Port Security Grants for Critical National Seaports (97.056)

Program

97.056 Port Security Grants for Critical National Seaports

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Authorization

The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 as amended, 46 U.S.C 70107.

Program Number

97.056

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide funds to port areas for the protection of critical port infrastructure from terrorism. To assist ports enhancing maritime domain awareness, improving risk management capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other non-conventional weapons, as well as training and exercises and TWIC implementation. The Port Security Grant Program also provides funding to eligible ferry systems within eight specific priorities.

Types of Assistance

Cooperative Agreements

Uses and Use Restrictions

All entities covered by an Area Maritime Security Plan (AMSP) may submit an application for consideration of funding. However, Congress has also specifically directed DHS to apply these funds to the highest risk ports within the United States. In support of this, a total of 102 critical port areas, representing approximately 95 percent of the foreign waterborne commerce of the United States, have been specifically identified. In a number of cases, these port areas have also been grouped together to reflect geographic proximity, shared risk and a common waterway. The following three entities are specifically encouraged to apply: (1) owners/operators of federally regulated terminals, facilities, or U.S. inspected passenger vessels as defined in the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) 33 CFR Parts 101, 104, 105, and 106; (2) port authorities or other State and local agencies that provide layered security protection to federally regulated facilities in accordance with an AMSP or a facility or vessel security plan; and (3) consortia composed of local stakeholder groups (e.g., river groups, ports, and terminal associations) representing federally regulated ports, terminals, U.S. inspected passenger vessels, or ferries that provide layered security protection to federally regulated facilities in accordance with an AMSP or a facility or vessel security plan. Please refer to the program guidance and application kit for more details regarding applicant eligibility. Funds may be used for costs associated with maritime domain awareness; IED prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities; training and exercises; and management administration. The program guidance outlines uses and restrictions in detail. Refer to program guidance.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

All entities covered by an Area Maritime Security Plan (AMSP) may submit an application for consideration of funding. However, Congress has also specifically directed DHS to apply these funds to the highest risk ports within the United States. In support of this, a total of 102 critical port areas1, representing approximately 95 percent of the foreign waterborne commerce of the United States, have been specifically identified. In a number of cases, these port areas have also been grouped together to reflect geographic proximity, shared risk and a common waterway. The following three entities are specifically encouraged to apply: 1) owners/operators of federally regulated terminals, facilities, or U.S. inspected passenger vessels as defined in the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) 33 CFR Parts 101, 104, 105, and 106; 2) port authorities or other State and local agencies that provide layered security protection to federally regulated facilities in accordance with an AMSP or a facility or vessel security plan; and 3) consortia composed of local stakeholder groups (e.g., river groups, ports, and terminal associations) representing federally regulated ports, terminals, U.S. inspected passenger vessels, or ferries that provide layered security protection to federally regulated facilities in accordance with an AMSP or a facility or vessel security plan. Please refer to the program guidance and application kit for more details regarding applicant eligibility.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Critical national seaports and terminals.

Credentials/Documentation

Prior to, or along with, an application for assistance. 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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

This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. There is a matching requirement of 25 percent of total project costs for public sector entities and 50 percent for private sector entities with the exception of grants under 25k, in which there is no match requirement. As of FY2009, the match may be cash or in-kind, with the exception of construction activities, in which the match must be cash.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Refer to program guidance. Awards are 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: Based on project need.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Refer to program guidance document. . Semi-annual reports. Quarterly 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. 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

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0560-0-1-402.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $388,600,000; FY 09 est $388,600,000; FY 10 est $388,600,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Refer to program guidance document.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

For regulations and guidelines, please refer to the program guidance and application kit.

Related Programs

97.008 Urban Areas Security Initiative ; 97.057 Intercity Bus Security Grants; 97.058 Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) Cooperative Agreement Program; 97.059 Truck Security Program; 97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program; 97.075 Rail and Transit Security Grant Program; 97.078 Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP)

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Department of Homeland Security/FEMA echworld, control desk, 4th floor Room 427 500 C St., SW . The Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID). CSID is open from 8:00am to 7:00pm., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday., Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Email: askcsid@dhs.gov Phone: (1-800) 368-6498.

Web Site Address

http://www.fema.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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