U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
Washington, DC 20472 


Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin 
No. 312 
April 20, 2009 


TO: All State Administrative Agency Heads 

All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 

All Core City/Core County Points of Contact 

All State Homeland Security Directors 

All State Emergency Management Agency Directors 

All Eligible Regional Transit Agencies 

All Private Sector Transportation Security Partners 

All Public and Private Sector Port Security Partners 

FROM: W. Ross Ashley, III 

Assistant Administrator 

Grant Programs Directorate 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

SUBJECT: Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) Draw Down Guidance 

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Bulletin is twofold: to remind grantees of the importance of 
prompt draw down of grant funds, and to reiterate the procedures for accessing the automatic 
payment systems and general information regarding the draw down of funds. 

Although grantees are afforded some flexibility in the timing of drawing down Federal grant 
funds, GPD would like to remind TSGP grantees that the draw down of funds does not have to 
be done all at one time, or at the time of grant closeout. Grantees are reminded that the TSGP 
has a legislative exemption to the Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA). This exemption 
allows grantees access to funds up to 120 days in advance of making a payment. Utilization of 
the CMIA exemption should save grantees significant amounts of time at the point when actual 
payment for goods and services is made. It is important to note, however, that this exemption is 
not intended to overrule any state or local regulations regarding draw down of Federal funds. 
Additionally, any funds drawn down in advance of payment must be placed in an interest bearing 
account and earned interest must be remitted on a quarterly basis. 

TSGP recipients utilize FEMA’s online Payment and Reporting System (PARS) to request draw 
down of funds. There is an on-line User Guide that assists grantees through the process of 
registration, payment requests, status of disbursements, etc. The website to access PARS is 
https://isource.fema.gov/sf269/. Please note that all reporting requirements as outlined in the 
TSGP program guidance must be satisfied prior to the draw down of funds. 

www.fema.gov 


Any questions regarding this IB should be directed to your assigned Transit Program Analyst. 
Questions regarding the draw down process itself may be directed to the Grants Management 
Division at 1-866-927-5646, or to ASK-GMD@dhs.gov.