Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) (97.058)

Program

97.058 Operation Safe Commerce (OSC)

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Authorization

DHS Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005, Public Law 108-334.

Program Number

97.058

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To explore commercially viable options to enhance cargo security, including business processes and technology prototypes, which support containerized cargo supply chain security management while facilitating the flow of trade.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Allowable costs are detailed in the Request for Applications (RFA). Cost principles applicable to the awards are OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education, with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, with OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations, and with 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. In general, funds may be used for equipment, supplies, services or consultants, travel, audits, other direct costs, facilities and administrative costs (i.e., indirect costs), and other costs related to meeting the program objectives. Funds shall not be used for personnel. Refer to program guidance document.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants eligible for the most recent competition were Load Centers, defined as the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle/Tacoma, and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Immediate beneficiaries include applicable stakeholders in the supply chain. Applicable ports will benefit as designated in successful proposals.

Credentials/Documentation

Stakeholder participation must be demonstrated through letter(s) of commitment. A copy of the applicant's Federally approved indirect cost rate agreement should be submitted. In addition, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)information is required. 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. Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.

Award Procedure

Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Refer to program guidance document.

Appeals

Refer to program guidance document.

Renewals

Refer to program guidance document.

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

Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment/or reimbursement of expenditures. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Based on project need.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Refer to program guidance document. . . Financial Status Reports. Refer to program guidance document.

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.

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

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0560-0-1-402.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Department of Transportation (DOT) grant related regulations include 49 CFR Parts 17-21, 26, 29, and 32. DOT regulations may be superseded by corresponding or applicable new regulations issued by the Department of Homeland Security for this program. Cost principles applicable to the awards are OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education, with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, with OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations, and with 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. In addition, the U.S. Customs Service operates related initiatives called the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Container Security Initiative (CSI). See http://www.customs.treas.gov/ for further information on those programs.

Related Programs

97.056 Port Security Grant Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Headquarters Office: Department of Homeland Security/Techworld, control desk, 4th floor, Rm 427 500 C St., SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Phone: 8003686498

Web Site Address

http://www.fema.gov .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Security measures addressed 18 specified supply chain nodes, pilot use of commercial-off-the-shelf technology and emerging technologies; development and demonstration of a comprehensive supply chain security approach; and monitoring and warning about potential threats in supply chain logistics. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.