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Conference Calls

Intercity Bus Security Grant Program FY 2009

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Dates/Timelines

Fiscal Year 2008 IBSGP Important Dates

Date & Time

Event

Additional Info

November 6, 2008
11:00 AM EST

Kick off FY 2009 IBSGP Conference Call

Call-in number:
877-988-9660
Passcode: 6827433

EVERY TUESDAY
November 18, 2008 through
January 6, 2009
2:00 PM EST

FY 2009 IBSGP Conference Call

Call-in number:
877-988-9660,
Passcode: 6827433

Conference Call Summaries

1/13/09 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
January 13, 2009
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: We have an announcement to make, the new application deadline for the FY 2009 IBSGP is January 23, 2009 by 11:59 P.M EST on grants.gov. This information is in Information Bulletin (IB) 305 on the TSA web site, www.tsa.gov/grants. To find IB 305 go to www.TSA.gov/grants >Programs > IBSGP > Grant Guidance and Application Kit. We have also heard that some people might have difficulty finding the grant announcement on Grants.gov. To find this announcement, please go to www.grants.gov. Select Find Grant Opportunities from the left hand column. Select Basic Search and then search by CDFA number 97.057.

There will be no conference call next week as Tuesday is a holiday for federal employees in the Washington, DC area. Pleased any questions you have during the week to TSAgrants@TSA.dhs.gov and also carbon copy ASKcsid@dhs.gov.

All information about the program including the conference call summaries, questions and answers and the workshop meeting notes can be found on our website: www.TSA.gov/grants.

At this time I would like to open the call up to questions.

Questions and Answers:

Please see the following website for questions and answers: http//www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

TSA: If there are no questions, we would like to thank you for calling and conclude the call with the reminder of the new deadline of January 23, 2009. Please email all questions to the email addresses stated earlier and we encourage you to do your applications sooner rather than later. Thank you. This concludes this call.

Next Tuesday there will not be a conference call due to Inauguration Day. Thanks to everyone for calling in. As always, any questions you have can be emailed to TSAgrants@TSA.dhs.gov and also carbon copy ASKcsid@dhs.gov. This concludes this call.

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1/06/09 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
January 6, 2009
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: Welcome and thank you for calling in today. As of right now the grant application materials are not yet posted on grants.gov. FEMA is aware of this and right now there is not any official talk of an extended due date. Therefore, we will continue to go forward with the application deadline of January 13, 2009. FEMA will issue an Information Bulletin (IB) if there are any changes to the program or the application due date. If an IB is issued, it will be posted on the TSA Grants website (www.tsa.gov/grants) and the FEMA website (www.fema.gov/grants). FEMA will also send it out via ASKCsid in a blast email to the IBSGP grant community.
I would now like to open up the line for any questions.

Questions and Answers:

Please see the following website for questions and answers: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

TSA: If there are no more questions, we will go ahead and end this call. Thank you for joining us today. The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 2 PM EST. The call-in number is 1-877-988-9660, and the Passcode is 6827433.

You can email any questions you have for us to AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov. We will then post the questions and answers on our website.

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12/30/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
December 30, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: The forms are not yet up on grants.gov. When the information does go up on grants.gov or if there is an extension to the deadline, an Information Bulletin (IB) will be sent out. In the meantime, you can access the Investment Justification and budget templates on the website at www.TSA.gov/grants. The standard forms that are required are identified in the Grant Guidance, and you can look them up on grants.gov. They will not be linked to our program but you can get a look at what they contain.

Questions and Answers:

Please see the following website for questions and answers: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

TSA: If there are no other questions, we would like to thank you for calling. The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, January 6, 2008 at 2 PM. The call-in number is 1-877-988-9660, and the Passcode is 6827433.

Thank you for joining us on this call. All information about the program including the conference call summaries, questions and answers, and the workshop meeting notes can be found on our website: www.TSA.gov/grants. As always, if you have any questions during the week, please e-mail us at AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov. This concludes the call.

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12/23/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
December 23, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: We have a few updates. Grants.gov does not have the application material up yet. FEMA has been working to get the information up. When the information is up and available, FEMA will send out an Information Bulletin (IB). At this time there has been no discussion of an extension. The due date for grant applications remains January 13, 2009 at 11:59pm EST.

All information about the program including the conference call summaries, questions and answers, and the workshop meeting notes can be found on our website: www.TSA.gov/grants.

Any questions you have during the week you can email TSAgrants@TSA.dhs.gov and also carbon copy ASKcsid@dhs.gov.

At this time I would like to open the call up to questions.

Questions and Answers:

Please see the following website for questions and answers: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

TSA: If there are no other questions, we would like to thank you for calling and wish you a Happy Holiday. The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 2 PM. The call-in number is 1-877-988-9660, and the Passcode is 6827433.

Thank you for joining us on this call. As always, if you have any questions during the week, please e-mail us at AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov. This concludes the call.

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12/16/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
December 16, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

I would like to remind you that the application deadline is January 13, 2009 at 11:59 pm EST at grants.gov. You can access transcripts of the conferences, the list of questions and answers, and other information at www.tsa.gov/grants. During the week between these conference calls, you may submit questions to ASKcsid@dhs.gov and copy your question to us at TSAgrants@TSA.dhs.gov. All of this contact information is also listed at the central website at www.tsa.gov/grants.

Conference call summaries, workshop summaries and workshop questions and answers are all online now. You can see what questions have been asked in the past that may be pertinent to you, get ideas and review the information. This is all available at the www.tsa.gov/grants website.

Grants.gov does not yet have the application material up for the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program. FEMA is working with grants.gov, and will send out an Information Bulletin (IB) when the application is available on the website. In the meantime, continue to put together your Investment Justification (IJ) and the budgetary information. Templates for both are on the TSA website.

I would now like to open it up for questions.

Questions and Answers:

There were no questions during this call.

Closing Comments:

TSA: If there are no questions, we would like to thank you for calling. The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 2 PM. The call-in number is 1-877-988-9660, and the Passcode is 6827433.

Thank you for joining us on this call. You can email any questions you have for us during the week to AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov. This concludes the call.

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12/09/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
December 9, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: Hello and thank you for calling in today.

I would like to remind you that the application deadline is January 13, 2009 at 11:59 pm EST at grants.gov. To review transcripts of the conferences as well as the questions and answers from the weekly calls and emails to the help desk, go to www.tsa.gov/grants. Select Intercity Bus Security Grant Program. To submit questions during the week between the calls, submit questions to ASKcsid@dhs.gov and also to TSA grants at TSAGrants@tsa.dhs.gov.

At this time I would like to open things up to questions.

Questions and Answers:

Please see the following website for questions and answers: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

If there are no other questions, we would like to thank you for calling in. The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 2 PM EST. The call-in number is 1-877-988-9660, and the Passcode is 6827433

As always, if you have any questions, please e-mail us at AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov. This concludes the call.

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12/02/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
December 2, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: Hello and thank you for calling in today.

I have no updates other than to remind you that the application deadline is January 13, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST at grants.gov although the application materials are not up. FEMA will issue an Information Bulletin (IB) as soon as the documents are available. Unfortunately, that system is not owned by DHS but by another government department. They have not been able to get the documents uploaded quite yet. As soon as they are available we will let you know so you can start working on the qualification and certification forms. Also, SF424s are not yet up on site but FEMA will issue an IB as soon as they are available.

You can go to Grants.gov and start the process by registering for a DUNS number and CCR number, obtaining a user name and password and registering with grants.gov using that information. Then have your Business Point of Contact respond to the registration email from grants.gov. They will need to login at grants.gov to authorize you as an Authorized Organization Representative.

You can also go to TSA's Grants website at www.tsa.gov/grants and under the "Program" section select your program; go to "Grant Guidance and Application Kit" to download the fillable Investment Justification (IJ) template and Detailed Budget template. You will need to provide the information requested in those forms to apply for your grant.

At this time I'd like to open things up to questions.

Questions and Answers:

Please see the following website for questions and answers: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

If there are no other questions, we would like to thank you for calling in. The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 2 PM EST. The call-in number is 1-877-988-9660, and the passcode is 6827433

As always, if you have any questions, please e-mail us at AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov. This concludes this call.

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11/25/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
November 25, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

TSA: Welcome and thank you for joining us today on this call. I would like to start off the call with a roll call.

Today we want to focus on the application process. The application deadline is 11:59 PM EST on January 13, 2009. That is the absolute end date to submit applications. All applicants must be registered on grants.gov to apply. The registration process may take several weeks so please start early. We are aware that the application information is currently not available on grants.gov however, the templates for the Investment Justification and the detailed budget are on our website at: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

A key change in the program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 is that overtime and backfill costs associated with training and exercises are allowable. These were not allowable in FY2008. Per the 9/11 Act, all bus companies must have a security plan and vulnerability assessment in order to be eligible for other types of projects under this grant. If you have a security plan that has been developed or updated within the last three years, you are eligible to apply for other projects under the FY2009 grant guidance. If you do not have a security plan, then the only project you are eligible for is to develop a security plan.

FEMA and TSA have also determined that TWIC cards are not allowable costs for the FY 2009 IBSGP. This information is posted on www.tsa.gov/grants.

At this time we will open the floor for questions.

Questions and Answers:

Questions and answers will be posted on the following website: http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

Closing Comments:

If there are no further questions, we will conclude this call

The next conference call will occur on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 2:00 PM. The call in number is 877-988-9660 and the passcode is 6827433.

As always if you have questions, please e-mail us at AskCSID@dhs.gov and carbon copy TSAGrants@tsa.dhs.gov.

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11/18/08 Conference Call

IBSGP Conference Call
November 18, 2008
Time: 2:00PM EST

Opening comments:

As you know, we had a workshop last week, where we went over the Grant Programs and held an overview that contained tips on writing your grants.

The due date for sending in your grant application is January 13th. If you missed the workshop, the presentation is posted on the TSAGrants website under the IBSGP Program. We will also be posting the questions asked during the workshop for everyone to see.

I just want to remind everyone to start the registration process early. Registering through Grants.gov can take a few weeks.

We will now open up the conference call for questions.

Questions and answers:

Questions and answers will be posted on the following website: http://www.tsa.gov/join/grants/tsp-qa.shtm

Closing Comments:

OK – if there are no other questions, we will end the call here. Just another reminder, January 13th is the due date for the grants applications. Check the tsa.gov/grants website for more information under the IBSGP Program.

Our next call is Tuesday the 25th. If there are no more questions, we will conclude the call. Thank you very much.

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11/06/08 Conference Call

FY 2009 IBSGP Kick Off Conference Call
November 6, 2008
Time: 11:00AM EST

Introductions made and welcome

Opening comments:

Thank you everyone for calling in. The fiscal year (FY) 2009 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) Guidance and Application Kit was released yesterday, November 5th, and is available on TSA's and FEMA's website. Today we would like to review key changes for FY 2009 and highlight other important information and timelines.
  1. The total funding available for the FY 2009 IBSGP is 11,658,000, which is a slight increase from FY 2008.
  2. As in FY 2008, only operators of over the road buses are eligible for IBSGP, as directed by the 9/11 Act.
  3. In order to be eligible, you must either:
    1. Operate provide fixed route services through a UASI (Urban Areas Security Initiative) jurisdiction, or
    2. Provide charter bus service using over-the-road buses and provide a minimum of 50 trips annually to one or more UASI jurisdictions
  4. There are two new UASI areas, so please review the UASI list provided in the grant guidance
  5. As in past years, eligible applicants will be divided into 2 tiers
    1. Tier I will consist of the larger intercity bus companies that operate over 250 motor coaches. The amount of funding targeted for Tier I is 55% of the total allocation, or $6,411,900
    2. Tier II will consist of all other eligible companies, and will compete for $5,246,100.
  6. A key change this year is that overtime and backfill costs associated with training and exercises are allowable this year. They were not allowable in FY 2008.
  7. There is still a 25% cost share requirement, same as last year. This means that the most the Federal grant will pay for a total project cost is 75%, and the company must provide the remaining 25% of the total project cost as either a cash match or in-kind contribution.
  8. Again per the 9/11 Act, all bus companies must have a security plan and vulnerability assessment in order to be eligible for other types of projects under this grant. If you have current plan you must certify as such and can apply for other projects based on the items identified in your assessments and plans.
  9. The eligible project types reflect Departmental priorities, as well as allowable uses of funds in the 9/11 Act. These priorities are the same as last year, as we received feedback that they were comprehensive.

Key dates:

I would now like to review a few key dates. Our timelines for release of the grant guidance, application submission due dates, and when we must announce the awards are Congressionally-mandated in the Appropriations Bill, so we do not have any flexibility on these dates and cannot grant any extensions.

We have several outreach calls and workshops planned to help you through the process:

One final note is that we will be using the same evaluation criteria as last year. However, we included more information on scoring, including point ranges, in the guidance to help make the process clearer to you.

At this time we will open the floor for questions.

Questions and answers:

Questions and answers will be posted on the following website:
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/grants/programs/ibsgp/2009/questions_answers.shtm

Wrap up:

If there are no other questions, we would like to thank everyone for calling in today.

You may e-mail questions to TSAgrants@tsa.dhs.gov and AskCSID@dhs.gov. You will get a formal response from us after we review your questions.

Our next scheduled call is Tuesday November 18, 2008 at 2:00pm EST.

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