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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2023 Homeland Security National Training Program

Continuing Training Grants

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity 

identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the SAM system. Requesting a UEI using 

Sam.gov can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at: 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. 

Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

On April 4, 2022, the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced 

by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award 

Management (SAM.gov). This new identifier is the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov: 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

Table of Contents

Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:................................................................ 1

A. Program Description................................................................................................................ 4

1. Issued By.......................................................................................................................... 4

2. Assistance Listings Number ............................................................................................ 4

3. Assistance Listings Title .................................................................................................. 4

4. Funding Opportunity Title ............................................................................................... 4

5. Funding Opportunity Number.......................................................................................... 4

6. Authorizing Authority for Program ................................................................................. 4

7. Appropriation Authority for Program.............................................................................. 4

8. Announcement Type........................................................................................................ 4

9. Program Category ............................................................................................................ 4

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities ................................................................ 4

11. Performance Measures..................................................................................................... 7

B. Federal Award Information ..................................................................................................... 8

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $6 million................................................................. 8

2. Projected Number of Awards 3-5 ................................................................................. 8

3. Maximum Award Amount: $6 million .......................................................................... 8

4. Period of Performance: 36 months .............................................................................. 8

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2023........................................... 8

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/31/2026............................................ 8

7. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement .................................................... 8

C. Eligibility Information............................................................................................................. 8

1. Eligible Applicants........................................................................................................... 8

2. Additional Applicant Eligibility Criteria ......................................................................... 9

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation .............................. 9
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3. Cost Share or Match....................................................................................................... 10

D. Application and Submission Information.............................................................................. 10

1. Key Dates and Times..................................................................................................... 10

a. Application Start Date: 6/22/2023 9AM ET ......................................................... 10

b. Application Submission Deadline: 8/9/2023 5PM ET ............................................ 10

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 9/1/2023 ............................. 11

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 9/1/2023................................................ 11

e. Other Key Dates........................................................................................................ 11

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award.......................................................... 11

3. Address to Request Application Package ...................................................................... 11

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Register in the System for

Award Management (SAM) .......................................................................................... 11

5. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier, Register in the System for Award

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application ......................................................... 12

6. Electronic Delivery ........................................................................................................ 13

7. How to Register to Apply .............................................................................................. 13

a. General Instructions: ................................................................................................. 13

b. Obtain an UEI Number: ............................................................................................ 13

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number................................................................... 13

d. Create a login.gov account:....................................................................................... 14

h. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

15

i. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: .................................................................... 15

j. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: ........................................................................ 15

k. Track Role Status: ..................................................................................................... 15

l. Electronic Signature: ................................................................................................. 16

8. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission .................................. 16

9. Content and Form of Application Submission............................................................... 16

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information ........................................... 16

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information ................................................. 17

10. Intergovernmental Review............................................................................................. 17

11. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs.................................................................... 17

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications

Equipment or Services................................................................................................... 18

b. Pre-Award Costs........................................................................................................ 19

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs....................................................... 19

d. Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs.................................................... 19

E. Application Review Information........................................................................................... 20

1. Application Evaluation Criteria ..................................................................................... 20

a. Programmatic Criteria ............................................................................................... 20

b. Financial Integrity Criteria ........................................................................................ 20

2. Review and Selection Process ....................................................................................... 21

F. Federal Award Administration Information.......................................................................... 21

1. Notice of Award............................................................................................................. 21

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements........................................................ 22

a. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions....................................................................... 22

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights .................................................................... 22
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c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance................... 22

d. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation ............................ 23

3. Reporting........................................................................................................................ 24

a. Financial Reporting Requirements............................................................................ 24

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements............................................... 25

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements............................................................................. 25

d. Additional Reporting Requirements.......................................................................... 27

4. Monitoring and Oversight.............................................................................................. 27

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information ....................................................................... 29

1. Contact and Resource Information ................................................................................ 29

a. Program Office Contact............................................................................................. 29

b. Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID)............................................. 29

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division ....................... 29

e. Equal Rights.............................................................................................................. 29

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation.................................................... 29

g. Other Contact Information ........................................................................................ 29

2. Systems Information ...................................................................................................... 30

a. Grants.gov ................................................................................................................. 30

c. Payment and Reporting System (PARS)................................................................... 30

d. Payment Management System (PMS) (“Smartlink”)................................................ 30

f. FEMA GO ................................................................................................................. 30

g. FEMA Preparedness Toolkit..................................................................................... 30

H. Additional Information.......................................................................................................... 30

1. Termination Provisions.................................................................................................. 30

a. Noncompliance.......................................................................................................... 31

b. With the Consent of the Recipient ............................................................................ 31

c. Notification by the Recipient .................................................................................... 31

2. Program Evaluation.......................................................................................................... 31

3. Period of Performance Extensions................................................................................. 31

4. Disability Integration....................................................................................................... 32

5. Conflicts of Interest in the Administration of Federal Awards or Subawards............... 33

6. Procurement Integrity .................................................................................................... 34

a. Important Changes to Procurement Standards in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 ......................... 35

b. Competition and Conflicts of Interest ....................................................................... 35

c. Supply Schedules and Purchasing Programs............................................................. 37

d. Procurement Documentation..................................................................................... 38

7. Record Retention............................................................................................................... 38

a. Record Retention Period ........................................................................................... 38

b. Types of Records to Retain ....................................................................................... 39

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance............................................................................... 39

9. Audits............................................................................................................................. 40

10. Payment Information ..................................................................................................... 42

11. Whole Community Preparedness................................................................................... 42

12. Appendices..................................................................................................................... 42
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A. Program Description

1. Issued By

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

(FEMA)/ Resilience/National Preparedness Directorate (NPD), National Training and 

Education Division (NTED)

2. Assistance Listings Number 

97.005

3. Assistance Listings Title

State and Local Homeland Security National Training Program

4. Funding Opportunity Title 

Fiscal Year 2023 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) – Continuing 

Training Grants (CTG)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-23-NPD-005-00-96

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

Title III – Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Federal Emergency 

Management Agency, Federal Assistance, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations 

Act, 2023, (Pub. L. No. 117-328).

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

Title III – Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Federal Emergency 

Management Agency, Federal Assistance, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations 

Act, 2023, (Pub. L. No. 117-328).

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Category 

Preparedness: Training

10. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities 

a. Overview

Through the Continuing Training Grants (CTG) program, the Department of Homeland 

Security Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) 

plays an important role in the National Preparedness System. The CTG program supports 

building, sustaining, and delivering core capabilities through the development and delivery of 

training to achieve the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal), which is “a secure and 

resilient nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect 

against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest 

risk”.
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Specifically, the CTG program provides funding for eligible applicants to support and target 

training solutions for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners, supporting the 

objective of the National Preparedness System to facilitate an integrated, whole community, 

risk-informed, capabilities-based approach to preparedness.

The CTG program supports multiple goals and objectives of the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic 

Plan, particularly Goal 3: Promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation and 

Objective 3.1 to Strengthen the emergency management workforce. 

The CTG program also supports three of the five basic missions of DHS as specified in The 

DHS Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024. The three supported mission areas are Prevent 

Terrorism and Enhance Security, Safeguard and Secure Cyberspace, and Strengthen National 

Preparedness and Resilience.

The CTG program results in the training of over 6,000 SLTT students per year.

b. Objectives

Address Capability Gaps. States and territories provide annual data on their proficiency 

across 32 core capabilities through the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk 

Assessment, Stakeholder Preparedness Reviews, exercise and real world after-action reports, 

and other preparedness data. This data feeds into the National Preparedness Report, which 

summarizes progress made, and challenges that remain, in building and sustaining the 

capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the 

threats, hazards, and incidents that pose the greatest risk to the nation. This annual report 

offers all levels of government, tribes, and the private and nonprofit sectors, and the public 

practical insights into preparedness that support decisions about program priorities, resource 

allocation, and actions that can create more resilient communities.

FEMA recognizes the importance of education and training in improving communities’ 

abilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards. Given the unique challenges

faced by rural, remote communities and Tribal Nations, FEMA supports the development and 

delivery of training curriculum to specifically support these communities and help them 

prepare for and respond to all types of disasters to include extreme weather events.

c. Priorities

FEMA Strategic Plan: The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan positions the agency to respond 

to a changing landscape in which the emergency management community must embrace its 

expanding role. To meet this challenge, the Strategic Plan outlines three bold and ambitious 

goals. The objectives under each goal outline how FEMA will support its workforce, better 

position communities, and leverage its programs and processes to advance the emergency 

management field.

• Goal 1 - Instill Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management

• Goal 2 - Lead Whole of Community in Climate Resilience

• Goal 3 - Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation
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Applications should propose training solutions, aligned with the focus areas described in 

Appendix B of this NOFO, that help advance the goals and objectives established in the 2022 

– 2026 FEMA Strategic Plan. Specifically:

• Instill equity as a foundation of emergency management through learning. Training 

produced through the FY 2023 CTG program must convey the fact that disasters 

affect individuals and communities differently, and through training, offer solutions to 

reducing barriers to access, and deliver equitable outcomes for all communities.

• Promote and sustain a prepared nation through outcome-based learning for the

emergency management community. Training produced through the FY 2023 CTG 

program must address the ever-increasing demands placed on emergency managers 

and offer the knowledge and skills that result in outcomes that address those demands. 

Innovation: Applications should include innovative training and technical assistance ideas 

and concepts that can help solve the tough problems that the Nation’s emergency 

management community is expected to confront. These innovations should be replicable, 

satisfy a specific need, and include processes where new ideas result in useful products. 

Focus Areas: The FY 2023 CTG Focus Areas are: 

1. Rural Preparedness for Equitable Outcomes

2. Build Tribal Capacities and Capabilities to Improve Readiness and Resilience

Refer to Appendix B of this NOFO for specific requirements related to each focus area 

including standards, intended audience, required training objectives, and other key factors. 

The following table displays alignment between the focus areas and the 2022-2026 FEMA 

Strategic Plan along with learning solution examples that are appropriate for the FY 2023 

CTG program. 

Focus Area Strategic Goal Objectives Learning Solution Examples

Rural Preparedness for 

Equitable Outcomes

Objective 1.3: Achieve 

equitable outcomes for those 

we serve

Objective 3.1: Strengthen 

the emergency management 

workforce

• Online Training 

• In-person instructor-led 

training 

• Synchronous, virtual 

instructor-led training

• Asynchronous, virtual 

instructor-led training

• Facilitated workshops and 

seminars

Build Tribal Capacities 

and Capabilities to 

Improve Readiness and 

Resilience

Objective 1.3: Achieve 

equitable outcomes for those 

we serve

Objective 3.1: Strengthen 

the emergency management 

workforce

• Online Training 

• In-person instructor-led 

training 

• Synchronous, virtual 

instructor-led training
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• Asynchronous, virtual 

instructor-led training

• Facilitated workshops and 

seminars

Equity in emergency management: Equity in emergency management requires proactively 

prioritizing actions that reinforce cultural competency, accessibility, and inclusion, as well as 

reflect the historical context of specific groups of people. To that end, CTG applicants are 

strongly encouraged to explore how funded activities can address the needs of underserved, 

at-risk communities to help ensure consistent and systematic, fair, just, and impartial 

treatment of all individuals before, during and after a disaster.

The focus on equity and investing in strategies that meet the needs of underserved 

communities will strengthen the whole of community system of emergency management. 

Substantial and ongoing prioritization of, and investment in, underserved communities is 

essential for the entire system to be effective and efficient. Engaging the whole community 

requires all members of the community to be part of the emergency management team, 

including representatives of underserved communities, diverse community members, social 

and community service groups and institutions, faith-based and disability advocacy groups, 

academia, professional associations, the private and nonprofit sectors, and government 

agencies that may not traditionally have been directly involved in emergency management. 

The whole community includes children; older adults; individuals with disabilities and others 

with access and functional needs; those from religious, racial, and ethnically diverse 

backgrounds; people with limited English proficiency; and owners of animals including 

household pets and service animals.

11. Performance Measures

The New World Kirkpatrick Model is applied for analyzing and evaluating the results of 

training and educational programs. This model considers any style of training, both informal 

and formal, to assess learning. 

 FEMA applies the New World Kirkpatrick Model for the FY 2023 CTG program as 

 follows:

Level 1: a student’s assessment of the training setting, material, and instruction; this is 

evaluated through surveys administered during or directly following curriculum delivery and 

uses numerical (e.g., Likert Scale) and narrative responses. Results are reported to the FEMA 

NTED Training Partners Program Branch and assessed to measure experiences compared 

with standards and expectations. 

Level 2: a comparison of pre-course knowledge and skills with post-course knowledge and 

skills; this is evaluated through testing administered during or directly following curriculum 

delivery. Results are reported to the FEMA NTED Training Partners Program Branch and 

assessed to measure knowledge transfer compared with an established standard of a twentysix-point increase.
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Level 3: an assessment of learning applicability at the home organization or jurisdiction; this 

is evaluated through surveys administered following curriculum delivery, typically between 

90 and 180 days after training, and uses a numerical (e.g., Likert Scale) and narrative 

responses. Results are reported to the FEMA NTED Training Partners Program Branch and 

assessed to measure training impact on a student’s organization or jurisdiction.

FEMA’s First Responder Training System (FRTS) includes the Registration and Evaluation 

System (RES). The RES is used to collect New World Kirkpatrick Model evaluation data.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $6 million

2. Projected Number of Awards 3-5

3. Maximum Award Amount: $6 million

4. Period of Performance: 36 months

Extensions to the period of performance are allowed. For additional information on period of 

performance extensions, please refer to Section H.3 of this NOFO.

FEMA awards under most programs, including this program, only include one budget period, 

so it will be same as the period of performance. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for definitions of 

“budget period” and “period of performance.”

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 09/01/2023

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 08/31/2026

7. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

The CTG program, prescribed by this NOFO, is awarded through separate cooperative 

agreements, as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 , and consistent with the Federal Grant and 

Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (Pub. L. No. 95-224), (31 U.S.C. §§ 6301-6308). FEMA 

maintains substantial involvement with all recipients as they carry out activities under the 

award to include financial monitoring and all training development and delivery activities, 

including the creation and approval of course content, arrangement of learning objectives, 

establishment of training delivery modes and methods, and use of the New World 

Kirkpatrick evaluation model. NTED Training Partners Program (TPP) managers serve as the 

authority to provide approval and disapproval for all activities over the life cycle of the 

award.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

• State governments, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territory governments

• City or township governments
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• County governments

• Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments (Tribal governments)

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) status

• Nonprofit private institutions of higher education

• Nonprofit national associations and organizations

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

Please reference Appendix B of this NOFO for additional applicant eligibility criteria.

2. Additional Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Training Expertise. Applicants must currently administer an existing training or education 

program, consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), relevant to the 

selected Focus Area(s), or have demonstrable expertise to create and administer a training 

program capable of developing and delivering training for a national whole community 

audience, relevant to the selected Focus Area(s). 

For the purposes of the CTG program, the minimum standard for training expertise is defined 

as the principal activities that an organization conducts which are primarily focused on the 

development and delivery of training for an external audience, but may include an internal 

audience, resulting in a change or increase of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. 

Training types/modes that meet this definition include web-based training, instructor-led 

courses conducted in classrooms and/or training areas (to include mobile courses), and 

seminars and workshops that measure a change in knowledge, skill, and/or abilities. Drill and 

exercise-only type activities, without a learning component, do not meet the definition of 

training expertise for the CTG program. Organizations that do not describe suitable expertise 

in training are ineligible. 

Organizational Partnerships. Eligible applicants may apply individually or as the 

submitting member (e.g., executive agent) of a partnership such as a consortium. However, 

only one organization may serve as the applicant.

a. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation

Prior to allocation of any federal preparedness awards, recipients must ensure and maintain 

adoption and implementation of NIMS. The list of objectives used for progress and 

achievement reporting is on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/emergencymanagers/nims/implementation-training.

Emergency management and incident response activities require carefully managed resources 

(personnel, teams, facilities, equipment, and/or supplies) to meet incident needs. Utilization 

of the standardized resource management concepts such as typing, credentialing, and 

inventorying, promote a strong national mutual aid capability needed to support delivery of 

core capabilities. Additional information on resource management, NIMS resource typing 

definitions, job titles, and position qualifications is on FEMA’s website at 

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/components.
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FEMA developed the National Incident Management System Guideline for the National 

Qualification System to describe national credentialing standards and to provide written 

guidance regarding the use of those standards. This guideline describes credentialing and 

typing processes and identifies tools that Federal Emergency Response Officials and 

emergency managers at all levels of government may use both routinely and to facilitate 

multijurisdictional coordinated responses. 

Although state (including territorial), local, tribal, and private sector partners (including 

nongovernmental organizations) are not required to credential their personnel in accordance 

with these guidelines, FEMA strongly encourages them to do so to leverage the federal 

investment in the Federal Information Processing Standards 201 infrastructure and to 

facilitate interoperability for personnel deployed outside their home jurisdiction. 

Additional information about NIMS in general is available on FEMA’s website at 

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims.

3. Cost Share or Match

There is no cost share or match requirement for this program.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date:

b. Application Submission Deadline:

6/22/2023 9AM ET 

8/9/2023 5PM ET

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

The required application narrative is described in Appendix D of this notice.

FEMA’s Grants Outcomes System (FEMA GO) automatically records proof of timely 

submission and the system generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO 

successfully receives the application. The individual with the Authorized Organization 

Representative role that submitted the application will also receive the official date/time 

stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely 

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 of this NOFO.

FEMA will not review applications that are received after the deadline or consider 

these late applications for funding. FEMA 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 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 
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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 FEMA contacts can be found in Section G of this NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency 

Contact Information.” For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the 

FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 611-4700, Monday through Friday, 

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). For programmatic or grants management questions, 

please contact your Program Analyst or Grants Management Specialist. If applicants do not 

know who to contact or if there are programmatic questions or concerns, please contact the 

Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) by phone at (800) 368-6498 or by email at askcsid@fema.dhs.gov, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Anticipated Funding Selection Date: No later than 9/1/2023

d. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 9/1/2023

e. Other Key Dates

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

Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to

https://go.fema.gov/.

4. Requirements: Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Register in the System for

Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR 25.110, must:

1) Be registered in Sam.Gov before application submission.

2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in its application.

3) Continue to always maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration

with current information during the Federal Award process.

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion

Obtaining Unique Entity Identifier 

(UEI) number

Four weeks before actual submission deadline 

Obtaining a valid Employer 

Identification Number (EIN) Four weeks before actual submission deadline 

Creating an account with login.gov Four weeks before actual submission deadline 

Registering in SAM or updating SAM 

registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline 

Registering Organization in FEMA 

GO Prior to beginning application

Submitting complete application in 

FEMA GO One week before actual submission deadline
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5. Steps Required to Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier, Register in the System for Award

Management (SAM), and Submit an Application

Applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to

complete. Applicants are encouraged to register early as the registration process can take four

weeks or more to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to

ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

Please review the table above for estimated deadlines to complete each of the steps listed.

Failure of an applicant to comply with any of the required steps before the deadline for

submitting an application may disqualify that application from funding.

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

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and Employer

Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service;

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

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. Register in FEMA GO, add the organization to the system, and establish the Authorized

Organizational Representative (AOR). The organization’s electronic business point of

contact (EBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For

step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/181607;

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

g. 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. As part of this, applicants must also provide information

on an applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well as on all

predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance

within the last three years, if applicable.

Applicants are advised that FEMA may not make a federal award until the applicant has 

complied with all applicable 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 FEMA 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, FEMA may determine 

that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a 

basis for making a federal award to another applicant. 

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(c)(2)(iii), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that 

prevents it from obtaining an UEI number and completing SAM registration prior to 

receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible by contacting 

askcsid@fema.dhs.gov and providing the details of the circumstances that prevent 

completion of these requirements. If FEMA determines that there are exigent circumstances 

and FEMA has decided to make an award, the applicant will be required to obtain an UEI 
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number, if applicable, and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award 

date. 

6. 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. DHS encourages or requires applicants

to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding

opportunity.

For this funding opportunity, FEMA requires applicants to submit applications through

FEMA GO.

7. How to Register to Apply

a. General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and

requires time to complete. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for FEMA

funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the

information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling

the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute

searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. To ensure an application

meets the deadline, applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their

submission.

Organizations must have an UEI number, an EIN, an active System for Award Management

(SAM) registration and Grants.gov account to apply for grants.

Organizations must also have a Grants.gov account to apply for an award under this program.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but UEI 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/registration.html

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

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

b. Obtain an UEI Number:

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, prior to April 4, 2022, must

have a UEI number. Applicants must enter the UEI number in the applicable data entry field

on the SF-424 form.

For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number, refer to: Sam.gov.

c. Obtain Employer Identification Number
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All entities applying for funding must provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN). 

The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/smallbusinesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online. 

d. Create a login.gov account:

Applicants must have a login.gov account in order to register with SAM or update their SAM

registration. Applicants can create a login.gov account here:

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-

a62b99571fd3. 

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For applicants that are existing 

SAM users, use the same email address for the login.gov account as with SAM.gov so that 

the two accounts can be linked. 

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf. 

All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with SAM. Failure to

register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM

registration must be renewed annually. Organizations will be issued a UEI number with the

completed SAM registration.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-withsam.html.

Note: As a new requirement per 2 C.F.R. § 25.200, applicants must also provide the 

applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors that have been 

awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the last three years, if 

applicable.

I. ADDITIONAL SAM REMINDERS

Existing SAM.gov account holders should check their account to make sure it is “ACTIVE.”

SAM registration should be completed at the very beginning of the application period and

should be renewed annually to avoid being “INACTIVE.” Please allow plenty of time

before the grant application submission deadline to obtain an UEI number and then to

register in SAM. It may be four weeks or more after an applicant submits the SAM

registration before the registration is active in SAM, and then it may be an additional

24 hours before FEMA’s system recognizes the information.

It is imperative that the information applicants provide is correct and current. Please ensure

that your organization’s name, address, and EIN are up to date in SAM and that the UEI

number used in SAM is the same one used to apply for all other FEMA awards. Payment

under any FEMA award is contingent on the recipient’s having a current SAM registration.

II. HELP WITH SAM

e. Register with SAM:
15

The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new 

applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration (GSA) to assist those 

registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a SAM registration, 

please contact the Federal Support Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do or call toll 

free (866) 606-8230.

h. Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR: 

Applicants must register in FEMA GO and add their organization to the system. The 

organization’s electronic business point of contact (EBiz POC) from the SAM registration 

may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see 

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607.

Note: FEMA GO will support only the most recent major release of the following browsers:

• Google Chrome

• Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

Users who attempt to use tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with 

using FEMA GO.

i. 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, if 

applicable, enter the UEI number for the organization in the UEI 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.

j. 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 Authorized Organization Representative (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.

k. Track Role Status: 

To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.
16

l. Electronic Signature: 

When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant 

with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the 

application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals 

who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR; 

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

8. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Submitting the Final Application

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information and any 

program-specific information required as described in Section D.10 of this NOFO, “Content 

and Form of Application Submission.” The Standard Forms (SF) may be accessed in 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. 

After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message or a 

successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the AOR that submitted the 

application. Applicants using slow internet connections, such as dial-up connections, should 

be aware that transmission can take some time before FEMA GO receives your application. 

For additional application submission requirements, including program-specific 

requirements, please refer to the subsection titled “Content and Form of Application 

Submission” under Section D of this NOFO.

All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO 

automatically records proof of timely submission and the system generates an electronic 

date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives the application. The individual with 

the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role that submitted the application will 

also receive the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number in an email 

serving as proof of their timely submission on the date and time that FEMA GO received the 

application.

Applicants who experience system-related issues will be addressed until 3:00 PM ET on 

the date applications are due. No new system-related issues will be addressed after this 

deadline. Applications not received by the application submission deadline will not be 

accepted.

9. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The 

Standard Forms (SF) are also available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-

family.html. 

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

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

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
17

• Indirect Cost Agreement or Proposal

If the budget includes indirect costs and the applicant is required to have an indirect cost 

rate agreement or proposal. If the applicant does not have or is not required to have an 

indirect cost rate agreement or proposal, please see Section D.13 of this NOFO, “Funding 

Restrictions and Allowable Costs,” for further information regarding allowability of 

indirect costs and whether alternatives to an indirect cost rate agreement or proposal 

might be available or contact the relevant FEMA staff identified in Section G of this 

NOFO, “DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information” for further instructions.

b. Program-Specific Required Forms and Information

Please refer to Appendix A of this NOFO for budget data requirements and Appendix D of 

this NOFO for application narrative format and content requirements.

 

10. Intergovernmental Review 

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single 

Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372

(See https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html; 

www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf .

11. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

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. This 

includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services 

must be delivered, within the period of performance of the award. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h) 

(referring to budget periods, which for FEMA awards is the same as the period of 

performance).

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.
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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.

a. Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications 

Equipment or Services 

Recipients and subrecipients of FEMA federal financial assistance are subject to the 

prohibitions described in section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization 

Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019 NDAA), Pub. L. No. 115-232 (2018) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 

200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200. Beginning August 13, 

2020, the statute – as it applies to FEMA recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors and 

subcontractors – prohibits obligating or expending federal award funds on certain 

telecommunications and video surveillance products and contracting with certain entities for 

national security reasons. 

Guidance is available at FEMA Policy #405-143-1 - Prohibitions on Expending FEMA 

Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services

Additional guidance is available at Contract Provisions Guide: Navigating Appendix II to 

Part 200 - Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards 

(fema.gov).

Effective August 13, 2020, FEMA recipients and subrecipients may not use any FEMA 

funds under open or new awards to: 

• Procure or obtain any equipment, system, or service that uses covered 

telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of 

any system, or as critical technology of any system.

• Enter into, extend, or renew a contract to procure or obtain any equipment, system, or 

service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial 

or essential component of any system, or as critical technology of any system; or

• Enter into, extend, or renew contracts with entities that use covered 

telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of 

any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.

II. DEFINITIONS

Per section 889(f)(2)-(3) of the FY 2019 NDAA and 2 C.F.R. § 200.216, covered 

telecommunications equipment or services means:

i. Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or 

ZTE Corporation, (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

ii. For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical 

security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security 

purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by 
19

Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology 

Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such 

entities);

iii. Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or 

using such equipment; or

iv. Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or 

provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the 

Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or 

otherwise connected to, the People’s Republic of China.

Examples of the types of products covered by this prohibition include phones, internet, video 

surveillance, and cloud servers when produced, provided, or used by the entities listed in the 

definition of “covered telecommunications equipment or services.” See 2 C.F.R. § 200.471.

b. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are allowable only with the prior written approval of DHS/FEMA and if they 

are included in the award agreement. To request pre-award costs a written request must be 

included with the application, signed by the Authorized Representative of the entity. The 

letter must outline what the pre-award costs are for, including a detailed budget breakout of 

pre-award costs from the post-award costs, and a justification for approval.

c. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs 

Management and Administration costs are activities directly related to managing and 

administering the award, such as financial management and monitoring. M&A costs are not 

operational costs. They are the necessary costs incurred in direct support of the grant or as a 

consequence of the grant and should be allocated across the entire lifecycle of the grant. 

Recipients may use up to five percent (5%) of the amount of the award for their M&A.

d. 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 current 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. Not all applicants are required to have a 

current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. 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. Applicants who do not have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement 

(including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to the 

FEMA Program Manager for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost 

allocation plan in lieu of an indirect cost rate must also reach out to the FEMA Program 

Manager for further instructions. 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 or based upon on the de minimis rate or cost allocation plan, as 

applicable.
20

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

1) Technical Merit – 25 Points Possible

The proposal will be reviewed and evaluated on an applicant’s understanding of the topic

based upon statements provided in the narrative that describe knowledge of the topic to

include an awareness of current and emerging issues.

2) Needs Analysis – 15 Points Possible

FEMA will review the proposal to ensure that all training gaps have been identified and

linked to training proposal.

3) National in Scope – 25 Points Possible

FEMA will review the proposal to determine the number and diversity of locations and

communities directly and indirectly impacted according to the proposal.

4) Target Audience – 15 Points Possible

FEMA will review the proposal to determine if the proposed training identifies and links to

the target audience.

5) Organizational Experience – 10 Points Possible

FEMA will review the proposal to ensure relevance to the topic and delivery and historical

success/student throughput.

6) Training Development and Plan – 25 Points Possible

FEMA will review the proposal to determine if the training plan correctly incorporates the

Instructional System Design, Analysis Design Development Implementation Evaluation (ISD

ADDIE) model.

7) Budget – 15 Points Possible

FEMA will review the budget to determine whether an applicant addressed all categories and

elements with dollar amounts and justifications as appropriate.

Score breakdown and detailed scoring definitions are found in Appendix C of this NOFO.

Please note that the definition of “Rural” is provided in Appendix B of this NOFO.

b. Financial Integrity Criteria

Prior to making a federal award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3354, as enacted by the

Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-117 (2020); 41 U.S.C. § 2313;

and 2 C.F.R. § 200.206 to review information available through any Office of Management

and Budget (OMB)-designated repositories of governmentwide eligibility qualification or

financial integrity information, including whether the applicant is suspended or debarred.

FEMA may also pose additional questions to the applicant to aid in conducting the pre-award

risk review. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based

considerations of the applicant:

i. Financial stability.

ii. Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards.

iii. History of performance in managing federal award.

iv. Reports and findings from audits.

v. Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.
21

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:

i. FEMA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant,

including information on the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner,

subsidiaries, and predecessors, if applicable, that is in the designated integrity

and performance system accessible through the System for Award

Management (SAM), which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance

and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment

on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously

entered.

iii. FEMA 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. § 200.206.

ci. Review and Selection Process

FEMA and subject-matter experts (SMEs) will both score applications using the categories

described in Appendix C of this NOFO. FEMA Resilience senior leadership will review all

scoring results and then verify that award selections are consistent with legislative guidance

provided through the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Department of

Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328), confirm appropriate

alignment with DHS and FEMA strategic priorities, and verify that award amounts will

maximize available funds.

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.

FEMA will provide the federal award package to the applicant electronically via FEMA GO. 

Award packages include an Award Letter, Summary Award Memo, Agreement Articles, and 

Obligating Document. An email notification of the award package will be sent through 

FEMA’s grant application system to the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) that 

submitted the application. 

Recipients must accept their awards no later than 30 days from the award date. The recipient 

shall notify FEMA of its intent to accept and proceed with work under the award through the 

FEMA GO system. 

Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the FEMA GO 

system and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied or until the award is 
22

otherwise rescinded. Failure to accept a grant award within the specified timeframe may 

result in a loss of funds.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

In addition to the requirements of in this section and in this NOFO, FEMA may place 

specific terms and conditions on individual awards in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

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 unless the application is for a continuation award. In that event, the terms 

and conditions in effect at the time the original award was made will generally apply. What 

terms and conditions will apply for the award will be clearly stated in the award package at 

the time of award.

b. Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights

As the Nation works towards achieving the National Preparedness Goal, it is important to 

continue to protect the civil rights of individuals. Recipients and subrecipients must carry out 

their programs and activities, including those related to the building, sustainment, and 

delivery of core capabilities, in a manner that respects and ensures the protection of civil 

rights for protected populations. 

Federal civil rights statutes, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title 

VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, along with DHS and FEMA regulations, prohibit 

discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, 

limited English proficiency, or economic status in connection with programs and activities 

receiving federal financial assistance from FEMA. 

The DHS Standard Terms and Conditions include a fuller list of the civil rights provisions 

that apply to recipients. These terms and conditions can be found in the DHS Standard Terms 

and Conditions. Additional information on civil rights provisions is available at 

https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/equal-rights/civil-rights.

Monitoring and oversight requirements in connection with recipient compliance with federal 

civil rights laws are also authorized pursuant to 44 C.F.R. Part 7.

In accordance with civil rights laws and regulations, recipients and subrecipients must ensure 

the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including 

individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.

c. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance

As a federal agency, FEMA is required to consider the effects of its actions on the 

environment and historic properties to ensure that all activities and programs funded by 

FEMA, including grant-funded projects, comply with federal EHP laws, Executive Orders, 

regulations, and policies, as applicable. 
23

All non-critical new construction or substantial improvement of structures in a Special Flood 

Hazard Area must, at a minimum, apply the flood elevations of the Federal Flood Risk 

Management Standard’s Freeboard Value Approach unless doing so would cause the project 

to be unable to meet applicable program cost-effectiveness requirements. All other types of 

projects may choose to apply the flood elevations of the Federal Flood Risk Management 

Standard’s Freeboard Value Approach. See Executive Order (EO) 14030, Climate-Related 

Financial Risk and FEMA Policy #-206-21-0003, Partial Implementation of the Federal 

Flood Risk Management Standard for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs (Interim) 

(fema.gov). 

Recipients and subrecipients proposing projects that have the potential to impact the 

environment, including, but not limited to, the construction of communication towers, 

modification or renovation of existing buildings, structures, and facilities, or new 

construction including replacement of facilities, must participate in the FEMA EHP 

review process. The EHP review process involves the submission of a detailed project 

description along with any supporting documentation requested by FEMA in order to 

determine whether the proposed project has the potential to impact environmental resources 

or historic properties. 

In some cases, FEMA is also required to consult with other regulatory agencies and the 

public in order to complete the review process. Federal law requires EHP review to be 

completed before federal funds are released to carry out proposed projects. FEMA may not 

be able to fund projects that are not incompliance with applicable EHP laws, Executive 

Orders, regulations, and policies.

DHS and FEMA EHP policy is found in directives and instructions available on the 

FEMA.gov EHP page, the FEMA website page that includes documents regarding EHP 

responsibilities and program requirements, including implementation of the National 

Environmental Policy Act and other EHP regulations and Executive Orders. 

d. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation 

In expending funds under this program, recipients that are state, local, tribal, or territorial 

governments must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of NIMS. The state, 

local, tribal, or territorial government must show adoption of NIMS during any point of the 

period of performance. The list of objectives used for progress and achievement reporting is 

at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/implementation-training. 

Emergency management and incident response activities require carefully managed resources 

(personnel, teams, facilities, equipment, and/or supplies) to meet incident needs. Using 

standardized resource management concepts such as typing, credentialing, and inventorying, 

promote a strong national mutual aid capability needed to support delivery of core 

capabilities. Additional information on resource management, NIMS resource typing 

definitions, job titles, and position qualifications is on FEMA’s website at 

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims/components.

FEMA developed the National Incident Management System Guideline for the National 

Qualification System to describe national credentialing standards and to provide written 
24

guidance regarding the use of those standards. This guideline describes credentialing and 

typing processes and identifies tools which Federal Emergency Response Officials and 

emergency managers at all levels of government may use both routinely and to facilitate 

multijurisdictional coordinated responses. 

Although state, local, tribal, and private sector partners (including nongovernmental 

organizations) are not required to credential their personnel in accordance with these 

guidelines, FEMA strongly encourages them to do so to leverage the federal investment in 

the Federal Information Processing Standards 201 infrastructure and to facilitate 

interoperability for personnel deployed outside their home jurisdiction. 

Additional information about NIMS in general is available at 

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims.

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.

a. Financial Reporting Requirements 

I. FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORT (FFR)

Recipients must report obligations and expenditures through the FFR form (SF-425) to 

FEMA. 

Recipients may review the Federal Financial Reporting Form (FFR) (SF-425) at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1

Recipients must file the FFR electronically using FEMA GO.

II. FFR REPORTING PERIODS AND DUE DATES

An FFR must be submitted quarterly throughout the POP, including partial calendar quarters, 

as well as in periods where no grant award activity occurs. The final FFR is due within 120 

calendar 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.

Except for the final FFR due at 120 days after the end of the POP for purposes of closeout, 

the following reporting periods and due dates apply for the FFR:

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
25

b. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements

I. PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORT (PPR)

Recipients are responsible for providing updated performance reports in Microsoft Word on a

semi-annual basis. These is no prescribed government form for this report. The report is due

within 30 days after the end of the reporting period. Recipients must submit it as an

attachment to the FEMA GO system.

The semi-annual Performance Progress Report must follow the guidance provided by

FEMA’s National Training and Education Division (NTED) in the NTED Monitoring Policy

and Procedure Guide. FEMA/NTED will provide this guide to recipients of a FY 2023 CTG

award as a post-award action.

Program Performance Reporting Periods and Due Dates

The following reporting periods and due dates apply for the PPR:

Reporting Period Report Due Date

January 1 – June 30 July 30

July 1 – December 31 January 30

II. FINANCIAL AND COMPLIANCE AUDIT REPORT

For audits of fiscal years beginning on or after December 26, 2014, recipients that expend

$750,000 or more from all federal funding sources during their fiscal year are required to

submit an organization-wide financial and compliance audit report. The audit must be

performed in accordance with the requirements of Government and Accountability Office’s

(GAO) Government Auditing Standards, located at

https://www.gao.gov/yellowbook/overview, and the requirements of Subpart F of 2 C.F.R.

Part 200, located at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.f.

II. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMATIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

c. Closeout Reporting Requirements

I. CLOSEOUT REPORTING

Within 120 calendar days after the end of the period of performance for the prime award or

after an amendment has been issued to close out an award before the original POP ends,

recipients must liquidate all financial obligations and must submit the following:

i. The final request for payment, if applicable.

ii. The final FFR (SF-425).

iii. The final progress report detailing all accomplishments, including a narrative

summary of the impact of those accomplishments throughout the period of

performance.

iv. other documents required by this NOFO, terms and conditions of the award, or other

FEMA guidance.

In addition, pass-through entities are responsible for closing out their subawards as described 

in 2 C.F.R. § 200.344; subrecipients are still required to submit closeout materials within 90 
26

calendar days of the period of performance end date. When a subrecipient completes all 

closeout requirements, pass-through entities must promptly complete all closeout actions for 

subawards in time for the recipient to submit all necessary documentation and information to 

FEMA during the closeout of the prime award. 

After the prime award closeout reports have been reviewed and approved by FEMA, a 

closeout notice will be completed to close out the grant. The notice will indicate the period of 

performance as closed, list any remaining funds that will be deobligated, and address the 

requirement of maintaining the grant records for at least three years from the date of the final 

FFR. The record retention period may be longer, such as due to an audit or litigation, for 

equipment or real property used beyond the period of performance, or due to other 

circumstances outlined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.334.

The recipient is responsible for refunding to FEMA any balances of unobligated cash that 

FEMA paid that are not authorized to be retained per 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(d). 

II. ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSEOUT

Administrative closeout is a mechanism for FEMA to unilaterally move forward with 

closeout of an award using available award information in lieu of final reports from the 

recipient per 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(h)-(i). It is a last resort available to FEMA, and if FEMA 

needs to administratively close an award, this may negatively impact a recipient’s ability to 

obtain future funding. This mechanism can also require FEMA to make cash or cost 

adjustments and ineligible cost determinations based on the information it has, which may 

result in identifying a debt owed to FEMA by the recipient.

When a recipient is not responsive to FEMA’s reasonable efforts to collect required reports 

needed to complete the standard closeout process, FEMA is required under 2 C.F.R. § 

200.344(h) to start the administrative closeout process within the regulatory timeframe. 

FEMA will make at least three written attempts to collect required reports before initiating 

administrative closeout. If the recipient does not submit all required reports in accordance 

with 2 C.F.R. § 200.344, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the award, FEMA must 

proceed to administratively close the award with the information available within one year of 

the period of performance end date. Additionally, if the recipient does not submit all required 

reports within one year of the period of performance end date, per 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(i), 

FEMA must report in FAPIIS the recipient’s material failure to comply with the terms and 

conditions of the award.

If FEMA administratively closes an award where no final FFR has been submitted, FEMA 

uses that administrative closeout date in lieu of the final FFR submission date as the start of 

the record retention period under 2 C.F.R. § 200.334. 

In addition, if an award is administratively closed, FEMA may decide to impose remedies for 

noncompliance per 2 C.F.R. § 200.339, consider this information in reviewing future award 

applications, or apply special conditions to existing or future awards.
27

d. Additional Reporting Requirements

I. DISCLOSING INFORMATION PER 2 C.F.R. § 180.335

This reporting requirement pertains to disclosing information related to government-wide 

suspension and debarment requirements. Before a recipient enters into a grant award with 

FEMA, the recipient must notify FEMA if it knows if it or any of the recipient’s principals 

under the award fall under one or more of the four criteria listed at 2 C.F.R. § 180.335:

i. Are presently excluded or disqualified;

ii. Have been convicted within the preceding three years of any of the offenses listed in 

2 C.F.R. § 180.800(a) or had a civil judgment rendered against it or any of the 

recipient’s principals for one of those offenses within that time period; 

iii. Are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a 

governmental entity (federal, state or local) with commission of any of the offenses 

listed in 2 C.F.R. § 180.800(a); or 

iv. Have had one or more public transactions (federal, state, or local) terminated within 

the preceding three years for cause or default. 

At any time after accepting the award, if the recipient learns that it or any of its principals 

falls under one or more of the criteria listed at 2 C.F.R. § 180.335, the recipient must 

provide immediate written notice to FEMA in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 180.350.

II. REPORTING OF MATTERS RELATED TO RECIPIENT INTEGRITY AND PERFORMANCE 

Per 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Appendix I § F.3, the additional post-award reporting requirements in 

2 C.F.R. Part 200, Appendix XII may apply to applicants who, if upon becoming recipients, 

have a total value of currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement 

contracts from all federal awarding agencies that exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time 

during the period of performance of an award under this funding opportunity. 

Recipients that meet these criteria must maintain current information reported in FAPIIS 

about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings described in paragraph 2 of Appendix XII 

at the reporting frequency described in paragraph 4 of Appendix XII.

The audit must be performed in accordance with the requirements of U.S. Government 

Accountability Office’s (GAO) Government Auditing Standards, located at 

https://www.gao.gov/yellowbook/overview, and the requirements of Subpart F of 2 C.F.R. 

Part 200, located at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.f.

4. Monitoring and Oversight

Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.337, FEMA, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all 

reasonable times, to make site visits or conduct desk reviews to review project 

accomplishments and management control systems to review award progress and to provide 

any required technical assistance. During site visits or desk reviews, FEMA will review 

recipients’ files related to the award. As part of any monitoring and program evaluation 

activities, recipients must permit FEMA, upon reasonable notice, to review grant-related 

records and to interview the organization’s staff and contractors regarding the program. 

Recipients must respond in a timely and accurate manner to FEMA requests for information 

relating to the award.
28

Effective monitoring and oversight help FEMA ensure that recipients use grant funds for 

their intended purpose(s); verify that projects undertaken are consistent with approved plans; 

and ensure that recipients make adequate progress toward stated goals and objectives. 

Additionally, monitoring serves as the primary mechanism to ensure that recipients comply 

with applicable laws, rules, regulations, program guidance, and requirements. FEMA 

regularly monitors all grant programs both financially and programmatically in accordance 

with federal laws, regulations (including 2 C.F.R. Part 200), program guidance, and the terms 

and conditions of the award. All monitoring efforts ultimately serve to evaluate progress 

towards grant goals and proactively target and address issues that may threaten grant success 

during the period of performance.

FEMA staff will periodically monitor recipients to ensure that administrative processes, 

policies and procedures, budgets, and other related award criteria are meeting Federal 

Government-wide and FEMA regulations. Aside from reviewing quarterly financial and 

programmatic reports, FEMA may also conduct enhanced monitoring through either deskbased review, onsite monitoring visits, or both. Enhanced monitoring will involve the review 

and analysis of the financial compliance and administrative processes, policies, activities, and 

other attributes of each federal assistance award, and it will identify areas where the recipient 

may need technical assistance, corrective actions, or other support.

Financial and programmatic monitoring are complementary processes within FEMA’s 

overarching monitoring strategy that function together to ensure effective grants 

management, accountability, and transparency; validate progress against grant and program 

goals; and safeguard federal funds against fraud, waste, and abuse. Financial monitoring 

primarily focuses on statutory and regulatory compliance with administrative grant 

requirements, while programmatic monitoring seeks to validate and assist in grant progress, 

targeting issues that may be hindering achievement of project goals and ensuring compliance 

with the purpose of the grant and grant program. Both monitoring processes are similar in 

that they feature initial reviews of all open awards, and additional, in-depth monitoring of 

grants requiring additional attention.

Recipients and subrecipients who are pass-through entities are responsible for monitoring 

their subrecipients in a manner consistent with the terms of the federal award at 2 C.F.R. Part 

200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.332. This includes the pass-through entity’s responsibility to 

monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for 

authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and 

conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. 

In terms of overall award management, recipient and subrecipient responsibilities include, 

but are not limited to accounting of receipts and expenditures, cash management, maintaining 

adequate financial records, reporting and refunding expenditures disallowed by audits, 

monitoring if acting as a pass-through entity, or other assessments and reviews, and ensuring 

overall compliance with the terms and conditions of the award or subaward, as applicable, 

including the terms of 2 C.F.R. Part 200.
29

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

a. Program Office Contact

NTED maintains programmatic responsibility for the CTG program and will maintain the 

program management function and responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the awarded 

grant. Contact our NTED point of contact Ms. Jessica Sterling at (202) 212-3042 or via email 

to jessica.sterling@fema.dhs.gov or Mr. Patrick Cowhey via email 

patrick.cowhey@fema.dhs.gov for additional information.

b. Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID)

CSID is a non-emergency comprehensive management and information resource developed 

by FEMA for grants stakeholders. CSID provides general information on all FEMA grant 

programs and maintains a comprehensive database containing key personnel contact 

information at the federal, state, and local levels. When necessary, recipients will be directed 

to a federal point of contact who can answer specific programmatic questions or concerns. 

CSID can be reached by phone at (800) 368-6498 or by e-mail at askcsid@fema.dhs.gov, 

Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) Award Administration Division 

GPD’s Award Administration Division (AAD) provides support regarding financial matters 

and budgetary technical assistance. Additional guidance and information can be obtained by 

contacting the AAD’s Help Desk via e-mail at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

e. Equal Rights

The FEMA Office of Equal Rights (OER) is responsible for compliance with and 

enforcement of federal civil rights obligations in connection with programs and services 

conducted by FEMA and recipients of FEMA financial assistance. All inquiries and 

communications about federal civil rights compliance for FEMA grants under this NOFO 

should be sent to FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov.

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

The FEMA Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (OEHP) provides 

guidance and information about the EHP review process to FEMA programs and FEMA’s 

recipients and subrecipients. All inquiries and communications about EHP compliance for 

FEMA grant projects under this NOFO or the EHP review process should be sent to FEMAOEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov.

g. Other Contact Information 

Financial and Administrative Questions

GPD’s Grant Operations Division Business Office provides financial support and technical 

assistance, such as for password resets and registration requests, questions payment status, 

amendments, closeouts, and tracking de-obligation and award amounts. The FEMA Call 

Center (866) 927-5646 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday, or via 

email at ASK-GMD@dhs.gov can provide additional guidance.
30

Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD)

The Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) 

number available for this announcement is (800) 462-7585 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern 

Time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

2. Systems Information 

a. Grants.gov 

For technical assistance with Grants.gov, call the customer support hotline 24 hours per day, 

7 days per week (except federal holidays) at (800) 518-4726 or e-mail at 

support@grants.gov.

c. Payment and Reporting System (PARS) 

FEMA uses the Payment and Reporting System (PARS) for financial reporting, invoicing, 

and tracking payments. FEMA uses the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) 

method of payment to recipients. If you have questions about the online system, please call 

the Customer Service Center at (866) 927-5646 or email ask-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

d. Payment Management System (PMS) (“Smartlink”) 

The Payment Management System (PMS), commonly referred to as Smartlink, is a webbased application hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services. FEMA CSEPP 

may continue to use Smartlink for grants awarded in previous fiscal years using Smartlink. 

Additional information on PMS is available at https://pms.psc.gov.

f. FEMA GO 

For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the FEMA GO Helpdesk 

at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 611-4700, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

ET.

g. FEMA Preparedness Toolkit

The FEMA Preparedness Toolkit (PrepToolkit) provides access to the tools and resources 

needed to implement the National Preparedness System and provide a collaborative 

community space for communities completing the Unified Reporting Tool (URT). Recipients 

complete and submit their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) 

and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), and other required assessments using the tools 

on PrepToolkit. For assistance, contact support@preptoolkit.fema.dhs.gov.

H. Additional Information 

1. Termination Provisions

FEMA may terminate a federal award in whole or in part for one of the following reasons. 

FEMA and the recipient must still comply with closeout requirements at 2 C.F.R. §§ 

200.344-200.345 even if an award is terminated in whole or in part. To the extent that 

subawards are permitted under this NOFO, pass-through entities should refer to 2 C.F.R. § 

200.340 for additional information on termination regarding subawards. 
31

a. Noncompliance

If a recipient fails to comply with the terms and conditions of a federal award, FEMA may 

terminate the award in whole or in part. If the noncompliance can be corrected, FEMA may 

first attempt to direct the recipient to correct the noncompliance. This may take the form of a 

Compliance Notification. If the noncompliance cannot be corrected or the recipient is nonresponsive, FEMA may proceed with a Remedy Notification, which could impose a remedy 

for noncompliance per 2 C.F.R. § 200.339, including termination. Any action to terminate 

based on noncompliance will follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.341-200.342 as 

well as the requirement of 2 C.F.R. § 200.340(c) to report in FAPIIS the recipient’s material 

failure to comply with the award terms and conditions. See also the section on Actions to 

Address Noncompliance in this NOFO.

b. With the Consent of the Recipient

FEMA may also terminate an award in whole or in part with the consent of the recipient, in 

which case the parties must agree upon the termination conditions, including the effective 

date, and in the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated. 

c. Notification by the Recipient

The recipient may terminate the award, in whole or in part, by sending written notification to 

FEMA setting forth the reasons for such termination, the effective date, and in the case of 

partial termination, the portion to be terminated. In the case of partial termination, FEMA 

may determine that a partially terminated award will not accomplish the purpose of the 

federal award, so FEMA may terminate the award in its entirety. If that occurs, FEMA will 

follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.341-200.342 in deciding to fully terminate the 

award. 

2. Program Evaluation

Recipients and subrecipients are encouraged to incorporate program evaluation activities 

from the outset of their program design and implementation to meaningfully document and 

measure their progress towards meeting an agency priority goal(s). Title I of the Foundations 

for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act), Pub. L. No. 115-435 (2019)

urges federal awarding agencies and federal assistance recipients and subrecipients to use 

program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, to improve equitable delivery, and to elevate 

program service and delivery across the program lifecycle. Evaluation means “an assessment 

using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and 

organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.” Evidence Act § 101 

(codified at 5 U.S.C. § 311). Evaluation costs are allowable costs (either as direct or indirect), 

unless prohibited by statute or regulation.

In addition, recipients are required to participate in a DHS-led evaluation if selected, which 

may be carried out by a third-party on behalf of the Program Office or DHS. By accepting 

grant funds, recipients agree to participate in the evaluation, which may include analysis of 

individuals who benefit from the grant, and provide access to program operating personnel 

and participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) during the award.

3. Period of Performance Extensions 

Extensions to the period of performance (POP) for this program are allowed. Extensions to 

the POP identified in the award will only be considered through formal, written requests to 
32

the recipient’s FEMA TPP Program Manager and must contain specific and compelling 

justifications as to why an extension is required. Recipients are advised to coordinate with 

the FEMA TPP Program Manager as needed when preparing an extension request. 

All extension requests must address the following:

a. The grant program, fiscal year, and award number;

b. Reason for the delay –including details of the legal, policy, or operational challenges 

that prevent the final outlay of awarded funds by the deadline;

c. Current status of the activity(ies);

d. Approved POP termination date and new project completion date;

e. Amount of funds drawn down to date;

f. Remaining available funds, both federal and, if applicable, non-federal;

g. Budget outlining how remaining federal and, if applicable, non-federal funds will be 

expended;

h. Plan for completion, including milestones and timeframes for achieving each 

milestone and the position or person responsible for implementing the plan for 

completion; and

i. Certification that the activity(ies) will be completed within the extended POP without 

any modification to the original statement of work, as described in the application and 

as approved by FEMA.

Extension requests will be granted only due to compelling legal, policy, or operational 

challenges. Extension requests will only be considered for the following reasons:

• Contractual commitments by the recipient or subrecipient with vendors prevent 

completion of the project, including delivery of equipment or services, within the 

existing POP;

• The project must undergo a complex environmental review that cannot be completed 

within the existing POP;

• Projects are long-term by design, and therefore acceleration would compromise core 

programmatic goals; or

• Where other special or extenuating circumstances exist.

Recipients should submit all proposed extension requests to FEMA for review and approval 

at least 90 days prior to the end of the POP to allow sufficient processing time. 

4. Disability Integration

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, recipients of FEMA financial 

assistance must ensure that their programs and activities do not discriminate against other 

qualified individuals with disabilities.

Grant recipients should engage with the whole community to advance individual and 

community preparedness and to work as a nation to build and sustain resilience. In doing so, 

recipients are encouraged to consider the needs of individuals with disabilities into the 

activities and projects funded by the grant. 
33

FEMA expects that the integration of the needs of people with disabilities will occur at all 

levels, including planning; alerting, notification, and public outreach; training; purchasing of 

equipment and supplies; protective action implementation; and exercises/drills.

The following are examples that demonstrate the integration of the needs of people with 

disabilities in carrying out FEMA awards:

• Include representatives of organizations that work with/for people with disabilities on 

planning committees, work groups and other bodies engaged in development and 

implementation of the grant programs and activities.

• Hold all activities related to the grant in locations that are accessible to persons with 

physical disabilities to the extent practicable. 

• Acquire language translation services, including American Sign Language, that 

provide public information across the community and in shelters.

• Ensure shelter-specific grant funds are in alignment with FEMA’s Guidance on 

Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population 

Shelters.

• If making alterations to an existing building to a primary function area utilizing 

federal funds, complying with the most recent codes and standards and making path 

of travel to the primary function area accessible to the greatest extent possible.

• Implement specific procedures used by public transportation agencies that include 

evacuation and passenger communication plans and measures for individuals with 

disabilities.

• Identify, create, and deliver training to address any training gaps specifically aimed 

toward whole-community preparedness. Include and interact with individuals with 

disabilities, aligning with the designated program capability.

• Establish best practices in inclusive planning and preparedness that consider physical 

access, language access, and information access. Examples of effective 

communication access include providing auxiliary aids and services such as sign 

language interpreters, Computer Aided Real-time Translation (CART), and materials 

in Braille or alternate formats.

FEMA grant recipients can fund projects towards the resiliency of the whole community, 

including people with disabilities, such as training, outreach and safety campaigns, provided 

that the project aligns with this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award.

5. Conflicts of Interest in the Administration of Federal Awards or Subawards

For conflicts of interest under grant-funded procurements and contracts, refer to the section 

on Procurement Integrity in this NOFO and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.327. 

To eliminate and reduce the impact of conflicts of interest in the subaward process, recipients 

and pass-through entities must follow their own policies and procedures regarding the 

elimination or reduction of conflicts of interest when making subawards. Recipients and 

pass-through entities are also required to follow any applicable federal and state, local, tribal, 

or territorial (SLTT) statutes or regulations governing conflicts of interest in the making of 

subawards. 

The recipient or pass-through entity must disclose to the respective Program Analyst or 

Program Manager, in writing, any real or potential conflict of interest that may arise during 
34

the administration of the federal award, as defined by the federal or SLTT statutes or 

regulations or their own existing policies, within five days of learning of the conflict of 

interest. Similarly, subrecipients, whether acting as subrecipients or as pass-through entities, 

must disclose any real or potential conflict of interest to the recipient or next-level passthrough entity as required by the recipient or pass-through entity’s conflict of interest 

policies, or any applicable federal or SLTT statutes or regulations.

Conflicts of interest may arise during the process of FEMA making a federal award in 

situations where an employee, officer, or agent, any members of his or her immediate family, 

his or her partner has a close personal relationship, a business relationship, or a professional 

relationship, with an applicant, subapplicant, recipient, subrecipient, or FEMA employees.

6. Procurement Integrity

Through audits conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and FEMA grant

monitoring, findings have shown that some FEMA recipients have not fully adhered to the

proper procurement requirements at 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.327 when spending grant

funds. Anything less than full compliance with federal procurement requirements jeopardizes

the integrity of the grant as well as the grant program. To assist with determining whether an

action is a procurement or instead a subaward, please consult 2 C.F.R. § 200.331. For

detailed guidance on the federal procurement standards, recipients and subrecipients should

refer to various materials issued by FEMA’s Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT),

such as the PDAT Field Manual and Contract Provisions Guide. Additional resources,

including an upcoming trainings schedule can be found on the PDAT Website:

https://www.fema.gov/grants/procurement.

The below highlights the federal procurement requirements for FEMA recipients when 

procuring goods and services with federal grant funds. FEMA will include a review of 

recipients’ procurement practices as part of the normal monitoring activities. All 

procurement activity must be conducted in accordance with federal procurement 

standards at 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.327. Select requirements under these standards are 

listed below. The recipient and any of its subrecipients must comply with all requirements, 

even if they are not listed below.

Under 2 C.F.R. § 200.317, when procuring property and services under a federal award, 

states (including territories) must follow the same policies and procedures they use for 

procurements from their non-federal funds; additionally, states must now follow 2 C.F.R. § 

200.321 regarding socioeconomic steps, 200.322 regarding domestic preferences for 

procurements, 200.323 regarding procurement of recovered materials, and 2 C.F.R. § 

200.327 regarding required contract provisions.

All other non-federal entities, such as tribes (collectively, non-state entities), must have 

and use their own documented procurement procedures that reflect applicable SLTT laws and 

regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal law and the 

standards identified in 2 C.F.R. Part 200. These standards include, but are not limited to, 

providing for full and open competition consistent with the standards of 2 C.F.R. § 200.319 

and the required procurement methods at § 200.320.
35

a. Important Changes to Procurement Standards in 2 C.F.R. Part 200

OMB recently updated various parts of Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, among 

them, the procurement standards. States are now required to follow the socioeconomic steps 

in soliciting small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus 

area firms per 2 C.F.R. § 200.321. All non-federal entities should also, to the greatest extent 

practicable under a federal award, provide a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use 

of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States per 2 C.F.R. § 200.322. More 

information on OMB’s revisions to the federal procurement standards can be found in 

Purchasing Under a FEMA Award: OMB Revisions Fact Sheet.

The recognized procurement methods in 2 C.F.R. § 200.320 have been reorganized into 

informal procurement methods, which include micro-purchases and small purchases; formal 

procurement methods, which include sealed bidding and competitive proposals; and 

noncompetitive procurements. The federal micro-purchase threshold is currently $10,000, 

and non-state entities may use a lower threshold when using micro-purchase procedures 

under a FEMA award. If a non-state entity wants to use a micro-purchase threshold higher 

than the federal threshold, it must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. § 200.320(a)(1)(iii)-

(v). The federal simplified acquisition threshold is currently $250,000, and a non-state entity 

may use a lower threshold but may not exceed the federal threshold when using small 

purchase procedures under a FEMA award. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 (citing the definition of 

simplified acquisition threshold from 48 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart 2.1). 

See 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.471, and Appendix II as well as section D.13.a of the NOFO 

regarding prohibitions on covered telecommunications equipment or services.

b. Competition and Conflicts of Interest

Among the requirements of 2 C.F.R. § 200.319(b) applicable to all non-federal entities other 

than states, in order to ensure objective contractor performance and eliminate unfair 

competitive advantage, contractors that develop or draft specifications, requirements, 

statements of work, or invitations for bids or requests for proposals must be excluded from 

competing for such procurements. FEMA considers these actions to be an organizational 

conflict of interest and interprets this restriction as applying to contractors that help a nonfederal entity develop its grant application, project plans, or project budget. This prohibition 

also applies to the use of former employees to manage the grant or carry out a contract when 

those former employees worked on such activities while they were employees of the nonfederal entity.

Under this prohibition, unless the non-federal entity solicits for and awards a contract 

covering both development and execution of specifications (or similar elements as described 

above), and this contract was procured in compliance with 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.327, 

federal funds cannot be used to pay a contractor to carry out the work if that contractor also 

worked on the development of those specifications. This rule applies to all contracts funded 

with federal grant funds, including pre-award costs, such as grant writer fees, as well as postaward costs, such as grant management fees.

Additionally, some of the situations considered to be restrictive of competition include, but 

are not limited to:
36

• Placing unreasonable requirements on firms for them to qualify to do business;

• Requiring unnecessary experience and excessive bonding;

• Noncompetitive pricing practices between firms or between affiliated companies;

• Noncompetitive contracts to consultants that are on retainer contracts;

• Organizational conflicts of interest;

• Specifying only a “brand name” product instead of allowing “an equal” product to be 

offered and describing the performance or other relevant requirements of the 

procurement; and

• Any arbitrary action in the procurement process.

Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.319(c), non-federal entities other than states must conduct procurements 

in a manner that prohibits the use of statutorily or administratively imposed SLTT 

geographical preferences in the evaluation of bids or proposals, except in those cases where 

applicable federal statutes expressly mandate or encourage geographic preference. Nothing in 

this section preempts state licensing laws. When contracting for architectural and engineering 

services, geographic location may be a selection criterion provided its application leaves an 

appropriate number of qualified firms, given the nature and size of the project, to compete for 

the contract.

Under 2 C.F.R. § 200.318(c)(1), non-federal entities other than states are required to maintain 

written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of their 

employees engaged in the selection, award, and administration of contracts. No employee, 

officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract 

supported by a federal award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest.

Such conflicts of interest would arise when the employee, officer or agent, any member of 

his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization that employs or is about to 

employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in or a tangible 

personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents of 

the non-federal entity may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of 

monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts. However, non-federal entities 

may set standards for situations in which the financial interest is not substantial, or the gift is 

an unsolicited item of nominal value. The standards of conduct must provide for disciplinary 

actions to be applied for violations of such standards by officers, employees, or agents of the 

non-federal entity. 

Under 2 C.F.R. 200.318(c)(2), if the recipient or subrecipient (other than states) has a parent, 

affiliate, or subsidiary organization that is not a state, local, tribal, or territorial government, 

the non-federal entity must also maintain written standards of conduct covering 

organizational conflicts of interest. In this context, organizational conflict of interest means 

that because of a relationship with a parent company, affiliate, or subsidiary organization, the 

non-federal entity is unable or appears to be unable to be impartial in conducting a 

procurement action involving a related organization. The non-federal entity must disclose in 

writing any potential conflicts of interest to FEMA or the pass-through entity in accordance 

with applicable FEMA policy.
37

c. Supply Schedules and Purchasing Programs

Generally, a non-federal entity may seek to procure goods or services from a federal supply

schedule, state supply schedule, or group purchasing agreement.

I. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION SCHEDULES

States, tribes, and local governments, and any instrumentality thereof (such as local

education agencies or institutions of higher education) may procure goods and services from

a General Services Administration (GSA) schedule. GSA offers multiple efficient and

effective procurement programs for state, tribal, and local governments, and instrumentalities

thereof, to purchase products and services directly from pre-vetted contractors. The GSA

Schedules (also referred to as the Multiple Award Schedules and the Federal Supply

Schedules) are long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms that provide

access to millions of commercial products and services at volume discount pricing.

Information about GSA programs for states, tribes, and local governments, and 

instrumentalities thereof, can be found at https://www.gsa.gov/resources-for/programs-forState-and-local-governments and https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/purchasingprograms/gsa-schedules/schedule-buyers/state-and-local-governments.

For tribes, local governments, and their instrumentalities that purchase off of a GSA 

schedule, this will satisfy the federal requirements for full and open competition provided 

that the recipient follows the GSA ordering procedures; however, tribes, local governments, 

and their instrumentalities will still need to follow the other rules under 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 

– 200.327, such as solicitation of minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, small

businesses, or labor surplus area firms (§ 200.321), domestic preferences (§ 200.322),

contract cost and price (§ 200.324), and required contract provisions (§ 200.327 and

Appendix II).

II. OTHER SUPPLY SCHEDULES AND PROGRAMS

For non-federal entities other than states, such as tribes, local governments, and nonprofits,

that want to procure goods or services from a state supply schedule, cooperative purchasing

program, or other similar program, in order for such procurements to be permissible under

federal requirements, the following must be true:

• The procurement of the original contract or purchasing schedule and its use by the

non-federal entity complies with state and local law, regulations, and written

procurement procedures;

• The state or other entity that originally procured the original contract or purchasing

schedule entered into the contract or schedule with the express purpose of making it

available to the non-federal entity and other similar types of entities;

• The contract or purchasing schedule specifically allows for such use, and the work to

be performed for the non-federal entity falls within the scope of work under the

contract as to type, amount, and geography;

• The procurement of the original contract or purchasing schedule complied with all the

procurement standards applicable to a non-federal entity other than states under at 2

C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.327; and

• With respect to the use of a purchasing schedule, the non-federal entity must follow

ordering procedures that adhere to applicable state, tribal, and local laws and
38

regulations and the minimum requirements of full and open competition under 2 

C.F.R. Part 200.

If a non-federal entity other than a state seeks to use a state supply schedule, cooperative 

purchasing program, or other similar type of arrangement, FEMA recommends the recipient 

discuss the procurement plans with its FEMA Program Manager.

d. Procurement Documentation

Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.318(i), non-federal entities other than states and territories are required to

maintain and retain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement covering at least

the rationale for the procurement method, selection of contract type, contractor selection or

rejection, and the basis for the contract price. States and territories are encouraged to

maintain and retain this information as well and are reminded that in order for any cost to be

allowable, it must be adequately documented per 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(g).

Examples of the types of documents that would cover this information include but are not 

limited to:

• Solicitation documentation, such as requests for quotes, invitations for bids, or

requests for proposals;

• Responses to solicitations, such as quotes, bids, or proposals;

• Pre-solicitation independent cost estimates and post-solicitation cost/price analyses on

file for review by federal personnel, if applicable;

• Contract documents and amendments, including required contract provisions; and

• Other documents required by federal regulations applicable at the time a grant is

awarded to a recipient.

• Additional information on required procurement records can be found on pages

24-26 of the PDAT Field Manual.

7. Record Retention

a. Record Retention Period

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity

records pertinent to a Federal award generally must be maintained for at least three years

from the date the final FFR is submitted. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.334. Further, if the recipient

does not submit a final FFR and the award is administratively closed, FEMA uses the date of

administrative closeout as the start of the general record retention period.

• The record retention period may be longer than three years or have a different start

date in certain cases. These include:

• Records for real property and equipment acquired with Federal funds must be

retained for three years after final disposition of the property. See 2 C.F.R. §

200.334(c).

• If any litigation, claim, or audit is started before the expiration of the three-year

period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims, or audit findings

involving the records have been resolved and final action taken. See 2 C.F.R. §

200.334(a).
39

• The record retention period will be extended if the non-federal entity is notified in 

writing of the extension by FEMA, the cognizant or oversight agency for audit, or the 

cognizant agency for indirect costs, or pass-through entity. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.334(b). 

• Where FEMA requires recipients to report program income after the period of 

performance ends, the program income record retention period begins at the end of 

the recipient’s fiscal year in which program income is earned. See 2 C.F.R. § 

200.334(e). 

• For indirect cost rate computations and proposals, cost allocation plans, or any similar 

accounting computations of the rate at which a particular group of costs is chargeable 

(such as computer usage chargeback rates or composite fringe benefit rates), the start 

of the record retention period depends on whether the indirect cost rate documents 

were submitted for negotiation. If the indirect cost rate documents were submitted for 

negotiation, the record retention period begins from the date those documents were 

submitted for negotiation. If indirect cost rate documents were not submitted for 

negotiation, the record retention period begins at the end of the recipient’s fiscal year 

or other accounting period covered by that indirect cost rate. See 2 C.F.R. § 

200.334(f).

b. Types of Records to Retain

FEMA requires that non-federal entities maintain the following documentation for federally 

funded purchases:

• Specifications

• Solicitations

• Competitive quotes or proposals

• Basis for selection decisions

• Purchase orders

• Contracts

• Invoices

• Cancelled checks

Non-federal entities should keep detailed records of all transactions involving the grant. 

FEMA may at any time request copies of any relevant documentation and records, including 

purchasing documentation along with copies of cancelled checks for verification. See, e.g., 2 

C.F.R. §§ 200.318(i), 200.334, 200.337.

In order for any cost to be allowable, it must be adequately documented per 2 C.F.R. § 

200.403(g). Non-federal entities who fail to fully document all purchases may find their 

expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.

8. Actions to Address Noncompliance 

Non-federal entities receiving financial assistance funding from FEMA are required to 

comply with requirements in the terms and conditions of their awards or subawards, 

including the terms set forth in applicable federal statutes, regulations, NOFOs, and policies. 

Throughout the award lifecycle or even after an award has been closed, FEMA or the passthrough entity may discover potential or actual noncompliance on the part of a recipient or 
40

subrecipient. This potential or actual noncompliance may be discovered through routine 

monitoring, audits, closeout, or reporting from various sources.

In the case of any potential or actual noncompliance, FEMA may place special conditions on 

an award per 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.208 and 200.339, FEMA may place a hold on funds until the 

matter is corrected, or additional information is provided per 2 C.F.R. § 200.339, or it may do 

both. Similar remedies for noncompliance with certain federal civil rights laws are authorized 

pursuant to 44 C.F.R. Parts 7 and 19.

In the event the noncompliance is not able to be corrected by imposing additional conditions 

or the recipient or subrecipient refuses to correct the matter, FEMA might take other 

remedies allowed under 2 C.F.R. § 200.339. These remedies include actions to disallow 

costs, recover funds, wholly or partly suspend or terminate the award, initiate suspension and 

debarment proceedings, withhold further federal awards, or take other remedies that may be 

legally available. For further information on termination due to noncompliance, see the 

section on Termination Provisions in the NOFO.

FEMA may discover and take action on noncompliance even after an award has been closed. 

The closeout of an award does not affect FEMA’s right to disallow costs and recover funds 

as long the action to disallow costs takes place during the record retention period. See 2 

C.F.R. §§ 200.334, 200.345(a). Closeout also does not affect the obligation of the non-federal

entity to return any funds due as a result of later refunds, corrections, or other transactions. 2

C.F.R. § 200.345(a)(2).

The types of funds FEMA might attempt to recover include, but are not limited to, improper 

payments, cost share reimbursements, program income, interest earned on advance payments, 

or equipment disposition amounts.

FEMA may seek to recover disallowed costs through a Notice of Potential Debt Letter, a 

Remedy Notification, or other letter. The document will describe the potential amount owed,

the reason why FEMA is recovering the funds, the recipient’s appeal rights, how the amount 

can be paid, and the consequences for not appealing or paying the amount by the deadline.

If the recipient neither appeals nor pays the amount by the deadline, the amount owed will 

become final. Potential consequences if the debt is not paid in full or otherwise resolved by 

the deadline include the assessment of interest, administrative fees, and penalty charges; 

administratively offsetting the debt against other payable federal funds; and transferring the 

debt to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for collection.

FEMA notes the following common areas of noncompliance for FEMA’s grant programs:

• Insufficient documentation and lack of record retention.

• Failure to follow the procurement under grants requirements.

• Failure to submit closeout documents in a timely manner.

• Failure to follow EHP requirements.

• Failure to comply with the POP deadline.

9. Audits

FEMA grant recipients are subject to audit oversight from multiple entities including the

DHS OIG, the GAO, the pass-through entity, or independent auditing firms for single audits,
41

and may cover activities and costs incurred under the award. Auditing agencies such as the 

DHS OIG, the GAO, and the pass-through entity (if applicable), and FEMA in its oversight 

capacity, must have access to records pertaining to the FEMA award. Recipients and 

subrecipients must retain award documents for at least three years from the date the final 

FFR is submitted, and even longer in many cases subject to the requirements of 2 C.F.R. § 

200.334. In the case of administrative closeout, documents must be retained for at least three 

years from the date of closeout, or longer subject to the requirements of 2 C.F.R. § 200.334. 

If documents are retained longer than the required retention period, the DHS OIG, the GAO, 

and the pass-through entity, as well as FEMA in its oversight capacity, have the right to 

access these records as well. See 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.334, 200.337.

Additionally, non-federal entities must comply with the single audit requirements at 2 C.F.R. 

Part 200, Subpart F. Specifically, non-federal entities, other than for-profit subrecipients, that 

expend $750,000 or more in federal awards during their fiscal year must have a single or 

program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with Subpart F. 2 C.F.R. § 

200.501. A single audit covers all federal funds expended during a fiscal year, not just FEMA 

funds. The cost of audit services may be allowable per 2 C.F.R. § 200.425, but non-federal 

entities must select auditors in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.509, including following the 

proper procurement procedures. For additional information on single audit reporting 

requirements, see section F of this NOFO under the header “Single Audit Report” within the 

subsection “Additional Reporting Requirements” or another applicable document.

The objectives of single audits are to:

• Determine if financial statements conform to generally accepted accounting

principles (GAAP);

• Determine whether the schedule of expenditures of federal awards is presented fairly;

• Understand, assess, and test the adequacy of internal controls for compliance with

major programs; and

• Determine if the entity complied with applicable laws, regulations, and contracts or

grants.

For single audits, the auditee is required to prepare financial statements reflecting its 

financial position, a schedule of federal award expenditures, and a summary of the status of 

prior audit findings and questioned costs. The auditee also is required to follow up and take 

appropriate corrective actions on new and previously issued but not yet addressed audit 

findings. The auditee must prepare a corrective action plan to address the new audit findings. 

2 C.F.R. §§ 200.508, 200.510, 200.511.

Non-federal entities must have an audit conducted, either single or program-specific, of their 

financial statements and federal expenditures annually or biennially pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 

200.504. Non-federal entities must also follow the information submission requirements of 2 

C.F.R. § 200.512, including submitting the audit information to the Federal Audit

Clearinghouse within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report(s) or

nine months after the end of the audit period. The audit information to be submitted include

the data collection form described at 2 C.F.R. § 200.512(c) and Appendix X to 2 C.F.R. Part

200 as well as the reporting package described at 2 C.F.R. § 200.512(b).
42

The non-federal entity must retain one copy of the data collection form and one copy of the 

reporting package for three years from the date of submission to the Federal Audit 

Clearinghouse. 2 C.F.R. § 200.512; see also 2 C.F.R. § 200.517 (setting requirements for 

retention of documents by the auditor and access to audit records in the auditor’s possession).

FEMA, the DHS OIG, the GAO, and the pass-through entity (if applicable), as part of 

monitoring or as part of an audit, may review a non-federal entity’s compliance with the 

single audit requirements. In cases of continued inability or unwillingness to have an audit 

conducted in compliance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart F, FEMA and the pass-through 

entity, if applicable, are required to take appropriate remedial action under 2 C.F.R. § 

200.339 for noncompliance, pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.505.

10. Payment Information

FEMA uses the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) method of payment to 

recipients. Payment requests are submitted through FEMA GO.

11. Whole Community Preparedness

Preparedness is a shared responsibility that calls for the involvement of everyone—not just 

the government—in preparedness efforts. By working together, everyone can help keep the 

nation safe from harm and help keep it resilient when struck by hazards, such as natural 

disasters, acts of terrorism, and pandemics.

Whole Community includes:

• Individuals and families, including those with access and functional needs

• Businesses

• Faith-based and community organizations

• Nonprofit groups

• Schools and academia

• Media outlets

• All levels of government, including state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal partners

The phrase “Whole Community” often appears in preparedness materials, as it is one of the 

guiding principles. It means two things:

1. Involving people in the development of national preparedness documents.

2. Ensuring their roles and responsibilities are reflected in the content of the materials.

12. Appendices 
43

Appendix A – Budget Template (Applicants may recreate and submit as a table or spreadsheet)

Personnel (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed) | % refers to the percent of time/labor planned per person

Name Position Salary Year 1 % Total Yr. 1 Year 2 % Total Yr. 2 Year 3 % Total Yr. 3 Total

$ % $ % $ % $ $

$ % $ % $ % $ $

$ % $ % $ % $ $

Total Personnel Costs (Salary) $

Explain salary changes (e.g., annual scheduled increases) here:

Explain/clarify any figures here:

Fringe Benefits (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Name Benefit Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Fringe

$ $ $ $

$ $ $ $

$ $ $ $

Total Personnel Costs (Fringe Benefits) $

Travel (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Name # of Trips: From > To and Purpose Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Travel

$ $ $ $

$ $ $ $

$ $ $ $

Equipment (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Item # of Items Purpose Cost

$

$

Supplies (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Item # of Items Purpose Cost

$
44

Consultant Costs (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Name Purpose Cost Total Yr. 

1

Total Yr. 

2

Total Yr. 

3

Total

$ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $

Total Consultant Costs $

Explain consultant costs here:

Other Expenses (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Expense Source and Purpose Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Cost

$ $ $ $

$ $ $ $

$ $ $ $

Total Personnel Costs (Fringe Benefits) $

Explain other costs here:

Total Direct Costs (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Direct

$ $ $ $

Total Indirect Costs (Add rows as required and modify cell height and width as needed)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Indirect

$ $ $ $
45 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Appendix B – Application Requirements and Focus Areas

Applications

Applicants may submit up to two applications with proposals to develop and deliver FEMA 

training to a national audience. However, each application may only address a single Focus Area. 

The FY 2023 Focus Areas are Rural Preparedness for Equitable Outcomes and Build Tribal 

Capacities and Capabilities to Improve Readiness and Resilience. The objectives of the FY 2023 

CTG program are to provide training solutions to address specific national preparedness gaps 

and ensure training is available and accessible to a nationwide audience through the development 

and delivery of training in the Focus Areas listed in this appendix. 

Application and Program Requirements 

Innovation. Applications should include innovative training approaches and concepts that can 

help to solve the tough problems that the nation’s emergency management community is 

expected to confront in ways that maximize learning opportunities. Examples of innovative 

approaches may include immersive virtual reality, synchronous and asynchronous virtual 

training, and in-person demonstrations and drills. Innovative approaches should consider 

maximizing grant funding for the greatest benefits to students and the communities they serve.

One Application per Focus Area. An applicant may only submit one application per Focus Area 

and may not submit a single application to address multiple Focus Areas. Applicants are not 

prohibited from submitting individual applications to address more than one Focus Area (i.e., 

one applicant may submit two separate applications to address both FY 2023 Focus Areas). 

Individual applications that address more than one Focus Area are ineligible. 

Restriction on Types of Training. The CTG program provides funds to organizations to develop 

and deliver FEMA training, rather than attend existing training; organizations submitting 

applications to this program that primarily request funding to attend training are ineligible. 

Additionally, the CTG program does not create degree-awarding courses; any submission that 

proposes a higher education type course(s) of study may be ineligible.

Non-Duplication of Training. Applicants should not propose the development of training or 

educational courses or materials that duplicate existing training courses or materials. Applicants 

must explain how proposed coursework is distinct from existing training. Applications that 

propose training that already exists within the scope and context of the CTG program are 

ineligible. Existing training courses can be found by researching the National Preparedness 

Training Catalog, using the following link: https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npcc.

Focus Area Centered. Applications that address a topic or Focus Area other than those 

specifically presented and described in this NOFO, are ineligible. 

Adult Learning. Applicants must describe their training development and delivery using adult 

learning principles, framed within the ISD ADDIE model. Adult learning theory includes the 

following key components outlining the general ways in which adults perceive learning and how 

they prefer to train: Self-Concept, Adult Learner Experience, Readiness to Learn, Orientation of 

Learning, and Motivation to Learn. Applications that do not address ADDIE are ineligible. For 
46 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

more information on Adult Learning, please refer to the information found online at 

https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/trdc/state/.

Instructional System Design Specialist on Staff. Each CTG program grant recipient must have a 

staff member qualified in the field of Instructional System Design whose primary responsibilities 

are to design and develop instructional content for web-based and/or instructor-led courseware. 

Whole Community Inclusive. Applicants should present proposals that are consistent with FEMA 

guidance on whole community preparedness. More information is available online at 

https://www.fema.gov/glossary/whole-community

The National Preparedness System. Recipients will use the components of the National 

Preparedness System to support building, sustaining, and delivering these core capabilities. The 

components of the National Preparedness System are: Identifying and Assessing Risk; 

Estimating Capability Requirements; Building and Sustaining Capabilities; Planning to Deliver 

Capabilities; Validating Capabilities; and Reviewing and Updating. Additional information on 

the National Preparedness System is available online at http://www.fema.gov/nationalpreparedness-system.

Sustainment. FEMA has the option to sustain any CTG training course created at the end of the 

award period of performance. Once FEMA determines to sustain a course, after consulting with 

the award recipient, FEMA may transfer any or all course material to another organization or 

entity to ensure program sustainability and to continue training delivery. FEMA will coordinate 

the orderly transition of courses between organizations. 

Focus Area 1: Rural Preparedness for Equitable Outcomes

Restriction. Competition for this Focus Area is restricted to applicants that have demonstrable 

experience and expertise in developing and delivering FEMA-certified training for rural 

communities.

Background. FEMA invites eligible applicants to submit proposals that identify current and 

emerging national gaps and training solutions to address preparedness gaps impacting rural 

communities. 

Under this Focus Area, FEMA applies the definition of “rural” utilized by the U.S. Census 

Bureau. In this context, “rural” encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included 

within an “urban area” delineated by the Census Bureau. The term “urban area” refers 

generically to urbanized areas of 50,000 or more population and urban clusters of at least 2,500 

and less than 50,000 population. Additional information regarding urban and rural delineations 

by the Census Bureau can be found at https://www.census.gov/library/video/2017/ruralamerica.html

Needs Analysis. Applicants must present research-based gap analysis clearly linked to the 

training objectives stated in the sections that follow and linked to the applicant’s proposed 
47 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

training solutions for rural preparedness. See Appendix C – Review and Scoring Information for 

more information. 

Target Audience. Rural training must target the following volunteer and professional 

individuals and groups as appropriate: 

• State, local, tribal, and territorial leadership and management;

• Regional planning organizations;

• Councils of government;

• Councils of area development districts;

• Economic Development Districts;

• Emergency Management and Civil Defense;

• School officials, administrators, and staff members;

• Police/Law enforcement;

• Fire service and hazardous materials response;

• Public health;

• Environmental;

• Transportation;

• Emergency medical service and hospital systems;

• Agri-business; and

• Veterinary medical service.

Standards. Proposed training must be consistent with the policy, framework, and guidelines 

found in the following:

• The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan;

• The National Preparedness Report;

• Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool; and

• Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool

Training Objectives. Applicants must describe the linkage between gaps identified in their 

needs analysis and proposed training while considering interdependencies and strategies for 

integrating all sectors into community emergency preparedness and response efforts. At a 

minimum, applications should address the following objectives: 

• Climate Literacy. Training for this objective should address foundational aspects of

climate literacy with learning objectives that provide a basic understanding of climate

science, highlighting the disproportionate impacts of weather events (e.g., heatwaves,

floods, wildfires, and severe storms) on rural communities.

• Rural Public Health/Pandemic Preparedness. Training for this objective should address

issues regarding containing the spread of a disease to protect the health of the population

and managing health effects due to exposure.

• Continuity of Operations Plans and Continuity of Government for Rural Jurisdictions.

This objective focuses on addressing the needs of government officials and emergency

responders in rural jurisdictions in the development of plans to ensure the continuity of

essential government functions across a spectrum of emergencies.

• Crisis Management for Rural School Based Incidents. This objective includes crisis

management training on all significant school-based incidents to include bomb threats,
48 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

active shooter, severe weather, structural/mechanical failures, and Hazmat releases. 

Training should focus on the learning needs of rural law enforcement officials, fire and 

EMS professionals/volunteers, and school system administrators and staff. 

Focus Area 2: Build Tribal Capacities and Capabilities to Improve Readiness and 

Resilience

Background. Communities across the United States are facing more frequent, more intense, and 

more destructive climate related disasters; when combined with human-caused and technological 

incidents and disasters, risk reduction through increased capabilities must be viewed as a critical 

need. In the United States, risks are disproportionately compounded for Tribal Nations. It is 

therefore vital that Tribal Nations are offered training solutions that address preparedness gaps 

that are consistent with cultures, values, governance structures, doctrine, and approaches for 

building tribal capacities and capabilities to improve readiness and resilience. 

Overview. FEMA invites applicants to submit grant applications for training development and 

delivery programs to help advance FEMA’s 2022-2026 FEMA National Tribal Strategy through 

training aligned with Goal 1.4 Support Equitable Opportunities for Tribes to Access FEMA 

Programs and Resources, Goal 2.1 Build Tribal Capacities and Capabilities to Improve 

Readiness and Resilience, and Goal 2.3 Offer Training Opportunities to Tribal Nations. 

Needs Analysis. Applicants must present community and/or research-based gap analysis linked 

to proposed training solutions. Proposals must also describe social vulnerabilities and disparities 

affecting Tribal Nation communities and explain how disasters can disproportionately impact 

these communities. 

Target Audience. The proposed training programs under this grant opportunity must specifically 

focus on Tribal Nation communities. 

Standards. Proposed training must be consistent with the following:

• The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan;

• The 2022-2026 FEMA National Tribal Strategy;

• The National Preparedness Report; 

Training Objectives. Application proposals should focus on the preparedness gaps common for 

Tribal Nations that can be addressed through training. Proposals should address the following 

topics, relevant to Tribal Nations:

• Building An Effective Emergency Management Program. Training for this objective 

should focus on building a solid and effective Emergency Management Program. It 

should encompass creating emergency operations plans, an incident command system, 

command and control systems, and coordination with internal and external organizations 

from a tribal perspective. Cultural and regional competency should be utilized when 

creating the courses. 

• Climate Literacy. Training for this objective should address foundational aspects of 

traditional ecological aspects along with traditional methods Tribal Nations utilize to 

combat climate change. Learning objectives that provide a basic understating of climate 
49 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

science, highlighting the disproportionate impacts of weather events (e.g., heatwaves, 

floods, wildfires, and severe storms) on tribal communities. Training needs to be able to 

be regionally inclusive since different regions have distinct weather-related concerns. 

• Community Engagement. Learning objectives should highlight information management 

methods such as storytelling to raise awareness, gain commitment from community 

members, and support preparedness planning and readiness efforts. It should also provide 

information on community engagement and community preparedness and ensure that 

regional and cultural competency is used in creation of courses.

• Risk Communication Strategies. Training for this objective should address approaches to 

help tribal communities determine the various methods available to communicate during 

all emergency management phases. It should also identify ways to assess the credibility 

of information to ensure that risk communications are effective for preparedness 

activities and are evidence based. 

• Access to Disaster Risk Reduction Resources. Training for this objective should explore 

the various federal resources and programs that Tribal Nations are eligible to receive and 

address the challenges Tribal Nations face when trying to access those resources and 

programs. Training solutions should focus on improving Tribal Nation direct access to 

federal resources and programs. 

Appendix C – Review and Scoring Information

FEMA and subject-matter experts (SMEs) will both score applications using the categories 

described in the following table. FEMA Resilience senior leadership will review all scoring 

results and then verify that award selections are consistent with legislative guidance provided 

through the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Department of Homeland Security 

Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328), confirm appropriate alignment with DHS and 

FEMA strategic priorities, and verify that award amounts will maximize available funds.
50 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Evaluation Criteria Table

Category and Subcategory

Total SME 

Review 

Points

Possible

Total FEMA 

Review 

Points

Possible

Technical Merit

• Focus Area Objectives Addressed

• Topic Comprehension (SME scores only)

• Innovations in Approach

25 25

Needs Analysis

• Training Gaps Identified

• Link to Training Proposal

15 15

National in Scope

• Communities Impacted

• Capacity to Deliver Nationally

• NIMS Consistent

25 25

Target Audience

a. Alignment to Focus Area Audience

b. Student Throughput Goals

c. Whole Community Disability Integration

15 15

Organizational Experience

a. Relevance to Topic and Delivery

b. Historical Success/Student Throughput

---------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Focus Area 2 (Tribal) only – Experience Working With Tribes

10

---------

10

10

----------

10

Training Development and Delivery Plan

a. Instructional System Design/ADDIE Model

b. Expertise of Staff

c. Timeline

d. Learning Objectives

Not 

Scored by 

SMEs

25

Budget

a. Costs Reasonable/Supported

b. Completeness

Not 

Scored by

SMEs

15

Total Possible Points from SMEs and FEMA Review 100 130/140

Grand Total Possible Final Points 230/240

Scoring Criteria Categories Defined

Technical Merit 

Focus Area Objectives Addressed: FEMA will compare an applicant’s proposal narrative to the 

objectives provided in this NOFO and will award a point value based on completeness and 

relevancy of content. Applications, which only restate training objective statements found in this 

NOFO without addressing them within the context of the applicant’s proposed program, may 
51 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

receive zero points. Applicants should address all objectives listed for a selected Focus Area. An 

application that does not address all objectives will result in ineligibility. 

Topic Comprehension: Applications will be reviewed and judged on an applicant’s 

understanding of the topic based upon statements provided in the narrative that describe 

knowledge of the topic to include a familiarity with current and emerging issues relative to the 

selected Focus Area. 

Innovations in Approach: FEMA will review and judge the unique and innovative attributes in 

terms of an applicant’s approach to maximize funding. 

Needs Analysis 

Training Gaps Identified: FEMA will review applications to determine if the applicant has 

presented a clear understanding of preparedness gaps relevant to the Focus Area determined 

through research of sources other than this NOFO. As a minimum, an applicant must:

• Identify and present a general assessment of training gaps;

• Identify communities with the greatest risk; and

• Describe how community needs are addressed by the proposed solution(s).

National in Scope 

Communities Impacted: FEMA will review applications to determine the number and diversity 

of locations and communities directly and indirectly impacted according to each proposal. 

Applications that describe training limited to only local, state, or regional preparedness needs 

and do not propose an appropriate nationwide approach will be ineligible.

Capacity to Deliver Nationally: FEMA will review applicant staffing and logistics plans to 

determine viability to meet national delivery goals. 

NIMS Consistent: FEMA will review application content to determine consistency with NIMS, 

ensuring a common approach to all incidents, where applicable. 

Target Audience 

Alignment to Focus Area Audience: FEMA will review applications to determine whether the 

proposed training identifies and links to the target audience described in the Focus Area and to 

the applicant’s needs assessment. 

Student Throughput Goal: FEMA will review the total number of students planned, relevant to 

the type of delivery (e.g., instructor led mobile course or an online independent study) and level 

of training (e.g., awareness v. performance training). 

Whole Community Disability Integration: FEMA will review the target student population to 

determine whole community inclusiveness as appropriate. The definition of whole community is 

in Appendix C, under Other Training Requirements in this NOFO. Disability Integration 

includes accessibility—defined and described within Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act—

found using this link.
52 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Organizational Experience 

Relevance to Topic and Delivery: FEMA will review an applicant’s history, as presented in the 

application narrative, to judge experience relevant to the applied Focus Area. 

Historical Success/Student Throughput: FEMA will review an applicant’s history, as presented 

in the application narrative, to determine previous student throughput relevant to the applied 

Focus Area and judge for impact on preparedness or other requirements. FEMA will consider 

awards and honors in this category. FEMA will not consider any letters of endorsement or 

support, submitted separately from an application. Statements of endorsement or support 

testimony must be included in the application narrative within the Organizational Experience 

section only. 

Experience Working with Tribes: FEMA will review the applicant’s history as presented in the 

application narrative to judge their experience working with tribes. 

Training Development and Plan 

Instructional Systems Design (ISD) ADDIE Model: FEMA will review an applicant’s submission 

to determine if the training plan is consistent with the ISD Analysis-Design-DevelopmentImplementation-Evaluation (ADDIE) model. 

Expertise of Staff: FEMA will review an applicant’s descriptions of staff qualifications to 

determine relevance to the applied Focus Area within the context of duties and responsibilities of 

each member in support of training development tasks. This may include detailed plans for 

recruiting and hiring staff members. 

Timeline: FEMA will review an applicant’s training development timeline to determine the 

feasibility of milestones. FEMA defines reasonable time as all development activities completed 

between 12 and 18 months from the start of the grant period. 

Learning Objectives: FEMA will review an applicant’s description of proposed enabling learning 

objectives to determine alignment with terminal objectives. FEMA will judge an applicant’s 

terminal objectives to determine relevance to the applied Focus Area. 

Delivery Method(s): FEMA will review an applicant’s description of delivery to determine 

whether methods are appropriate for the proposed course(s) and whether the delivery mode(s) 

and method(s) are appropriate for the whole community. 

Train the Trainer: FEMA will review applications that contain a train-the-trainer component to 

determine if the plan describes the second-tier training to students. Applicants must provide 

supporting data to justify/explain second tier student throughput goals (e.g., applications which 

state “for each train-the-trainer qualified, that person will in turn teach xx number of additional 

students” must include an explanation for this statement). 

Expertise of Staff: FEMA will review the descriptions of staff qualifications to determine 

relevance to the applied Focus Area within the context of duties and responsibilities of each 

member in support of training delivery tasks. 
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FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Timeline: FEMA will review training delivery timelines to determine if student throughput goals 

are achievable within the 36-month grant timeline. 

Evaluation Methods: FEMA will review an applicant’s evaluation methods to judge relevance to 

the proposed course(s) and completeness of method(s). FEMA uses the New World Kirkpatrick 

Training Evaluation Model. More information is available through the following website: 

Introduction-to-the-Kirkpatrick-New-World-Model.pdf (kirkpatrickpartners.com). 

Budget 

Costs Reasonable/Supported: FEMA will review an applicant’s proposed cost to the government 

within individual categories/elements and overall costs. FEMA will judge costs by applying the 

following definition of reasonable cost, found in 2 CFR §200.404. A cost is reasonable if, in its 

nature and amount, it does not exceed costs incurred by a prudent person under the 

circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. 

Completeness: FEMA will review an applicant’s budget sheet, as prescribed by the template in 

Appendix A of this NOFO to determine whether an applicant addressed all categories and 

elements with dollar amounts and justifications as appropriate. 
54 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Scoring Criteria Point Values Defined 

Categories with 10 points possible: This scoring range (0 – 10) allows for points to be awarded 

for categories with complexity not found in categories with five-point values.

Points Definition

0 Does not address any required elements

1 Identifies some elements but fails to address any elements/objectives

2

Identifies some elements and marginally addresses the

elements/objectives

3 Marginally addresses most elements/objectives

4 Satisfactorily addresses most elements/objectives

5 Satisfactorily addresses all elements/objectives

6

Addresses all elements/objectives with a unique approach or insight

applied

7 Addresses all elements/objectives with an additional unique approach

or insight applied, well supported by analysis or references

8

Addresses all elements/objectives with an additional unique 

approach or insight applied, well supported by analysis or 

references, with specific application to objectives and requirements 

described in this

NOFO.

9

Addresses all elements/objectives with a superior approach or insight

applied, fully supported by analysis or references, with specific 

application to all objectives and requirements described in this NOFO.

10

Addresses all elements/objectives with an exceptionally superior 

approach or insight applied, fully supported by analysis or 

references, with specific application to all objectives and 

requirements described in

this NOFO.
55 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Categories with 5 points possible: This scoring range (0 – 5) allows for points to be awarded 

for categories without complexity found in categories with 10-point values.

Points Definition

0 Does not address any required elements/objectives

1

Identifies some elements and marginally addresses the

elements/objectives

2 Satisfactorily addresses most elements/objectives

3 Satisfactorily addresses all elements/objectives

4

Addresses all elements/objectives with an additional unique

approach or insight applied, well supported by analysis or references,

with specific application to most objectives described in this NOFO.

5

Addresses all elements/objectives with an exceptionally superior

approach or insight applied, fully supported by analysis or references, 

with specific application to all objectives and requirements described 

in this NOFO.

Appendix D – Application Narrative Format and Content

Submit the application narrative (proposal) and the proposed budget as one document through 

FEMA GO as indicated in this NOFO. There is no government form for this document. If an 

application narrative does not follow the format rules, FEMA may reform the application 

narrative and will review only pages 1-15 (not counting the cover page or indirect cost rate 

agreement). 

Format. Applicants must format pages according to the following guidance: 

• Maximum number of pages not including cover and indirect cost rate agreement is 15 

• Line Spacing: between single spaced (1.0) and 1.5 (applicant’s discretion)

• Typeface: Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or similar; 12 pt. font size for 

narrative as appropriate

• Margins: 1 inch. Indentation/Tabs are at applicant’s discretion 

• Page Orientation: portrait; exception: landscape may be used for spreadsheets and tables 

• Citations (in-text, endnote/footnote): Allowed. Typeface allowed for citations: Times 

New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or similar; 10, 11, or 12 pt. font sizes 

• Graphics such as pictures, models, charts, and graphs will be accepted but are not 

required

• Primary font color will be black; however, other colors such as red and blue may be used

for emphasis as appropriate; bold or italicized font may be used but is not required

• Spreadsheet or table format is acceptable where appropriate (e.g., timelines and 

matrices) but not mandatory (exception: the budget section must follow the table 

template provided in Appendix A of this NOFO). If used, spreadsheet or table data 

figures, notes, and titles may only be Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or 

similar; 10, 11, or 12 pt. font sizes. 
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FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Content. An applicant must present the contents of the narrative proposal using the following 

arrangement. Reduction of space in one section does not allow for additional space 

(rollover/carryover) in another section(s) (e.g., if Training Delivery only uses one page, the 

remaining one-page allowance cannot be applied to increase Target Audience from two to three 

pages). The cover page and indirect cost rate agreement do not count toward the total page 

count: 

• Cover Page. The cover page must only display the title of the proposal (applicant’s 

choice) such as a unique program or project name; the name of the organization 

submitting the application; and the Focus Area which is addressed by the application. 

The cover page does not count towards the total 15-page count limitation. 

• Executive Summary and Summary of Proposed Training (two pages maximum). The 

applicant must present an executive summary of the proposal and must include the table 

(or similar) as shown in the figure below, with proposal information filled in, as part of 

the executive summary. The executive summary should be a combination of a narrative 

and the completed table. 
57 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

Figure 1: Executive Summary Table (Applicants may recreate and submit in a similar format)

Column A: Information Requested Column B: Information Entered by 

Applicant

Focus Area Addressed

Number of Proposed Courses

Total Proposed Cost $

Cost Per Student – Average of All Courses $

Total Proposed Student Throughput Students

Type of Course(s)

Web based 

Resident 

ILT

Mobile ILT 

Train-the-Trainer

Training Level(s) Proposed

Awareness 

Performance 

Management

Executive Leadership

Submitting as an Executive Agent for a

Partnership?

Yes | No

Partners:

Current or Previous FEMA Training Partner? Yes | No

Funding Award Year(s):

All Training Development Staff Personnel

Present or Retained?

Yes | No

Number of Personnel to Hire if Awarded:

All Training Delivery Staff Personnel Present or

Retained?

Yes | No

Number of Personnel to Hire if Awarded:

Number of Months Proposed for Development Months

Number of Months Proposed for Delivery Months

Number of States Impacted through Delivery States

Number of Tribes Impacted through Delivery Tribes

Number of Territories Impacted through Delivery Territories

• Needs Analysis (two pages maximum). The applicant must present a needs analysis that 

provides analytical details of preparedness gaps for the chosen Focus Area and describe 

how their training proposal addresses and resolves gaps. 

• National Scope (two pages maximum). The applicant must list the states, local 

jurisdictions, tribes, and territories (as applicable) impacted by the proposal with an 
58 

FY 2023 CTG NOFO

explanation of the means to deliver nationally to include staffing plans, training venues, 

and other logistics details as appropriate. 

• Target Audience (two pages maximum). The applicant must present a description of 

their intended audience and must explain and support student throughput goals (total 

number of students, rate of training per course, per month/year) and describe how whole 

community disability integration will be achieved. Information on disability integration 

is available at https://www.fema.gov/office-disability-integration-and-coordination. 

• Organizational Experience (one page maximum). The applicant must describe their 

experience as a training developer and provider using historical timelines; types of 

training provided to include topics/training objectives; number of students trained; 

methods used for development, delivery, and evaluations; communities impacted; awards 

and honors received; and accreditations and certifications past and current. 

• Training Development and Delivery Plan (three pages maximum). The applicant must 

describe their training development process within the ADDIE model of ISD. The 

description should be Focus Area specific and include timeline and milestones, staff 

assignments (to include the timeline for hiring staff members), enabling and terminal 

objectives, and development of evaluation criteria and processes. The applicant must 

describe their training delivery plan to include delivery methods, staff 

assignments/arrangements (e.g., student-to-instructor or student-to-helpdesk/advisor 

ratio), use of materials (e.g., software, presentations, study guides, reference material), 

and course administration requirements and procedures. 

• Budget (three pages maximum). The applicant must present a budget that identifies and 

explains all direct and indirect costs and separates and details the costs for development 

versus delivery and cost per student. The applicant must present these costs and all other 

expenses in a spreadsheet/table format (or similar) as prescribed in Appendix A of this 

NOFO. The applicant must address the categories in the template for a 36-month life 

cycle. The budget portion of the application narrative may be a combination of a 

narrative and completed spreadsheet. The template provided in Appendix A may be 

recreated or modified to create additional rows and columns, and may be submitted as a 

spreadsheet (e.g., MS Excel) – applicants are not required to submit budget as a MS 

Word or Adobe PDF product only. 

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. The applicant must attach an indirect cost rate 

agreement if the applicant has an agreement. Some applicants will not have an indirect 

cost rate agreement. The agreement does not count toward the total page count limitation.