Securing Critical Underground Infrastructure Pilot Program

The Department of Homeland Security National Protection and Programs Directorate administers the Securing Critical Underground Infrastructure Pilot Program (CFDA 97.129), which funds installation and real-world monitoring of security devices protecting critical underground infrastructure against explosive threats, with the most recent grant award dated November 1, 2011.

This program is not currently active. The portfolio contains only three Project Grants, all awarded in 2011 with completion dates in early 2015. No grant opportunities have been posted recently, and no award activity has occurred in the 15 years since the pilot concluded. The program funded pilot deployments of manhole security and locking devices at critical infrastructure nodes: the Port of Miami (1,077 devices), a Central Business District location, and Amtrak rail corridors. All three awards reported zero federal dollars obligated, suggesting the program either operated through in-kind contributions or the financial data was not captured in the federal grants system.

The assistance-type mix comprised 100 percent Project Grants. The single funding agency, DHS NPPD, administered all awards. The program's scope was narrowly defined around physical security device installation and effectiveness monitoring at high-consequence sites rather than research, training, or technical assistance.

Given the 15-year funding gap and absence of recent solicitation activity, this program should be classified as inactive or dormant. Organizations with critical underground infrastructure protection needs should monitor DHS NPPD for renewal or successor programs, but should not commit resources to pursuing funding under 97.129 based on current evidence.