1) the planning, deployment timelines, and operational availability of the network deployment within a specific state or territory; (2) to ensure the project does not conflict with network planning efforts; and (3) that the project complies with all technical requirements. FirstNet requires participating agencies to demonstrate

1 47 U.S.C. § 1424(a).

2 47 U.S.C. § 1426(b).

3 47 U.S.C. §§ 1401(2), 1421(a).

a subscription to public safety-prioritized broadband services to purchase FirstNet broadband devices or applications. Information Bulletin #386 is hereby rescinded as the technical requirements and nationwide network architecture has been developed, and FirstNet is operational. Recipients, however, must coordinate with FirstNet in advance of any strategic acquisition of broadband LTE equipment to ensure that purchases adhere to all applicable standards for public safety entities. Recipients with questions on FirstNet should contact info@firstnet.gov. Please refer to the FY 2018 SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency

Communications for additional guidance.

Pre-award Costs

Pre-award costs are allowable only with the prior written approval of DHS/FEMA as included in the award agreement. To request pre-award costs, a written request must be included with the application, signed by the Authorized Representative of the entity. The letter must outline what the pre-award costs are for, including a detailed budget break-out of pre-award costs from the post-award costs, and a justification for approval.

Cost Principles

Costs charged to this award must be consistent with the Cost Principles in the Federal

Acquisition Regulation Part 31.2 in lieu of 2 CFR 200, Subpart E. Any conflicts between FAR

31.2 and CFR 200, Subpart E shall be resolved in favor of the applicable provision in FAR 31.2.

Direct Costs

Planning

Planning-related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Organization

Organization-related costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Equipment

Equipment costs are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO.

Applicants should analyze the cost benefits of purchasing versus leasing equipment, especially high cost items and those subject to rapid technical advances. Large equipment purchases must be identified and explained. For more information regarding property management standards for equipment, please reference 2 C.F.R. § 200.313, located at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c836a011886f180dac489e15c059b1aa&node=sg2.1.200_1309.sg2&rgn=div7.

Training

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

Exercises

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

Operational Packages (OPacks)

OPack costs are allowed under this program as described in this NOFO. The recipient may elect to pursue OPack funding, such as Canine Teams, Mobile Explosive Screening Teams, mailto:info@firstnet.gov https://www.dhs.gov/safecom https://www.dhs.gov/safecom http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c836a011886f180dac489e15c059b1aa&node=sg2.1.200_1309.sg2&rgn=div7.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c836a011886f180dac489e15c059b1aa&node=sg2.1.200_1309.sg2&rgn=div7.

and Anti-Terrorism Teams, for new capabilities as well as to sustain existing OPacks. In addition, the recipient must commit to minimum training standards to be set by DHS for all

IPR funded security positions.

Travel

Domestic travel costs are allowed under this program as described in this NOFO.

International travel is NOT an allowable cost under this program unless approved in advance by DHS/FEMA.

Construction and Renovation

Construction and renovation costs are allowed under this program as described in this NOFO.

The recipient must obtain prior written approval from DHS/FEMA before using any IPR funds for construction or renovation. Additionally, the recipient is required to submit a SF-

424C Form and Budget detail citing the project costs.

The recipient must submit all documentation resulting from that review to GPD prior to submitting materials for EHP review. The recipient is also encouraged to have completed as many steps as possible for a successful EHP review in support of their proposal for funding

(e.g., coordination with their State Historic Preservation Office to identify potential historic preservation issues and to discuss the potential for project effects, compliance with all state and EHP laws and requirements). Projects for which the recipient believes an Environmental

Assessment (EA) may be needed, as defined in DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Revision 01, and FEMA Directive 108-1 and FEMA Instruction 108-1-1, must also be identified to the FEMA HQ Program Analyst within six months of the award and completed

EHP review materials must be submitted no later than 12 months before the end of the period of performance. EHP review packets should be sent to gpdehpinfo@fema.gov.

If the recipient uses funds for construction projects, it must comply with the Davis-Bacon Act

(40 U.S.C. § 3141 et seq.) as required by 6 U.S.C. § 1163(h). The recipient must ensure that contractors or subcontractors for construction projects pay workers no less than the prevailing wages for laborers and mechanics employed on projects of a character similar to the contract work in the civil subdivision of the state in which the work is to be performed.

Additional information regarding compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, including

Department of Labor (DOL) wage determinations, is available at https://www.dol.gov/whd/govcontracts/dbra.htm.

Operational Overtime

Operational Overtime costs are allowed under this program as described in this NOFO. For additional information on overtime for the FY 2018 IPR program, refer to Appendix B –

Funding Guidelines.

Maintenance and Sustainment

Maintenance and Sustainment related costs, such as maintenance contracts, warranties, repair or replacement costs, upgrades, and user fees are allowable as described in this NOFO and

DHS/FEMA Policy FP 205-402-125-1, located at: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/32474.

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/DHS_Instruction%20Manual%20023-01-001-01%20Rev%2001_508compliantversion.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/DHS_Instruction%20Manual%20023-01-001-01%20Rev%2001_508compliantversion.pdf https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/118323 mailto:gpdehpinfo@fema.gov https://www.dol.gov/whd/govcontracts/dbra.htm http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/32474 http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/32474

For additional information on allowable costs and funding restrictions, refer to Appendix B –

Funding Guidelines.

Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

Management and administration costs are allowed. Recipients may use up to five percent

(5%) of the amount of the award for M&A. M&A activities are those 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; requests that are simple percentages of the award, without supporting justification, will not be allowed or considered for reimbursement.

M&A costs are not operational costs, they are the necessary costs incurred in direct support of the grant or as a consequence of the grant and should be allocated across the entire lifecycle of the grant. 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; and responding to official informational requests from state and federal oversight authorities.

Indirect (Facilities & Administrative [F&A]) Costs Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in the FAR. With the exception of recipients who have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate as described in the FAR recipients must have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with their cognizant federal agency to charge indirect costs to this award. A copy of the approved rate (a fully executed, agreement negotiated with the applicant’s cognizant federal agency) is required at the time of application, and must be provided to DHS/FEMA before indirect costs are charged to the award.

IPR Specific Application Instructions

Applicants must submit their IPR grant application, associated IJs including detailed budgets, and associated MOUs/MOAs as a file attachment within ND Grants prior to the application deadline.

Investment Justification (IJ)

As part of the FY 2018 IPR application process, applicants must develop a formal IJ that addresses each initiative being proposed for funding, including a project’s M&A costs.

Applicants may submit up to 15 IJs. The IJ must demonstrate how proposed projects address gaps and deficiencies in current programs and capabilities and link to one or more core capabilities identified in the National Preparedness Goal. Applicants are encouraged to submit a separate IJ for each proposed project. IPR projects must be: 1) feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed; and 2) able to be fully completed within the 3-year period of performance. Applicants must ensure that the IJs are consistent with all applicable requirements outlined in this application kit.

IJs must be submitted with the grant application as a file attachment within ND Grants.

Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting IJ attachments through ND Grants as part of the FY 2018 IPR program:

Name of Applicant_IJ Number (Example: Amtrak_IJ 1)

Applicants must provide information in the following categories for each proposed investment:

I. Background

II. Strategic and Program Priorities

III. Impact

IV. Funding/Implementation Plan

An IJ Template is provided in Appendix C – Program Investment Justification Template and may be used as a guide to assist in IJ preparation.

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 ND Grants. 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.

Applicants must use the following file naming convention when submitting detailed budgets through ND Grants as part of the FY 2018 IPR program:

Agency_IJ Number_Budget (Example: Amtrak_IJ 1_Budget)

A sample budget detail worksheet is provided in Appendix D – Sample Budget Detail

Worksheet and may be used as a guide to assist in the preparation of the budget and budget narrative.

Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Requirements

A portion of the information routinely submitted in the course of applying for funding or reporting under certain programs or provided in the course of an entity’s grant management activities under those programs which are under federal control may be subject to protection under an SSI marking, and must be properly identified and marked. 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. § 1520.7.

For the purposes of IPR, and due to the high-frequency of SSI found in IJs, all 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.

E. Application Review Information

Application Evaluation Criteria

Prior to making a federal award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3321 and 41 U.S.C. § 2313 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Application evaluation 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 awards; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

Amtrak is the only entity eligible to submit an application for the IPR program and must comply with all administrative requirements described herein ― including the submission of IJs, budgets, and other application materials as required.

Investment justifications 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 specific funding priorities contained in this NOFO (see Appendix

A: FY 2018 IPR Program Priorities).

2. Ability to reduce risk of catastrophic events. Projects will be evaluated and prioritized on their ability to reduce risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and all other types of hazards.

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. Timeline. Projects will be evaluated and prioritized on the ability of the Amtrak to complete the proposed project within submitted timeframes.

Grant projects must be: 1) both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed; and 2) able to be fully completed within the 3-year period of performance.

DHS/FEMA will use the information provided in the application, as well as any supporting documentation, to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the grant project. Information that would assist in the feasibility and effectiveness determination includes the following:

Scope of work (purpose and objectives of the project, identification of what is being protected)

Desired outcomes, including expected long-term impact where applicable

Summary of status of planning and design accomplished to date (e.g. included in a capital improvement plan)

Project schedule

Recipients are expected to conform, as applicable, with accepted engineering practices, established codes, standards, modeling techniques, and best practices.

Review and Selection Process

Amtrak is the only eligible entity for the FY 2018 IPR program.

Supplemental Financial Integrity Review

Prior to making a Federal award where the Federal share is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $150,000, DHS/FEMA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information

System (FAPIIS), which is also accessible through the SAM website.

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

DHS/FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the FAPIIS information, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants, as described in 2 CFR §200.205.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Not…