Earthquake Consortium (97.082)
Program
97.082 Earthquake Consortium
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Authorization
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, as amended; The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 2004, as amended by P.L. 108-360, Public Law 95-124; The Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296.
Program Number
97.082
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC), Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC), and the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workshop (CREW) in: delivering education and training to community and State officials; developing seismic policies, sharing information, and promoting programs to reduce earthquake-related losses; reducing the loss of life, injuries, property losses, and social and economic disruption that results from all hazards.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)
Uses and Use Restrictions
Uses: For costs associated with providing guidance and assistance to States and local communities with earthquake mitigation activities. Restrictions: This program is non-competitive and restricted to certain specialized/qualified organizations designated by FEMA. DHS grants may only be used for the purpose set forth in the grant and 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, or for 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. Pre-award costs are allowable only with the written consent of DHS and such costs must be reflected in the award agreement. All financial and progress reports must be current at the time of application. This funding opportunity is restricted to CUSEC, NESEC, WSSPC, and CREW.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Nonprofit Organizations designated by FEMA. The program is currently restricted to the following entities and organizations: Central US Earthquake Consortium, Western States Seismic Policy Council, Northeast States Emergency Consortium, and Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States, locals, tribes, U.S. Territories, and general public.
Credentials/Documentation
Credentials: This funding opportunity program is restricted to the following non-profit organizations: Central US Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC), Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC), and Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW). Documentation: Allowable costs and administrative requirements are determined by reference to OMB Circulars A-110, A-122, and A-87. State and Local government Cooperative Agreement requirements are determined by reference to OMB Circular A-102. For complete information on credentials and documentation, please refer to program guidance. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. FEMA participates in the Administration’s e-government initiative. As part of that initiative, all applicants must file their application using the Federal electronic “storefront” portal Grants.gov. Eligible applicants must apply through this portal, accessible on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov. Applications must include all forms and submissions as stipulated in the program announcement / guidance. Refer to program guidance for complete information on application procedures.
Award Procedure
Applications will be reviewed by both the program office located in the FEMA Building Science Branch of the Risk Reduction Division within the Mitigation Directorate (DHS/FEMA/MT/RR/BS) and the Grants Program Directorate (GPD/OPS) for consistency with the goals and objectives stated in the guidance. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued. All financial and progress reports must be current at the time of application. Refer to program guidance for complete information regarding award procedures.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Refer to program guidance document.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
A new application is required for each federal fiscal year.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
This program has no matching requirements.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Notification of award approval is made through the electronic Grants Management System (GMS). A successful applicant will receive notification detailing award specifics within 60-90 days of application. Once an award has been approved, notice is sent to the authorized grantee official. The period of performance shall be a maximum of twelve (12) months from date of award. Extensions to the period of performance will be considered only through formal requests to FEMA and will only be granted for specific and compelling reasons. All extension requests must be submitted to FEMA at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the grant period of performance. Any unobligated funds will be de-obligated at the end of the 90 day close-out period. Awards may be subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: For additional information, refer to program guidance.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are required to submit semi-annual (quarterly if applicable) financial and performance reports. Semi-annual (Quarterly if applicable) Progress Reports must include the progress of each sub-grant award. Reports are due 30 days after the end of each semi-annual or quartely period: January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant award. For additional information, refer to program guidance. . . .
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year. For additional information regarding audit requirements, refer to rogram announcement/guidance.
Records
Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: These consortia contribute to FEMA's mitigation goals of reducing deaths, injuries, damage to property and economic losses resulting from earthquakes. They work directly with public, private, professional, and research agencies and organizations that ultimately implement earthquake risk reduction programs (e.g., building code administrators, urban planners, elected officials, utility professionals, etc.). The consortium serves as a bridge between the Federal NEHRP agencies, and the organizations and individuals at the State and local level that translate policies into practice. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0711-0-1-453.
Obligations
(Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 08 $875,000; FY 09 est $3,225,000; FY 10 est $3,225,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Refer to program guidance.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
44 CFR, Part 361, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Assistance to State and Local Governments and annual memorandum guidance issued by the FEMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation Directorate.
Related Programs
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Larry Hultengren 500 C Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Phone: 202-646-3759
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: These multi-State groups have delivered education and training to community and State officials to develop seismic policies and share information to promote programs intended to reduce earthquake-related losses; and reduce the risk of loss of life, injuries, property losses and social and economic disruption that result from all hazards. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
