Grant Details

New and Updated | Grant Search

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) - FY 2024

Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
CFDA: 97.056
Federal FON: DHS-24-GPD-056-00-99
Office: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD)
Multipart Grant: No
Next Due: 06/24/2024 (Application)
Solicitation Date: 04/16/2024
   
Match Required: Yes
Match Type: Cash/In-Kind
Actual Funds: $90,000,000 (Confirmed)
Summary:

The purpose of this program is to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical marine transportation system infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. Funding will support port authorities; facility operators; and state, local, and territorial agencies for activities associated with implementing area maritime security plans (AMSPs), facility security plans (FSPs), and vessel security plans (VSPs). Projects that enhance business continuity and resumption of trade within a port area are also eligible.

For FY 2024, the two priority areas related to some of the most serious threats that recipients should address with their awards are:

  • Enhancing cybersecurity, including:
    • Cybersecurity risk assessments
    • Projects that address vulnerabilities identified in cybersecurity risk assessments
    • Improving cybersecurity of critical infrastructure to meet minimum levels identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework or equivalent
    • Adoption of cybersecurity performance goals
    • Cybersecurity training and planning
  • Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places, including:
    • Operational coordination
    • Public information and warning
    • Intelligence and information sharing
    • Interdiction and disruption
    • Screening, search, and detection
    • Access control and identity verification
    • Physical protective measures
    • Risk management for protection programs and activities

Projects that address one or more of these priority areas receive an increased score during the application evaluation process.

Secondary priorities for this program include:

  • Effective planning, including development of port-wide security risk management, continuity of operations, and response plans
  • Training and awareness campaigns, including active shooter training, shipboard firefighting training, and public awareness/preparedness campaigns
  • Equipment and capital projects, including the implementation of physical security enhancements, transportation worker identification credential projects, and sharing/leveraging intelligence and information
  • Exercises, including response exercises

Refer to pages 7-12 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding program priorities and eligible costs/activities.

Additional consideration will be given to projects certified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port (COTP) as having a port-wide benefit.

Eligibility Notes:

Eligible applicants are entities subject to an area maritime security plan (AMSP), as defined by Title 46, Section 70103(b) of the U.S. Code (U.S.C.), including port authorities; facility operators; and state, local, and territorial government agencies.

For the purposes of this program, a facility operator is defined as an entity that owns, leases, or operates any structure or facility of any kind located in, on, under, or adjacent to any waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including terminal operators, ferry systems, bar/harbor pilots, and merchant’s exchanges.

Eligibility for funding of explosive detection canine teams (EDCTs) is limited to:

  • U.S. ferry systems regulated under Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Parts 101, 103, and 104, and the passenger terminals these specific ferries service under 33 C.F.R. Part 105
  • Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)-regulated facilities
  • Port authorities, port police, and local law enforcement agencies that provide direct layered security for these U.S. ferry systems and MTSA-regulated facilities and are defined in an AMSP, facility security plan (FSP), or vessel security plan (VSP) 

Applicants must be fully compliant with relevant maritime security regulations under Title 33, Parts 101-106 of the C.F.R.

Prior to receiving awards, award recipients must ensure and maintain adoption and implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Public-sector applicants and applicants with projects otherwise certified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port (COTP) as having a port-wide benefit will receive an increased score during the application evaluation process.

Applicants may submit no more than one application within each port area, as defined on page 14 of the NOFA file. Large projects that implement multiple components in multiple port areas should be submitted as separate applications. The funding agency will generally view multiple agencies within a local government operating within one port area as a single eligible entity. An eligible entity operating multiple facilities, departments, subcomponents, or agencies within a single port area may choose to submit separate applications for facilities, departments, subcomponents, or agencies within it; however, any such separate applications will be considered part of the same eligible entity for purposes of the program's matching requirements. In general, each individual facility, department, subcomponent, or agency of a single eligible entity should submit no more than one application.

Applicants may submit up to five investment justifications (IJs) within a single application. No single application should include IJs for projects intended to be implemented in different port areas.

Applicants may not apply on behalf of other, separate entities; however, applicants may apply for community-based projects that may include multiple beneficiaries.

Entities that have an open or outstanding notice of violation (NOV), as detailed on pages 15-16 of the NOFA file, at the time of the application deadline are not eligible for funding through this program.

Ferry systems participating in the funding agency's Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), known in eCivis Grants Network as US4726, are not eligible to apply. Conversely, applicants that receive awards through this program are not eligible to apply to the TSGP.

Previous award recipients include:

  • Port of Alaska (AK)
  • Alameda County Fire Department (CA)
  • Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc. (CT)
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FL)
  • Chicago Police Department (IL)

Refer to the Award file for additional information regarding previous award recipients.

Eligible Applicants:
Local Government
Non Profits
Private Sector
State Government
Application Notes:

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 24, 2024.

Applications must be submitted online at go.fema.gov.

Applications must include:

  • SF 424
  • Certification regarding lobbying
  • SF 424A
  • SF 424B
  • SF LLL
  • Indirect cost rate agreement or proposal (if applicable)
  • IJs with detailed budgets
  • Memoranda of understanding/memoranda of agreement (MOU/MOA) (if applicable)

Attachments must use the file naming conventions detailed on pages 33-35 of the NOFA file.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
  • SAM (System for Award Management) registration
  • SPOC (state Single Point of Contact) notification

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam. Applicants in states participating in the SPOC program must contact the relevant SPOC listed in the SPOC file before applying.

Applications will be evaluated according to the programmatic, financial integrity, and supplemental criteria detailed on pages 65-68 of the NOFA file.

Refer to the NOFA and InvestmentJustification files for additional application information.

Match Required: Yes
Match Type: Cash/In-Kind
Actual Funds: $90,000,000 (Confirmed)
Match Notes:

In general, all applicants, with the exception of private, for-profit entities, must provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs via nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contributions. 

In general, applicants that are private, for-profit entities must provide at least 50 percent of the total project costs via nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contributions. 

Construction costs must be matched with cash contributions.

The following exceptions to the match requirements may apply: 

  • Projects that have a port-wide benefit need only be funded at the public-sector matching level of 25 percent, regardless of applicant entity type
  • Matching funds are not required for applicants whose total project requests are $25,000 or less
  • Matching funds are not required for projects that train public safety personnel in the enforcement of security zones or in assisting in the enforcement of such security zones

The funding agency may consider requests for match waivers submitted by award recipients that demonstrate new post-award difficulties.

Refer to pages 17-21 of the NOFA file for additional details regarding matching requirements.

The following may not be used as a match:

  • Funds used to meet matching requirements for another federal program, unless otherwise permitted by federal statute
  • Normal, routine operational costs, unless a completely new capability is awarded
Funding Notes:

A total of $90 million is available to support awards through this program.

Award selections are anticipated to be made no later than August 23, 2024. Awards are anticipated to be made by September 30, 2024.

The project period is 36 months, with a projected start date of September 1, 2024, and a projected end date of August 31, 2027. 

The funding agency may consider formal, written extension requests with compelling justifications, as detailed on pages 44-45 of the Guide file. Extension requests must be submitted at least 120 days prior to the end of the project period.

Costs for the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of security equipment or facilities to be used for security monitoring and recording, security gates and fencing, marine barriers for designated security zones, security-related lighting systems, remote surveillance, concealed video systems, security vessels, and other security-related infrastructure or equipment that contributes to the overall security of passengers, cargo, or crew members is limited to $1 million per project; however, this limitation does not apply to projects funded under other provisions of Section 70107 of the U.S. Code (U.S.C.).

Costs for explosive detection canine teams (EDCTs) are limited to $150,000 per year for three years, for a total of $450,000.

Management and administration (M&A) costs are limited to 5 percent of the total award amount.

Applicants must obtain approval from the funding agency for construction or renovation projects.

In general, funds may not be used for pre-award costs, with the exception of costs resulting from pre-award grant writing services provided by an independent contractor, which are limited to $1,500 per year.

For EDCT activities, funds may not be used for:

  • Drug detection and apprehension technique training
  • Existing K9 teams, personnel, or K9 training costs already supported by the port area
  • Hiring costs, including costs associated with initial police academy training of new officers
  • Meals and incidentals associated with travel for initial certification
  • Vehicles modified to be used solely to transport canines 
  • Repair or replacement of unallowable equipment

For construction and renovation projects, funds may not be used for constructing buildings or other physical facilities that are not constructed under terms and conditions consistent with the requirements of Section 611(j)(9) of the Stafford Act.

Funds may not be used for:

  • Subawards
  • Matching any other federal awards
  • Lobbying
  • Intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings
  • Suing the federal government or any other government entity
  • Costs of covered telecommunications equipment or services, as detailed on pages 17-18 of the Guide file
  • Purchasing equipment not approved by the funding agency, including weapons and weapons accessories; firearms; ammunition; grenade launchers; bayonets; or weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind with weapons installed
  • Projects that do not provide a compelling maritime security benefit or have a direct nexus toward maritime security risk mitigation
  • Projects that study technology development for security of national or international cargo supply chains
  • Proof-of-concept projects

Refer to pages 63-65 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding unallowable costs.

For FY 2023, a total of $100 million was distributed via 299 awards ranging from $3,178 to $3,981,425 through this program. For FY 2021, a total of $100 million was distributed via awards ranging from $2,995 to $6,728,164. Refer to the Award file for details.

Contacts:

Primary Contact:

Program Staff
(800) 368-6498
fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov

Financial and Budgetary Technical Assistance Contact:

Program Staff
ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov

Office of Equal Rights (OER) Contact:

Program Staff
FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Contact:

Program Staff
gpdehpinfo@fema.dhs.gov

Agency Address
Federal Emergency Management Agency
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Contact Notes:

Questions should be directed to the appropriate program contact. Questions may also be directed to the region-specific preparedness officer assigned by the funding agency.

Applications must be submitted online at go.fema.gov.

The agency address provided is for reference purposes only.

Files:
NOFA File: US1451_NOFA_FY2024.pdf (1.2 Mb)
Guide File: US1451_Guide_FY2024.pdf (2.1 Mb)
Other Pre-Award File: US1451_InvestmentJustification_FY2024.xlsx (181.3 Kb)
Other Pre-Award File: US1451_FAQ_FY2024.pdf (63.9 Kb)
Other Pre-Award File: US1451_FactSheet_FY2024.pdf (48.8 Kb)
Award File: US1451_Award_FY2024.pdf (2.8 Mb)
Federal Forms:
SPOC (195.6 Kb)
File Notes:

The NOFA file contains the full solicitation for this program. The Guide file contains additional guidelines for the funding agency's preparedness grants programs. The InvestmentJustification file contains the required investment justification form required for submission. The FAQ file contains a list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding this program. The FactSheet file contains general program and application information. The Award file contains information on previous award recipients. The SPOC file contains information on the state Single Point of Contact program. Detailed guidelines for the funding agency’s application submission portal can be found online at www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go.

Grant Keywords
port authority, facility operator, state government, state, local government, territorial government, territory, DHS, PSGP, FEMA, GPD, NPG, National Preparedness Goal, area maritime security plan, AMSP, facility security plan, FSP, vessel security plan, VSP, alternative security program, port, risk management, terrorism, terrorist, disaster, emergency, emergencies, infrastructure, transport, transportation, surface transportation, port area, trade, protection, protect, security enhancement, security, public safety, safety, safe, ferries, ferry, cruise, boat, response boat, vessel, high-speed vessel, security incident, WMD, weapon of mass destruction, weapons of mass destruction, improvised explosive device, IED, detect, detection, recover, recovery, CBRNE, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive, bomb, EDCT, explosives detection canine team, personal radiation detector, PRD, radioisotope identification device, RIID, cybersecurity, sensor, security camera, camera, badge reader, ID reader, access control, process monitor, monitor, monitoring, screen, screening, unmanned aerial system, UAS, security management plan, response plan, plan, planning, shooter, active shooter, train, training, active shooter training, shipboard firefighting training, preparedness, maritime domain, ship, equipment, risk mitigation, risk, TWIC, transportation worker identification credential, exercise, incident, national incident, conflict, national security, USDHS, war, drone, explosive device, nuclear weapon, nuke, radiation, cyber security, physical security, security gap, critical infrastructure, terrorist attack, terrorist incident, bioterrorism, alert, community preparedness, Disaster preparedness, early warning system, indicator, prepare, training course, preparedness training, firefighting, fire, explosion, emergency response, intervention, danger, dangerous, hazard, biological weapon, anthrax, epidemic, isolation, pandemic, antidote, public health, quarantine, chemical agent, chemical weapon, information technology, IT, watercraft, mass transit, cargo ship, container ship, ferry terminal, dock, cargo terminal, container terminal, seaport, tanker, cruise line, cruise ship, cruise ship terminal, ocean liner, man-made disaster, preparation, prevent, preventative measure, prevention, emergency preparedness, mitigate, mitigation, computer, connectivity, cyberspace, information science, internet, network, world wide web, database, law enforcement, authorities, authority, employee development, employee training, professional development, professional training, staff development, staff training, Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, US DHS, ferry security, territories, Cybersecurity training, cybersecurity planning, public awareness, training campaign, awareness campaign, onboard firefighting, port wide, port wide security, port security, vessel security, port-wide risk management plan, PRMP
Grant Categories
Disaster Preparedness
Training & Vocational Services
Information Technology/Telecommunications
Law Enforcement
Transportation
Domestic Preparedness/Homeland Security
Fire/EMS