State Fire Training Systems Grants (97.043)

Program

97.043 State Fire Training Systems Grants

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Authorization

U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56; The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, Public Law 93-498; Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296; Executive Order 12127.

Program Number

97.043

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide financial assistance to State Fire Training Systems for the delivery of a variety of National Fire Academy (NFA) courses/programs, administrative costs, and electronic student feedback.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Uses: Grant funds are to be used within each State to deliver NFA training courses/programs and for marketing, administrative costs, and electronic feedback of student data. Each State Fire Training System (State) will receive a total of $28,000 with $23,000 earmarked for delivery of NFA training programs and $5,000 for marketing, administrative costs, and electronic feedback of student data.
Restrictions: DHS grant funds 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. Federal employees are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any proposal submitted under this program. Federal employees may not receive funds under this award. States must use funds for the purpose of delivering NFA- developed courses. Funds unused by a State may be reallocated to other States. Pre-award costs are allowable only with the written consent of DHS and such costs must be reflected in the award agreement. See program guidance for information on eligibility. Applicant eligibility is restricted to the 50 State Fire Training Systems.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Representatives from the 50 State Fire Training Systems.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Specialized Group; fire and emergency response personnel.

Credentials/Documentation

Credentials: Applicants must provide a work plan that includes a narrative project description along with the proposed costs for the project. (Allowable costs are determined by reference to OMB Circular No. A-87). The work plan will be used as a guide by the program office to approve / disapprove payment requests, therefore, the plan must be specific and must align with the amount of funding requested / received for the project description.
Documentation: All beneficiaries / students must submit the standard FEMA Form 75-5 (long form) to the State or sponsoring host organization prior to the start of the class. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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. Only applications made through www.grants.gov will be accepted. The on-line application requires (among other documentation), the Standard Forms 424, Project Narrative, and Budget. For complete information on all required forms, attachments, submission instructions / requirements, deadlines, and other procedural information, refer to program guidance

Award Procedure

The application will be reviewed and recommended for funding by the DHS/FEMA/USFA/NFA Project Officer based on the program criteria identified in the announcement / guidance. Notification of award is made through the electronic Grants Management System (GMS). Once an award has been approved, a notice is sent to the authorized grantee official. Awards are subject to certain administrative, national policy, and cost principle requirements delineated in both 2 CFR and 44 CFR. For complete information on the award procedure, and CFR (and other) requirements, refer to program guidance.

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

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The period of performance for this funding opportunity is twelve (12) months. Funds unused by a State may be reallocated to other States. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: see program guidance.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

This program requires the submission of quarterly Performance Reports (PRs), quarterly Financial Status Reports (FSRs), and a Final FSR. PRs are due on July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30. FSRs are due on July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30. The Final FSR is due 90 days after the end of the performance period. Reporting requirements must be met throughout the life of the grant. The FEMA Payment and Reporting System (PARS) will prevent access to funds if reporting requirements are not met on a timely basis. For complete information on report submission requirements, 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.

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: Fifty individual grants were issued. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0564-0-1-800.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $1,400,000; FY 09 est $1,400,000; FY 10 est $1,400,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. FEMA regional offices.

Headquarters Office

DHS/FEMA/Grant Programs Directorate Tech World Bldg - South Tower 5th Floor, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Email: firegrants@dhs.gov Phone: 866-274-0960

Web Site Address

http://www.fema.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Refer to program guidance.