Notice2023-01832
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 30, 2023
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentFederal Emergency Management Agency
Abstract
Pursuant to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended, the Administrator of FEMA is publishing this notice describing the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program application process, deadlines, and award selection criteria. This notice explains the differences, if any, between these guidelines and those recommended by representatives of the national fire service leadership during the annual meeting of the Criteria Development Panel (CDP), which was held July 12-15, 2022. The application period for the FY 2022 AFG Program is January 9-February 10, 2023, and was announced on the FEMA AFG Program website at https:// www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters, as well as at https:// www.grants.gov.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 19 (Monday, January 30, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 19 (Monday, January 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5898-5903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01832]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
[Docket ID FEMA-2023-0004]
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of
Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of
1974, as amended, the Administrator of FEMA is publishing this notice
describing the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant
(AFG) Program application process, deadlines, and award selection
criteria. This notice explains the differences, if any, between these
guidelines and those recommended by representatives of the national
fire service leadership during the annual meeting of the Criteria
Development Panel (CDP), which was held July 12-15, 2022. The
application period for the FY 2022 AFG Program is January 9-February
10, 2023, and was announced on the FEMA AFG Program website at <a href="https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters">https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters</a>, as well as at <a href="https://www.grants.gov">https://www.grants.gov</a>.
DATES: Grant applications for the FY 2022 AFG Program are being
accepted electronically through the FEMA Grant Outcomes (FEMA GO)
system at <a href="https://go.fema.gov/">https://go.fema.gov/</a>, through 5 p.m. ET on February 10, 2023.
ADDRESSES: DHS/FEMA/GPD Assistance to Firefighters Grant Branch, 400 C
Street SW, 3N, Washington, DC 20472-3635.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Patterson, Chief, Assistance
to Firefighters Grant Branch, 1-866-274-0960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AFG Program awards grants directly to
fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS)
organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for the purpose
of enhancing the health and safety of first responders and improving
their abilities to protect the public from fire and fire-related
hazards. Applications for the FY 2022 AFG Program are submitted and
processed online through <a href="https://go.fema.gov/">https://go.fema.gov/</a>. Before the application
period started, the FY 2022 AFG Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO) was published on FEMA's AFG Program website at <a href="https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants">https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants</a>. The
AFG Program website provides additional information and materials
useful for FY 2022 AFG Program applicants, including Frequently Asked
Questions, Application Checklist, Narrative Get Ready Guide, Self-
Evaluation Sheets for Vehicle Acquisition and Operations Safety, and a
Cost-Share Calculator. Based on past AFG Program application periods,
FEMA anticipates receiving 8,000 to 10,000 applications for the FY 2022
AFG Program and has the ability to award approximately 2,000 grants.
Congressional Appropriations
For the FY 2022 AFG Program, Congress appropriated $360 million
through the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022,
Public Law 117-103. From this amount, $324 million will be made
available for FY 2022 AFG Program awards. In addition, section 33 of
the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended (15
U.S.C. 2229), requires that a minimum of 10% of available funds be
expended for Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program grants. FP&S
Program awards will be made directly to local fire departments and to
local, regional, state, or national entities recognized for their
expertise in the fields of fire prevention and firefighter safety
research and development. The funds appropriated for FY 2022 are
available for obligation and award until Sept. 30, 2023.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 further directs
FEMA to administer these appropriations according to the following
requirements:
<bullet> Career fire departments: Not less than 25% of available
grant funds.
<bullet> Volunteer fire departments: Not less than 25% of available
grant funds.
<bullet> Combination fire departments and departments using paid-
on-call firefighting personnel: Not less than 25% of available grant
funds.
<bullet> Open competition (career, volunteer, and/or combination
fire departments and departments using paid-on-call firefighting
personnel): Not less than 10% of available grant funds awarded.
<bullet> EMS providers including fire departments and nonaffiliated
EMS organizations: Not less than 3.5% of available grant funds awarded.
<bullet> Nonaffiliated EMS providers: Not more than 2% of the total
available grant funds.
<bullet> SFTAs: Not more than 3% of available grant funds shall be
collectively awarded to SFTA applicants, with a maximum of $500,000 per
applicant.
<bullet> Vehicles: Not more than 25% of available grant funds may
be used for the purchase of vehicles; by policy and based on
recommendations, FEMA intends to dedicate 10% of those vehicle funds
for ambulances.
<bullet> Micro grants: This is a voluntary funding limitation
choice made by the applicant for requests submitted within the
operations and safety activity. It is not an additional funding
opportunity. Micro grants are awards that have a Federal participation
(share) that does not exceed $50,000. Applicants that select micro
grants may receive additional consideration for award. If an applicant
selects micro grants in their application, they will be limited in the
total amount of funding their organization can be awarded. If they are
requesting funding in excess of $50,000 federal participation, they
should not select micro grants.
Background of the AFG Program
Since 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.1 billion
in grant funding to help firefighters and other first responders obtain
critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles,
training, and other resources needed to protect the public and
emergency personnel from fire and
[[Page 5899]]
fire-related hazards. FEMA awards grants on a competitive basis to the
applicants that best address the AFG Program's priorities and provide
the most compelling justification. Applications that best address AFG
Program priorities, as identified in the Application Evaluation
Criteria, are reviewed by a panel composed of fire service personnel.
The AFG Program has three program activities:
<bullet> Operations and Safety;
<bullet> Vehicle Acquisition; and
<bullet> Regional Projects.
The priorities for each activity are fully outlined in the funding
notice.
Application Evaluation Criteria
Before making a grant award, FEMA is required by 31 U.S.C. 3354, as
amended by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, Public Law
116-117 (2020), 41 U.S.C. 2313, and 2 CFR 200.206 to review information
available through any Office of Management and Budget-designated
repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial
integrity information. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may
include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant: (1)
financial stability; (2) quality of management systems and ability to
meet management standards; (3) history of performance in managing
federal awards; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability
to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.
FEMA will rank all complete and submitted applications based on how
well they align with program priorities for the type of jurisdiction(s)
served. Answers to activity-specific questions provide information used
to determine each application's ranking relative to the stated program
priorities.
Funding priorities and criteria for evaluating AFG Program
applications are established by FEMA based on the recommendations from
the Criteria Development Panel (CDP). The CDP is composed of fire
service professionals who make recommendations to FEMA regarding
creating new, or modifying previously established, funding priorities,
as well as developing criteria for awarding grants. The content of the
funding notice reflects implementation of the CDP's recommendations
with respect to the priorities and evaluation criteria for awards.
The nine major fire service organizations represented on the CDP:
<bullet> International Association of Fire Chiefs
<bullet> International Association of Fire Fighters
<bullet> National Volunteer Fire Council
<bullet> National Fire Protection Association
<bullet> National Association of State Fire Marshals
<bullet> International Association of Arson Investigators
<bullet> International Society of Fire Service Instructors
<bullet> North American Fire Training Directors
<bullet> Congressional Fire Service Institute
Review and Selection Process
AFG Program applications are reviewed through a multi-phase
process. All applications are electronically pre-scored and ranked
based on how well they align with the funding priorities outlined in
the funding notice. Applications with the highest pre-score rankings
are then scored competitively by no less than three members of a Peer
Review Panel. Applications are also evaluated through a series of
internal FEMA review processes for completeness, adherence to
programmatic guidelines, technical feasibility, and anticipated
effectiveness of the proposed project(s). Below is the process by which
applications are reviewed:
i. Pre-Scoring Process
The application undergoes an electronic pre-scoring process based
on established program priorities listed in the funding notice and
answers to activity-specific questions within the online application.
Application narratives are not reviewed during pre-scoring. Request
details and budget information should comply with program guidance and
statutory funding limitations. The pre-score is 50% of the total
application score.
ii. Peer Review Panel Process
Applications with the highest pre-score undergo peer review. The
peer review is comprised of fire service representatives recommended by
the organizations represented on the CDP. The panelists assess the
merits of each application based on the narrative section of the
application, including the evaluation elements listed in the Narrative
Evaluation Criteria below. Panelists independently score each project
within the application, discuss the merits and/or shortcomings of the
application with their peers, and document the findings. A consensus is
not required. The panel score is 50% of the total application score.
iii. Technical Evaluation Process
The highest ranked applications will be considered within the
fundable range. Applications that are in the fundable range will
undergo both a Technical Review by a subject-matter expert as well as a
FEMA Program Office review before being recommended for award. The FEMA
Program Office will assess the request with respect to costs,
quantities, feasibility, eligibility, and recipient responsibility
prior to recommending any application for award. Once the Technical
Evaluation Process is complete, each application's cumulative score
will be determined and a final ranking of applications will be created.
FEMA will award grants based on this final ranking and the ability to
meet statutorily required funding limitations outlined in the NOFO.
Narrative Evaluation Criteria
1. Financial Need (25%)
Applicants should describe their financial need and how consistent
it is with the intent of the AFG Program. This statement should include
details describing the applicant's financial distress, summarized
budget constraints, unsuccessful attempts to secure other funding, and
proof that their financial distress is out of their control.
2. Project Description and Budget (25%)
This statement should clearly explain the applicant's project
objectives and the relationship between those objectives and the
applicant's budget and risk analysis. The applicant should describe the
activities, including program priorities or facility modifications,
ensuring consistency with project objectives, the applicant's mission,
and any national, state and/or local requirements. Applicants should
link the proposed expenses to operations and safety, as well as the
completion of the project goals.
3. Cost Benefit (25%)
Applicants should describe how they plan to address the operations
and personal safety needs of their organization, including cost
effectiveness and sharing assets. This statement should also include
details about gaining the maximum benefits from grant funding by citing
reasonable or required costs, such as specific overhead and
administrative costs. The applicant's request should also be consistent
with their mission and identify how funding will benefit their
organization and personnel.
4. Statement of Effect on Daily Operations (25%)
This statement should explain how these funds will enhance the
applicant's
[[Page 5900]]
overall effectiveness. It should address how an award will improve
daily operations and reduce the applicant's risks. Applicants should
include how frequently the requested items will be used, and in what
capacity. Applicants should also indicate how the requested items will
help the community and increase the organization's ability to save
additional lives or property. Jurisdictions that demonstrate their
commitment and proactive posture to reducing fire risk, by explaining
their code enforcement (to include Wildland Urban Interface code
enforcement) and mitigation strategies (including whether or not the
jurisdiction has a FEMA-approved mitigation strategy) may receive
stronger consideration under this criterion.
Eligible Applicants
Fire Departments: Fire departments operating in any of the 50
states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally
recognized Indian Tribe or tribal organization. A fire department is an
agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a
state, territory, local (city, county, parish, fire district, township,
town or other governing body), or tribal authority to provide fire
suppression to a population within a geographically fixed primary first
due response area.
Nonaffiliated EMS organizations: Nonaffiliated EMS organizations
operating in any of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any
federally recognized Indian Tribe or tribal organization. A
nonaffiliated EMS organization is an agency or organization that is a
public or private nonprofit emergency medical services entity providing
medical transport that is not affiliated with a hospital and does not
serve a geographic area in which emergency medical services are
adequately provided by a fire department. FEMA considers the following
as hospitals under the AFG Program:
<bullet> Clinics;
<bullet> Medical centers;
<bullet> Medical colleges or universities;
<bullet> Infirmaries;
<bullet> Surgery centers; and
<bullet> Any other institutions, associations, or foundations providing
medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and/or treatment for the sick or
injured
State Fire Training Academies: SFTAs operating in any of the 50
states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must be
designated either by legislation or by a Governor's declaration as the
sole fire service training agency within a state, territory, or the
District of Columbia. The designated SFTA shall be the only agency/
bureau/division, or entity within that state, territory, or the
District of Columbia.
Non-federal airport and/or port authority fire or EMS organizations
are eligible only if they have a formally recognized arrangement with
the local jurisdiction to provide fire suppression or emergency medical
services on a first-due basis outside the confines of the airport or
port facilities. Airport or port authority fire and EMS organizations
whose sole responsibility is suppression of fires or EMS response on
the airport grounds or port facilities are not eligible for funding
under the AFG Program.
Ineligibility
FEMA considers two or more separate fire departments or
nonaffiliated EMS organizations with different funding streams,
personnel rosters, and Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) but
sharing the same facilities as being separate organizations for the
purposes of AFG Program eligibility. If two or more organizations share
facilities and each submits an application in the same program area
(i.e., Equipment, Modifications to Facilities, Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), Training, or Wellness and Fitness Programs), FEMA
reserves the right to review all of those program area applications for
eligibility. This determination is designed to avoid the duplication of
benefits.
Examples of Ineligible Applications and/or Organizations Include
<bullet> Nonaffiliated EMS organization requests for any activity
that is specific or unique to structural/proximity/wildlands
firefighting gear.
<bullet> Fire departments that are a Federal Government entity, or
contracted by the Federal Government, and are solely responsible under
a formally recognized agreement for suppression of fires on Federal
installations or land.
<bullet> Fire departments or nonaffiliated EMS organizations that
are not independent entities but are part of, controlled by, or under
the day-to-day operational command and control of a larger department,
agency or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
[cir] However, if a fire department is considered to be the same
legal entity as a municipality or other governmental organization, and
otherwise meets the eligibility criteria, that municipality or other
governmental organization may apply on behalf of that fire department
as long as the application clearly states that the fire department is
considered part of the same legal entity.
<bullet> Fire-based EMS organization applying as a nonaffiliated
EMS organization.
<bullet> Auxiliaries, hospitals or fire service associations or
interest organizations that are not the AHJ over the applicant.
<bullet> Dive teams, search and rescue squads, or similar
organizations that do not provide medical transport.
<bullet> Fire departments, regional or nonaffiliated EMS
organizations that are for profit.
<bullet> State or local agencies, or subsets of any governmental
entity, or any authority that do not meet the requirements as defined
by 15 U.S.C. 2229(a), (c).
<bullet> If an applicant submits two or more applications for the
same equipment or other eligible activity (for example, if an applicant
submits two or more applications, one under the Regional activity, and
one under the Operations and Safety activity for self-contained
breathing apparatus [SCBA]), both applications may be disqualified. If
an applicant submits two separate applications for the same activity
(i.e., two separate vehicle applications for the same vehicle) during
the same application period, both applications may be disqualified.
[cir] This is different from when an entity is applying on behalf
of other organizations that are agencies or instrumentalities of the
applicant (e.g., multiple fire departments under the same county, city,
borough, parish, or other municipality). In that situation, the
applicant may request similar or the same equipment as long as the
application clearly states which equipment (including quantities) is
for which agency/instrumentality. This is permissible even if that
entity submits multiple applications across regional versus direct
applications.
[cir] Eligible Fire Department and nonaffiliated EMS applicants may
submit only one application for each of the following application
types: Individual Operations and Safety, Individual Vehicle, Regional
Operations and Safety, and Regional Vehicle. Under the Operations and
Safety applications, applicants may submit for multiple activities and
for multiple items within
[[Page 5901]]
each activity. Under the Vehicle application, applicants may submit one
application for a vehicle activity (or activities) for their department
and one separate application for a regional vehicle (the same
vehicle(s) may not be requested for both purposes). All duplicate
application submissions may be disqualified.
Statutory Limits to Funding
Congress has enacted statutory limits to the amount of funding that
a grant recipient may receive from the AFG Program in any single fiscal
year based on the population served (15 U.S.C. 2229(c)(2)). Awards will
be limited based on the size of the population protected by the
applicant, as indicated below. Notwithstanding the annual limits stated
below, the FEMA Administrator may not award a grant in an amount that
exceeds 1% of the available grant funds in such fiscal year, except
where it is determined that such recipient has an extraordinary need
for a grant in an amount that exceeds the 1% aggregate limit.
<bullet> In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with
100,000 people or fewer, the amount of available grant funds awarded to
such recipient shall not exceed $1 million in any fiscal year.
<bullet> In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with
more than 100,000 people, but not more than 500,000 people, the amount
of available grant funds awarded to such recipient shall not exceed $2
million in any fiscal year.
<bullet> In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with
more than 500,000 people, but not more than 1 million people, the
amount of available grant funds awarded to such recipient shall not
exceed $3 million in any fiscal year.
<bullet> In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with
more than 1 million people, but not more than 2.5 million people, the
amount of available grant funds awarded to such recipient is subject to
the 1% aggregate cap of $3.24 million for FY 2022, but FEMA may waive
this aggregate cap in individual cases where FEMA determines that a
recipient has an extraordinary need for a grant that exceeds the
aggregate cap; if FEMA waives the aggregate cap, the amount of grant
funds awarded to such a recipient shall not exceed $6 million for any
fiscal year.
<bullet> In the case of a recipient that serves a jurisdiction with
more than 2.5 million people, the amount of available grant funds
awarded to such recipient is subject to the 1% aggregate cap of $3.24
million for FY 2022, but FEMA may waive this aggregate cap in
individual cases where FEMA determines that a recipient has an
extraordinary need for a grant that exceeds the aggregate cap; if FEMA
waives the aggregate cap, the amount of grant funds awarded to such
recipient shall not exceed $9 million for any fiscal year.
<bullet> FEMA may not waive the population-based limits on the
amount of grant funds awarded as set by 15 U.S.C. 2229(c)(2)(A).
The cumulative total of the federal share of awards in Operations
and Safety, Regional, and Vehicle Acquisition activities will be
considered when assessing award amounts and any limitations thereto.
Applicants may request funding up to the statutory limit on each of
their applications.
For example, an applicant that serves a jurisdiction with more than
100,000 people, but not more than 500,000 people, may request up to $2
million on their Operations and Safety Application and up to $2 million
on their Vehicle Acquisition request. However, should both grants be
awarded, the applicant would have to choose which award to accept if
the cumulative value of both applications exceeds the statutory limits.
Cost Sharing and Maintenance of Effort
Grant recipients must share in the costs of the projects funded
under this grant program as required by 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(1) and in
accordance with applicable federal regulations at 2 CFR part 200, but
they are not required to have the cost-share at the time of application
nor at the time of award. However, before a grant is awarded, FEMA
validates that the grant recipient has provided sufficient evidence
that the cost-share requirement will be fulfilled during the
performance period of the grant award.
In general, an eligible applicant seeking a grant shall agree to
make available non-federal funds equal to not less than 15% of the
grant awarded. However, the cost share will vary as follows based on
the size of the population served by the organization, with exceptions
to this general requirement for entities serving smaller communities:
<bullet> Applicants that serve populations of 20,000 or less shall
agree to make available non-federal funds in an amount equal to not
less than 5% of the grant awarded.
<bullet> Applicants serving areas with populations above 20,000,
but not more than 1 million, shall agree to make available non-federal
funds in an amount equal to not less than 10% of the grant awarded.
<bullet> Applicants serving areas with populations above 1 million
shall agree to make available non-federal funds in an amount equal to
not less than 15% of the grant awarded.
The cost share for SFTAs will apply the requirements above based on
the total population of the state.
The cost share for a regional application will apply the
requirements above based on the aggregate population of the primary
first due response areas of the host and participating partner
organizations that execute a Memorandum of Understanding as described
in Appendix B, Section g., Regional Applications, of the FY 2022 AFG
Program NOFO.
On a case-by-case basis, FEMA may allow a grant recipient that may
already own assets (equipment or vehicles), acquired with non-federal
cash, to use the trade-in allowance/credit value of those assets as
``cash'' for the purpose of meeting the cost-share obligation of their
AFG Program award. In-kind, cost-share matches are not allowed.
Grant recipients under this grant program must also agree to a
maintenance of effort requirement as required by 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(3)
(referred to as a ``maintenance of expenditure'' requirement in that
statute). A grant recipient shall agree to maintain during the term of
the grant the applicant's aggregate expenditures relating to the
activities allowable under the NOFO at not less than 80% of the average
amount of such expenditures in the two fiscal years preceding the
fiscal year in which the grant amounts are received.
In cases of demonstrated economic hardship, and at the request of
the grant recipient, the Administrator of FEMA may waive or reduce a
grant recipient's cost-share requirement or maintenance of effort
requirement. AFG Program applicants for FY 2022 must indicate at the
time of application whether they are requesting a waiver and whether
the waiver is for the cost-share requirement, for the maintenance of
effort requirement, or both. As required by statute, the Administrator
of FEMA is required to establish guidelines for determining what
constitutes economic hardship. FEMA has published these guidelines on
FEMA's website at <a href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Eco_Hardship_Waiver_FPS_SAFER_AFG_IB_FINAL.pdf">https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Eco_Hardship_Waiver_FPS_SAFER_AFG_IB_FINAL.pdf</a>.
Before the start of the FY 2022 AFG Program application period,
FEMA conducted applicant internet webinars to inform potential
applicants about the AFG Program. In addition, FEMA provided applicants
with information at the AFG Program website, <a href="https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters">https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters</a>, to help them prepare quality grant
applications. The AFG Program
[[Page 5902]]
Help Desk is staffed throughout the application period to assist
applicants with the automated application process as well as answer any
questions.
Applicants can reach the AFG Program Help Desk through a toll-free
telephone number Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET at 1-866-
274-0960 or electronic mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f29263d2a283d2e213b3c0f292a222e612b273c61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3959a81969481929d8780b395969e92dd979b80dd949c85">[email protected]</span></a>.
Application Process
Organizations may submit one application per application period in
each of the three AFG Program activities (e.g., one application for
Operations and Safety, one for Vehicle Acquisition, and/or a separate
application to be a Joint/Regional project host). If an organization
submits more than one application for any single AFG Program activity
(e.g., two applications for Operations and Safety, two for Vehicles),
either intentionally or unintentionally, both applications may be
disqualified.
Applicants may access the grant application electronically at
<a href="https://go.fema.gov/">https://go.fema.gov/</a>. New applicants must register and establish a
username and password for secure access to the grant application.
Previous AFG Program applicants must use their previously established
username and password.
Applicants are expected to answer questions about their grant
request that reflect the AFG Program funding priorities. In addition,
each applicant must complete four separate narratives for each project
or grant activity requested. Grant applicants will also provide
relevant information about their organization's characteristics, call
volume, and existing organizational capabilities.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Per 2 CFR 25.200, all federal grant applicants and recipients must
register at <a href="https://sam.gov/content/home">https://sam.gov/content/home</a>. SAM is the Federal
Government's System for Award Management, and registration is free of
charge.
Effective April 4, 2022, the Federal Government transitioned from
using the Data Universal Numbering System or DUNS number, to a new,
non-proprietary identifier known as a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI.
For entities that had an active registration in <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> before this
date 2022, the UEI has automatically been assigned and no action is
necessary. For all entities filing a new registration in <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>, the
UEI will be assigned to that Entity as part of the <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> registration
process.
FEMA will 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.
Criteria Development Panel Recommendations
If there are any differences between the published AFG Program
guidelines and the recommendations made by the CDP, FEMA must explain
them and publish the information in the Federal Register prior to
awarding any grant under the AFG Program. For FY 2022, FEMA accepted
and will implement all of the CDP's recommendations.
Adopted Recommendations for FY 2022
Below is a list of changes between FY 2021 and FY 2022 to the AFG
Program. The FY 2022 AFG Program funding notice contains some changes
to definitions, descriptions, and priority categories. Changes include:
<bullet> Under Supporting Definitions:
[cir] Definition of Combination Fire Department was updated as
follows: Combination Fire Department as defined in 15 U.S.C. 2229,
means a fire department that has paid firefighting personnel and
volunteer firefighting personnel. FEMA considers a fire department with
firefighting personnel paid a stipend, regardless of the amount, on a
per event basis, or paid on-call, to be a combination fire department.
This also includes non-fire emergency medical service personnel of the
department.
<bullet> Under the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Activity:
The following equipment was added as eligible under Additional
Funding:
[cir] Air Compressor/Fill Station/Cascade Systems (Fixed or Mobile)
in support of SCBA request under PPE activity.
[cir] PPE gear Washer/Extractor/Dryer in support of PPE gear
request under PPE activity.
<bullet> Under Training Activity:
[cir] Various NFPA standards were updated to reflect the most
current editions.
[cir] Props requested under the Training Activity must be essential
to the training activity requested in the application.
<bullet> Under Equipment Activity:
[cir] P-25-compliant Portable Radios should be requested based on
the number of seated riding positions or active members of the
department and supported in the request narratives.
[cir] Repairs and upgrades to the existing simulators was added as
a High priority item for SFTA applicants.
[cir] Software and Learning Management System for Fire Department
applicants was changed to Low priority.
[cir] Vehicle mounted exhaust systems were changed to High priority
for Fire Department, Regional, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and
SFTA applicants.
[cir] Subscriptions necessary for the operation of the awarded
equipment and purchased concurrently are eligible.
[cir] Refurbished equipment was added under ineligible Equipment
Activity.
<bullet> Under Modifications to Facilities the following ineligible
items for Fire Departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations were
added:
[cir] Station maintenance.
[cir] Resurfacing of bay floors.
[cir] Interior remodeling not pertaining to the requested
project(s).
[cir] Food and beverages.
<bullet> Under Regional Applications:
[cir] Clarification that the host organization and its partners
must be the intended beneficiaries of the proposed project was added.
[cir] Exception to the requirement for same vendor was added.
[cir] Clarification that the host of the Regional application is
not considered a pass-through entity and may not issue any sub-awards.
<bullet> Under Vehicle Acquisition:
[cir] Exception to the penalty clause for vehicle contracts was
added.
<bullet> The following definitions were added:
[cir] Front Line Vehicle: a vehicle that is fully equipped and
ready to respond to emergency calls (first due, second due, ready-
reserve vehicle).
[cir] Ready-Reserve Vehicle: a vehicle that is equipped and may be
easily made ready to respond (i.e., emergency mobilization).
[cir] Reserve Vehicle: a vehicle that is not fully equipped and not
ready to respond. Reserve apparatus is used when the front-line vehicle
is out-of-service (repairs/maintenance). Equipment is removed from the
front-line vehicle and moved to the reserve vehicle for emergency
response.
[cir] Temporarily Out of Service Vehicle: A vehicle which has been
temporarily removed from emergency response duties due to mechanical or
safety conditions requiring repair. Although currently out of service
this vehicle is required to meet the response needs of the agency.
Temporarily out-of-service vehicles are included in the vehicle
inventory, included in the seated position count and are eligible for
replacement in the AFG program.
[cir] Decommissioned Vehicle: A vehicle which has been permanently
removed from any or all emergency response duties or functions.
Examples include retired vehicles awaiting disposal, vehicles used
solely for parade/public
[[Page 5903]]
relations use, antique vehicles, display or similar uses.
Decommissioned vehicles are not listed in the vehicle inventory or
included in the seated position count and are not eligible for
replacement in the AFG program.
<bullet> Under Additions to the Application:
[cir] Paid on call/stipend question was added.
Recommendations Not Adopted for FY 2022
<bullet> All recommendations were adopted.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2229.
Deanne Criswell,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2023-01832 Filed 1-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-64-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 30, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.