PKG00260621-instructions.pdf

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

Fiscal Year 2020 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program

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

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (OTVTP)

2. Assistance Listings (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number) 97.132

3. Assistance Listings Title (formerly CFDA Title)

Financial Assistance for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention

4. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2020 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-20-TTP-132-00-01

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (Pub. L. No 107-296) and Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-93, Division D)

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-93, Division D)

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Overview From its founding, one of the primary missions of the Department of Homeland Security has been to “prevent terrorist attacks within the United States.” In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, DHS used this mandate to develop nationwide capabilities that help to detect and disrupt terrorist plots directed from overseas. Examples of these capabilities included stopping terrorist travel with enhanced law enforcement and intelligence capabilities and ensuring that state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments were integrated in this mission as part of a holistic approach to preparedness. In the last decade, the terrorist threat has evolved. Domestic terrorists have caused more deaths in the United States in recent years than have terrorists connected to foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

Domestic terrorist attacks and hate crimes sometimes overlap, as perpetrators of prominent domestic terrorist attacks have selected their targets based on factors such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity.

White supremacist violent extremism, one type of racially- and ethnically-motivated violent extremism, is one of the most potent forces driving domestic terrorism. Lone attackers, as opposed to cells or organizations, generally perpetrate these kinds of attacks.

But they are also part of a broader movement. White supremacist violent extremists’ outlook can generally be characterized by hatred for immigrants and ethnic minorities, often combining these prejudices with virulent anti-Semitism or anti-Muslim views.

Additionally, ISIS leveraged the internet and social media to inspire domestically-based individuals to commit terrorist attacks with little to no training and preparation. The emergence of these homegrown violent extremists led to the Department’s initial efforts to prevent and intervene with individuals radicalizing to violence, including the Fiscal Year 2016 Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program.

More recently, we have seen other ideologies, including racially or ethnically-motivated violent extremists, utilize similar online tactics as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) to inspire individuals to commit acts of violence. Additionally, we have seen individuals commit mass attacks with no clear nexus to a violent ideology, devastating hometowns across America. The nature of this increasingly complex threat, and the Department’s approach to combatting it is laid out in the Department’s first Strategic Framework to Counter Terrorism and Targeted Violence (Strategic Framework). DHS’ efforts on the Strategic Framework and related work and outside research suggest that the risk factors for individuals being radicalized to violence are similar across the ideological spectrum, and that other acts of targeted violence also share many of those risk factors.

The Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program is a critical part of the Department’s implementation of the Strategic Framework and aligns with the 2018 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review mission to “Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security.” It builds off the promising practices and lessons learned from the department’s past and ongoing activities and seeks to make awards to projects that will build local capacity to prevent targeted violence and all forms of terrorism.

http://www.dhs.gov/cvegrants https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0920_plcy_strategic-framework-countering-terrorism-targeted-violence.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0920_plcy_strategic-framework-countering-terrorism-targeted-violence.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/tvtpgrants https://www.dhs.gov/tvtpgrants

Objectives The TVTP Grant Program seeks to provide funding in three application tracks. The Local Prevention Framework, Replication, and Innovation Tracks will directly support the implementation of the September 2019 DHS Strategic Framework. The Strategic Framework, in turn, is derivative of the December 2017 National Security Strategy that included a Priority Action on enhancing local terrorism prevention capabilities and the October 2018 National Strategy for Counterterrorism that included countering terrorist recruitment and radicalization as one of six lines of efforts and called for the development of a nationwide prevention architecture.

The objectives of the TVTP Grant Program align to objectives in Goal 3 of the Strategic Framework (see Appendix A for additional details). The primary objectives of Goal 3 addressed by the TVTP Grant Program are:

• Strengthen societal resistance against the drivers of violent extremism and ensure broad awareness of the threat of terrorism and targeted violence.

• Counter terrorists and violent extremists’ influence online.

• Develop prevention frameworks with SLTT partners to enhance their ability to identify and respond to individuals at risk of mobilizing to violence.

• Develop and implement recidivism reduction programming to address individuals convicted of crimes related to terrorism and targeted violence.

The TVTP Grant Program seeks to provide funding to applications that align with the Strategic Framework and that protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Please See Appendix D for research, logic model, performance measurement, and other resources that can be referenced to design project proposals.

Priorities The FY20 TVTP Grant Program has the following priorities:

• Establishing and Enhancing Local Prevention Frameworks with an emphasis on Threat Assessment and Management Capabilities

• Preventing Domestic Terrorism

• Innovative Solutions for Preventing Targeted Violence and Terrorism

10. Performance Metrics

Performance measures and metrics are identified in subparagraph (b) for each project type in Appendix B.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $10,000,000.00

See Appendix B for target award amounts for each project type. These amounts are not a minimum or maximum award, but if the applicant requests an amount that significantly deviates from the target award amount for the applicable track or project type, DHS will require the applicant to include a detailed justification.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NSCT.pdf

2. Period of Performance: 24 months

Extensions to the Period of Performance are allowed; please see Section H. Additional Information, Period of Performance Extensions.

3. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2020

4. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2022

5. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

a. Local governments as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.64

b. Indian tribal governments as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.54

c. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status

d. Institutions of higher education as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.55

e. State governments as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.90.

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient authority and capacity to implement a project outlined in Appendix B, including the capability to engage the participants they propose to include in their projects.

All applicants must include the required elements for all applications (See Appendix C, “Contents and Format of Application”), as well as specific requirements of the projects they are proposing, including performance measures, for each project type (See Appendix B). Failure to provide a complete application or significant deviation from the requirements can cause an application to be ineligible and not reviewed or scored.

3. Other Eligibility Criteria

Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties: Proposed projects shall not infringe on individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Applications shall describe any potential impacts to privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties and ways in which applicants will prevent or mitigate those impacts and administer their projects in a nondiscriminatory manner. Applications that describe programs projects or activities that do not appropriately protect privacy, civil rights, or civil liberties will be deemed ineligible for funding.

4. Cost Share or Match A Cost Share or Cost Match is not required.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 03/30/2020

b. Application Submission Deadline: 05/29/2020 5:00:00 PM ET

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: 08/31/2020

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/30/2020

e. Other Key Dates

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Obtaining DUNS Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline Obtaining a valid EIN Four weeks before actual submission deadline Updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline Creating a profile and organization in ND Grants Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Starting application in Grants.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Completing Application in ND Grants One week before actual submission deadline

Submitting the Final Application in ND Grants By the submission deadline

All complete applications must be received by the established deadline.

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

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

Applicants experiencing technical problems outside of their control must notify FEMA as soon as possible and before the application deadline. Failure to timely notify FEMA of the issue that prevented the timely filing of the application may preclude consideration of the award. “Timely notification” of FEMA means the following: prior to the application deadline and within 48 hours after the applicant became aware of the issue. A list of contacts can be found in Section G, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information.”

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. Address to Request Application Package

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

This NOFO contains or provides links to all the information necessary to complete an application.

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

For a hardcopy of the full NOFO, please write a request to:

Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY) U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King Ave. SE Washington, D.C. 20528-0445 (Please allow up to 14 days for receipt of request and an additional 14 days for response.)

In addition, the following Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number available for this Notice is: 1 (800) 462-7585

4. Steps Required to Submit an Application, Unique Entity Identifier, and System for

Award Management (SAM)

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and Employer ID Number (EIN)

b. In the application, provide a valid Data Universal Numbering System DUNS number, which is currently the unique entity identifier;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

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

e. Create a Grants.gov account;

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

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

b. Submit an initial application in Grants.gov;

g. Submit the final application in ND Grants; and

h. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency.

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

Applicants are advised that DHS may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when DHS is ready to make a federal award. Further, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, DHS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

5. Electronic Delivery

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. For this funding opportunity, the Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (OTVTP) requires applicants to submit initial applications through Grants.gov and submit final application though ND Grants.

6. How to Register to Apply Through Grants.gov Instructions: Registering in Grants.gov is a multi-step process. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS 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 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) 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.

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

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

2) Register with SAM: 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

3) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

4) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, 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

5) 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

6) Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

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

7) 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 people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the 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 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

AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

7. How to Submit an Initial Application to DHS via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NOFO, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

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

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

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

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

c. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. 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

d. 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.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and 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.

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

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

g. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, 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 DHS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

8. Submitting the Final Application in in the 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 Grants. Applicants can register early with ND Grants and are encouraged to begin their ND Grants registration at the time of this announcement or, at the latest, seven days before the application deadline. Early registration will allow applicants to have adequate time to start and complete their applications.

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

In ND Grants, applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information required as described below. The Standard Forms (SF) are auto generated in ND Grants, but applicants may access these forms in advance through the Forms tab under the SF- 424 family on Grants.gov. Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they have all the information required:

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

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

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Indirect Cost Agreement, if the budget includes indirect costs and the applicant is required to have an indirect cost rate agreement. If the applicant is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement but will charge indirect costs and is required to have an indirect cost rate proposal, the applicant must provide a copy of their indirect cost rate proposal with the application. See the section below on indirect costs for more information or contact the relevant Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist for further instructions.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system https://www.fema.gov/non-disaster-grants-management-system

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

As application submission is a two-step process, the applicant with the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgment of receipt, a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov, and an Agency Tracking Number (EMX-2021-XX-XXXX) with the successful transmission of the initial application. This notification does not serve as proof of timely submission as the application is not complete until it is submitted in ND Grants. All applications must be received in ND Grants by 05:00 PM Eastern Time on May 30, 2020. 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. Additionally, the applicant(s) listed as contacts on the application will receive a system-generated email to confirm receipt.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission The following forms or information are required to be submitted in either Grants.gov or ND Grants. The Standard Forms (SF) are submitted either through Grants.gov, through forms generated in ND Grants, or as an attachment in ND Grants. Applicants may also access the SFs at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, submitted through Grants.gov

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying, submitted through Grants.gov

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction), submitted via the forms generated by ND Grants

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, via the forms generated by ND Grants

• Indirect Cost Agreement, submitted as an attachment in ND Grants if the budget includes indirect costs and the applicant is required to have an indirect cost rate agreement. If the applicant is not required to have an indirect cost rate agreement but will charge indirect costs and is required to have an indirect cost rate proposal, the applicant must provide a copy of their indirect cost rate proposal with the application.

See the section below on indirect costs for more information or contact the relevant Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist for further instructions.

• Project Narrative, submitted as a single attachment in ND Grants. The Project Narrative has the following components:

o Cover Page o Body o Appendices

See Appendix C for detailed instructions on completing the Project Narrative.

11. Other Submission Requirements For additional information and formatting instructions see Appendix C.

12. Funding Restrictions Construction and renovation costs are NOT allowed under this program.

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

Equipment costs are NOT allowed under this program.

Pre-award costs are NOT allowed under this program.

International travel is NOT allowed under this program without prior approval from the

DHS Office for targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention and the FEMA Grant Programs Directorate.

All costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO, or the terms and conditions of the award.

For more information on FEMA’s implementation of 2 C.F.R. Part 200, see Information Bulletin (IB) No. 400.

In general, the Cost Principles establish standards for the allowability of costs, provide detailed guidance on the cost accounting treatment of costs as direct or administrative costs, and set forth allowability principles for selected items of cost. More specifically, except as otherwise stated in this NOFO, the terms and condition of an award, or other program materials, costs charged to awards covered by this NOFO must be consistent with the Cost Principles for Federal Awards located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. In order to be allowable, all costs charged to a FEMA award or applied to the cost share must be reasonable in nature and amount and allocable to the particular FEMA award.

Additionally, all costs charged to awards must comply with the grant program’s applicable statutes, policies, requirements in this NOFO as well as with the terms and conditions of the award. If FEMA staff identify costs that are inconsistent with any of these requirements, these costs may be disallowed, and FEMA may recover funds as appropriate, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

As part of those requirements, grant recipients and subrecipients may only use federal funds or funds applied to a cost share for the purposes set forth in this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, and those costs must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds may not be used for matching funds for other federal grants/cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the federal government or any other government entity.

Recipients are also expected to conform, as applicable, with accepted engineering practices, established codes, standards, modeling techniques, and best practices, and participate in the development of case studies demonstrating the effective use of grant funds, as requested.

13. Allowable Costs

a. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

M&A costs are allowable by the recipient up to 5% of the award.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1419366341862-296dd0cc30bbf64a6b45581afe9d8b17/InformationBulletin400_2CFRPart200_FINAL.pdf https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1419366341862-296dd0cc30bbf64a6b45581afe9d8b17/InformationBulletin400_2CFRPart200_FINAL.pdf

b. Other Direct Costs Planning, training, organization, exercises, and domestic travel are allowed under this program.

c. Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs Indirect costs are allowable under this program as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants with a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement that desire to charge indirect costs to an award must provide a copy of their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement at the time of application. Applicants that are not required by 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement but are required by 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to develop an indirect cost rate proposal must provide a copy of their proposal at the time of application. Post-award requests to charge indirect costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis and based upon the submission of an agreement or proposal as discussed above.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria DHS will review applications submitted in three application tracks, based on project type. Applications will be scored on the following merit criteria and will be assigned points up to the maximum number of points listed for the below criteria for a total maximum score of 100 points. Please Refer to Appendix C for a detailed description of the required elements associated with the below scoring criteria.

Needs Assessment 15 Points Applicants will conduct a needs assessment as described in Appendix C. In order to receive the maximum number of points applicants will outline activities from a broad range of stakeholders in their planned area of performance in determining their needs and currently available resources.

Program Design 30 Points The program design is a critical part of the application that demonstrates the degree to which applicants understand how their proposed work will have an impact in preventing targeted violence and terrorism. To receive the maximum number of points, applications will include all of the elements of the Program Design, as described in Appendix C, and show a clear connection between those elements such that it conveys a program that has the best chance of achieving the intended results.

Organization and Key Personnel 15 Points Applicants are required to describe their organization and the key personnel that will work on the project. To receive the maximum number of points, applicants will provide details that indicate how the organization is poised to deliver the intended outcomes of their projects though past successes in prevention or related work and how the key personnel have sufficient subject matter expertise to accomplish the project. Projects utilizing partners to carryout significant portions of the project should include a detailed description the partner’s experience and capability as well as a letter of support or similar documentation in order to be highly scored in this category.

Sustainability 15 Points Applicants are required to describe how the activities and capabilities in their proposed project will be sustained following the end of the period of performance. To receive the maximum number of points applicants will outline a feasible plan to sustain all the capabilities developed by their project permanently without Federal funding. Fewer points will be awarded for applicants who plan to rely on other sources of Federal grants to sustain operations, and points will be awarded commensurate with the length of time a grantee plans to sustain the funding.

Budget Detail and Narrative 10 Points The budget detail will be evaluated to determine if the proposed costs are reasonable and well supported by the budget narrative. In order to receive the maximum number of points applicants will propose an efficient, realistic budget, and if applicant deviates significantly from the target award funds associated with each project, the narrative will include a reasonable justification for the deviation.

Project Implementation Plan 15 Points Each application will be scored on the quality of their Project Implementation Plan in accordance with the DHS Template. To receive the maximum number of points, applicants should complete the template in a logical way that, when used in reporting progress to DHS, conveys the most meaningful aspects of their programs.

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

Prior to making a federal award, DHS is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3321 note, 41 U.S.C. § 2313, and 2 C.F.R. § 200.205 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore, 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 award.

4) Reports and findings from audits.

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

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

Prior to making a federal award where the anticipated total federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000 (see Section 805 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-91, OMB Memorandum M-18-18 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf):

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf

1) DHS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM, which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and is accessible through the SAM website.

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

3) DHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.205.

d. Security Review

Using a risk-based approach, DHS will conduct a security review of nonprofit applicants, excluding institutions of higher education, with scores in the top tier of applications to ensure that funds will be used for their intended purpose and that recipients are not known to engage in activities that raise security concerns or are otherwise contrary to the purpose of the program. DHS will use certain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) submitted by applicants as part of the application process in ND Grants and Grants.gov to query law enforcement and national security databases. Additionally, if derogatory information is found through these queries, DHS may conduct additional searches using publicly available information to identify controlling individuals of the organization, including key employees and board members of the organization not otherwise identified in the grant application or materials accompanying submissions. DHS will review potentially derogatory information as well as any mitigating information in determining if any security risk exists. DHS grant awards are inherently discretionary, and DHS will not make awards in cases when there is a credible security risk. Other than not being considered for an award, no adverse action will be taken against an applicant if they are disqualified for receiving an award under this opportunity because of the security review. By submitting an application under this funding opportunity, applicants consent to undergoing this security review. DHS ran a similar security review on a previous grant program and published a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) describing that process in more detail. DHS plans to issue another PIA to reflect the current process and will post it along with other TVTP Grant Program Resources. Prospective applicants should review both documents.

2. Review and Selection Process

OTVTP will review applications submitted by the deadline against the eligibility criteria in Section C. Each application deemed eligible will be reviewed and scored by two subject matter experts (SMEs) drawn from OTVTP and/or other DHS or interagency Federal partners with expertise in terrorism, targeted violence, prevention, or related subjects. The SMEs scoring each application will confer to come to a consensus score with notes for each application.

https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhsallpia-057-countering-violent-extremism-grant-program https://www.dhs.gov/publication/targeted-violence-and-terrorism-prevention-grant-program-resources

The Deputy Director of OTVTP will convene a panel from amongst SMEs that scored applications to review the top scoring applications. The panel will review applications by application track and project type identified in Appendix B. If, in the opinion of the panel, there are not sufficient quality applications in a given project type, no awards will be made in that project type. The panel will develop a recommendation on which projects, or portion of projects, to award based on the quality of the application (i.e., its scores) and some or all of the following additional factors:

• Meeting the priorities and objectives identified in Section A and Appendix A;

• achieving diversity in project type while avoiding duplication of effort;

• achieving geographic diversity (to include regions as well as type (e.g., urban, suburban, rural));

• achieving diversity in eligible applicant type; and

• maximizing the use of funds.

The panel’s recommendations shall provide a listing of projects for award that will account for the entire amount of funds available under this opportunity and a reserve list of awards totaling approximately 20% of the total available funding. The reserve list will be used to replace applications removed from consideration due to negative findings in the financial integrity reviews described in paragraphs 1.b. and c. of this section, the security review described in paragraph 1.d. of this section, or if a selected application fails to accept an award within the time period indicated in Section F.

The Director of OTVTP in coordination with the FEMA Assistant Administrator, Grant Programs Directorate will provide the recommendations of the panel to the Secretary or their designee for final award determination. The Secretary or their designee may review additional information pursuant to the security review and may also consider other factors in making their final award determination.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award Before accepting the award, the AOR and recipient should carefully read the award package. The award package includes instructions on administering the grant award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under federal awards.

Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as any special terms and conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program.

Notification of award approval is made through the ND Grants system through an automatic electronic mail to the recipient’s authorized official listed in the initial application. The award date will be the date that DHS approves the award. The recipient should follow the directions in the notification to confirm acceptance of the award. Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the ND Grants system and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied or until the award is otherwise rescinded.

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 30 days from the award date. The recipient shall notify DHS of its intent to accept and proceed with work under the award through the ND Grants system. For instructions on how to accept or decline an award in the ND Grants system, please see the ND Grants Grant Recipient User Guide. Failure to accept a grant award within the 30-day timeframe may result in a loss of funds.

DHS will make a public announcement indicating its intent to make awards under this grant program prior to awards being made. Such an announcement is not an authorization to begin performance. The official award notice as described above will clearly state the beginning of the period of performance.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions

All successful applicants for DHS grant and cooperative agreements are required to comply with DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, which are available online at:

DHS Standard Terms and Conditions.

The applicable DHS Standard Terms and Conditions will be those in effect at the time the award was made. The terms and conditions that will apply for the award will be clearly stated in the award package at the time of award.

b. Privacy of Project Participants DHS takes seriously its responsibility to protect the privacy of individuals in all of its activities. In addition to abiding by the “Best Practices for Use and Collection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)” included in the DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, recipients of a grant under this program shall limit the collection of PII to only the information necessary to implement their project. Recipients shall not transmit PII of program participants to DHS. In the collection of information for the purposes of measuring performance, program evaluation, and meeting DHS reporting requirements, data should be aggregated or anonymized prior to transmittal.

c. Protection of Human Subjects in Research Successful applicants must meet all DHS and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requirements regarding research involving human subjects. These requirements can be found in 45 C.F.R. Part 46, Subparts A-D. Subpart A of 45 C.F.R. Part 46 codifies the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (also known as The Common Rule) which represents the basic foundation for the protection of human subjects in most research conducted or support by U.S. Federal departments and agencies. Certain project types, as outlined in Appendix A, require evaluation work that may meet the definition of research and may require the grantee to receive approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to collection of information. Any project collecting information from minors MUST have approval from an IRB prior to initiating work with minors.

mailto:https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1553003058332-2016d7d4ab538f3e6fa49b6e0c59e236/2019_Grant_Recipient_User_Guide.pdf http://www.dhs.gov/publication/fy15-dhs-standard-terms-and-conditions

d. Implementation and Measurement Plan Applicants are required to submit an Implementation and Measurement Plan (IMP) as part of their application narrative. Recipients under this program will be required to have their IMP approved by OTVTP prior to beginning performance. Receiving an award under this program does not constitute final approval of their IMP.

e. Evaluation By accepting award, all recipients agree to participate in an evaluation of this grant and to follow all related protocols established by DHS, which may include analysis of the effects on individuals and providing access to program operating personnel and participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) including after the period of performance.

3. Reporting

Recipients are required to submit various financial and programmatic reports as a condition of award acceptance. Future awards and funds drawdown may be withheld if these reports are delinquent. The following reporting periods and due dates apply to financial and programmatic reports under this program.

Reporting Period Report Due Date

October 1 – December 31 January 30

January 1 – March 31 April 30

April 1 – June 30 July 30

July 1 – September 30 October 30

a. Federal Financial Reporting Requirements

1. The Federal Financial Report (FFR) form and instructions are available online at:

SF-425 OMB #4040-0014.

Recipients must report obligations and expenditures through the FFR form (SF-

425) to DHS/FEMA. Recipients must file the FFR electronically using the Payment and Reporting Systems (PARS).

2. FFR Submission Frequency An FFR must be submitted quarterly throughout the POP, including partial calendar quarters, as well as in periods where no grant award activity occurs.

Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate a lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail. The final FFR is due within 90 days after the end of the POP. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if these reports are delinquent, demonstrate lack of progress, or are insufficient in detail.