Funding: FEMA $530M Emergency Food and Shelter Program January 18, 2022

 

FEMA BULLETIN Week of January 18, 2022 View as Webpage | Subscribe  In this Edition: FEMA Announces $530M for Emergency Food and Shelter Program More Than $1B Available for Firefighters Grants FEMA Publishes Data on Flood Insurance Rating Methodology FEMA Seeks Input on Development of National Continuous Improvement Guidance DHS Hosts Human Trafficking Panel Discussion Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders Important Deadlines & Reminders Public comment period ends for Public Assistance policy.  Assistance to Firefighters Grants application period closes at 5 p.m. ET. FEMA Announces $530M for Emergency Food and Shelter Program   FEMA announced a $530 million allocation for the National Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). This program supports jurisdictions across the country that assist our nation’s hungry and homeless populations.   The program’s National Board will distribute the funds to local organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering and providing critical resources to people with economic emergencies. These funds are for people with non-disaster related emergencies and can be used for a broad range of services, including: Mass sheltering and feeding. Food banks and pantries. Utility bill payments to prevent cut-offs. Rent and mortgage payments to prevent evictions and foreclosures. Transition assistance from shelters to stable living conditions.   Congress appropriated $130 million through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and $400 million through Section 4007 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the EFSP. The $400 million in supplemental funding was provided by Congress to specifically address the continuing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The National Board is chaired by FEMA with representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide.   United Way Worldwide, selected by the National Board as its Secretariat and Fiscal Agent, is also responsible for the daily administration of the EFSP in alignment with federal requirements and National Board governance.   EFSP funding is allocated to qualifying local jurisdictions based on a formula using the most recent national population, unemployment and poverty data. Grants are then awarded by local boards to nonprofit and government organizations that provide direct services to those in need in their communities. All applications are evaluated competitively. With this FY 2021 annual and supplemental funding, the total aid disbursed in the EFSP’s 39-year history total more than $5.6 billion.   Learn more about how EFSP funds help Americans rebuild their lives by visiting the FEMA blog. More Than $1B Available for Firefighters Grants   FEMA is accepting applications for all three of the fiscal year 2021 grants that constitute the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, with the first deadline approaching on Jan. 21.   The application period for $414 million in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants closes at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 21. These grants focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.   The application period for $560 million in funding for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants closes at 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 4. SAFER grants focus on enhancing the ability of recipients to attain and maintain fire department staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.   The application period is now open for $46 million in funding for the Fire Protection and Safety (FP&S) grants and will close 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 18. FP&S grants focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.   The funding notice and technical assistance documents for this program will be available at grants.gov and FEMA.gov. For questions, contact FEMA's Fire Grants Helpdesk via email at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.  FEMA Publishes Data on Flood Insurance Rating Methodology   FEMA is releasing additional data on the agency’s new equitable flood insurance rate pricing methods.   Site visitors can view data that compares rate changes from the new rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action, to the legacy rating system in place since the 1970s. FEMA created Risk Rating 2.0 so flood insurance rates are actuarily sound, equitable, easier to understand and better reflect an individual property’s flood risk.   To view the comparison data, visit www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/risk-rating/profiles.   The new methodology now considers the cost to rebuild, a foundational aspect that ensures rates are equitable for all policyholders. Under the old system, policyholders with lower to moderate value homes with less flood risk subsidized the premiums of policyholders with higher valued homes and higher risk. Adding the cost to rebuild levels the playing field as premiums now equitably reflect a single property’s unique flood risk.    Another key change implemented with the new methodology is the fact that once a premium reaches its full risk rate, increases stop. Under the old system, increases would continue indefinitely year after year for all policyholders.   Potential and existing policy holders can learn their specific rates with a call to their insurance company or agent. FEMA Seeks Input on Development of National Continuous Improvement Guidance   FEMA is seeking whole community stakeholder feedback to aid in the development of National Continuous Improvement Guidance. The engagement period will begin on Jan.18 and last until Feb. 10.   A Continuous Improvement Program is a critical component of an organization’s operations as they incorporate lessons learned from exercises and real-world incidents so they can build capabilities and become more resilient.   FEMA will host a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to gather input from whole community stakeholders that wish to participate and indicate what they would find most useful in establishing new or developing existing continuous improvement processes.   Webinar sessions will be offered from Jan 25 - Feb.8. Listening Session #1: 11 a.m. – noon ET on Jan. 25. Listening Session #2: 2 – 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. Listening Session #3: 10 – 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 31. Listening Session #4: 5 – 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 02. Listening Sessions #5: noon – 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 08.   For information on webinar sessions and to register visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/cip-citap/events.  For additional questions or feedback contact FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov. DHS Hosts Human Trafficking Panel Discussion   In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships are hosting a virtual panel to discuss the racial disparities related to human trafficking crimes, highlighting the impact on youth and vulnerable communities.   The content of this event is best suited for individuals working in faith-based and community-serving organizations, especially those serving youth and/or minority audiences. Also, those working in minority- serving higher education institutions, as well as federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities serving youth and/or minority audiences.   Panelists will discuss the following topics: Vulnerabilities of youth and marginalized communities. Intersection of social media and human trafficking risks. Racial inequities associated with trafficking-related crimes. Available resources to help with youth prevention and education opportunities.   Registration for this event is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please send any questions, comments, and/or feedback to: BlueCampaign@hq.dhs.gov.   Learn more about Blue Campaign at https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/about-blue-campaign. Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders   FEMA Extends Request for Information   FEMA published a notice in the Federal Register extending the public comment on the National Flood Insurance Program’s minimum floodplain management standards to Jan. 27.   Written comments can be submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, Docket ID: FEMA-2021-0024.  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Application Period for BRIC, FMA Grant Programs Closes Jan. 28   The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants provide funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen our nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. These programs fund projects that invest in a more resilient nation, reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs.   Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 28. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding. Subapplicants should touch base with their respective State Hazard Mitigation Officer to ask about project priorities and additional application requirements or deadlines for submitting information.   The funding notices are available on Grants.gov. Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO), the agency’s grants management system.   For more information visit FEMA.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… FEMA Seeks Public Comment for Updated Public Assistance Policy   FEMA recently released the “Public Assistance Appeals and Arbitration Policy” that clarifies changes to procedures, roles and responsibilities concerning Public Assistance appeals and arbitrations resulting from revisions to 44 C.F.R. 206.206. The policy was originally published in the Federal Register on Aug.16, 2021.   FEMA requests comments on the draft policy by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 19. The policy applies to all FEMA stakeholders, including all regions, Public Assistance grant recipients and applicants.   FEMA requests that all comments be submitted using the accompanying comment matrix to FEMA-Recovery-PA-Policy@fema.dhs.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FEMA BRIC Direct Technical Assistance Application Period Now Open   FEMA seeks to provide non-financial Direct Technical Assistance to a maximum of 20 communities to support mitigation outcomes of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This announcement was first made in the Fiscal Year 2021 BRIC funding opportunity.   Applicants must email one letter of interest not exceeding two pages by 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 28 to FEMA-BRICDirectTechnicalAssistance@fema.dhs.gov. Additional details are available on FEMA.gov. Information with examples can be reviewed in the Program Support Material on FEMA.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The FEMA Office of External Affairs (OEA) provides this bulletin to highlight the agency's recent and upcoming program and policy activities and announcements. Feedback is welcome at fema-bulletin@fema.dhs.gov. Previous editions are available at www.fema.gov/fema-bulletin. This bulletin is not intended to provide a comprehensive list of policies that are open for public comment, nor does it describe all of the instructions or requirements necessary to submit a comment. For a complete list of instructions and deadlines please click the hyperlinks included. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities or services. To learn more about FEMA's Office of External Affairs, visit the FEMA website.

 

YOUR FEEDBACK Needed: FEMA National Continuous Improvement Guidance January 2022

 

NIMS Alert 02-22 NIMS Guidance and Tools

 

 

National Continuous Improvement Guidance

 

FEMA is seeking whole community stakeholder feedback to aid in the development of National Continuous Improvement Guidance

 

FEMA is seeking whole community stakeholder feedback to aid in the development of National Continuous Improvement Guidance. The engagement period will begin on Jan.18 and last until Feb. 10. A Continuous Improvement Program is a critical component of an organization’s operations as they incorporate lessons learned from exercises and real-world incidents so they can build capabilities and become more resilient. FEMA will host a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to gather input from whole community stakeholders that wish to participate and indicate what they would find most useful in establishing new or developing existing continuous improvement processes. Webinar sessions will be offered from Jan 25 - Feb.8. Listening Session #1: 11 a.m. – noon ET on Jan. 25. Listening Session #2: 2 – 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. Listening Session #3: 10 – 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 31. Listening Session #4: 5 – 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 02. Listening Sessions #5: noon – 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 08. For information on webinar sessions and to register visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/cip-citap/events.  For additional questions or feedback contact FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov.

Funding: Emergency Food and Shelter Program Announces Jurisdiction Allocations January 2022

FEMA Advisory

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Announces Jurisdiction Allocations   

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The National Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program announced $530 million in FY 2021 annual and supplemental funding to jurisdictions (counties and cities) to assist with feeding and sheltering.

The funds were made available by Congress and awarded by FEMA to the National Board for allocation and administration. The funds will be used to assist social service organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering, and providing other critical resources to our nation's hungry and homeless. EFSP funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies.

The National Board’s funding allocations to jurisdictions were made available by Congress through two sets of funding: 1) $130 million in annual funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and 2) $400 million in supplemental funding through Section 4007 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The $400 million in supplemental funding was provided by Congress to specifically address the continuing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Board qualifies local jurisdictions for EFSP allocations based on criteria involving the latest national population, unemployment, and poverty data. Local boards in the qualifying jurisdictions decide which nonprofit and government agencies receive the allocated funds. The funds are then disbursed directly to the agencies by the National Board. Eight percent (8%) of the funding will be made available to State Set-Aside Committees that will make funding determinations to aid people in jurisdictions with needs that may not be reflected in the National Board’s qualifying formula.

The National Board is chaired by FEMA and includes representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide. United Way Worldwide, selected by the National Board as its Secretariat and Fiscal Agent, is also responsible for the daily administration of the EFSP in alignment with federal requirements and National Board governance.

Information on allocations is available on the National Board’s website. In the next several days, the National Board will provide further instructions to each jurisdiction receiving an allocation of funds. 

Presenters Needed for Public Administration Research Conference (PARC) in March 2022. January 11, 202

 The UCF Center for Public and Nonprofit Management at the School of Public Administration is looking for presenters interested in sharing research and field experience from across the public administration discipline at the upcoming Public Administration Research Conference (PARC) in March 2022. 

Visit the conference website to learn more about this year's theme and submit a proposal: https://pheedloop.com/PARC21/site/home/. The deadline to submit proposals is January 17^th! For more information about PARC, please contact Justin Miller with CPNM at justin.miller@ucf.edu.

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Department of Education's FY2022 Forecast of Contract Opportunities January 2022

 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Good Afternoon/Evening,

This is a notification that the U.S. Department of Education's FY2022 Forecast of Contract Opportunities is now live at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/contract/find/forecast.html. Please note that the forecast is not binding and is based on predictions of what ED expects to buy in the next fiscal year. 

If you have any questions about specific items, please reach out to the point of contact listed next to each Forecast item in question. For more general inquiries, you can email the small business office at small.business@ed.gov. 

 

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Forecast of ED Contract Opportunities

Forecast Date: January 6, 2022

The FY 2022 Forecast of U.S. Department of Education (ED) Contract Opportunities is available below. All items are pending availability of funds. The Department may, at any time, delay or cancel any or all Forecast items if the Department's requirements change. All contract award dates are projections. The information is subject to change and is in no way binding on the Government. Interested parties should monitor FedBizOpps for notices providing specific information on current opportunities.

ED posts solicitations at FedBizOpps (FBO). FBO is the single point on the Internet where vendors can access information needed to bid on government contracts over $25,000.00. Vendors may view a synopsis, download a solicitation, and register to receive notification of modifications to existing notices. FBO provides the capability to search for business opportunities by agency, posted date, classification code, and NAICS code. Opportunities for GSA schedule holders may be found at GSA's e-Buy website.  Opportunities may also be solicited through Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) or Agency contracts, or made through direct awards to 8(a) firms.

Small businesses, SBA 8(a) certified, HUBZone certified, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program certified and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program certified businesses should check the opportunities on the Forecast they are interested in. Businesses may contact the individuals named on the Forecast for information about a specific requirement. Capability statements may be sent electronically to the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at small.business@ed.gov or they may be faxed to (202) 245-6304. Alternatively, a hard copy can be mailed to the following address:

U.S. Department of Education/OSDBU
PCP, Room 10115
550 12 Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-0521

The Forecast is available for viewing and/or downloading:

 MS Excel (94 KB) - FY 2022 Forecast of Contract Opportunities

In order to view the ED Forecast, please download the file using Google Chrome.  Microsoft Explorer/Edge users should download the Forecast workbook to their computer in order to open the file.

HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING. Is this business in your community? January 2022

 Law enforcement officers in Arizona shows support for victims of human trafficking, educate community during awareness campaign

07/01/2022 06:05 AM EDT

A weekly compilation of engaging digital content.

HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING | HSI shows support for victims of human trafficking, educate community during awareness campaign HSI special agents across the country will come together Jan. 11, to show solidarity for victims of human trafficking, while pushing to educate the community on the various signs of the various forms of the crime. In recognition of this important topic, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign hosts Wear Blue Day.  Read more   HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING | HSI Kansas City asks public to support human trafficking victims during national awareness campaign “It is extremely important for human trafficking victims to understand how to get help, for the community to be able to recognize the signs of this crime and for both to know how to report it,” said HSI Kansas City Area of Operations SAC Katherine Greer." ”  Read more

HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING | HSI Nashville shows support for human trafficking victims, educate community during awareness campaign “HSI Nashville will proudly join other HSI and DHS offices throughout the U.S. and abroad as we don our blue on the 11th,” HSI Nashville SAC Jerry C. Templet said. “HSI would be extremely honored for our community to join us in this effort. Together, let’s show human trafficking victims they can come out of the shadows and get help and would be perpetrators that there is no longer a safe place to hide.” Read more