December 8, 2009 - DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the release of FY 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs, totalling $2.7 billion.

The grant programs included are Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG); Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program; State Homeland Security Program; Urban Areas Security Initiative; Operation Stonegarden, Metropolitan Medical Response System Program; Citizen Corps Program; Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program; UASI Nonprofit Security Grant Program; Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program; Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program; Buffer Zone Protection Program; Driver’s License Security Grant Program; Port Security Grant Program; Intercity Bus Security Grant Program; Freight Rail Security Grant Program; Intercity Passenger Rail.

Emergency Management Performance Grants

Some Changes

• Either the state administrative agency (SAA) or the State’s emergency management agency (EMA) is eligible to apply directly to FEMA for EMPG funds on behalf of state and local emergency management agencies, however, only one application will be accepted from each state or territory. The state will make the decision and FEMA will not settle any differences between state agencies. This only changes who applies since the guidance already required the SAA to pass all funds to the state emergency management agency and the state emergency management agency was responsible for administering the funds.  This is a change IAEM supported.
• The requirement to allocate 25% of funding toward the planning priority has been removed in the FY 2010 guidance.
• For management and administration (M & A) costs, 5% is allowed for states and locals are allowed to use up to 3% of their sub award for M & A.
• More complete information regarding match provisions is included in the FY 2010 grant application kit.

Key Milestones

• December 8, 2009 Release of Grant Guidance and Application Kit

Emergency Operations Centers

• No major changes
• Of the $57,600,000 provided, $47,442,500 has been designated by Congress for specific EOC projects.  Remaining $10,157,500 will be allocated competitively to eligible state, local or tribal government’s principal EOCs.
• All competitive and non competitive grant applications are due to the SAA no later than 11:59 pm EST January 15, 2010. The state’s applications are due to FEMA no later than 11:59 EST February 12, 2010.
• It was clarified on the conference call in December 2009 that noncompetitive grants must be for construction or renovation of EOCs only.  This is not a “fungible” grant.
• Period of performance is 36 months.

Funding Opportunity Number

State Homeland Security Grant Program

• Does require at least 25% set-aside for law enforcement terrorism prevention oriented planning organization, training, exercise and equipment activities including those activities which support the development and operation of fusion centers. (9/11 Act requires a 25% LETP set aside)
• The total M & A is capped at 5% and may be split with sub applicants at the discretion of the state. On the conference call it was stated this total 5% cap was the result of legislative language and FEMA does not have discretion at this time to change it.
• Applicants may include an optional cost share but it does not give additional preference.
• Peer review will be done virtually, not in person. The review will now be pass –fail, using the terms effective or ineffective instead of being numerically scored.

UASI

• Tier 1 cities expanded to 10. Los Angeles and Long Beach Area, Bay Area in California, National Capital Region,, Chicago Area, Boston Area, Jersey City/Newark Area, New York City Area, Philadelphia Area, Houston Area, Dallas/Ft. Worth/Arlington Area.
• Tier 2 is expanded by two cities to 54 to add stability.  Omaha, Nebraska and Bakersfield, California are added because the cities at the end were constantly vying with each other and the numbers were so similar.  Without adding two, two of the cities would have dropped off.