Port Security Grants for Critical National Seaports (97.056)
Program
97.056 Port Security Grants for Critical National Seaports
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002, Public Law 107-117, H.R. Conf. Rpt 107-350, and the Fiscal Year 2002 Supplemental Appropriation, Public Law 107-206.
Program Number
97.056
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To support efforts of critical national seaports/terminals to enhance port security through: 1) security assessments and mitigation strategies; and 2) enhanced facility and operational security (e.g., terminal, commuter or ferry vessels access control, physical security, cargo security, and passenger security), including proof of concepts.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Allowable costs are detailed in the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)/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 that the Secretary deems appropriate. Funds may NOT be used for: 1) a project already receiving funding on a national level, such as transportation worker credentialing, vessel traffic system (VTS), automatic identification system (AIS), development of risk/vulnerability models or radiation detection devices; 2) personnel, maintenance, or operating expenses; 3) projects involving bridge infrastructure, roads, or nuclear power plants; and 4) projects that do not demonstrate a compelling security benefit, e.g., primarily involve an economic or safety benefit rather than a security benefit.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
1) Public and private ports or terminals; 2) State/local government entities; and 3) consortiums composed of local stakeholder groups (i.e., river groups, ports, and terminal associations). Private entities will be considered when security interests related to location and/or operation affects the greater public interest. Consultants may prepare applications for an eligible party, but only the eligible party may submit and be considered for the grant. Prerequisites: For Enhanced Facility and Operational Security grants, applicants must have already completed a security assessment and tie the security enhancements to the assessment.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Critical national seaports and terminals.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must qualify as a critical national seaport/terminal, as defined in the BAA. For Enhanced Facility and Operational Security grants, applicants must have already completed a security assessment and make it available for review upon the request of the evaluators.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
All grant applications will be submitted, evaluated, awarded (if selected), and administered electronically. Applications and supporting documentation submitted via any other avenue, including but not limited to hardcopy, electronic/e-mail, and facsimile, will not be accepted.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed collaboratively by TSA, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in this effort. Upon completion of the evaluation process, applicants will be notified electronically regarding selection status.
Deadlines
Contact DHS, TSA, Maritime and Land Security, Grants/Contracts Management Branch for application deadlines. Written notice will be published in the Federal Register (http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html) and 'Federal Grant Opportunities' (http://www.fedgrants.gov).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula and no matching requirements. TSA encourages grant recipients to consider cost sharing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The award period is for 12 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Request for Advance or Reimbursement (SF 270) submissions, quarterly Financial Status Reports (SF 269), and quarterly technical progress reports are required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997 and June 27, 2003), 'Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,' nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 (or $500,000 for fiscal years after December 31, 2003) or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 or $500,000, as applicable, a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133 or the award document.
Records
Applicants must maintain project related materials for 3 years following submission of the final financial status report.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2003, 142 projects were funded through 77 grants. Twenty-three (23) security assessment projects totaling $5,000,000; fourteen (14) proof-of-concept projects totaling $9,338,000; and seventy-seven (77) facility and operational security enhancement projects totaling $77,962,000 were funded through the program.
Financial Information
Account Identification
07-0508-0-1-402.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $104,093,293; FY 03 est $149,000,000; and FY 04 est $20,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 03, award amounts ranged from $8,000 to $6,844,800. The average award amount was $1,198,701.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Department of Transportation (DOT) grant related regulations include 49 CFR Parts 17-21, 26 and 29. 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.
Related Programs
20.421, Operation Safe Commerce Grant Program.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Queries may be directed to the Transportation Security Administration Headquarters, Office of Maritime and Land Security, Grants/Contracts Management Branch, TSA-8, 701 South 12th Street, Arlington VA 22202. Tony Corio, tony.corio@dhs.gov, (571) 227-1233.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Security assessments ascertaining vulnerabilities of physical and/or operational security of a port, terminal, or vessel or ferry service and identifying mitigation strategies. Enhancements of facility/terminal/vessel (commuter or ferry service) access control, physical security, cargo security and passenger security.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals will be selected based on the availability of funding, the quality of the proposals submitted, and the evaluation criteria established in the program announcement. See the Request for Applications (RFA) details regarding the specific evaluation criteria for each type of port security grant.
