FY 2006 Competitive 

Training Grants Program 

Solicitation for Concept Papers 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 97.068

May 2006 
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I. INTRODUCTION 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Preparedness Directorate’s Office of Grants and 

Training (G&T) (formerly known as the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and 

Preparedness (SLGCP)) is the principal component of DHS responsible for ensuring the 

development and delivery of guidance and resources to enhance national preparedness for 

emergencies and disasters of all kinds, including terrorism. In carrying out its mission, G&T is 

the primary office responsible for providing training, funds for the purchase of equipment, 

support for the planning and execution of exercises, technical assistance, and other support to 

assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to prevent, protect against, and respond to 

incidents of national significance and catastrophic events. 

G&T is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2006 Competitive Training Grants Program 

(CTGP). Through this program, $28,809,000 will be available to fund national preparedness 

training initiatives that further the DHS mission of preparing the nation to prevent, protect 

against, respond to, and recover from incidents of terrorism or catastrophic events. Course 

materials and course offerings must be offered and accessible to responders throughout the 

nation. While the delivery must account for national coverage, the delivery rollout can be 

implemented regionally to leverage expertise, share resources, and enhance training capacity. 

Additionally, initiatives must be innovative and non-duplicative of any training offered by the 

National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, other G&T training partners, or other federal 

agencies. DHS is accepting applications for training programs in specific issue areas identified 

in this solicitation. 

Process and Due Dates: This solicitation invites applicants to submit concept papers providing 

an overview of their proposed program. This year’s solicitation offers more specific concept 

paper guidelines and the award period has been extended from two to three years. The due date 

for concept papers is May 31, 2006, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Based on peer review of 

these concept papers, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals describing their 

programs in detail. The anticipated deadline for submission of full proposals is June 30, 2006, 

8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Deadline extensions will not be granted. Concept papers 

and/or full proposals submitted after the respective deadlines will NOT be considered. 

Page Limits: G&T has developed a concept paper template that addresses the critical elements 

of a viable training program. A copy of this template is provided in Appendix A. Applicants 

must use this template format when submitting applications and must not exceed eight (8) 

double-spaced pages in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. The title page, which must contain 

the requested information about the applicant, and the one-page budget overview are included in 

the eight-page limit. If the concept paper contains more than eight pages, only the first eight 

pages will be reviewed. No additional attachments will be accepted. (Full proposals, for 

applicants invited to submit them, will be limited to 20 pages.) 

Reasons for Rejection: G&T will reject applications that are incomplete, do not respond to the 

national scope of the solicitation, do not comply with format requirements, fail to adequately 

address the concept paper elements or are submitted after the deadline. No additions to the 

original submission are allowed. 
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II. NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS GOAL AND PRIORITIES 

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD-8): National Preparedness, issued December 

27, 2003, tasks the Secretary of DHS, in coordination with the heads of other appropriate federal 

departments and agencies and in consultation with state and local governments, to strengthen the 

preparedness of the United States to prevent and respond to threatened or actual domestic 

terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. On March 26, 2004, the Secretary of 

DHS charged G&T with leading HSPD-8 Implementation on behalf of DHS. On March 31, 

2005, DHS issued the Interim National Preparedness Goal (the Goal). The Goal establishes the 

following vision for National Preparedness. 

To engage federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, their private and 

non-government partners, and the general public to achieve and sustain riskbased target levels of capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and 

recover from major events in order to minimize the impact on lives, property, 

and the economy. 

The Goal is a significant evolution and advancement in the approach to preparedness and 

homeland security. It presents a collective vision for national preparedness and establishes 

National Priorities to guide the realization of that vision to meet the most urgent needs. The 

Goal is a companion document to the National Response Plan (NRP), National Incident 

Management System (NIMS), and the interim National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). 

These documents can be accessed at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp and should be reviewed prior to 

submitting an application. 

DHS, through G&T, is working to increase preparedness by: 1) addressing the Goal 2) 

establishing mechanisms for improved delivery of federal preparedness assistance to state and 

local governments; and 3) outlining actions to strengthen preparedness capabilities of federal, 

state, and local entities. 

As a result of HSPD-8, DHS, through G&T, is engaged in a new approach to defining the 

Nation’s preparedness through the development and implementation of target capabilities. 

Target capabilities are defined as combinations of resources that provide the means to achieve a 

measurable outcome resulting from performance of one or more critical tasks, under specified 

conditions and performance standards. A capability may be delivered with any combination of 

properly planned, organized, equipped, trained, and exercised personnel that achieve the 

expected outcome. The Target Capabilities List (TCL) identifies 37 capabilities integral to 

nationwide all-hazards preparedness, including acts of terrorism. 

The Goal identifies eight priorities. The priorities fall into two categories: (A) three overarching 

priorities that contribute to the development of multiple capabilities, and (B) five capabilityspecific priorities that build selected capabilities for which the Nation has the greatest need. Five 

of the seven issue areas for this year’s competitive process were derived from the national 

priorities. Under this solicitation, applicants for competitive training grant funds will be required 

to design their training programs to align with one or more of the priority target capabilities 

listed under the issue areas. 
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 III. ISSUE AREAS

Developing a national training strategy to address all aspects of HSPD-8 is a multi-faceted 

endeavor that succeeds through partnerships. We at DHS recognize there are many training 

issues which could be addressed through this solicitation. For instance, interoperability is a 

national priority and a mission critical capability but the current training needs are better 

addressed through other efforts provided by the DHS Directorate for Science and Technology 

(S&T) and G&T. Due to limited resources and the need to stimulate innovation to address 

targeted gaps in training, the following seven issue areas will be priorities in this year’s 

competitive program. 

Issue Area #1: Regional Collaboration

The response to major catastrophic events, regardless of whether they result from natural events 

or a terrorist attack, requires extensive regional collaboration. This priority highlights the need 

for embracing partnerships across multiple sectors, jurisdictions, regions and states in building 

capabilities cooperatively. Successful regional collaboration allows for multi-sector, multijurisdictional, and multidisciplinary approaches to building capabilities for all mission areas, 

spreading costs, and sharing risk across geographic areas. As an example, enforcement of 

immigration law and border security is an issue which crosses jurisdictions and is critical to the 

maintenance of national security and mitigation of threats. Regional collaborative efforts 

enhance our ability to respond effectively, regardless of the location or method used to enter the 

country. 

 

Training should help participants coordinate homeland security preparedness assistance 

expenditures and planning efforts on a regional basis to avoid duplicative or inconsistent 

investments. Course participants should understand how regional collaboration works; where 

assets come from, including non-governmental assets; how the command structure functions; and 

the role of plans, incident command, and resource inventories and how they figure into 

collaborative efforts from a federal, state, regional, and local perspective. One example of such 

regional collaboration is training in the development and exercise of evacuation plans designed 

to expedite the transport of victims from urban areas. Another aspect of collaboration would be 

coordinated program development with the federal entities whose purpose is border protection, 

such as US-VISIT which expedites the entry/exit process while enhancing the integrity of the 

immigration system and respecting the privacy of visitors. Training related to the enforcement 

of immigration laws should be coordinated with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

(ICE). 

 

Training programs on regional collaboration will 1) provide skills for how to leverage 

collaborative mechanisms for multi-sector planning through Citizen Corps Councils and multijurisdictional government, non-profit, and private sector organizations, and 2) provide 

information on the importance of mutual aid agreements and guidance to state and local planners 

and managers on how to formalize mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities and 

states, including organizations that train and manage volunteers or other private or nongovernmental assets for the purposes of sharing equipment, personnel, and facilities during 

emergencies. Training proposals related to immigration laws and border security should address 
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strategically preventing the entry of terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens, and improving 

security of the U.S. transportation systems while not impeding the flow of legitimate commerce 

and travelers. Immigration law materials in other languages and lessons learned in border control 

programs are examples of curricula materials which could be developed within this issue area. 

 

Issue Area #2: Information Sharing/Fusion Centers:

Effective terrorism prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts depend on timely and 

accurate information about the identity of the enemy. The focus of this issue area should be the 

“fusion process,” a term used to describe the gathering, analyzing, disseminating, and use of 

information that is regarded as intelligence. 

Training programs funded under this issue area should enhance the ability of fusion center 

personnel at the state and local level to effectively perform duties in support of the fusion 

process. The knowledge, skills, and abilities for the training should address the four target 

capabilities from the National Preparedness Goal which impact fusion center personnel. These 

capabilities are: information gathering and recognition of indicators and warnings, intelligence 

analysis and production, intelligence information sharing and dissemination, and law 

enforcement investigations and operations. An essential training issue is the ability to share 

information across disciplines. The primary target audiences for training are the intelligence 

analysts within the fusion centers. 

Projects should include, but are not limited to 1) developing the minimum training guidelines for 

all state and local fusion center personnel related to the four capabilities, 2) assessing the current 

training environment to identify the existing courses available, and 3) fitting this course material 

with the current DHS fusion processes and functions. 

Issue Area #3: Cyber Terrorism Prevention and Cyber Security Awareness

Dependence on computer networks and information systems by our Nation has made cyber 

security a priority. Cyber attacks have increased in number and complexity and the ability to 

protect from these attacks must keep pace. Cyber security, as an issue area, supports the NIPP 

by helping to mitigate the risk to critical information systems and other key resources at the 

community level. 

Training in this area should prepare participants to identify, prevent, protect against, respond to, 

and recover from cyber attacks at the state and local level. The training should also bridge to 

cyber-related exercises to test systems and policies already in place. Since threats to cyber 

security are ever-changing, training programs in this issue area should have the ability to add 

modules or otherwise adapt to newly identified vulnerabilities and attack methods. The use of 

“hands-on” computer training labs, where appropriate, should be employed. 

Training programs in this issue area should be directed to information technologists tasked with 

the creation and maintenance of computer networks and information systems for state and local 

emergency responders, government managers administering these systems, criminal investigators 

of cyber crimes involving terrorism, and others responsible for the protection of critical 

information systems. 
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Issue Area #4: Infrastructure Protection

The interim NIPP, published in February 2005, and the soon to be published final NIPP, 

establishes a process for bringing together a wide range of homeland security partners at the 

federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial level to establish the organized, unified, national riskbased approach to enhance the security and mitigate the risk facing the Nation’s critical 

infrastructure and key resources. 

Training should impart the skills to build a state and local Critical Infrastructure Protection 

process for allocating manpower and resources to prevent, protect against, respond to, and 

recover from incidents of national significance involving critical infrastructure. Applicants 

should focus efforts on teaching existing and emergent DHS Infrastructure Protection-approved 

critical infrastructure and key resource tools and methodologies so as to promote a national 

approach for critical infrastructure protection. 

Courses should be directed to management-level government and private sector officials who 

will know, as a result of course participation, how to develop effective plans and guide the 

allocation of resources for all aspects of protection from prevention through recovery. Officials 

from jurisdictions appropriate for this training shall have identified their vulnerabilities and 

should be prepared to take the next step in infrastructure protection. 

Issue Area #5: Medical Surge

Effective medical surge capabilities require embracing a multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional 

collaborative approach. This capability should be supportive of integrated regional operational 

systems that are being established in support of the Expanded Regional Collaboration priority 

and demonstrate effective integration among public health, healthcare services, and other 

appropriate disciplines (e.g., emergency management, emergency medical services, 

representatives and service providers for vulnerable populations, civic leaders, and volunteer 

managers), mass transit, and Regional Transit Security Working Groups to enhance evacuation 

planning, and surge volunteers. Much work in these areas is being funded through programs 

administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

Training should help responders bridge the gap between the healthcare community and 

emergency response community (e.g. law enforcement and fire personnel) so that they can be 

effective in assisting the healthcare community in handling medical surge. Training in this area 

must emphasize collaborative efforts across state and local public health and healthcare agencies, 

and any activities undertaken must be coordinated with the HHS. 

Training courses in this issue area should be directed toward emergency responders, and other 

public/private sector workers, including volunteers who will become part of an emergency 

medical response to a mass casualty incident. 

Issue Area #6: Vulnerable Population Response Planning

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, all levels of government are seeking to improve response 

planning and community outreach activities such that vulnerable populations, those that need 
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assistance preparing for or responding to emergencies, are part of a coordinated plan and 

response. 

Training should help participants develop local or regional plans to 1) include representatives 

and subject matter experts for vulnerable populations in planning and exercises, 2) identify and 

prepare vulnerable populations before an event, 3) provide effective emergency communications 

targeted to reach vulnerable populations, and 4) effectively assist vulnerable populations to take 

protective action in catastrophic events. 

Training in this issue area should be directed to management-level emergency response and 

management personnel, 911 call and dispatch center personnel, human service personnel, 

nonprofit and private sector organizations that provide services to vulnerable populations, 

volunteers who represent vulnerable populations, and citizen planning partners such as Citizen 

Corps Councils. 

Issue Area #7: Emergency Communications to the Public

In a CBRNE event, the absence of resilient and effective emergency messaging could result in 

the inability to provide the public with timely information about protective actions. 

Most local plans for communicating with the public are dependent on both power and mass 

media. While there are challenges to a truly comprehensive and interoperable system for the 

nation, there is no easy fix. However, education, outreach, and training are the first steps. 

Training is lacking in the warning message process, i.e. sociological aspects of warning, 

decision-making skills, concepts of operations, and warning message-writing skills. 

This training should be directed beyond the management level to front-line operations personnel 

such as incident commanders, emergency managers, and 911 dispatch center staff. 

 
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IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDANCE 

G&T has developed a concept paper template that captures the critical elements of a viable 

training strategy and delivery mechanism. Each submission will be rated against the selection 

criteria in Part B. The template elements listed should be used as a guide to do the background 

work necessary to produce the brief narratives, key milestones and calculate budget summaries. 

A. Concept Paper Elements

Section 1: Title Page (Page Limit – 1 Page) 

The title page provides background information on the organization and proposed project. This 

information should be listed as follows: 

• Organization: Provide the name, point of contact, and contact information for your 

organization. Include the name and location of any key partner organizations. 

• Program Title: Provide a title for your proposed training program. The title should 

provide an indication of the course content. 

• Issue Area Addressed: Identify the issue area from the solicitation that your proposed 

training program addresses. 

• Training Level: Indicate the training level for your proposed program (awareness, 

performance [offensive], performance [defensive], or planning and management). 

• Projected Number Trained: Indicate the number of students that your proposed program 

is projected to train within the 36 month period of the award. 

Section 2: Problem Description (Page Limit – 1 Page) 

In a brief narrative, identify the national preparedness problem that the proposed training 

program will address. The description should include the nature and scope of the problem. The 

applicant should be specific about the problem and clearly link it to the issue area. General 

statements about the history and nature of terrorism are not, in and of themselves, acceptable. 

Section 3: Program Goals and Objectives (Page Limit – 2 Pages) 

Identify the key goals and objectives for the three-year duration of the proposed program. The 

goals and objectives should be clearly linked to addressing the issue identified in the problem 

statement. The objectives must be measurable and attainable for the duration of the program. 

Objectives should include an overview of the program deliverables, to include a brief description 

of the training material subject, number of course offerings to be provided, location of course 

offerings, and number of projected students. Applicants invited to continue through the 

application process will be required to provide performance measures and data gathering 

processes in subsequent submissions. 

Section 4: Program Approach (Page Limit – 2 Pages) 

Briefly describe the approach that will be taken to develop the program. To develop the 

approach, please consider discussing items such as: 

• Plan to accomplish the goals and objectives 

• Development timeline of major milestones 

• Capacity for completing the program deliverables within the defined project timeline 
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• Strategy for identifying students, securing their attendance, and providing training 

offerings to train significant numbers of public safety personnel from multiple disciplines 

• Strategy to ensure the program is viable beyond the duration of the grant 

• Plan to include a capacity-building component for state and local jurisdictions, which 

include a leave-behind capability for jurisdictions to employ themselves (e.g. job aids, 

planning tools, etc.) 

• Adherence to principles of instructional system design and application of adult learning 

practices 

• Congruence with the National Preparedness Goal and guidance, NIMS, and the NRP, to 

include specific National Priority and Target Capability(ies) addressed by proposed 

training program 

Section 5: Training Program Expertise (Page Limit – 1 Page) 

Provide an overview of demonstrated past success in similar efforts. Briefly describe past efforts 

and applicability of experience to current effort. Describe key partnerships that will be applied 

to the program. Highlight relevant staff and partner experience as they apply to the proposed 

program. 

Section 6: Initial Budget (Page Limit – 1 Page) 

Provide an aggregate estimate of the total cost of the program development and execution for 

each of the budget categories on the “Initial Budget” page. 

Special Note: Since it is unique to the G&T CGTP, the applicant should include the costs of the 

resources necessary to participate in the G&T course review process. To calculate these costs, 

use the following: the cost associated with conducting three pilot sessions; instructional design 

expertise; subject matter expert (SME) attendance at one or more of the pilot sessions (per diem 

and fee); a needs assessment, focus group, or other method of “analysis” that will conform to the 

analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate (ADDIE) instructional design model; and 

staff or consultant time to make the revisions to the course materials suggested by the course 

review board. 

Budget estimates should adhere to the proposed timeframes for key milestones (i.e. November 

2006 or FY07 Quarter 1). Applicants invited to continue through the application process will 

provide detailed budget information in the full proposal. 

B. Selection Criteria 

Peer reviewers will evaluate each concept paper against the criteria listed below. Each proposed 

program plan will be evaluated on its individual merit and relevance to the identified problem 

rather than against other proposals in the same issue area. Based on the peer reviewer 

recommendations, DHS, through G&T, will invite authors of selected concept papers to continue 

in the application process by submitting a full proposal describing the program in greater detail, 

with full budget calculations and staffing plans. 
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Problem Description

• The problem description clearly identifies a specific prevention, preparation, protection, 

response, or recovery issue that can be addressed through training 

• The problem must clearly align with an issue area and target capability 

• The proposal must clearly exhibit a comprehensive understanding of the problem 

• Data is provided that substantiates the problem statement 

Program Goals and Objectives

• Goals and objectives are linked to the defined problem statement 

• Objectives are measurable and attainable 

• The proposal clearly outlines the products that will be delivered. The quantity of training 

support packages are defined. The number of course offerings, number of students and 

estimated number of locations are defined. Course offerings are sufficient to reach a 

nationwide sample of communities or regions 

Program Approach

• The training development process applies proven techniques and training methodology 

• Approach is clearly defined and will address the problem as stated 

• Applicant demonstrates capacity to deliver products within budget and on schedule 

• The target audience is clearly defined to include the level of personnel targeted 

• Proposal describes the approach applicant will apply to ensure the training does not 

duplicate an existing program 

• Training development timeline includes description of project milestones 

• Program includes a feasible approach for reaching out to prospective students across the 

nation 

• Program describes how the applicant will accommodate large numbers of students from 

across the nation. Applicant demonstrates capacity to provide course offerings on the 

proposed scale 

• Approach describes a viable means of sustaining the effort beyond the life of the grant 

through institutionalizing the course, identifying alternate funding sources, or other 

sustainment strategy 

Training Program Expertise 

• Applicant demonstrates past success in similar efforts 

• Program staff and/or partners have relevant instructional design expertise 

• Program staff and/or partners have technical expertise relevant to the issue area 

• For course development and delivery programs, organization staff and/or partners include 

experienced, qualified instructors

Initial Budget 

The aggregate proposed budget is: 

• Directly related to the activities described in the approach 

• Achievable and reasonable 

• Complete, allowable, and cost effective in accomplishing the tasks in the proposal 

• Includes sufficient funding for the G&T course review process 

• Inclusive of all the following categories: personnel (labor), fringe, travel, equipment, and 

supplies
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C. Eligibility 

Entities eligible to receive funding under this program include: state, local, tribal, and territorial 

governments; national associations, including those representing elected officials; institutions of 

higher education; public safety agencies; non-profits, including community and Faith-based 

organizations; and private corporations, including owners and operators of critical infrastructure 

and health-care entities, working in conjunction with the nonprofit sector. 

D. Number and Length of Awards

The DHS grant award process is highly competitive. The number of awards will be determined 

by the number, quality, and requested funding levels of the proposals received, and the total 

amount of money budgeted by G&T for this solicitation. Awards will have a funding period not 

to exceed thirty-six months. 

E. Submitting Concept Papers 

Applicants must apply for FY 2006 Competitive Training Grants Program (CTGP) funding 

through Grants.gov (applications will no longer be accepted through the Grants Management 

System). Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these 

materials, go to http://www.grants.gov, select “Apply for Grants,” and then select “Download 

Application Package.” Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and/or the 

funding opportunity number located on the cover of this announcement. Select “Download 

Application Package,” and then follow the prompts to download the application package. To 

download the instructions, go to “Download Application Package” and select “Instructions.” 

NOTE: You will not be able to download the Application Package unless you have installed 

PureEdge Viewer. The application package will be available on Grants.gov and must be 

submitted through that website. We recommend you visit Grants.gov as soon as possible to fully 

understand the process and requirements. If you encounter difficulties, please contact the 

Grants.gov Help Desk at 1-800-518-4276 to report the problem and obtain assistance with the 

system. To use Grants.gov, the applicant must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 

should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration. 

 

Applications are available as of May 18, 2006 and concept papers must be received by G&T no 

later than May 31, 2006. 

F. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 

DHS recognizes that much of the information submitted in the course of applying for funding 

under this program, or provided in the course of its grant management activities, may be 

considered sensitive or otherwise important to national security interests. This may include 

threat, risk, and needs assessment information and discussions of demographics, transportation, 

public works, and industrial and public health infrastructures. While this information is subject 

to requests made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552 (FOIA), all 

determinations concerning the release of information of this nature are made on a case-by-case 
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basis by the Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Disclosure Office, and may fall 

within one or more of the available exemptions under the Act. 

Applicants are also encouraged to consult their own state and local laws and regulations 

regarding the release of information, which should be considered when reporting sensitive 

matters in the grant application, needs assessment and strategic planning process 

G. General Requirements 

Non-Supplanting Certification: This certification, which is a required component of the online 

application, affirms that federal funds will be used to supplement existing funds, and will not 

replace (supplant) funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose. Potential supplanting 

will be addressed in the application review as well as in the pre-award review, post-award 

monitoring, and the audit. Applicants or grantees may be required to supply documentation 

certifying that a reduction in non-federal resources occurred for reasons other than the receipt or 

expected receipt of federal funds. 

Match Requirement: None. 

 

Assurances: The online application includes a list of assurances that the applicant must comply 

with in order to receive federal funds under this program. It is the responsibility of the recipient 

of the federal funds to fully understand and comply with these requirements. Failure to comply 

may result in the withholding of funds, termination of the award, or other sanctions. The 

applicant agrees to these assurances upon the submission of the application. 

Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility 

Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirement: This certification, which is a required 

component of the online application, commits the applicant to compliance with the certification 

requirements under 28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 67, Government-wide 

Debarments and Suspension (Non-procurement; 6 CFR part 9, New Restrictions on Lobbying, 

and 28 CFR part 83 Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants). All of 

these regulations can be referenced at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. The 

certification will be treated as a material representation of the fact upon which reliance will be 

placed by DHS in awarding grants. 

Suspension or Termination of Funding: DHS, by written notice, may terminate this grant, in 

whole or part, when it is in the Government’s interest. 

Copyright: Applicants should be aware that G&T will retain an unlimited, nontransferable, 

irrevocable license to use or authorize others to use for federal government purposes, any 

material produced under this grant. 
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Appendix A: FY 2006 Competitive Training Grants Program Concept Paper Template 
FY 2006 Competitive Training Grants Program 

Concept Paper Submission 

Organization: 

Contact Information: 

Partner Organizations: 

Program Title: 

Issue Area Addressed: 

Target Capabilities Addressed: 

Training Level: 

Target Audience: 

Projected Numbers Trained: 
Program Description (1 page) 

What national problem will the proposed training program address? Provide data to substantiate the problem. How does the 

proposal link to the chosen issue area? 

1
Goals and Objectives (2 pages) 

Identify key goals and objectives clearly linked to addressing the issues identified in the problem description. Objectives must be 

measurable and attainable during the two year grant period. Ensure objectives include an overview of the program deliverables,

including a brief description of training materials, a brief description of training material contents, number of course offerings to 

be provided, location of course offerings, and number of projected students. 

2
Goals and Objectives continued 

3
Program Approach (2 pages) 

Clearly describe the training program and illustrate the approach that will be taken to develop the proposed training program. 

Ensure the program strategy addresses the problem and issue area. Describe the ability of the training program to build 

sustainable preparedness at the State and local level and address the learning approach to be applied. Briefly describe the tasks to 

be performed throughout the program development and the major deliverables to be provided. 

4
Program Approach continued 

5
Training Program Expertise (1 page) 

Describe how the proposal demonstrates past success in similar efforts. Briefly describe past efforts and applicability of 

experience to the proposed effort. What partnerships will be fostered to accomplish goals and objectives? Describe program 

staffing plan, highlighting areas of expertise as they apply to the proposed program. 

6
Initial Budget (1 page) 

Show initial budget line items and projected costs. Does budget include the cost of resources necessary to complete the G&T 

course development and approval process? (Refer to Section 6: Budget Overview of the solicitation for those resources) 

7

Personnel $ 

Fringe Benefits $ 

Travel $ 

Equipment $ 

Supplies $ 

Consultants and Contracts $ 

Other $ 

Indirect Costs $ 

TOTAL ESTIMATED BUDGET $ 
8

Appendix B: FY 2004 and 2005 Competitive Training Grants Program 

 Recipient Proposals 

 FY 2004 

• This proposal focuses on two categories of assets: 1) relevant processed dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.,) 

2) certain highly consumed produce items (tomatoes, apple juice, etc.). These products are distributed 

throughout the nation. The goal of the project is to develop an action-driven, outcome-evaluated training 

process to enhance preparedness at the frontlines against agricultural WMD. The project also proposes to 

train over 1 million frontline personnel in multiple disciplines such as public health, veterinarians, food 

service workers, etc., via conferences and workshops. Over a 2 year period the agroterrorism 

preparedness center will successfully deliver scenario based prevention, deterrence, response and recovery 

courses using the instructional capability of the 100 member Community College Consortium for Health 

and Safety Training, the Agrow Knowledge Center to support the nation’s agriculture technology 

instructors, and an accessible database of relevant information. Deliver 2,000 courses to 20,000 training 

officers across the U.S. 

• This project will increase awareness about threats and characteristics of WMD terrorism incidents among 

staff and volunteers at non-governmental organizations, build preparedness of non-governmental 

organizations by improving their management of and planning for a WMD terrorism incident, and build 

capacity of state and local jurisdictions through the development of leave behind resources including a field 

reference guide, a performance level table top exercise tool kit for a community-wide exercise. 

• This recipient has developed a community mobilization course that invites all disciplines, including 

representatives of the volunteer community to the table in a localized collaborative awareness and planning 

course. 

• This program will train 1,500 public safety personnel nationwide in the prevention of cyber terrorism. 

Training will be offered via a mobile training lab, bringing training directly to critical need areas. The 

recipient will partner with 12 key regional law enforcement agencies to develop and promote the training 

curriculum. 

• This project will develop seminars and training materials designed to increase cyber security awareness and 

preparedness, promote critical infrastructure protection, and increase information sharing. 

• This initiative proposes to create a train-the-trainer program that will teach the security professional the 

intricacies of terrorism, including the key aspects of prevention, deterrence, response and recovery. They 

propose to deliver five Train-the-Trainer 16-24 hour courses instructed in 2 or 3 eight hour sessions. 

• This proposal will develop a training program using a blended learning model that is focused on creating 

intelligence capacity within state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It will also develop a website 

that is capable of providing online Certificate Training Courses after participants complete classroom 

training. A total of 1,125 participants will receive training in fifteen sessions across the country. 

• This recipient will contract with a private security training firm to develop a turn key training program to 

support private and non-sworn security guards and officers specifically deployed in the public transit 

system. The training program will be distributed nationwide through APTA to all state and local public 

transportation agencies. 

• This recipient will develop a national leadership and training center for rural domestic preparedness, with 

the goal of establishing a one-stop shop that focuses on issues relevant to design, development, and 

delivery of training for rural communities. “The Center” will build sustainable preparedness at the state 

and local level through a cross-disciplinary training process, conduct quality capacity-building for state and 
9

local jurisdictions which will include a leave behind capability for jurisdictions to employ themselves, 

develop and implement a process for identifying lessons learned and best practices for inclusion in ongoing 

Department of Homeland Security efforts, and implement a blended learning approach into all training 

activities. 

• To address rural preparedness challenges, this recipient will institute three new training courses addressing 

unmet training needs in both private security and public safety preparedness challenges in rural areas 

nationwide. The goals of the deploy include: a private security/public safety training initiative that builds 

sustainable preparedness in rural areas, building preparedness by increasing communication and 

cooperation between private security and public safety agencies, developing and implementing an 

evaluation plan that ensures continuous improvement and identifies best practices and lessons learned. 

• The National Nurse Emergency Preparedness Initiative (NNEPI) is a web-based training initiative for 

nurses, focused on providing opportunities for dynamic and interactive application of both theory and 

practice through scenario-based learning. This highly-interactive, web-based course will provide settingspecific emergency preparedness training for nurses working in hospitals/acute care, schools, public health, 

ambulatory care, hospice/palliative care, long-term care, occupational health, and home health settings. 

NNEPI is designing this web-based course in a manner that incorporates elements of the critical-thinking 

involved in performance-level training but via an online delivery method. NNEPI goes beyond teaching 

nurses the basics about CBRNE – nurse learn how to triage, assess, and treat patients and practice clinicaldecision making within the online course learning environment. NNEPI will provide nurses with 

information about opportunities for face-to-face training to build upon what they’ve learned in the NNEPI 

web-based course. (Links to DHS/ODP Training Partner course offerings appropriate for nurses will be 

offered on the NNEPI website). 

• This recipient proposes to develop a network of four regional offices that focus on and provide information 

to individuals with hearing disabilities on disaster preparedness and homeland security. Project directors in 

each of the centers will provide ten workshops each in and around their region. An online information 

resource will also be developed to provide information nationally to this special needs population. 

• This project will develop and deploy a standardized, exportable disaster life support training program to 

increase awareness of the basic skills, competencies, knowledge, and resources that are critical for a 

coordinated and effective local emergency response effort. There will be an implementation of training 

formats that promote the ability to learn, retain, and utilize content from the Core Disaster Life Support 

(CDLS) course. Electronic versions of the course will be developed to greatly increase the number of first 

responders in rural and underserved areas who can access standardized educational opportunities through 

the use of self-paced distance learning methodologies. 

 FY 2005 

• The applicant and partners will prepare and equip states throughout the nation to develop Continuity of 

Operation (COOP) Plans that will ensure, to the fullest extent possible, those essential governmental 

functions throughout those states will not be disabled during man-made or natural disasters, and that critical 

services and communications links will be maintained. Through the proposed model program, “Preparing 

the states: Implementing Continuity of Operations Planning,” the applicant will provide intensive training 

to teams of high-ranking emergency officials from the states who, in turn, will return to their home states to 

train top officials as well as officials from county and city governmental agencies. 

• The applicant and its partnering institutions proposed the development and national delivery of a 16 hour 

ODP approved agricultural vulnerability assessment training program for agricultural facility managers and 

state, county, and local officials to assist in the prevention and deterrence of a WMD attack. The program 

will provide the tools and training to identify agricultural sites of greatest vulnerability and to have the 

knowledge to put measures in place at the local level to reduce those vulnerabilities where feasible. This 

training initiative will strengthen the ability of state and local communities to improve intelligence and 
10

operational capabilities for prevention and deterrence of terrorist acts that target the agricultural sector. 

• The applicant proposes to provide resource enhancement for venue management professionals needing 

intensive training in safety and security protocols for emergency preparedness, crises communication, and 

adoption and expansion of the use of the DHS On-line Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (ViSAT) which 

was jointly developed by IAAM and IAIP. Target trainees include personnel responsible security, safety, 

and emergency response at public assembly facilities and public events throughout the United States. 

• The applicant proposes a joint project to develop and implement a curriculum for prosecutors and 

community corrections officers, focusing on identifying and responding to "precursor" crimes (e.g., threats, 

hoaxes, identity crimes and drug trafficking), with particular emphasis on sharing information with their 

law enforcement colleagues at federal, state and local levels. This collaboration will train community 

corrections officers across the country in techniques for identifying potential terrorist or terrorist-supporting 

activities among offenders on their caseloads and it will ensure that the vast amount of data collected by 

community corrections agencies, from pre-trial detention and pre-sentence investigation reports to case 

supervision records and violations of probation and parole, will be analyzed for terrorist implications and 

shared with local prosecuting attorneys' offices, multi-jurisdictional antiterrorism task forces and regional 

intelligence fusion centers. 

• This applicant, in cooperation with several partners will develop a comprehensive computer crime 

curriculum to train state and local law enforcement officials to recognize the association of white collar 

crimes when identifying potential terrorist activities via computer aided devices. The three course offerings 

(Advanced Criminal Intelligence Training to Prevent Terrorism, Fast Cyber Forensic Triage, and 

Information Security for Law Enforcement) will collectively train over 750 officials nationwide in essential 

intelligence analysis skills and cyber crime investigations related to terrorism. The training will include 

instruction to analyze communication records, financial data, and terrorism-based investigative reports. 

Participants will receive training necessary to safeguard their agency's information system and cyber 

forensic resources from network intrusion and terrorist attacks. 

• The proposed program addresses training for the 50 million Americans reported to have at least one known 

disability, and are at a higher risk for not being prepared. This specialized CERT training is designed to 

help them become self-reliant and prepared. The application provides a superior explanation of the 

requested information and presents a program with a sound and innovative approach. The application 

needs no revisions. 

• The applicant proposes the continued development of the Teen–Student Emergency Response Training 

(Teen SERT) pilot program, which provides students with knowledge about the effects of natural and 

human-caused disasters and their emotional, social, and economic impacts. Teen SERT will build 

decision-making and problem-solving skills and strategies to help students make informed decisions 

regarding readiness, response and recovery, and mitigation efforts to reduce loss of life and property. 

• The applicant proposes to provide train-the-trainer programs with supporting tools and materials for 

campus public safety or emergency services personnel at colleges and universities nationwide to train 

Campus Community Emergency Response Teams (C-CERT) and to form campus Citizen Corps Councils 

integrated with local, surrounding or adjacent communities consistent with the National Preparedness Goal. 

• The applicant team has identified a need to produce and deliver a Transit Terrorist Tools and Tactics (T-4) 

course that will be targeted specifically to transit authorities, public safety, and private security officers 

charged with the responsibility of maintaining our nation’s largest infrastructure—public transportation. 

The applicant and their partners will join forces to develop and deliver a three (3)-day course delivered onsite in 24 locations across the United States. 

• The applicant and its consortium of partners propose to address this issue area (transit) need through the 

creation of the Ferry Passenger Partnership Program. The program will train first responders, ferry 

passengers, and crews about maritime-related security issues in general and WMD threats in particular. The 
11

Ferry Passenger Partnership Program creates a sustainable, capacity building, cross-discipline curriculum, 

as well as a flexible training delivery and communication system which are applicable to all domestic ferry 

operations. The leave-behind capabilities of these systems are a crucial element of program planning. 

• This recipient will address port security by designing training curriculum for individuals and teams 

working in and protecting port facilities (port employees, security personnel, and supporting local agency 

first responders). A needs assessment will be conducted and followed by design and development of seven 

projected programs of instruction which include: Instructor Training (TTT), CBRNE Training for Port 

First Responders, Training for Port Security Guards, Training for Port Police Officers, Field Exercise Team 

Training, Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Mitigation, and Team Performance Skills. In all, up to 300 

hours of instruction will be developed in partnership with port operation and security experts from Tetra 

Tech Consulting and the Learning System Institute, and in cooperation with the American Association of 

Port Authorities (AAPA) Security Subcommittee as well as representatives from 14 deep-water ports in the 

State. The training will improve awareness of threat situations, knowledge for preventing and/or 

responding to potential threats, and the ability to recover in the occurrence of a security incident. 

• The applicant has outlined steps to maintaining and strengthening airport security from the risk of terrorist 

action. This proposal highlights a number of training components that take into consideration a number of 

different publics ranging from traditional respondents to a disaster such as law enforcement and fire 

departments, to non-traditional partners such as residents living in proximity of small sized airports, 

businesses, and service personnel working at the airport or responsible for deliveries to the airport. The 

proposal details the steps necessary for participants to take in becoming knowledgeable in detecting 

potential risks. The scope of this proposal is designed around the need to train the police, sheriff deputies, 

fire, and emergency personnel to prevent terrorist acts. The design lends itself to be scalable to a regional or 

a national scope. In this respect, this proposal has national significance and is consistent with national 

preparedness goals and guidelines, and the National Response Plan. The instruction would detail the role 

of responders in dealing with victims and scene control. 

• The recipient’s proposal, the National Emergency Medical Services Preparedness Initiative (NEMSPI): 

Cross-Disciplinary, Web-Based WMD/T Training for EMS Providers involves the following activities: (1) 

Development of a video game-based training (“serious game”) for EMS professionals, training them in a 

virtual environment for CBRNE preparedness and response; (2) Policy Summits for key leaders in the EMS 

field; and (3) an inventory of existing DHS-funded courses with regards to EMS-related content and the 

alignment of that content to the UTL/TC. 

• The recipient will deliver customized training to community and tribal health care providers to ensure their 

preparedness to respond and recover from weapons of mass destruction (WMD)/terrorism incidents. This 

training will be customized based on results of an assessment of hospital emergency preparedness plans, 

processes and capabilities. They possess a comprehensive training guide (developed in 2001) and plan to 

continue its development with this program. 

• The applicant proposes to develop a standardized, interactive multimedia “course” that can be used at any 

time or location to train. The proposed “Virtual Medical Incident Management Institute” will train senior 

public health and medical professionals to function effectively as critical participants in local and interjurisdictional incident command structures and maximize medical surge capacity and capability during 

WMD attacks.