American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

July 26^th through July 31^st will be the dates that the Fire Station Construction Grants will be scored. Fifty two evaluators from the US and Territories will be used to score the applications that will be sent to panel.

Following the panel review a technical review will take place to look at application documents the these folks may request. The AFG has hired construction folks that will assessing the structural soundness of the proposed project.

FSCG Funding Priorities

FSCG Allowable Costs

Status of Department Recovery and Program-Specific Plans

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

of 2009 (ARRA)

Fire Station Construction Grant (FSCG)

The program guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) as it relates to new fire station construction has been submitted for review by the in DHS the department. Based on history it will probably be mid May before anything is published.

For an additional amount for competitive grants, $210,000,000 for modifying, upgrading, or constructing non-Federal fire stations: Provided; That up to 5 percent shall be for program administration: Provided further; That no grant shall exceed $15,000,000.

The fire station construction grants will be implemented similarly to the fire grants. The programmatic structure of the fire grants will be used a guideline or a goal, but will not ultimately constrain grant awards from achieving the essential purposes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Title of Opportunity: A.R.R.A. Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (CFDA 97-115)
Federal Agency Name: Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Dates: Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, July 10, 2009.

Additional overview information: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) provided the Department of Homeland Security with $210,000,000 to fund the construction and modification of fire stations. The program will be administered by the Assistance to Firefighters Program Office under FEMA’s Grant
Programs Directorate. The grants under this new program will be awarded directly to the fire departments on a competitive basis.

In creating this new program, the Assistance to Firefighters Program Office utilized the established process employed for all other grant opportunities. DHS involved the nine major fire service organizations to obtain insight and expertise providing funding priority recommendations. Applications will be submitted via the automated e-grant application.

The submitted applications will be screened using the answers to the questions in the application to determine which applications will go to panel. Finally, a panel of peers will review each application sent to panel and provide recommendations regarding which applications will be funded.

Procurement Integrity
Through audits conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), State-level reviews, and Assistance to Firefighters Program Office grant monitoring, it has become apparent some grant recipients are not totally adhering to the proper procurement requirements when spending grant funds. Anything less than full compliance with Federal procurement policies jeopardizes the integrity of the grant as well as the grant program. As such, in FY 2009 DHS has placed an increased emphasis on oversight of grantees’ procurement actions. The requirements and DHS expectations of fire departments when buying goods and services with Federal grant funds are reiterated below.

Competition: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a manner that provides, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. Grantees are expected to promote competition and ensure advantageous pricing by soliciting bids from multiple vendors. Purchases shall be made from the vendor whose bid is responsive to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the grantee when price, quality, and other factors are considered. Grantees may use their own procurement procedures, which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations, provided the procurements conform to applicable Federal laws and standards. Grantees who fail to adhere to their own procurement policy or otherwise fail to fully “compete” any purchase involving Federal funds, may find their expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.

Documentation: Grantees are required to maintain and retain backup documentation such as bids, quotes, and cost/price analyses on file for review by Federal personnel. The required documentation for federally funded purchases includes specifications, solicitations, competitive quotes or proposals, basis for selection, purchase orders or contracts, invoices and cancelled checks. Grantees who fail to fully document their purchases may find their expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.

Specifications: Specifications developed for solicitations must clearly set forth all requirements the bidder shall fulfill in order for the bid or offer to be evaluated by the recipient. However, those specifications may not be so narrowly constructed or contain features which unduly limit, restrict or eliminate competition unnecessarily. Additionally,
grantees cannot impose in-State or local geographical preferences in the evaluation of bids or proposals.

Applicants and grantees may obtain product information from vendors in order to be more informed about the items they plan to purchase. However, applicants and grantees may not use specifications obtained from vendors for any purchase with Federal grant funds if the specifications would be found to be restrictive. It is the grantee’s responsibility to assure that vendor specifications are not used in a manner which would result in restricting or limiting competition from other vendors of similar products. Additionally, if a vendor or manufacturer drafts, writes, edits, critiques, or
provides any direct consultation on a grant application that vendor or manufacturer cannot submit a bid for that purchase. Likewise, if a vendor or manufacturer drafts, writes, edits, critiques, or provides any direct consultation on a specification to be used for the solicitation for the purchase of a specific product, that vendor or manufacturer
cannot submit a bid for that purchase. See Conflicts of Interest below.

Grantees shall, on request, make available to DHS pre-award review and procurement documents, such as requests for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc., if

(1) the purchase specifies a "brand name" product or
(2) the proposed award is to be awarded to other than the apparent low bidder under a sealed bid process.

Grantees found to be using proprietary, or otherwise limiting specifications, may find their expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.

Personal and Organizational Conflicts of interest: In order to ensure objective vendor performance and eliminate a real or apparent unfair competitive advantage, anyone who develops or drafts specifications, requirements, statements of work (including the grant application), invitations for bids, and/or requests for proposals is excluded from competing
for such procurements. Additionally, no employee, officer or agent of the grantee should participate in the selection, award or administration of a procurement supported by Federal funds if a real or an apparent conflict of interest is involved.

a) An officer, employee or agent of the grantee has a financial or other interest in the vendor selected for the procurement.
b) Any member of the grantee’s officers’, employees’ or agents’ immediate family has a financial or other interest in the vendor selected for the procurement.
c) An organization which employs a grantee’s officer, employee or agent is a vendor or has a financial or other interest in the vendor selected for the procurement.

For the purposes of this program, DHS considers volunteers of an organization and grant writers to be employees, officers and/or agents of the grantee. As such, no volunteer or member of an organization or anyone involved in the application for funding can participate in, or benefit from, the procurement if Federal funds are involved. Grantees
purchasing items with grant funds from vendors who employ any of their volunteers/members must document how they avoided a conflict of interest during the procurement process (i.e., specific details must be provided regarding how the
members/volunteers removed themselves or how they were prevented from participating in the process). Grantees who fail to fully document their purchases may find their expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.

CONTENTS
Contents…………………………………………………………………………………..... 1
Part I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION…...………………………………. 2

A. Federal Strategy………………………………………………………….. .2
B. Priority Development Process…………………………………………. 3
C. Funding Priority……………………………………………….………….. 4

Part II. AWARD INFORMATION…………………………………….………………….. 7

A. Award Period of Performance…………………….……………………. 7
B. Available Funding………………………………….……………………... 7
C. Specific Funding Parameters………………….……………………….. 7
D. Awards…………………………………………….………………………... 8

Part III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION………………………….…….………………….9

A. Eligible Applicants……………………………….………………………..9
B. Ineligible Applicants…………………………….………….……………..9
C. Cost Sharing…………………..……………………….…………….……10
D. Allowable Expenses and Cost Restrictions….……….……………..10
E. Other Allowable Costs………………………………….……………….12
F. Reasonableness of a Request…………………………………………13

A. Automated Grant Application…………………...……………………..15
B. Application Period…………………..…………………………….……..16
C. DUNS Number…………………………………………………………….16
D. Project Period……………………………………………………………..16
E. Application Details ……………………………………………..………..16
F. Project Development…………………………………………………….17

A. Prescreening Process………………………………………………….. 18
B. Peer Review Process………………………………………………….... 18
C. Technical Review…………………………………………………………20
D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates…………..…………. 21

Part VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION ………………………………22

A. Award Procedure…………………………………………….…………...22
B. Grantee Responsibilities…………………………………….………….23
C. Monitoring…………………………………………………….………….. 27
D. Grant Closeout Process…………………………………….…………. 27

Part VII. FEMA CONTACTS…………………………………………………………… 28
Appendix 1. OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ………………………... 29
Appendix 2. SUSTAINABILITY…………………………………………….…………. 30
Appendix 3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE…………………………………… 39

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (FSC) provide financial assistance directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order for departments to enhance their response capability and protect the community they serve from fire and fire-related hazards. The authority for FSC is derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for this Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 program. Our primary goal is to help fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. FSC seeks to support organizations lacking the tools and resources necessary to effectively protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards.

The purpose of this package is to provide an overview of the FSC, the formal grant guidance and the application materials needed to apply for funding under this program. An explanation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements for implementation of a successful application is also included. Our job at DHS is to provide clear guidance and effective application tools to assist applicants. Our customers are entitled to effective assistance during the application process and transparent, disciplined management controls to support grant awards. DHS intends to be good stewards of precious Federal resources and common-sense partners with our first responder colleagues.

A. Federal Strategy
The FSC Program is an important part of the Administration’s larger, coordinated effort to stimulate the economy while strengthening homeland security preparedness. The National Preparedness Guidelines, which comprise an allhazards vision regarding the Nation’s four core preparedness objectives: prevent, protect, respond and recover from both terrorist attacks and catastrophic natural disasters, and their associated work products are of particular significance. The National Preparedness Guidelines define a vision of accomplishment, and provide a set of tools to forge a unified national consensus about what to do and how to work together at all levels of government in order to effectively respond to all hazards. First responder participation is paramount to the Guidelines’ success. DHS expects its first responder partners to be familiar with the National Preparedness Guidelines, and to consider these guidelines when assessing their needs and developing their grant requests.

B. Priority Development Process
As with other grant opportunities for fire departments, DHS consulted with a panel of fire service professionals representing the nine major fire service organizations to recommend funding priorities and other implementation criteria for FSC. This criteria development panel was charged with making recommendations to DHS regarding the creation of funding priorities, as well as developing criteria for awarding grants.

• Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
• International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)
• International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
• National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
• North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD)

For this funding opportunity, we asked additional stakeholder organizations to provide input into the FSC program priorities. The following non-fire service organizations provided feedback for our proposed priorities:

• National Association of Counties
• National Governor’s Association
• National League of Cities
• U.S. Conference of Mayors

This document reflects DHS’ incorporation of the recommendations provided by the criteria development panel with respect to the priorities, direction and criteria for awarding grants. All of the funding priorities for the FSC are designed to address first responder safety, enhance response capabilities and/or expand mutual aid. In evaluating requests for assistance under the FSC, DHS takes into account the benefit to be derived from the costs of the grant activity when considering each application for award. DHS has determined a risk-based focus achieves this costbenefit consideration. In addition, frequency of use and level of population protected are measures of risk as well as indicators of the benefit derived from an award. Therefore, DHS provides a higher level of consideration to applicants with significant levels of incidents and those who protect large populations relative to other applicants, regardless of the type of community served. The specific criteria for our highest priorities are set forth in Part I. Section C. Funding Priorities of this guidance.

C. Funding Priorities
The purpose of FSC is to provide economic stimulus in the form of jobs and increase the safety of the firefighters and the communities they serve. As such, all program priorities focus on the timeliness of the implementation of the construction project, the effect the new or modified facility will have on the health and safety of the firefighters as well as the benefit the new or modified facility will have on the protection of the community. Since one of the priorities of the ARRA is to stimulate the economy by providing jobs, DHS will provide the high consideration to departments serving communities that have suffered the highest increases in joblessness rates. To assess this criterion, the change in the joblessness rates from 2007 to 2008 in your county or community will be compared.

We provide the highest consideration to fire departments that own or have otherwise already acquired the land where they plan to construct or modify their fire station. We also provide the highest consideration to requests where the applicant’s land is already zoned for the new or modified structure and where the applicants have already obtained the permits for their project including any State or locally required environmental assessments. However, no preference is given to requests for constructing new stations or to requests for modifying/improving stations already in existence.

While the type of the project is not considered (i.e., DHS will not differentiate between new construction and modifications), the purpose of the construction or modification will have a bearing on the award determination. In this regard, the ARRA has two, equally high priorities:

1) To replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures regardless of whether the project calls for the construction of a new building or the rehabilitation of an existing structure. Applicants claiming unsafe or uninhabitable structures may
be required to provide documentation regarding the nature of the health or safety deficiencies. Any health-code violations or orders to vacate unsafe structures must pre-date the enactment of the ARRA for consideration.

2) To fund projects expanding fire protection coverage to meet increased service demand in compliance with NFPA 1710 or 1720. In these instances, expanding fire protection coverage under a community’s capital improvement
plan will receive higher consideration than expansion projects not engaged in capital improvement planning.

The next priority is to fund projects modifying or expanding existing structures to provide sleeping quarters and/or amenities for full-time occupancy (to allow for habitation 24 hours per day). A slightly lower priority is to fund modifying or expanding existing structures to accommodate support functions such as communications. The lowest priority is to fund projects replacing or expanding habitable structures that are cramped or inefficiently configured for operation.
Another community characteristic that will be assessed is the community’s status under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Applicants serving communities not in good standing under NFIP receive lower consideration than
departments serving those communities in good standing or those which have not been mapped.

In determining which requests should be funded, the ultimate result of the project will be considered. The criteria development panel recommended and DHS concurred that the highest priority is projects providing a safer working environment for the department’s firefighters or projects providing improved response times to the population the department protects. DHS believes expanding a structure to provide amenities for full-time occupancy in order to meet service demand would comply with this criterion by improving response times. Lower priorities are assigned to projects expanding an existing structure to house support functions such as communications.

Based on recommendations provided by the criteria development panel, additional consideration is provided to projects that will be designed and built according to the most recently approved requirements, codes, and standards developed by the International Code Council (ICC) as well as NFPA standards that involve fire station construction. These standards include sprinkler systems (in accordance with NFPA 1, chapter 13) as well as smoke/carbon monoxide detection systems and vehicle exhaust extraction systems (in accordance with NFPA 1500, chapter 9). FSC
projects must include these features in order to receive consideration. Also, additional consideration will be provided to projects that include sleeping quarters and other amenities to allow for full-time occupancy – 24 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The timing of the project would have an effect on both stimulating the local economy in addition to improving protection of the firefighters and the community. As such, projects capable of starting immediately upon receipt of DHS approval receive higher priority. Also, projects that will be completed on an expedited schedule will receive higher priority.

The length of time your department has been attempting to build a new station would be an indication of need. Departments having permits or that have forgone capital building plans for extended periods of time receive higher priority than departments that do not yet have permits or that have not yet forgone their capital building plans.

Projects already having the utilities on or adjacent to, the property where the construction will occur receive a higher consideration than projects not having immediate utility access.

There is no cost-share required under the FSC. However, the willingness or ability of a community to contribute to the project is a desirable attribute. A community contribution demonstrates commitment, enhances the award and provides a greater cost-benefit to the project. As such, applicants who contribute toward the project receive higher consideration than applicants who are relying entirely on the grant funding for their project. The higher the percentage of the contribution, the higher the consideration the grantee receives for funding. Grantees will be obligated to provide the cost-share if they pledged to provide the cost-share in their application.

Be advised that the cost-share declared in the application is only applicable to the eligible costs of the project. Costs associated with ineligible portions of the construction project – such as the cost of a ballroom or law enforcement annex – are not considered to be part of the grantee’s cost-share.

As stated above, one of the primary concerns of this program is firefighter safety. In addition, one of the program’s priorities is to improve a department’s response times. The criteria development panel recommended and DHS agreed training is critical for achieving both firefighter safety and effectively improving response. As such, the FSC will take applicants’ training levels into consideration when award decisions are made. Applicants with significant numbers of firefighters trained to NFPA 1001 receive higher consideration than departments with low compliance.

Other department characteristics taken into consideration are the applicant’s call volume, the population protected by the department, whether or not the applicant provides EMS service in addition to fire suppression, and the positive affect the new structure will have on the department’s ability to improve mutual aid. DHS determined the frequency of use and the size of population protected are both a measure of benefits derived from any award. Higher consideration is given to departments with higher call volume and a higher population protected. Higher consideration is also provided to applicants who, if awarded, will improve their ability to provide mutual aid.

With regard to protection of wetlands and floodplain management, DHS will not support development or new construction or substantial renovation in wetlands, designated floodways or velocity zones. Fire stations can be newly constructed or undergo substantial renovation in flood plain areas, provided that the clearance process steps of Executive Order 11988 is followed (e.g., no other reasonable alternative location exists) and provided that all appropriate flood plain management requirements of National Flood Insurance Program participation are followed. This would include protection of the new construction or substantial renovation. Fire stations are considered critical facilities for flood plain management purposes, and therefore new construction or major renovations must be protected to the 500 year flood level. DHS will take the location of the modification and/or new construction into account when evaluating the viability of any project.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

This section summarizes the award period of performance and the total amount of funding available under the FY 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Station Construction Grants (FSC), describes the basic distribution method used to determine final grants awards and identifies all eligible applicants for FY 2009 funding.

A. Award Period of Performance
The period of performance for FSC Grants is 36 months from the date of award. Extensions to the period of performance will only be considered through formal requests to DHS with specific, compelling justifications regarding why an extension is required. Extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

B. Available Funding
This section describes departments and organizations eligible to apply for funding under the FY 2009 FSC, the total available funding in FY 2009 and the allocation of those funds. Funds appropriated for the FY 2009 FSC are available to DHS for obligation and award until September 30, 2010.

C. Specific Funding Parameters
Congress appropriated a total of $210 million to implement the activities of the FY 2009 FSC Program. Grants awarded under the FSC shall be to a variety of fire departments, including, paid, volunteer and combination fire departments; fire departments located in communities of varying sizes; and fire departments located in urban, suburban and rural communities.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act directs DHS to limit the funding for any one grant to $15.0 million per award. In order to maximize the benefits of the stimulus funding, DHS will also impose a $5.0 million funding limitation on each project within an application. There is no limit to the number of projects that can be included in an application as long as no one project exceeds the $5.0 million limit and the total request does not exceed the $15.0 million limit. In instances where an applicant submits a request with multiple projects, each project will be considered in all levels of the evaluation of the application – preliminary review, the panel review, and the subsequent technical reviews. See Part V of this guidance for more information. DHS will not impose any other funding parameters on the FSC.

D. Awards
DHS anticipates between 5,000 and 10,000 applications for assistance will be received during the FY 2009 FSC application period. DHS also anticipates over $30.0 billion in requests will be received. From this universe of applications DHS anticipates it will award approximately 100 grants with the $210 million of available funding.

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for FSC are limited to non-Federal fire departments operating in any of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Puerto Rico are eligible for funding. Any authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) may apply on behalf of the fire department if the AHJ has authority over the fire department and will be contributing toward the project administratively, financially or both.

A “fire department” is defined as an agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a State, territory, local or tribal authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town or other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population within a fixed geographical area on a first-due basis. For the purposes of these grants, DHS considers two or more separate fire depart ments sharing facilities as one organization. This determination is designed to avoid duplication of benefits. DHS believes two or more fire departments sharing facilities should be able to satisfy all of their facility needs with one application.

Therefore, if two or more organizations sharing facilities each submit an application, all applications will be deemed ineligible.

Non-Federal airport and/or port authority fire departments are only eligible if they have a formally recognized arrangement with the local jurisdiction to provide fire suppression on a first-due basis outside the confines of the airport or port facilities.

Airport or port authority fire departments whose sole responsibility is suppression of fires on the airport grounds or port facilities are not eligible for funding under FSC.

B. Ineligible Applicants
For the FY 2009 program year, each eligible applicant may only submit one FSC application. If an eligible applicant submits multiple applications, all applications will be deemed ineligible.

C. Cost Sharing
There are no cost share requirements under FSC. However, if the applicant pledges to contribute toward the construction project in their application, as a condition of award, they are required to contribute to the final costs of project in the same ratio pledged in the final approved application. Costs associated with ineligible portions of these construction projects (such as the addition of a ballroom) are not eligible, thus cannot be considered as part of any cost-share.

D. Allowable Expenses and Cost Restrictions for Fire Station Construction
The only activities funded by the FSC are the building of new or modification of existing fire stations. Construction of any facilities other than fire stations (e.g., structures for training or emergency operations centers) is not eligible for funding.

D.1. Eligible Items
When formulating the costs associated with a building modification, the applicant should be aware of costs for code improvements that may be triggered by “substantial improvement” stipulations under the National Flood Insurance Program’s regulations and/or local building codes. Generally, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure where the cost exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure may trigger other code upgrade requirements that the applicant may have to incorporate into their project. Within the fire stations built or modified under the FSC, the following items, activities or expenses are eligible:

The cost for space for any activities that are not directly related to the daily operation of the fire department – such as community meeting space, ballrooms, administrative support, or other governmental functions such as police or emergency management annexes – are not eligible for Federal funding. These types of amenities, facilities, or functions may be included in the overall design and construction of the station project, but the costs would not be eligible for Federal reimbursement. Eligible costs will be limited to the cost of the operational space.

The eligible cost of the construction will be total cost net of the cost of the nonoperational or otherwise ineligible space. The cost of the non-operational space will be based on square footage of the identified ineligible space compared to the overall project square footage of the entire project.

The ability of the department to use non-operational space for eligible activities, such as training, does not mean that the space is eligible. For example, a room that is 50 feet by 100 feet could be used for training, but it is likely that the primary purpose of that room would be for social or community events, not for training. We will not fund space that is clearly meant for non-operational use.

While the cost of non-operational space is not eligible for Federal funding, it does contribute to the purpose of the ARRA (i.e., creating and/or sustaining jobs). As such, DHS will not penalize any applicant that includes additional, non-fire operational space in their construction project. However, applicants will be required to identify the additional costs associated with the non-operational space in their application. Again, the cost of the non-operational space may be incorporated into a structure, but the costs will not be eligible for Federal funding nor inclusion as a local cost-share. The costs for the non-operational space will be assessed during DHS’ technical review and removed from the overall approved project costs. The costs will be determined on a prorated basis – the square footage of the non-operational space compared to the total square footage of the structure.

E. Other Allowable Costs
This section describes additional costs that may be paid using FSC Grant funds. Applicants should be aware all costs will be taken into consideration when evaluating the benefits of the funding being requested. Expenses that support the administration or oversight of the project over and above the direct construction costs are eligible, but if excessive, may affect the overall evaluation of the application.

1. Administrative Costs: Administrative costs are allowable under any of the program areas listed above in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal
Governments, or OMB Circular A-122, Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations, as applicable. (For more information about Circulars, go to 2 CFR Part 225 or Part 230, respectively, or to www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars.) Applicants may apply for administrative costs if the costs are directly related to the implementation of the project(s) for which they are applying. Administrative costs are identifiable costs directly associated with the implementation and management of the grant and cannot exceed three percent (3%) of the award.

2. Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are those incurred for common or joint objectives that cannot be readily identified with a particular final cost objective. A cost may not be allocated to an award as an indirect cost, if any other cost incurred
for the same purpose, in like circumstances, has been assigned to an award as a direct cost. In order to charge indirect costs to the grant, an applicant must have a federally approved indirect cost rate. Documentation of a federally approved indirect cost rate agreement must be submitted to DHS prior to submitting any claims for reimbursement of indirect costs. In order to be considered allowable, the rate must be consistent with its established terms and charged appropriately to the applicable base. For example, some indirect cost rates may not apply to capital procurements.

3. Audit Costs: Grantees must comply with the organizational audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations. Recipients of Federal funding that expend more than
$500,000 in Federal funds (from all Federal sources) in their fiscal year are required to have a single audit for each year in which their level of expenditures exceeds the threshold. (For more information about OMB Circulars, go to www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars.) If a single audit is required, a portion of the audit cost would be allowable, if included in the application budget and should be charged a prorated share of the costs of the single audit to the grant.

For example, if you expend $100,000 from the FSC and $400,000 from the Forestry Service during your fiscal year, DHS will allow you to charge one-fifth of the audit cost to the FSC Grant. DHS does not require any other audits; therefore, the grantee cannot charge any other audit expenses to the grant.

4. Costs for Historic and/or Environmental Assessments: Cost incurred in order to comply with guidance on environmental planning and historic preservation (EHP) requirements for grant funded projects involving new construction, renovation, and modifications to buildings and structures that are 50 years old or older – including demolition – are eligible. The projects funded under the FSC have the potential to affect environmental resources and historic properties through ground disturbance, impact to wetlands, floodplains, coastal zones, and other water resources, alteration of historically-significant properties, and impact to threatened and endangered species. As such, the costs associated with compliance with the EHP are eligible if incurred after award.

F. Reasonableness of a Request
The peer review panelists review all applications in the competitive range and judge each application on its own merits. Also, the costs will be reviewed by technical specialists that are familiar with construction projects. The panelists and the
technical specialists will consider all expenses budgeted, including administrative and indirect costs, as part of the cost-benefit determination, and may recommend appropriate adjustments. Regardless of the eligibility of any costs requested, DHS reserves the right to reduce any requests for assistance, in whole or in part, that they deem to be excessive or otherwise contrary to the best interests of this program, i.e., DHS may reduce the number of the projects requested contained in an application or may reduce the funding on a specific project that includes budgeted items that are extraneous or ineligible.

Applicants who submit false information with their applications, or misrepresent their organizations in any material manner, will have their applications deemed ineligible by DHS and referred to the DHS’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) for further action, as appropriate.

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

This section summarizes the process for applying for an FY 2009 Fire Station Construction Grant.

A. Automated Grant Application
The FY 2009 FSC application is accessible from the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) Website (www.firegrantsupport.com) and the U.S. Fire Administration’s Website (www.usfa.fema.gov). A notice of application will be published on the grants.gov Website (www.grants.gov). We have designed the automated application with many built-in “help screens” and “drop-down menus” to assist applicants throughout the application process. The application can be saved and retrieved as many times as needed to complete it - up to the application deadline or the application submittal.

DHS reserves the right to request additional clarifying information from applicants. However, once an application has been submitted, it cannot be changed. Updates to applications to correct errors discovered after submission or to reflect changes in an organization’s circumstances, regardless of severity, are not accepted. Applicants are automatically notified via email once DHS receives their application. If you do not automatically receive this email acknowledgement of the submittal, log back into your application and resubmit it.

You may decide to hire or engage a grant writer to assist you with the application. However, as the applicant, you are responsible not only for the cost associated with using outside assistance but also for all information contained in your application. By submitting the application, you are certifying all of the information contained therein is true and an accurate reflection of your department. Therefore, prior to submission, please review all work produced by grant writers or other third parties on your behalf. Applicants who falsify their applications or misrepresent their organizations in any material manner will have their applications deemed ineligible by DHS and referred to the DHS OIG for further action, as appropriate.

Applications for the FY 2009 FSC will be accepted beginning June 8, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on July 10, 2009. The Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance (CFDA) number for the ARRA Assistance to Firefighters Station Construction Grant is 97.115.

B. Application Process
Eligible applicants can apply for FSC funding online via the “e-grants” application. The system will allow an authorized representative of an applicant to log in and create a username and password. The selection of the authorized representative is at the discretion of each applicant. If your organization submitted an application under any other AFG offering in previous years, DHS advises you to use the same username and password used for previous applications.

C. DUNS Number
Effective October 1, 2003, all Federal grant applicants must obtain a Dun & Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number helps the
Federal Government identify organizations receiving Federal funding and ensures
consistent name and address data for electronic grant applicants. Additional
information about DUNS numbers can be found on the Dun & Bradstreet Website:
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=B9E740A165.

There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number, and it is the applicant's responsibility
to obtain one. Extensions may not be granted for applicants who are unable to
obtain a DUNS number prior to the end of the application period. Since it may take
several weeks to obtain the number online, applicants are encouraged to apply for a
DUNS number as soon as possible by calling 1-866-705-5711. The DUNS number
must be entered in the FSC application.

D. Project Period
The period of performance for any award under FSC will be 36 months from the date
of the award – regardless of the number of projects funded. Applicants should
consider this when determining the number of projects they wish to include in their
application.

E. Application Details
The FSC application includes general questions about the applicant’s organization
and community as well as specific questions about the proposed project. After
completing the general questions, you are asked a series of activity-specific
questions regarding the construction project for which you plan to apply. The
answers to these questions are used to evaluate the application.

Finally, you are required to provide a written narrative describing the planned
project. The narrative portion of the application should provide details of the
construction project for which you are seeking funding including budget details for
the project. The narrative should also describe your organization’s financial need
and details about the benefits your community and/or organization will gain from the
expenditure of the grant funds. Applications should particularly note how the grant
will enhance your department’s ability to protect the community as well as any
critical infrastructure for which you may be responsible. Finally, the narrative should
explain the extent to which the grant would enhance your daily operations and/or
how the grant will positively impact your ability to protect life and property.

DHS recommends you type your narrative offline using any word processing
software, such as Word, Word Perfect or Notepad. Once the narrative is complete,
copy or “cut-and-paste” it from the word processing document into the narrative
block of the application. Space for the narrative is limited and it cannot exceed ten
pages. Any text beyond the ten-page limit will be deleted by the electronic system
and not included in your application submission. Do NOT type the narrative using
only capital letters. See Part V of this guidance for more specific information
regarding the narrative section of the application.

F. Project Development
Fire departments may submit applications for the construction of new fire stations or
modifications of existing stations subject to the statutory funding limitations
discussed above. Generally, these fire station projects focus on one of the following
two areas:

Eligible applicants may submit only one application for assistance. If multiple
applications are submitted on behalf of one organization, either intentionally or
unintentionally, all of that organization’s applications will be deemed ineligible. The
application can include any number of projects regardless of whether the projects
are for the construction of new stations or modifications to existing stations subject
to the funding limitations under Part II, C of this guidance.

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCESS INFORMATION

This section summarizes the multi-level review and evaluation process used to
select applications for FSC funding.

A. Prescreening Process
As explained earlier, funding priorities and criteria for evaluating FSC applications
are established based on recommendations from the criteria development panel. All
submitted applications are ranked based on the substance of the application relative
to the established funding priorities. Information provided in the application including
answers to the application’s activity-specific questions provide a basis to determine
each application’s ranking relative to the stated priorities.

B. Peer Review Process
Applications most consistent with the grant funding priorities (as outlined in Part I, C
above) score higher than applications that are inconsistent with the priorities.
Applications scoring the highest are determined to be in the “competitive range” and
undergo further evaluation through a peer review process. DHS will review a
sufficient number of applications in order to assure that the FSC Program’s goals
and objectives are met. To achieve this, the number of applications reviewed will be
the number of applications whose cumulative requests equates to no less than 200
percent (200%) of the appropriated funding for FSC. As such, with $210 million
appropriated for FSC, DHS will consider no less than $420 million in applications to
be in the competitive range and reviewed by a panel of peers.

A panel of at least three peer reviewers evaluates each application scoring in the
competitive range from the first phase of evaluation using the project narrative and
the specific project details you provide in the application. During the panel review
process, panelists provide a subjective but qualitative judgment on the merits of
each request.

Panelists evaluate and score the following project elements:
1) Project Description:
• Your narrative should demonstrate the need for the new facility. This
would include a description of the existing facility or facilities and their
shortcomings.
• Why are you building a new station versus expanding or modifying your
existing station (or vice versa)? Provide a basis for site selection for the
new construction.
• Describe your construction project(s). What are the characteristics of your
project? How many square feet? How many bays/vehicles? What other
accommodations will be included such as a kitchen, training,
decontamination area, power source, gender specific sleeping quarters,
training space, day room or community meeting space?
• What are the budgeted costs associated/estimated for each section?
• What is the current status of the project? Describe where you are in the
process. Have you obtained plans, permits, etc.?

2) Financial Need:
• Why can’t this project be funded solely through local funding resources?
• What efforts have you employed to generate funds for the construction?
Describe the number and types of events.
• How long have the efforts to generate funds for the new station been
ongoing?
• Have you applied for or obtained other grants or sources of funding?
Have your fund-raising efforts been unsuccessful or declining?
• Have you obtained but lost partial grants due to inability to fund an entire
project?
• Describe your local community’s economic situation, including
unemployment and poverty levels.

3) Cost/Benefit:
• How will your firefighters be safer with the new station (if applicable)?
• How will the new/modified station improve your response capabilities? Do
you have the ability to expand service from new structure?
• Describe the possible consequences if the project is not funded.
• Describe the extent of the local contribution that will go toward the project.
• What types of incidents and/or expanded services that will be handled
from the new structure?
• What “green” elements do you plan on incorporating into the station?

4) Effect on Daily Operations:
• Describe how this award will affect your department’s daily operational
effectiveness due to new proximity to population.
• How would this award affect your department’s ability to protect lives and
property in your community?
• What assurances can you provide that the new station will be
staffed/equipped so fire suppression services are not compromised (not
stretched too thin to benefit the community)?
• How will the new structure enhance your department’s ability to provide
mutual aide?

Each of these elements carries equal weight when factored into the panelists’ scores
(i.e., one-fourth).

Each application is judged on its own merits, not compared to other applications.
The panelists consider all expenses budgeted, including administrative and/or
indirect costs, as part of the cost-benefit review. Panelists review each application in
its entirety and rate the application according to the established evaluation criteria.
DHS will use the answers to the activity-specific questions as well as other
information in the application when conducting initial assessments. The answers to
these questions are the primary basis for determining whether an application
warrants further evaluation through peer review. Applicants whose answers indicate
their project is consistent with the established priorities (as outlined in Section 1.C
above) have a better chance of scoring within the competitive range and reaching
the second level of evaluation, e.g., the peer review, than those applicants whose
projects do not reflect the established priorities. Applicants who submit false
information with their applications or misrepresent their organizations in any material
manner will have their applications deemed ineligible by the AFG Program Office
and referred to the DHS’ OIG for further action, as appropriate.

C. Technical Review Process
Each application that scores high during the peer review process will be deemed to
be in the fundable range. Applications in the fundable range undergo series of
Technical Reviews by subject matter specialists as well as a Program Office review
prior to being recommended for award. As part of the technical review, subject
matter specialists will assess the technical feasibility of the applicants achieving the
benefits claimed in their applications. Applications in the fundable range will also be
asked to submit more detailed information regarding their construction budget. The
instructions regarding the content and format of that information will be transmitted
to the applicant during the technical review. We will have a construction specialist
perform a detailed review of the proposed budget as well as conformance to
accepted engineering practices (codes, standards, modeling, techniques, or best
practices). After the Technical Review, the Program Office will conduct an additional
review to assess the request with respect to eligibility prior to recommending the
application for award.

D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
DHS will commence the panel review process within 60 days of the end of the
application period. Award decisions for the FY 2009 FSC program will be completed
on or before September 30, 2010.

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

This section summarizes the administration of awards including award procedures
and grantee responsibilities.

A. Award Procedure
Awards will be made using the results of peer-reviewed applications as the primary
basis for funding decisions, regardless of project. However, applications will be
reviewed by subject matter specialists for technical feasibility as well as by DHS for
eligibility, allocability, reasonableness, and necessity prior to making award
recommendations. Grants awarded under the FSC shall be to a variety of fire
departments, including, paid, volunteer and combination fire departments; fire
departments located in communities of varying sizes; and fire departments located in
urban, suburban and rural communities.

Fire departments that have received funding under the AFG in previous years are
eligible to apply for FSC funding in FY 2009. DHS will also take into account an
applicant’s performance on prior grants when making funding decisions on current
applications.

During the initial phase of the evaluation, each application is evaluated based on the
answers to the activity-specific questions. The applications most consistent with the
established funding priorities will be deemed to be in the “competitive range” and
subject to the second phase of review. This second-level review is conducted by a
panel of peer reviewers who assess the application’s merits with respect to the detail
provided in the narrative on the activity, the applicant’s financial need and the
purported benefit to be derived for the cost. The peer reviewers independently score
each application, discuss the merits and shortcomings of the application and
reconcile any major discrepancies, if necessary. A consensus is allowed but not
required.

Once every application in the competitive range has been through the peer panel
review, the applications are ranked according to the average score awarded by the
panel. The ranking is summarized in a Technical Report prepared by the AFG
Program Office. At that time, the AFG Program Office makes award
recommendations to the grants management specialists in the Grants Management
Division of the Grants Programs Directorate. The grants management specialists
conduct the required regulatory reviews before authorizing the award of Federal
grant dollars.

DHS will select a sufficient number of awardees from this application period to
obligate all of the FY 2009 funding available. Awards are announced as decisions
are made over several weeks after the results of the panel evaluations are analyzed.

B. Grantee Responsibilities
FSC award recipients (grantees) must agree to:
(1) Perform, within the designated period of performance, all tasks (scope of work)
as outlined in the grantee’s application as approved by DHS in accordance with the
Articles of Agreement. Failure to adhere to the policies, terms and conditions of
award as set forth in this document, as well as the Articles of Agreement and all
references, including clarifications provided in the frequently asked questions, may
result in loss of the current award as well as future eligibility. Additional instructions
on administering the FSC grant will be issued prior to award.

(2) Provide the pledged cost-share. The grantee is not required to provide any costshare
for the FSC. However, the grantee must provide a cost-share for their project
if they pledged to provide one in their original application (at no less than the
percentage pledged). Failure to adhere to this cost-sharing provision may result in a
reduced award.

(3) Retain grant files and supporting documentation for three years after the
conclusion and closeout of the grant or any audit subsequent to closeout.

(4) Follow the standards identified in the Buy American Act, 41 U.S.C. §§ 10a-10d.
The Buy American Act requires that all supplies and construction materials
purchased must be produced in the United States, unless such materials are not
reasonably available, or such a purchase would not be in the public interest.
Additionally, ARRA requires that projects funded by the Act, for the construction,
alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work use American
iron, steel, and manufactured goods in the project unless one of the specified
exemptions applies. The Act provides that this requirement be applied in a manner
consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements. Definitions of
“manufactured good,” “public building and public work,” and other terms as they
pertain to the Buy American guidance in 2 CFR part 176 are found in 176.140 and
176.160. Grant recipients must follow the Federal Acquisition Regulations
implementing the Buy American Act, 48 CFR Part 25.

(5) Comply with guidance on environmental planning and historic preservation
(EHP) requirements for grant funded projects involving new construction, renovation,
and modifications to buildings and structures that are 50 years old or older –
including demolition. These projects have the potential to affect environmental
resources and historic properties through ground disturbance, impact to wetlands,
floodplains, coastal zones, and other water resources, alteration of historicallysignificant
properties, and impact to threatened and endangered species and migratory birds.

Consequently, FEMA engages in a compliance review process to
ensure proposed projects comply with applicable Federal EHP laws, regulations,
and Executive Orders. Compliance with all applicable environmental requirements
must be met prior to starting any project funded under the FSC. See Appendix for
more information.

(6) Comply with requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C.A. §§ 276a to
276a-5). Specifically, grant recipients must ensure that their contractors or subcontractors
for construction projects pay workers employed directly at the work-site
no less than the prevailing wages and fringe benefits paid on projects of a similar
character. Additional information, including Department of Labor wage
determinations, is available from the following website:
http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/dbra/.

(7) Administer the grant in accordance with the administrative rules for Federal
grants and cooperative agreements, specifically 44 CFR Part 13 and 2 CFR Part
215.

(8) Ensure all procurement transactions are conducted in a manner to provide, to
the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. Grantees are expected to
promote competition and ensure advantageous pricing by soliciting bids from
multiple vendors and selecting the lowest bidder capable of meeting the
requirements. Procurements should be made from the bidder whose offer is
responsive to the solicitation and most advantageous to the grantee when price,
quality and other factors are considered. The grantee must follow their established
procurement policies when purchasing equipment and services with FSC funds.
Grantees who fail to adhere to their own procurement policy or otherwise fail to fully
“compete” any transaction involving Federal funds may find their expenditures
questioned and subsequently disallowed.

Specifications developed for solicitations must clearly set forth all requirements the
bidder must fulfill in order for the bid or offer to be evaluated by the recipient.
However, those specifications may not be so narrowly constructed or contain
features which unduly limit, restrict or eliminate competition unnecessarily. If the
specifications for procurement are provided by a vendor or manufacturer of a
specific product, that vendor or manufacturer cannot submit a bid for the
procurement. See Conflicts of Interest below.

Grantees must, on request, make available to DHS, pre-award review and
procurement documents, such as request for proposals or invitations for bids,
independent cost estimates, etc., if (1) the procurement specifies a "brand name"
product or (2) the proposed award is to be granted to other than the apparent low
bidder under a sealed bid process. Grantees found to be using proprietary
specifications may find their expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.
(9) Conduct all bidding activities (solicitation, receipt, and evaluation) after award,
i.e., during the period of performance. Quotes obtained prior to submittal of the
application - for the purposes of applying for this grant - are not considered to be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements for competition as outlined at 44 CFR Part 13.
Grantees may jeopardize their awards by not adhering to these requirements.

(10) Avoid conflicts of interest to ensure objective vendor performance and
eliminate a real or an apparent unfair, competitive advantage. Grantees must
assure that anyone who develops or drafts specifications, requirements, statements
of work (including the grant application), invitations for bids and/or requests for
proposals are excluded from competing for such procurements. Grantees must
assure no employee, officer or agent of their organization participates in the
selection, award or administration of any procurement supported by Federal funds if
a real or an apparent conflict of interest is involved. A conflict of interest could arise
when any of the following conditions exists:
a) An officer, employee or agent of the grantee has a financial or other interest
in the vendor selected for the procurement.
b) Any member of the grantee’s officers, employees or agents immediate family
has a financial or other interest in the vendor selected for the procurement.
c) An organization which employs a grantee’s officer, employee or agent is a
vendor or has a financial or other interest in the vendor selected for the
procurement.

For the purposes of this program, DHS considers volunteers of an organization and
grant writers to be employees, officers and/or agents of the grantee. As such,
grantees must assure no volunteer or member of their organization or anyone
involved in the application for funding participates in, or benefits from, the
procurement if Federal funds are involved. Grantees who select vendors employing
volunteers or members of the organization must document how they avoided a
conflict of interest during their procurement process. Grantees who fail to fully
document their purchases may find their expenditures questioned and subsequently
disallowed.

(11) Adhere to all ARRA required reporting requirements. Recipients of Federal
awards from funds authorized under Division A of the ARRA must comply with all
requirements specified in Division A of the ARRA (Public Law 111-5), including
reporting requirements outlined in Section 1512 of the Act. For purposes of
reporting, recipients of ARRA funds must report on sub-recipient activities as
specified below. The reports must be submitted quarterly and not later than 10
days after the end of each calendar quarter, starting with the first calendar quarter
after award. For example, if reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2009, the
quarterly report is due by July 10, 2009. The recipient must submit a report to
DHS who will, in turn, post the information to Recovery.gov. The reports must
contain the following information:
a) The total amount of ARRA funds under this award
b) The amount of ARRA funds received under this award that were obligated and expended to projects or activities
c) The amount of unobligated award balances
d) A detailed list of all projects or activities for which ARRA funds under this award were obligated and expended, including
i) The name of the project or activity
ii) A description of the project or activity
iii) An evaluation of the completion status of the project or activity
iv) An estimate of the number of jobs created and the number of jobs retained by the project or activity
v) For infrastructure investments made by State and local governments,
the purpose, total cost, and rationale of the agency for funding the
infrastructure investment with funds made available under this Act,
and the name of the person to contact at the agency if there are
concerns with the infrastructure investment.
e) Detailed information on any subcontracts or sub-grants awarded by the
grant recipient to include the data elements required to comply with the
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law
109-282). For any sub-award equal to or larger than $25,000, the following
information:
i) The name of the entity receiving the sub-award
ii) The amount of the sub-award
iii) The transaction type
iv) The North American Industry Classification System code or Catalog
of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number
v) Program source
vi) An award title descriptive of the purpose of each funding action;
vii) The location of the entity receiving the award
viii)The primary location of performance under the award, including the
city, State, congressional district, and country
ix) A unique identifier of the entity receiving the award and of the parent
entity of the recipient, should the entity be owned by another entity.
f) All sub-awards less than $25,000 or to individuals may be reported in the
aggregate, as prescribed by DHS
g) Recipients must account for each ARRA award and sub-award separately.
Recipients will draw down funds on an ARRA award by ARRA award basis.
Pooling or commingling of ARRA award funds with other funds for
drawdown or other purposes is not permitted.
h) Recipients must account for each ARRA award by referencing the assigned
CFDA number for each award.
The definition of terms and data elements, as well as any specific instructions for
reporting, including required formats, will be provided in subsequent guidance
issued by FEMA.

(12) Make grant files, books, and records available, if requested, for inspection to
ensure compliance with any requirement of the grant program. Grantees are
required to maintain and retain backup documentation such as bids, quotes and
cost/price analyses on file for Federal auditors. The required documentation for
federally funded purchases includes specifications, solicitations, purchase orders,
invoices, cancelled checks, copies of competitive quotes or proposals and basis for
selection. Grantees who fail to fully document their purchases may find their
expenditures questioned and subsequently disallowed.

(13) Follow the audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations. Grantees who expend $500,000 or
more in Federal funds during the year they were awarded (from all Federal sources)
must have a single audit performed in accordance with the Circular. (For more
information about the Circulars, go to www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars.)

(14) Include to the maximum extent practicable, “green” purchasing requirements
and clauses in the projects funded herein. “Green” products include recycled
content products; environmentally preferable products; alternative fuels; hybrid and
alternative fuel vehicles; non-ozone depleting substances; renewable energy;
USDA designated bio-based products; and Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) designated items containing recovered materials. Grantees will be required
to identify, track, and report on the purchase and use of these initiatives that
contribute to energy conservation and carbon emission.

C. Monitoring
Grant recipients’ projects will be monitored periodically by DHS staff, both
programmatically and financially, to ensure the project goals, objectives,
performance requirements, timelines, milestone completion, budgets and other
related program criteria are met. Monitoring will be accomplished through a
combination of office-based reviews and on-site monitoring visits. In addition, it will
involve the review and analysis of the financial, programmatic, performance and
administrative issues relative to each project. It will also identify areas where
technical assistance and other support are needed.

D. Grant Closeout Process
Within 90 days after the end of the period of performance, grantees must submit a
final closeout report detailing all accomplishments throughout the project. The
grantee is responsible for returning any funds that have been drawn down but
remain un-liquidated in grantee financial records. After the closeout report has been
reviewed and approved by DHS, a closeout notice will be emailed to the grantee to
acknowledge the official close out of the grant.

PART VII. FEMA CONTACTS

This section describes several resources that may help applicants with completing
an FSC Grant application.

AFG Help Desk. AFG staffs a help desk throughout the application period. The help
desk can provide assistance with the FSC Grant application by proving information
about navigation through the automated application. In addition, the help desk can
provide programmatic assistance with respect to questions of eligibility. The help desk
can be contacted at 1-866-274-0960 or via email at firegrants@dhs.gov. The help
desk hours of operation during the application period are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday; and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday. The exceptions to this
schedule are that the helpdesk will only be open from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 3rd and
will not be open at all on Saturday, July 4th. All times listed are Eastern Time.
DHS Regional Fire Program Specialists. Each of the DHS Regions has
specialists that can assist applicants with the application process. The specialists
are listed on the AFG Website www.firegrantsupport.com.

APPENDIX 1. OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

This section describes several other Federal requirements with which applicants
need to comply in order to be considered for funding from the FSC Program.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). DHS recognizes much of the information
submitted in the course of applying for funding under this program or provided in the
course of its grant management activities may be considered law enforcement
sensitive or otherwise important to national security interests. While this information
under Federal control is subject to requests made pursuant to the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. §552, all determinations concerning the release of
information of this nature are made on a case-by-case basis by the FEMA FOIA
Office, and may likely fall within one or more of the available exemptions under the
Act. Applicants are encouraged to consult their own State and local laws and
regulations regarding the release of information, which should be considered when
reporting sensitive matters in the grant application, needs assessment and strategic
planning process. The grantee should be familiar with the regulations governing
Sensitive Security Information (49 CFR Part 1520), as it may provide additional
protection to certain classes of homeland security information.

Compliance with Federal civil rights laws and regulations. The grantee is
required to comply with Federal civil rights laws and regulations. Specifically, the
grantee is required to provide assurances as a condition for receipt of Federal funds
that their programs and activities comply with the following:
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq. –
no person on the grounds of race, color, or national origin will be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794 – no
qualified individual with a disability in the United States, shall, by reason of his or
her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity receiving
Federal financial assistance.
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et
seq. – discrimination on the basis of gender is eliminated in any education
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 20 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq. – no
person in the United States shall be, on the basis of age, excluded from
participation in, denied the benefits of or subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Grantees must comply with all regulations, guidelines and standards adopted under
the above statutes. The grantee is also required to submit information, as required,
to the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties concerning its compliance with
these laws and their implementing regulations.

Services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons. Recipients of Federal
financial assistance are required to comply with several Federal civil rights laws,
including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. These laws prohibit
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, natural origin, and gender in the
delivery of services. National origin discrimination includes discrimination on the
basis of limited English proficiency. To ensure compliance with Title VI, recipients
are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful
access to their programs. Meaningful access may entail providing language
assistance services, including oral and written translation, where necessary. The
grantee is encouraged to consider the need for language services for LEP persons
served or encountered both in developing their proposals and budgets and in
conducting their programs and activities. Reasonable costs associated with
providing meaningful access for LEP individuals are considered allowable program
costs. For additional information, see http://www.lep.gov.

Environmental and Historic Preservation Compliance. DHS is required to
consider the potential impact to the human and natural environment of projects
proposed for Federal funding. DHS, through its Environmental and Historic
Preservation (EHP) Program, engages in a review process to ensure that DHSfunded
activities comply with various Federal laws including: National
Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species
Act, and Executive Orders on Floodplains (11988), Wetlands (11990) and
Environmental Justice (12898). The goal of these compliance requirements is to
protect our nation’s water, air, coastal, wildlife, agricultural, historical and cultural
resources, as well as to minimize potential adverse effects to children, low-income
and minority populations.

The grantee shall provide any information requested by DHS to ensure compliance
with applicable Federal EHP requirements. Any project with the potential to impact
EHP resources cannot be initiated until DHS has completed its review. Grantees
may be required to provide detailed information about the project, including the
following: location (street address or map coordinates); description of the project
including any associated ground disturbance work, extent of modification of existing
structures, construction equipment to be used, staging areas, access roads, etc.;
year the existing facility was built; natural, biological and/or cultural resources
present in the project vicinity; visual documentation, such as site and facility
photographs, project plans, maps, etc; and possible project alternatives.

For certain types of projects, DHS must consult with other Federal and State
agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Historic Preservation
Offices, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as other agencies and
organizations responsible for protecting natural and cultural resources. For projects
with the potential to have significant adverse effects on the environment and/or
historic properties, DHS’ EHP review and consultation may result in a substantive
agreement between the involved parties outlining how the grantee will avoid the
effects, minimize the effects, or, if necessary, compensate for the effects.

Because of the potential for significant adverse effects to EHP resources or public
controversy, it is very likely projects will require an additional assessment or report,
such as an Environmental Assessment, Biological Assessment, archaeological
survey, cultural resources report, wetlands delineation or other document, as well as
a public comment period. Grantees are responsible for the preparation of such
documents, as well as for the implementation of any treatment or mitigation
measures identified during the EHP review necessary to address potential adverse
impacts. Grantees may use grant funds toward the costs of preparing such
documents and/or implementing treatment or mitigation measures. Failure of the
grantee to meet Federal, State and local EHP requirements, obtain applicable
permits and comply with any conditions that may be placed on the project as the
result of DHS’ EHP review may jeopardize Federal funding.

Recipient shall not undertake any project under FSC having the potential to impact
EHP resources without the prior approval of DHS. Recipient must comply with all
conditions placed on the project as the result of the EHP review. Any change to the
approved project scope of work will require re-evaluation for compliance with these
EHP requirements. If ground disturbing activities occur during project
implementation, the recipient must ensure monitoring of ground disturbance, and if
any potential archeological resources are discovered, the recipient will immediately
cease construction in that area and notify DHS and the appropriate State Historic
Preservation Office. Any construction activities initiated without the necessary
EHP review and approval will result in a noncompliance finding and
ineligibility for FSC funding.

For more information on DHS EHP requirements, refer to DHS’ Information Bulletin
#271, Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Requirements for Grants,
available at http://ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/info271.pdf. Additional information and
resources can also be found at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/ehp-applicanthelp.shtm.

APPENDIX 2. SUSTAINABILITY

Instructions for Completing the Sustainability Excel Spreadsheet
Below are instructions for completing the DHS ARRA Sustainability Excel
Spreadsheets.

General Guidance: Infrastructure projects must incorporate the sustainable
practices listed in the Guiding Principles for Sustainable New Construction and
Major Renovations as required in Executive Order 13423. In addition,
infrastructure projects should achieve United States Green Building Council
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) registration at certified,
Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Achieving LEED™ Certification does not
automatically mean achievement of the requirements Guiding Principles for
Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovations. This is why the spread
sheet tracks completion of requirements in the Guiding Principles for Sustainable
New Construction and Major Renovation. It is important to describe plans to
achieve both conditions.
1. Project Name: Provide a short title of the project for identification purposes.
2. ARRA Unique Number: If available, provide the number that identifies the
project.
3. Project Objective: Briefly describe the overall objective of the project.
4. Project Description: Briefly describe the project.
5. Sustainability Requirements: The following describes the requirements to meet
the sustainability requirements for ARRA projects. These requirements apply to all
construction, renovation and new lease projects. For each item below, select
“Requirement Met” or “Requirement Not Met” and then explain how this was
determined. Answers such as “Not Applicable” or “Does Not Apply” are not
appropriate. It is recognized that in some instances not meeting the requirement
would be justified.

a. Employ Integrated Design Principles: This requires using a collaborative,
integrated planning and design process that achieves the following:

(1) Initiates and maintains an integrated project team in all stages of a
project's planning and delivery.
(2) Establishes performance goals for site, energy, water, materials, and
indoor environmental quality along with other comprehensive design
goals and ensures incorporation of these goals throughout the design
and lifecycle of the building.
(3) Considers all stages of the building's lifecycle, including
deconstruction.
(4) Employs commissioning practices tailored to the size and complexity
of the building and its system components in order to verify
performance of building components and systems and help ensure
that design requirements are met. This should include a designated
commissioning authority, inclusion of commissioning requirements in
construction documents, a commissioning plan, verification of the
installation and performance of systems to be commissioned, and a
commissioning report.

b. Optimize Energy Performance: Establish a whole building performance
target that takes into account the intended use, occupancy, operations, plug
loads, other energy demands, and design to earn the ENERGY STAR® targets for
new construction and major renovation where applicable. For new
construction, reduce the energy cost budget by 30 percent compared to the
baseline building performance rating per the American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., (ASHRAE) and the
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Standard 90.1-
2007, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential. For major
renovations, reduce the energy cost budget by 20 percent below prerenovations
2003 baseline. Laboratory spaces may use the Labs21 Laboratory
Modeling Guidelines. In addition, the following must be addressed to meet this
requirement.
(1) Per the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) Section 523,
meet at least 30% of the hot water demand through the installation of
solar hot water heaters, when life cycle cost effective.
(2) Per Executive Order 13423, implement renewable energy generation
projects on agency property for agency use, when life cycle cost
effective.
(3) Per the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) Section 103, install
building level utility meters in new major construction and renovation
projects to track and continuously optimize performance. Per EISA
Section 434, utility meters must also include natural gas and steam,
where appropriate.
(4) Compare actual performance data from the first year of operation
with the energy design target. After one year of occupancy, measure
all new major installations using the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager
for building and space types covered by ENERGY STAR®. For other
building and space types, use an equivalent benchmarking tool such
as the Labs21 benchmarking tool for laboratory buildings. Compare
actual performance of Laboratory buildings through the Labs21
benchmarking tool.

(1) Employ strategies that in aggregate use a minimum of 20 percent
less potable water than the indoor water use baseline calculated for
the building, after meeting the EPAct 1992, Uniform Plumbing Codes
2006, and the International Plumbing Codes 2006 fixture
performance requirements. The installation of water meters is
encouraged to allow for the management of water use during the
Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) Section 523, meet at
least 30% of the hot water demand through the installation of solar
hot water heaters, when life cycle cost effective.

(2) Employ strategies that in aggregate use a minimum of 20 percent
less potable water than the indoor water use baseline calculated for
the building, after meeting the EPAct 1992, Uniform Plumbing Codes
2006, and the International Plumbing Codes 2006 fixture
performance requirements. The installation of water meters is
encouraged to allow for the management of water use during
occupancy.

(3) Use water efficient landscape and irrigation strategies, including
water reuse and recycling, to reduce outdoor potable water
consumption by a minimum of 50 percent over that consumed by
conventional means (plant species and plant densities). The
installation of water meters for locations with significant outdoor water
use is encouraged.

(4) Employ design and construction strategies that reduce storm water
runoff and polluted site water runoff. Per EISA Section 438, to the
maximum extent feasible, maintain or restore the predevelopment
hydrology of the site with regard to temperature, rate, volume, and
duration of flow using site planning, design, construction, and
maintenance strategies.

(5) Per the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Section 109, when potable water is
used to improve a building’s energy efficiency, deploy life-cycle cost
effective water conservation measures.

(1) Meet ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Environmental Conditions
for Human Occupancy, including continuous humidity control within
established ranges per climate zone, and ASHRAE Standard 62.1-
2007, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

(2) Meet ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Environmental Conditions
for Human Occupancy, including continuous humidity control within
established ranges per climate zone, and ASHRAE Standard 62.1-
2007, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

(3) Establish and implement a moisture control strategy for controlling
moisture flows and condensation to prevent building damage and
mold contamination.

(4) Achieve a minimum of daylight factor of 2 percent (excluding all direct
sunlight penetration) in 75 percent of all space occupied for critical
visual tasks. Provide automatic dimming controls or accessible
manual lighting controls, and appropriate glare control.

(5) Specify materials and products with low pollutant emissions,
including adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet systems, and
furnishings.

(6) Follow the recommended approach of the Sheet Metal and Air
Conditioning Contractor's National Association Indoor Air Quality
Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction, 1995. After
construction and prior to occupancy, conduct a minimum 72-hour
flush-out with maximum outdoor air consistent with achieving relative
humidity no greater than 60 percent. After occupancy, continue
flush-out as necessary to minimize exposure to contaminants from
new building materials. Prohibit smoking within the building and
within 25 feet of all building main entrances and building ventilation
intakes during building occupancy.

(1) Use products meeting or exceeding EPA's recycled content
recommendations or use materials with recycled content such that
the sum of post-consumer recycled content plus one-half of the pre36
consumer content constitutes at least 10% (based on cost) of the
total value of the materials in the project.

(2) Use products meeting or exceeding USDA's bio-based content
recommendations or products made from rapidly renewable
resources and certified sustainable wood products.

(3) During a project's planning stage, identify local recycling and salvage
operations that could process site-related construction and demolition
materials.

(4) Include in the design the recycle or salvage of at least 50 percent of
the non-hazardous construction, demolition and land clearing
materials, excluding soil, where markets or onsite recycling
opportunities exist.

(5) Provide salvage, reuse and recycling services for waste generated
from major renovations, where markets or onsite recycling
opportunities exist.

(6) Eliminate the use of ozone depleting compounds during and after
construction where alternative environmentally preferable products
are available, consistent with either the Montreal Protocol, Title VI of
the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, or equivalent overall air
quality benefits that take into account life cycle impacts.

6. Energy Requirements: The following describes the requirements to meet the
energy requirements for ARRA projects. These requirements apply to all
construction and major renovation projects. For each item below, select
“Requirement Met” or “Requirement Not Met” and then explain how this was
determined. Answers such as “Not Applicable” or “Does Not Apply” are not
appropriate. It is recognized that in some instances not meeting the requirement
would be justified. The explanation for “Requirement Not Met” would be this
justification. For example, a renovation project where existing electrical
infrastructure will not be modified and electricity meters are already in place would
not necessarily need to incorporate advanced meters.

a. Energy Efficient Buildings: In order to meet this requirement, the
infrastructure must be at least 30% more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1-2004 for
commercial buildings and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
for residential buildings.

b. Energy Efficient Capital Equipment: This requirement is met when the
project design incorporates the most energy efficient designs, systems,
equipment and controls that are life-cycle cost effective for any large energyconsuming
equipment investments.

c. Metering: This requirement is met when meters for electricity, steam and
gas are included in new construction projects or installed in facilities undergoing
renovation, and when advanced meters are used where life-cycle cost effective.

d. Solar Hot Water: This requirement is met when not less than 30% of the hot
water demand for each new or renovated building is met by the use of solar
water heating equipment.

a. Registration Goal: Select “Certified”, “Silver”, “Gold” or “Platinum” as the
LEED™ registration goal that was selected for the project.

b. Registration Attained: Select “Certified”, “Silver”, “Gold” or “Platinum” as the
LEED™ registration that was awarded for the project by the US Green Building
Council.

c. LEED™ Points Goal: Insert the quantity of LEED™ points that is expected
for the project.

d. LEED™ Points Attained: Insert the quantity of LEED™ points actually
awarded by the US Green Building Council.

8. LEED™ Points Earned: This section is used to break out the quantity of
LEED™ points earned by the US Green Building Council into distinct categories.
Insert the amount of LEED™ points earned from the US Green Building Council for
each of the following categories:

a. Site Credits
b. Indoor Air Quality
c. Materials
d. Water
e. Energy
f. Innovation

APPENDIX 3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Instructions for Completing the Environmental Excel Spreadsheet
Below are instructions for completing the DHS ARRA Environmental Excel
Spreadsheets.

General Guidance: The ARRA requires projects incorporate energy conservation,
environmental compliance and carbon emission practices. Requirements on the
Environmental Excel spreadsheet are designed to track compliance with Executive
Order 13423 and purchases of products that contribute to energy conservation and
carbon emission. This spreadsheet applies to all projects.

1. Project Name: Provide a short title of the project for identification purposes.
2. ARRA Unique Number: If available, provide the number that identifies the
project.
3. Project Objective: Briefly describe the overall objective of the project.
4. Project Description: Briefly describe the project.
5. Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT): Any computer,
laptop or monitor purchased with ARRA funds be Electronic Product Environmental
Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registered electronic products, unless there is no
EPEAT standard for such products and strive to purchase EPEAT products rated
silver or higher unless there is no standard for such products. Written justification
is required for purchasing non-EPEAT products due to cost, availability or does not
meet mission requirements. EPEAT products meet Energy Star and FEMP energy
efficient requirements.

a. Bronze: List the quantity of EPEAT registered products purchased under
this project.
b. Silver: List the quantity of EPEAT Silver-registered products purchased
under this project.
c. Gold: List the quantity of EPEAT Gold-registered products purchased under
this project.
d. Non EPEAT purchases where EPEAT products were available: List the
quantity of non EPEAT product purchases where an EPEAT product was
available.

6. ENERGY STAR® Products: Any electronic products purchased with ARRA
funds should be ENERGY STAR® unless it is documented that no ENERGY
STAR® is reasonably available that meets functional requirements or is not cost
effective over the life of the product taking energy cost savings into account.

a. Quantity: List the total quantity of ENERGY STAR® products purchased
under this project.
b. Cost: List the total cost of ENERGY STAR® purchased under this project.
c. Non Energy Star purchases where Energy Star products were available
(Quantity): List the total quantity of non ENERGY STAR® products where
ENERGY STAR® products were available.
d. Non Energy Star purchases where Energy Star products were available
(Costs): List the total quantity of non ENERGY STAR® products where
ENERGY STAR® products were available.

7. FEMP Labeled/Approved Products: Any electronic products purchased with
ARRA funds must be FEMP labeled/approved products unless it is documented
that no FEMP-designated product is reasonably available that meets functional
requirements or is not cost effective over the life of the product taking energy cost
savings into account.
a. Quantity: List the total quantity of FEMP labeled/approved products
purchased under this project.
b. Cost: List the total cost of FEMP labeled/approved products purchased
under this project.
c. Non FEMP purchases where FEMP products were available (Quantity): List
the total quantity of non FEMP labeled/approved products where FEMP
labeled/approved products were available.
d. Non FEMP purchases where FEMP products were available (Costs): List
the total quantity of non FEMP labeled/approved products where FEMP
labeled/approved products were available.

8. “Green Purchasing: ARRA contracts for services shall include to the maximum
extent practicable, green purchasing requirements and clauses. “Green” products
include recycled content products; environmentally preferable products; alternative
fuels; hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles; non-ozone depleting substances;
renewable energy; USDA designated bio-based products; and Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) designated items containing recovered materials.
a. Recycled content products: List the total dollar value or quantity of recycled
content products provided for each project.
b. USDA Bio-based Products: List the total dollar value or quantity of USDA
bio-based recycled products provided for each project.
c. Alternative Fuels: List the total dollar value or quantity of alternative fuels
provided for each project.
d. Environmentally Preferable Products: List the total dollar value or quantity
of environmental preferable products provided for each project.
e. Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicles: List the total quantity of hybrid or
alternative fuel vehicles provided for each project.
f. Non-Ozone Depleting Substances: List the total dollar value or quantity of
non-ozone depleting substances provided for each project.
g. Renewable Energy: List the total dollar value or quantity of renewable
energy provided for each project.

Below are most likely ASSUMPTIONS and POSSIBILITIES for this program

Grants will most likely be run on competitive basis using the existing Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) online grants management system.

The grants will most likely utilize constituency input for the development of funding priorities and rating criteria, and applications that best address funding priorities will undergo peer review;

There will most likely be no required cost share. As noted below, however, investments that have been placed by the department or its Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) that result in the presence of a “construction-ready” project will most likely provide competitive advantage.

Construction-ready projects are projects able to start immediately upon receipt of the approval from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Most likely other AFG statutory requirements will apply as goals. For example, in the previous AFG program, the geographic distribution balance of rural, suburban and urban was used insofar as they do not impede funding priorities; the minimum 5% on fire prevention will most likely be accomplished through the installation of fire suppression or alarm systems under the code provisions of the project, etc;

Most likely no allocation of funds from new construction to existing construction will be allowed and all applications would compete equally.

Grants will most likely be made for local fire stations and no construction of facilities other than fire stations (e.g., NO structures for training or emergency operations centers) would be awarded.

The purpose of the Fire Station Construction Grants is to both provide economic stimulus in the form of jobs and to increase the safety of the firefighter and the community they serve.

Most likely the program funding priorities and rating criteria will focus on two areas and possible a third.

The timing or speed of the construction project would most likely have an effect on both stimulating the local economy as well as the improved protection of the firefighters and the community.

Therefore, projects that are able to start immediately upon receipt of the approval to do so from DHS will most likely receive higher priority.

Also, projects that will be completed the quickest will most likely receive higher priority.

Most likely highest on consideration to applicants that own or otherwise have already acquired title to the land on which they plan to construct or modify their fire station

Most likely highest consideration to requests where the applicants land is already zoned for the new or modified structure and where the applicants have already obtained the permits for their project inc including environmental assessments

Most likely there will be no specific preference provided to requests to construct new stations or to requests to modify/improve stations already in existence.

The length of time that an applicant has invested into building a new station or renovating an existing structure would most likely be an indication of need.

Applicants that have had permits or that have forgone capital building plans for extended periods of time will most likely receive higher priority than departments who do not yet have permits or that have not yet forgone their capital building plan.

Most likely the highest priority would be to fund projects that expand fire protection coverage to meet increased service demand. The impact on NFPA 1710 Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments and NFPA 1720 Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments would most likely be used to measure the protection improvement.

Expanding fire protection coverage under a community’s capital improvement plan will most likely receive higher consideration than expansion projects that have not engaged in capital improvement planning.

Most likely the highest priority is to replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures regardless of whether the project calls for the construction of a new building or the rehabilitation of an existing structure.

Most likely applicants claiming unsafe or uninhabitable structures may be required to provide documentation regarding the nature of the health or safety deficiencies. The impact on NFPA 1710 Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments and NFPA 1720 Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments compliance will most likely be used to measure the effects.

The next priority would most likely be to fund projects to modify or expand existing structures to provide sleeping quarters and/or amenities to allow for full-time occupancy (to allow for habitation 24 hours per day);

Lower priority would most likely be to modify or expand existing structures to accommodate support functions such as communications and lowest priority would most likely be to fund projects to replace or expand habitable but non-functional or cramped structures.

All applicants most likely will need to address a justification for the financial need for federal funds and provide details regarding the applicant’s financial need, and how the applicant has attempted to solve and provide their own funding solutions for the request.

Since one of the priorities of the ARRA is to stimulate the economy by providing jobs, DHS will most likely be providing higher consideration to department that serve communities that have suffered higher increases in joblessness rates. To assess this criterion, the change in the joblessness rates from 2007 to 2008 will most likely be compared.

It is rumored that another community characteristic that will most likely be assessed is the community’s status under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Applicants that serve communities that are not in good standing under NFIP will most likely receive lower consideration than departments that serve communities that are in good standing or that have not been mapped.

MFSN EDITORS OPINION: The above NFIP servers no purpose in this evaluation as it favors those communities that are in flood-planes. We do believe that the ARRA federal funds should not be used to construct fire stations that are in flood prone areas or flood-planes.

More than likely additional consideration would also be provided to projects that include any or all of the following attributes.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to be built in accordance with current and national building codes.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to be built in accordance with NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to include fire sprinklers or some other fire suppression system.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to include sleeping quarters and other amenities to allow for full-time occupancy.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to include smoke, fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to include exhaust removal systems.

The new structure or the modification will most likely need to include emergency power source.

There will most likely be no cost-share required under the Fire Station Construction Grant (FSCG). However, the willingness or ability of a commit to contribute to the project will most likely be a desirable attribute as it would extend the Federal funds further and demonstrate the local commitment to the project.

Applicants that have contributed toward the construction project will most likely receive higher consideration than applicants that are relying entirely on the Federal government to fund their project.

Applicant’s training levels most likely will be taken into consideration when award decisions are made. Applicants with significant numbers of firefighters trained to NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications will most likely receive higher consideration than departments with low compliance.

Most likely, training capacity (in a limited degree) will be eligible under the construction costs, particularly in those circumstances that a 24/7 staffing is a purposed goal of the construction.

As in the AFG program most likely other department characteristics that will be taken into consideration such as call volume, population protected by the department, positive affect the new structure will have on the department’s ability to effect mutual aid and frequency of use.

The period of performance most likely will be 24 months from the date of award. Extensions to the period of performance will most likely be considered only through formal requests to DHS with specific and compelling justifications regarding why an extension is required. Extensions will most likely be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Although Congress appropriated a total of $210 million to carry out the activities of the FY 2009 FSCG Program with a limit of funding for any one grant to $15 million, DHS will most likely impose a $5.0 million funding limitation on each station construction project.

As in the AFG program for some departments, applications most likely could have more than one project, up to the $15M limit.

Most likely allowable expenses and cost restrictions for Fire Station Construction Grant would include building construction, any necessary expenses to comply with NFPA 1500, site preparation, sprinklers or other fire suppression systems, vehicle exhaust extraction systems, space for training, space for segregated sleeping, space for exercise equipment, segregated restrooms, cooking/easting space, kitchen without appliances, any necessary expenses to comply with American's With Disabilities Act (ADA), gear racks, storage and shelving for gear/equipment, internet cabling, energy conservation systems (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – LEED), renewable energy for HVAC and power systems, washer and dryers and kitchen appliances.

As in the AFG program, most likely ineligible costs would include pre-application costs, furnishings including office and training equipment, pre-award expenses such as design costs, architect fees, grant writing fees, landscaping and decorative items such as curtains, wall hangings, etc.

Below are some relevant Codes and Standards that have been used on other Federal projects of this type that maybe of some assistance to you.

There are also numerous codes and standards that apply to the staffing and operation of a fire and rescue department and the key standards include the following:

Current Threat Level

A.R.R.A. Assistance to Firefighters

Fire Station Construction Grants