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97.056 PORT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM

(Port Security Grants)

FEDERAL AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

AUTHORIZATION
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of FY 2007, Public Law 110-53 and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriation Act, 2008 Division E, Consolidated Appropriation Act 2008, Public law 110-161.

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.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project grants and cooperative agreements.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
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.

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
None.

Preapplication Coordination
This program is not covered under Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."

Application Procedure
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
Refer to announcement or application guidance for further information.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Refer to program guidance document.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
None.

Formula and 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.

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.

Reports
Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (CAPR) are required semi-annually and are due within 30 days after the end of the reporting period (July 30 with a reporting period of January 1 through June 30, and January 30 with a reporting period of July 1 through December 31) for the life of the award. Grantees are also required to submit quarterly Financial Status Reports (FSR). The FSR are due 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Final CAPR and FSR reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant award, whichever occurs first.

Audits
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.

Account Identification
70-0560-0-1-402.

Obligations
FY 07 $312,269,793; FY 08 est. $388,600,000; and FY 09 est. $210,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Refer to program guidance.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Enhancements of facility/terminal/vessel (commuter or ferry service) access control, physical security, cargo security and passenger security.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
For regulations and guidelines, please refer to the program guidance and application kit.

Regional or Local Office
None.

Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Lane - Bldg. #410, Washington, DC 20528.

Web Site Address
http://www.fema.gov

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

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
Enhancements of facility/terminal/vessel (commuter or ferry service) access control, physical security, cargo security and passenger security.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)