fy2018 explosive detection canine team grant program request for applications … explosive... ·...
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FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program
Request for Applications (RFA)
Application Deadline: May 29, 2019 by 5:00 pm.
In order to ensure adequate time to respond, substantive written questions regarding this Request for Applications will be accepted until 12:00 noon on May 22, 2019.
Technical Assistance for E-Grants will not be available after 5:00 pm on May 29, 2019
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Table of Contents
I. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3
II. Eligibility .................................................................................................................................... 4 III. FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program Objectives .......................................... 4
A. Advancement of Explosive Detection Canine Team Capabilities ............................................... 4-5 B. Certification and Annual Re-Certification Requirements .............................................................. 5 C. Participation in DHS’s Office for Bombing Prevention’s Explosive Detection Canine Capability
Analysis Program ......................................................................................................................... 5-6 D. Alignment to New York State’s Thirteen FBI Accredited Bomb Squads ........................................ 6 E. Use of the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) ........................................................................... 7 F. Development of Regional Explosive Detection Canine Teams (Optional) ..................................... 7
IV. Authorized Program Expenditures .............................................................................................. 8 A. Permissible Costs ........................................................................................................................... 8 B. Costs Not Permissible ................................................................................................................. 8-9
V. Application Format and Content ................................................................................................. 9 A. Format ............................................................................................................................................ 9 B. Required Application Content ....................................................................................................... 9
VI. Application Evaluation Criteria ................................................................................................. 13 A. Tier 1 Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 13-14 B. Tier 2 Criteria ............................................................................................................................... 14
VII. Checklist of Required Documents ............................................................................................. 15 A. Initial Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 15
VIII. Timeline .................................................................................................................................. 15 IX. Approval and Notification of Award ........................................................................................ 15 X. Administration of Grant Contracts ........................................................................................... 16
A. Issuing Agency .............................................................................................................................. 16 B. Filing an Application ..................................................................................................................... 16 C. Reservation of Rights .............................................................................................................. 16-17 D. Term of Contract .......................................................................................................................... 18 E. Payment and Reporting Requirements of Grant Awardees ........................................................ 18 F. Satisfactory Progress ............................................................................................................... 22-23 G. General Specifications ................................................................................................................. 23
H. Special Conditions……..….…………………………………………………………………………….……………………23-24 XI. Questions? .............................................................................................................................. 24 Exhibit A: Allowable Costs Matrix……………………………………….……….……………………………………..…….. 25-26 Exhibit B: Explosive Detection Canine Team Capabilities and Associated Tasks .................................. 27 Exhibit C: Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) Template .............................................................. 34 Exhibit D: Explosive Detection Canine Training Schools and Estimated Costs Reference .................... 37 Exhibit E: National Counter-IED Capabilities Analysis Database (NCCAD) ........................................... 38 Exhibit F: Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS)..…………………………..……………….……………………...…………….39 Exhibit G: Best Practices for Preparing an Effective Grant Application.......……………………….…..............40
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I. Introduction
The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is supporting local preparedness capabilities through five competitive targeted grant RFAs for a total of up to $5,000,000. The final award amount for each of the five programs will be based on the scoring of applications received and at the Division’s sole discretion.
The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit applications for eligible local, county and tribal law enforcement agencies with an active road patrol component of their law enforcement operations to develop and sustain their explosive detection canine team capabilities. Funding is made available by DHSES and will be awarded competitively based on the submission of applications by eligible teams.
The six primary objectives of this grant are: 1.) The advancement of explosive detection canine team capabilities statewide; 2.) To support the certification of explosive detection canine teams and compliance with annual New York State re-certification requirements; 3.) Participation in DHS’s Office for Bombing Prevention’s (DHS-OBP) Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program; 4.) Alignment to New York State’s thirteen FBI Accredited bomb squads; 5.) Use of the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS); and, 6.) Promotion of regional partnerships in the development of mutual explosive detection canine team capabilities.
This grant opportunity will ensure that critical homeland security funding addresses prioritized capability development goals and objectives as recognized by State and local stakeholders in the New York State Homeland Security Strategy, specifically, Goal 2: Strengthen Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement Capabilities via Objective 2.1 “Continue support for the State’s Bomb Squads and Explosive Detection Canine Teams to further enhance our Improvised Explosive Device (IED) prevention and response efforts.”
Applicants have two tracks to pursue when applying for this grant funding:
Development of a New Explosive Detection Canine Team: Eligible applicants can apply for up to $50,000 to develop an explosive detection canine team. New Team projects are limited to the replacement of a prior NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) certified or New York State Police (NYSP) certified explosive detection canine asset (e.g. retirement, loss, etc.), or the development of a new canine team to supplement an existing DCJS or NYSP certified explosive detection canine team(s). Funding through this track would support certain equipment purchases, training, exercise, and planning opportunities that are required for the development of an explosive detection canine team and fulfill capability gaps identified in their jurisdiction’s individual assessment reports from the OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program. Sustainment and Enhancement of Capabilities for a Previously Developed Explosive Detection Canine Team: Eligible applicants can apply for up to $15,000 to sustain and/or enhance capabilities for an NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) or New York State Police (NYSP) certified explosive detection canine team previously developed. This includes equipment purchases, training, exercises, and planning opportunities that will sustain or enhance a present team’s capabilities, per capability gaps identified in their individual assessment reports from the OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program.
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II. Eligibility
Only local, county and tribal law enforcement agencies with an active road patrol component of their law enforcement operations AND who currently and/or previously managed a DCJS or NYSP certified explosive detection canine team within the last five (5) years are eligible to apply for grant funding pursuant to this RFA. Important note: Those law enforcement agencies who have not had a DCJS or NYSP certified explosive detection canine team capability are not eligible to apply. Additionally, for the purposes of this grant opportunity, the active road patrol operational roles and responsibilities an applicant must possess to be considered eligible include: highway patrol; transit attack deterrence visits; critical infrastructure site monitoring; and mass gatherings monitoring. Applicants must articulate in their application how they will use the developed canine team to perform the active road patrol roles and responsibilities, as described above, and will support terrorism prevention activities in their jurisdiction. This funding is intended for use in road patrols to further homeland security efforts and is not intended to supplant basic law enforcement operations, such as the primary use of a “stationary” explosive canine team to monitor a single facility.
III. FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program Objectives
DHSES, in conjunction with the New York State Police (NYSP), New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), and U.S. DHS - Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP), has identified six primary objectives for the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program:
A. Advancement of Explosive Detection Canine Team Capabilities: Explosive Detection Canine Teams provide a visible, proactive police presence in areas of mass gathering, transportation centers, and critical infrastructure. In addition to this deterrence presence, they provide a mobile response capability for detection and identification of potential explosive and improvised explosive device type incidents. To assist local law enforcement agencies with their explosive detection canine team capabilities, New York State has supported the enhancement of thirteen FBI Accredited bomb squads, leading to the establishment of a network of highly trained and equipped Bomb Disposal Units across the State. These Bomb Disposal Units compliment local law enforcement explosive detection canine assets by rendering safe an explosives device detected by an explosive detection canine team. Applicants will develop the following capabilities when creating, sustaining, or enhancing their explosive detection canine team assets:
• CBRNE Detection and Interdiction Capabilities: The preventative Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Detection and Interdiction capability provides the ability to detect and interdict CBRNE materials at points of manufacture, transportation, and use.
o Coordinate, direct, and conduct improvised explosive device (IED) response after initial alert and notification;
o Coordinate intelligence fusion and analysis, information collection, and threat recognition;
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o Assess the situation and conduct appropriate Render Safe Procedures (RSP), when trained and equipped;
o Conduct searches for additional devices and coordinate overall efforts to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threat to the incident site.
The following core activities of this capability are associated with the development of an explosive detection canine team asset:
o Develop and Maintain Plans, Procedures, Programs, and Systems o Develop and Maintain Training and Exercise Programs o Detect CBRNE (specifically explosives) o Identify and/or Characterize CBRNE Material (specifically explosives)
B. Certification and Annual Recertification Requirements: All applicants must certify their
explosive detection canine team and must re-certify, at a minimum, annually following NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) or New York State Police (NYSP) certification standards. Applicants are welcome to utilize any agency’s training program within the state to meet these requirements so long as it results in a certification by either DCJS or NYSP.
1. A non-exhaustive reference list of schools and their estimated costs can be found in “Exhibit D” for the applicant to consult when planning their budget. Applicants must confirm final cost estimates with the training school offering the Explosive Detection Canine Team Training Program. Points of Contact (POC) are provided in “Exhibit D” in order for applicants to verify final training program costs. DHSES will not be responsible for providing final training program costs during the application development process.
2. Out-of-State training programs are not eligible under this grant program.
3. Applicants who are awarded funding through this program will be required to submit their certification document to DHSES. The validation of the certification will be coordinated with DCJS and/or the New York State Police canine training coordinator.
4. Given the investment involved to train, equip and maintain a successful EDC asset, DHSES will request all applicants to maintain and keep their asset in service for at least 3 years once they go into service.
C. Participation in DHS’s Office for Bombing Prevention’s Explosive Detection Canine Capability
Analysis Program: DHSES continues to work with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) to conduct assessments of the State’s explosive detection canine team capabilities. This assessment identifies baseline capabilities and highlights gaps thus allowing law enforcement agencies to better prioritize homeland security spending in the development of explosive detection canine assets throughout the State.
All eligible applicants will be required to perform the OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program prior to completing their application and must use their individualized assessment report to complete the RFA Worksheet. Your jurisdiction’s capability report is a
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resource for highlighting your current capability gaps or determining capabilities you need grant funding to sustain and will be referenced by the review panel when reviewing your application. Note: Your assessment must have been completed within the last year and must be included along with your application. If you have issues with completing your capability assessment to include access issues, technical questions, etc., please contact OBP to set up a time to work with their staff, who will guide you through the program through their online National Counter-IED Capabilities Analysis Database (NCCAD) system. Please send your questions to [email protected]. On all email inquiries, please include Unit Chief Jenny Margaros at [email protected] (703-235-9381) and Program Manager, Rich McKee, at [email protected] (703-235-9398) to ensure a prompt response or to contact them directly with an inquiry. Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage OBP and complete their individualized assessments as soon as possible to ensure they can complete their applications in a timely manner.
D. Alignment to New York State’s Thirteen FBI Accredited Bomb Squads: It is important for local law enforcement agencies developing explosive detection canine teams to coordinate their activities with one of NYS’s thirteen Bomb Squads that have been accredited by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Twelve of these bomb squads are associated with local jurisdictions (Suffolk County, Nassau County, New York City, Westchester County, Rockland County, Village of Endicott, City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, City of Rochester, Monroe County, Erie County, and Chautauqua County). The New York Division of State Police (NYSP) has a Bomb Disposal Unit that has certified bomb technicians distributed across the State. The successful coordination of activities between explosive detection canine teams and FBI- accredited bomb squads is important in developing local and regional “CBRNE Detection and Interdiction” capabilities. Applicants will be required to specify in their applications how they currently align with one of NYS’s thirteen FBI Accredited bomb squads, and if such a relationship does not presently exist, applicants will be required to detail what actions they will take to align with a bomb squad most likely to be called upon to render safe a hazardous device in their jurisdiction. When preparing your application, you are strongly encouraged to reach out to the bomb squad you are most likely to seek reach-back assistance from and define the coordination activities that will be pursued if awarded.
Some suggested coordination activities include:
• Development of formalized response agreements or SOP’s (if they presently do not exist);
• Engage in multi-jurisdictional and multi-discipline training and exercise opportunities;
• Meet on a regular basis to discuss trends, best practices, and operational tactics.
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E. Use of the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS): Applicants who receive FY2018 Explosive
Detection Canine Team Grant Program funding must use BATS to document the incidents their team responds to and the activities they perform. As a condition of having your application considered for review, all applicants applying will be required to be a registered user of BATS prior to submitting their application by the due date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage the ATF and complete the registration process (approximately 2 weeks to complete) as soon as possible to ensure they are a registered user by the application due date. Data from BATS is used by New York State (through DHSES and the NYS Intelligence Center) to support information-sharing and intelligence analysis capabilities. Due to increased emphasis on advancing fusion center capabilities, BATS is another resource that can be utilized to enhance New York State’s fusion center and its ability to produce actionable intelligence based upon the reporting of explosives incidents by bomb squads and explosive detection canine teams. Please see “Exhibit F” for more information on the benefits of BATS to your organization and directions on establishing an account.
F. Development of Regional Explosive Detection Canine Teams: The development of regional
partnerships and explosive detection canine team capabilities is the sixth primary focus of the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. Due to limited homeland security funding, this grant opportunity allows the option for eligible jurisdictions to form regional relationships and collaborative explosive detection canine team capabilities that will improve preparedness activities and response operations throughout New York State. To promote regional partnerships, applicants that identify a regional project under this RFA are eligible to receive up to 10 bonus points on their application score. Applicants who receive bonus points and are awarded grant funding must submit a Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) together with their application. Please see “Exhibit C”: Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) Template. For the purposes of this grant program, “regional” is defined as law enforcement agencies in two or more counties, with one county’s law enforcement agency being identified as the “submitting partner” and one or more additional county law enforcement agencies as being the “participating partners.” Note: Counties participating as a region do not have to be contiguous.
All applicants, regardless of identifying a regional partnership and associated projects in their application, must be able to respond on a regional basis. All capabilities developed through Federal FY2018 State Homeland Security Funding are required to be deployable regionally and nationally per the Federal Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement.
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IV. Authorized Program Expenditures
A. Permissible Costs:
Grant funding under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program may be used for planning, equipment, training, and exercise costs as allowable under the FY2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). Major purchases recommended to satisfy the requirements of this grant program include: the canine; equipment and supplies for canine handling, training and exercise (e.g. cages and leashes); a canine-ready vehicle that is equipped with an environmental monitoring system; a locked magazine per ATF standards, if applicable; and training and exercise costs associated with developing an explosive detection canine team. Personnel costs are only allowed for the hiring of consultants and to cover overtime and backfill expenses associated with training and exercise opportunities used to develop a canine team.
• Grants Programs Directorate Information Bulletin (IB) 426: This bulletin is in support of Executive Order 13809 and rescinds restrictions placed on certain controlled equipment that was previously articulated in Information Bulletins 407 and 407a issued by DHS/FEMA. In addition, IB#426 outlines specific policy and documentation requirements for some equipment which continue to require DHS/FEMA approval. If your agency requests equipment requiring this pre-approval process and are disapproved, your grant award will decrease by the amount of the disapproved item(s). Please refer to “Exhibit A” for the specific category of equipment.
Per DHS guidelines, sub-recipients may spend up to 50% of their FY2018 award on allowable personnel costs. Personnel costs include: Consultant Costs, Overtime/Backfill for Training and Exercises, and Fringe Benefits.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has oversight of Federal explosive regulations as they pertain to the storage of explosives materials. All explosive materials must be kept in locked magazines in compliance with the standards in 27 CFR Part 555, Subpart K (§§555.201-.224). If awarded grant funding, applicants who are not compliant with this regulation as of the date of award will be required to use grant funding to purchase a locked magazine for the storage of explosives materials and training aids.
Please refer to the “Capabilities and Associated Tasks Matrix” (“Exhibit B” of this RFA) for specific details on activities encouraged under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. Please note that some of the activities highlighted in “Exhibit B” may not be allowable under federal homeland security grant funding (e.g. veterinary costs, construction of kennels, food for the canine, etc.).
B. Costs Not Permissible
Due to the specialized nature of this supplementary grant, applications must focus on building CBRNE Detection and Interdiction capabilities within their explosive detection canine teams. The
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following includes general guidance on activities that are not permissible through this targeted grant program.
Personnel Costs: Management and Administration (M&A) costs are not allowable under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. In addition, applicants cannot use grant funding for Personnel costs associated with the active patrol of canine teams, including overtime and backfill expenses for operational activities (OT/Backfill expenses are only allowed in association with training and exercise opportunities to develop a canine team). Equipment: Per U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines, it is the responsibility of the applicant to maintain veterinary and sustenance costs of the canine. Additionally, because of the targeted nature of this grant program, several categories of equipment that are generally allowable under the SHSP are not allowable under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program.
Construction: Construction or renovation costs are not allowed under this grant program. Construction of kennels, including concrete pads, at the canine handler’s place of work or residence is not an allowable expense.
Unallowable Costs Table
Management and Administration (M&A) O/T and Backfill for Operational Activities/Active Patrol
Veterinary Costs for the Canine Construction of Kennels (including concrete pads)
Weapons and Ammunition Explosives (only training aids that include simulated explosives are allowed)
Direct Support to Other Law Enforcement Specialty Teams
Out-of-State Training Requests (e.g. vapor wake training)
V. Application Format and Content
A. Format: Grant applications MUST be submitted via the automated E-Grants System operated by DHSES. The system allows an agency to complete an application electronically and submit it over the Internet using a secure portal. If upon reading this RFA you are interested in completing a grant application, and you have not previously been registered to use the DHSES E-Grants system, your agency will need to register and be assigned a user name and password. The Registration Request Form and a detailed tutorial on how to use the E-Grants system is available at: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/forms-egrants.cfm.
B. Required Application Content: The following questions must be addressed in your FY2018
Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program application. You must answer these grant specific questions in the required RFA Worksheet.
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• Note: Applicants are required to answer all the questions that pertain to their request in this worksheet, unless the questions are not applicable (e.g. applicants seeking to develop additional teams will be required to answer supporting questions that will not be required of applicants seeking to develop a new team). Failure to answer all the required questions will lead to a reduction in your score for the section being reviewed and could lead to an unfavorable overall score by the review panel.
1. Description of Jurisdiction (or Regional Partnership): Applicants must provide: the
identification of the law enforcement agency(s) seeking assistance to develop an explosive detection canine team (or regional partnership, if applicable); the identification of jurisdictions served from the development of this capability (if applicable, identify the regional partners that will be served under the formalized Regional Partnership Agreement); and, provide an estimate for the percentage of time spent on each of the active road patrol roles and responsibilities by your agency.
• Note: The questions in this section will not be scored; however, it will be reviewed by the application review panel so that they have the appropriate background information necessary to review your application and determine eligibility.
2. Risk Assessment and Profile: DHSES is committed to distributing homeland security funding
based on risk. To integrate the principles of risk into the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program, DHSES will award each applicant up to 20 points in the competitive scoring process, utilizing an internal risk assessment and an evaluation of your submitted risk profile.
• Risk Assessment (10 points): The following core variables will be considered in the risk assessment process under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program: NYS State Homeland Security Risk Formula (e.g. mass-transit centers; critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR); Joint-Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Tips; etc.); proximity to the international border and waterways; population and population density; and bomb squad and explosive detection canine team incident/activity data as reported in ATF’s BATS.
• Risk Profile (10 points): Applicants are required to provide a brief risk profile that includes your understanding of your jurisdiction’s risk. Please include: your history of explosive related incidents; critical/infrastructure and key resources that are located within your jurisdiction; perceived gaps in explosive detection canine team capabilities; and include any other factors that contribute to your risk as they relate to this grant opportunity.
3. Proposed FY2018 Budget Plan: Please list each project within your budget in order of priority
(Project #1, Project #2, etc.) based on your submission of the budget details in the “Budget” tab of E-grants. For each project, please provide a project title, description and an outline of your proposed expenditures within each of the allowable spending categories (Federal Spending Category and NYS Budget Category). There is no cap on the number of projects that you (or your regional partnership) may submit, but your total request for the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program funding cannot exceed $50,000 for applicants pursuing
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the development of a team and $15,000 for applicants seeking to sustain and/or enhance capabilities of a previously developed team.
The total costs identified in your budget plans will be reviewed for reasonable and necessary
expenses, and whether they align with the objectives of this grant. The review panel will reference the “Capability Advancement” section of your RFA Worksheet to ensure that projects highlighted in the “Budget Plan” section address those gaps highlighted in your individual assessment report through the OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program.
• Training: If you are proposing a training project you must provide detailed information about each training course that you are requesting in the Budget-Training Tab. Please include information with regards to whether the course is enhancing/sustaining an explosive detection canine capability or if it is the certification of a new explosive detection canine team. As much as practical, please provide your anticipated school and/or desired training program.
• “Exhibit B”, “Explosive Detection Canine Team Capabilities and Associated Tasks”: Please refer to “Exhibit B”, “Explosive Detection Canine Team Capabilities and Associated Tasks” for detailed information on how to prioritize the development of your team’s capabilities based on gaps highlighted in your individual assessment report.
4. Capability Advancement: Applicants must provide a brief description of their current Explosive
Detection Canine Team capabilities and highlight how the proposed projects in their budget for the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program funds will address identified capability gaps and advance explosive detection canine capabilities in their jurisdiction. In addition, applicants are required to describe how they will use their canine team when not responding to incidents to demonstrate how they will proactively utilize their asset to protect and prevent terrorist incidents.
Applicants will be required to complete the OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis
Program and reference their individualized report when completing this section to highlight how they intend to advance or sustain their current capabilities. In addition, applicants will also be required to articulate how they are addressing other capability gaps identified in their OBP Assessment Report that are not currently being fulfilled through this grant funding. The grant review panel will reference your report in the review of your application and award points accordingly.
5. Multi-Year Planning: Applicants must provide a Multi-Year Plan that communicates how
capabilities (including the maintenance of equipment) will be developed under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program and how those capabilities will be enhanced and/or sustained after the successful completion of the projects proposed in your application upon the conclusion of the performance period.
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6. Alignment to Bomb Squads and Other Specialty Teams:
• Alignment to Bomb Squads: Applicants are required to specify how they align with one of New York State’s thirteen FBI -accredited bomb squads, including details of their coordination with the bomb squad. Applicants that currently are not aligned with a FBI-accredited bomb squad will be required to specify what actions they will take to align with a bomb squad most likely to be called upon to render safe a hazardous device. When preparing your application, you are strongly encouraged to reach out to the bomb squad you are most likely to seek reach-back assistance from in order define the coordination activities that will be pursued if awarded.
• Alignment to Other Specialty Teams: Increasingly, law enforcement agencies are integrating their explosive detection canine assets with one or more specialty teams (e.g. SWAT) to appropriately respond to the rise in active shooter events and IED events, like the Boston Marathon Bombing. To ensure success of a multi-disciplinary response to an event, it is important to engage pre-planning, training, and exercises activities that will prepare all specialty teams in how they will coordinate a response. Applicants seeking investments that would support multi-disciplinary coordination are required to detail how they align with the specialty team(s) impacted by this grant opportunity.
o Note: This targeted grant opportunity is designed to develop the EDC asset, therefore, any proposed projects to support integration with other law enforcement specialty teams need to directly support the EDC asset. Proposed projects that seek to provide equipment, training or exercises directly to another law enforcement specialty team (e.g. tactical vests for tactical team members or O/T costs for bomb squad technicians to train with an EDC) will not be considered.
7. Overall Assessment of Application Score: Under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program, applicants may receive 0-5 points based on an “Overall Assessment of Application Score.” This score will be determined by reviewers based on a complete assessment of the application. Reviewers will assess how well the application addresses the six primary objectives of the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program outlined in Section III of this RFA. Reviewers will look at how clearly sub-recipients demonstrated why they could not address the threat of terrorism without grant funding and why they need this targeted grant funding to maintain or develop EDC capabilities.
8. Bonus Points: Regional Partnerships and Projects: One of the primary objectives of the FY2018
Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program is to promote the development of regional partnerships that mutually share and develop explosive detection canine team capabilities. Regional partnerships help to efficiently and effectively develop capabilities by reducing the duplication of efforts among law enforcement agencies, increasing operational coordination, and by sharing future sustainment costs. To address this concept, applicants with regional partnerships may receive up to ten (10) Bonus Points under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. To receive the Bonus Points, applicants are required to identify a regional project (2 or more counties) within their application and attach the required “Regional Partnership Agreement” form with their submitted application. The RPA template is provided
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for your convenience in “Exhibit C” of this RFA. Bonus Points will be added to eligible applications before the review panel scores are averaged.
• Additional Requirement: Applicants must also provide sufficient detail on how the submitting and participating partners will mutually develop and/or share developed capabilities, including a clear reporting of relationships concerning enhancement and/or sustainment of developed capabilities within their Multi-Year Plan.
9. Bonus Points- BATS Use: Explosive incidents continue to be terrorist’s weapon of choice
therefore, State and Federal partners continue to leverage all data applicable to IED or explosive incidents, especially as it relates to terrorism. The ATF’s Bomb Arson Tracking System serves as a critical tool in this effort to understand methods and identify trends. Applicants who have historically utilized BATS to record incidents and activities will be awarded up to five (5) Bonus Points under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program, when applying to “Sustain or Enhance” a previously developed capability.
10. Grant Management Performance History: Per the new Code for Federal Regulations (CFR) 2 CFR Part 200, DHSES is required to assess the risk posed by sub-recipients of federal funding passed through DHSES. For previously funded sub-recipients, DHSES will assess how well they have historically managed federal grant funds. This will include reporting compliance, successful award spend-down, and program objective compliance. Once a prospective applicant’s final overall average score is determined by the review panel, DHSES may subtract up to ten (10) points based on its “Grant Management Performance History” criteria.
VI. Application Evaluation Criteria
The following multi-tiered criteria will be used by DHSES to evaluate each application and to determine grant awards. DHSES will select a multi-agency review panel to evaluate applications. All grant awards are approved by the Commissioner of DHSES. A. Tier 1 Criteria:
Tier 1 criteria are rated either “yes” or “no” and serve as a baseline review by DHSES to determine if applicants are eligible and have appropriately submitted all of the required application materials prior to review by the multi-agency review committee. If any of the answers are “no”, the application is immediately disqualified without further review and consideration for an award.
1. Is the applicant eligible to apply? 2. Was the application submitted on time? 3. Was the application submitted via E-Grants? 4. Is the application complete, including all the questions within the required RFA Worksheet (the
RFA Worksheet must be attached in E-Grants by the application deadline) 5. Completion of the OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program (the updated
Final Report must be attached in E-Grants by the application deadline) 6. Registered user of ATF’s Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS)? 7. If a regional project, is the required “Regional Partnership Agreement” form attached?
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Note: Applicants applying with a regional partnership, but who fail to provide the required “Regional Partnership Agreement” will still be considered for review if they have met all other Tier 1 Criteria, but will not qualify for the Bonus Points. B. Tier 2 Criteria: Applications meeting the Tier 1 review set forth above will be reviewed and evaluated using the criteria specified below. Scores per criterion will be totaled to establish a ranked list of eligible applications for consideration of awards. At the sole discretion of DHSES, applications may be disqualified due to untimely submission of any requested supporting documentation.
Applications receiving the highest average score based upon panel review will be selected for recommendation to the Commissioner of DHSES for award. The total scores will be averaged and ranked in order from highest to lowest. The State reserves the right, for the purpose of ensuring the completeness and comparability of proposals, to analyze submissions and make adjustments or normalize submissions in the proposals, including the applicant’s technical assumptions, and underlying calculations and assumptions used to support the computation of costs, or to apply such other methods, as it deems necessary to make comparisons. In the event of a tie score where one or more applications may not be fully funded, the applicant with the highest score in the “Capability Advancement” and “Risk Assessment and Profile” sections will be ranked higher. If still tied, the partnership with the greatest overall population served will be ranked higher. Proposed budgets will be reviewed, and items deemed inappropriate, unallowable, or inconsistent with project or program activities will be eliminated. Grants in the amount of the budgets, as adjusted, will be made to the highest-ranking applicants until funds are insufficient to fund the next ranking application in full. The State reserves the right, at its discretion, to make amendments and/or alter funding levels of one or more applicants based on any new information discovered that would have originally affected the scoring or to not award funding to any application with a final average score of 60 or less. Additionally, the State also reserves the right to modify the allocation amounts for each Tract, based on the volume of applications submitted for each Tract.
Tier 2 Evaluation Criteria Point Score Range Description of Jurisdiction (or Regional Partnership) Not Scored
Risk Assessment and Profile 0-20 points
Proposed FY2018 Budget Plan 0-20 points
Capability Advancement 0-30 points
Multi-Year Plan 0-20 points
Alignment to Bomb Squads & Other Specialty Teams 0-5 points
Overall Assessment of Application 0-5 points
Sub-Total 100 Points Maximum Bonus Points: Regional Partnerships and Projects 0-10 points
Bonus Points: BATS Use 0-5 points
Total 115 Points Maximum
Grant Management Performance History 0 – 10 points (To be subtracted)
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VII. Checklist of Required Documents
A. Initial Requirements: Due May 29, 2019
□ Completed application in E-Grants (with the required RFA Worksheet attached). □ Completed OBP Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program “Individual
Assessment Report” within OBP’s NCCAD system. □ Registered user of ATF Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS). All applicants are strongly
encouraged to complete this requirement as soon as possible for the registration process can take up to 14 days.
□ If applicable, Regional Partnership Agreements (RPAs) are required to be submitted with
your application. The RPA must explicitly outline the relationships between the shared asset and the signatory partners and provide detail on how capabilities developed with FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program funding will be maintained and/or sustained mutually by the partners.
VIII. Timeline
DHSES must receive completed grant applications by 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2019. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered. Applications must be submitted via DHSES E-Grants System. Please note that E-Grants Technical Assistance will only be available during business hours on the date the application is due. Furthermore, all written questions must be submitted to DHSES by 12:00 noon on May 22, 2019 to ensure that a timely response is provided to the applicant.
Grant applicants can expect to be notified of award decisions sometime in mid-July of 2019.
IX. Approval and Notification of Award
The Commissioner of DHSES will provide oversight of the grant review process. The Commissioner will announce the final grant award decisions based on the review panel’s rating of applications and recommendations. DHSES will notify all applicants in writing as to final grant award determinations. Nothing herein requires or prohibits DHSES to approve grant funding for any one applicant, certain applicants, all applicants or no applicants. Any disbursement of an award is contingent upon entering into a contract with DHSES, as explained in further detail below. Due to the competitive nature of this grant application proposed changes to the scope of the program may not be approved post-award.
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X. Administration of Grant Contracts
DHSES will negotiate and develop a grant contract with the applicant or the submitting partner of successful regional partnerships based on the contents of the submitted application and intent of the grant program as outlined in this RFA. The grant contract is subject to approval by the NYS Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the State Comptroller before grant funding may be disbursed to reimburse project expenses. The period of performance for contracts supported by the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Targeted Grant Program funds will be determined once awards have been approved but cannot extend beyond August 31, 2021. Although the contract format may vary, the contract will include such standard terms and conditions included in DHSES grant contracts available for review on the DHSES website: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants.
A. Issuing Agency
This RFA is issued by DHSES, which is responsible for the requirements specified herein and for the evaluation of all applications.
B. Filing an Application
Grant applications must be submitted via the automated DHSES E-Grants System. The system allows an agency to complete an application electronically and submit it over the Internet using a secure portal. If, upon reading this RFA, you are interested in completing a grant application and you have not previously been registered to use the DHSES E-Grants system, your agency will need to register and be assigned a user name and password. The Registration Request Form can be found at the following Internet address: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants.
A detailed tutorial on how to use the E-Grants system can also be found under the “Targeted Grant” tab at the Internet address above. It will guide you in a step-by-step process through the E-Grants application submission.
C. Reservation of Rights
DHSES reserves the right to: 1. Reject any and all applications received in response to this RFA; 2. Withdraw the RFA at any time at DHSES’ sole discretion; 3. Make an award under the RFA in whole or in part; 4. Disqualify any applicant whose conduct and/or application fails to conform to the
requirements of the RFA; 5. Seek clarifications and revisions of the applications; 6. Use application information obtained through site visits, management interviews and the
State's investigation of an applicant’s qualifications, experience, ability or financial standing, and any material or information submitted by the applicant in response to DHSES’ request for clarifying information in the course of evaluation and/or selection under the RFA;
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7. Prior to the application opening, amend the RFA specifications to correct errors or oversights, or to supply additional information, as it becomes available;
8. Prior to the application opening, direct applicants to submit application modifications addressing subsequent RFA amendments;
9. Change any of the scheduled dates; 10. Eliminate any mandatory, non-material specifications that cannot be complied with by all
the prospective applicants; 11. Waive any requirements that are not material; 12. Negotiate with successful applicants within the scope of the RFA in the best interests of the
State; 13. Conduct contract negotiations with the next responsible applicant, should DHSES be
unsuccessful in negotiating with the selected applicant; 14. Utilize any and all ideas submitted in the applications received; 15. Unless otherwise specified in the RFA, every offer is firm and not revocable for a period of
60 days from the application opening; and, 16. Require clarification at any time during the application process and /or require correction of
arithmetic or other apparent errors for the purpose of assuring a full and complete understanding of an applicant’s proposal and/or to determine an applicant’s compliance with the requirements of this RFA.
17. Award grants based on geographic or regional considerations to serve the best interests of
the State.
18. Terminate, renew, amend or renegotiate contracts with sub-recipients at the discretion of
DHSES.
19. Periodically monitor the sub-recipient’s performance in all areas mentioned above, in
addition to the activities in the contract.
20. Revoke funds awarded to an applicant, or enforce any available sanction against any
applicant, who materially alters the activities or is in material noncompliance under the
grant award, or who does not implement an approved project within 60 days of the final
contract approval.
21. Recipients and sub-recipients funded through this program agree to provide DHSES, upon
request at any time during the life of the grant contract, such cooperation and information
deemed necessary by DHSES to ascertain: (1) the nature and extent of any threats or
hazards that may pose a risk to the recipient or sub-recipient; and (2) the status of any
corresponding recipient or sub-recipient plans, capabilities, or other resources for
preventing, protecting against, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from such threats
or hazards.
22. Funded recipients and sub-recipients agree to attend and participate in any DHSES-
sponsored conferences, training, workshops or meetings (excluding those identified by
DHSES as voluntary) that may be conducted, by and at the request of DHSES, during the life
of the grant contract.
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23. DHSES reserves the sole discretion to increase or decrease the total funding available for this program at any time, resulting in more or fewer applications funded under this RFA.
D. Term of the Contract
Any resulting contract or agreement for more than $50,000 from this RFA will be effective only upon approval by both the NYS Office of the Attorney General and State Comptroller. Any resulting contract for $50,000 and under from this RFA will be effective upon signature of both parties.
E. Payment and Reporting Requirements of Grant Awardees
1. Standard Cost Reimbursement Contract
Each successful applicant must enter into a standard cost reimbursement contract with DHSES. Such contract will include this Request for Applications, the successful applicant’s proposal, any attachments or exhibits and the standard clauses required by the NYS Attorney General for all State contracts (available upon request). The contract will be subject to approval by the Attorney General and State Comptroller. Although the contract format may vary, the contract will include such clauses, information and rights and responsibilities as can be found on the DHSES website, including:
APPENDIX A-1 - Agency Specific Clauses APPENDIX B - Budget APPENDIX C - Payment and Reporting Schedule APPENDIX D – Workplan/Special Conditions
For purposes of this RFA, these terms and conditions are incorporated by reference and the applicant must agree to the inclusion of all of these terms and conditions in any resulting grant contracts as part of the application submission. Copies of the standard terms and conditions included in DHSES grant contracts are available for review on the DHSES website at http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/forms-egrants.cfm. Payments will be made subject to proper documentation and compliance with reimbursement procedures and all other contractual requirements.
2. Compliance with State and Federal Laws and Regulations, Including Procurement and Audit Requirements
2 CFR Part 200
Recipients and sub-recipients (also referred to herein as “Contractors” and “Subcontractors”) are responsible to become familiar with and comply with all state and federal laws and regulations applicable to these funds. Applicants are required to consult with the DHSES standard contract language (referenced above) for more information on specific requirements. Additionally, recipients must comply with all the requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards). Recipients are required to understand and adhere to all federal requirements. You may access 2
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CFR Part 200 at: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1c9afe07b881b32365c2f4ce1db64860&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5.
Procurements Additionally, Applicants must follow and comply with all procurement procedures under General Municipal Law 5A and 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D (see 2 CFR §§200.317-.326), and/or any other state or federal regulations applicable to these funds, and will be subject to monitoring by DHSES to ensure compliance.
Single Audit For audits of fiscal years beginning on or after December 26, 2014, recipients that expend $750,000 or more from all Federal funding sources during their fiscal year are required to submit an organization-wide financial and compliance audit report. The audit must be performed in accordance with the requirements of U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) Government Auditing Standards, located at http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm, and the requirements of Subpart F of 2 CFR Part 200 located at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
idx?node=sp2.1.200.f.
Conflict of Interest Pursuant to 2 CFR §200.112, in order to eliminate and reduce the impact of conflicts of interest in the sub-award process, recipients and pass-through entities must follow their own policies and procedures regarding the elimination or reduction of conflicts of interest when making sub-awards. Recipients and pass-through entities are also required to follow any applicable state, local, or Tribal statutes or regulations governing conflicts of interest in the making of sub-awards.
The recipient (State) must disclose to the respective Contract Representative, in writing, any real or potential conflict of interest as defined by the Federal, state, local, or Tribal statutes or regulations or their own existing policies, which may arise during the administration of the Federal award within five days of learning of the conflict of interest (see 2 CFR §200.113). Similarly, sub-recipients must disclose any real or potential conflict of interest to the pass-through entity (State) as required by the recipient’s conflict of interest policies, or any applicable state, local, or Tribal statutes or regulations.
Conflicts of interest may arise during the process of DHS/FEMA making a Federal award in situations where an employee, officer, or agent, any members of his or her immediate family, his or her partner has a close personal relationship, a business relationship, or a professional relationship, with an applicant, sub-applicant, recipient, sub-recipient, or DHS/FEMA employees. Contracting with Small and Minority Firms, Women’s Business Enterprise and Labor Surplus Area Firms
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Article 15-A, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services recognizes its obligation under the law to promote opportunities for maximum feasible participation of certified minority-and women-owned
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business enterprises and the employment of minority group members and women in the performance of New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services contracts. All qualified applicants shall be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status. Consistent with 2 CFR §200.321, non-Federal contracting entities must take all necessary affirmative steps to assure that minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible.
Affirmative steps must include:
1. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises on
solicitation lists; 2. Assuring that small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises are
solicited whenever they are potential sources; 3. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities
to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises;
4. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises;
5. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; and
6. Requiring the prime contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative steps listed in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this section.
For purposes of this solicitation, applicants and sub-recipients are hereby notified the State of New York has set an overall goal of 30% for MWBE participation or more, 15% for Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (“MBE”) participation and 15% for Women-Owned Business Enterprises (“WBE”) participation, based on the current availability of qualified MBEs and WBEs for your project needs.
Use of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises in Contract Performance
Article 17-B of the Executive Law enacted in 2014 acknowledges that Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) strongly contribute to the economics of the State and the nation. As defenders of our nation and in recognition of their economic activity in doing business in New York State, bidders/proposers for this contract for commodities, services or technology are strongly encouraged and expected to consider SDVOBs in the fulfillment of the requirements of the contract. Such partnering may be as subcontractors, suppliers, protégés or other supporting roles. SDVOBs can be readily identified on the directory of certified businesses at https://online.ogs.ny.gov/SDVOB/search
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Bidders/proposers need to be aware that all authorized users of this contract will be strongly encouraged to the maximum extent practical and consistent with legal requirements of applicable federal laws and regulations including 2 CFR Part 200, State Finance Law, General Municipal Law and the Executive Law to use responsible and responsive SDVOBs in purchasing and utilizing commodities, services and technology that are of equal quality and functionality to those that may be obtained from non-SDVOBs. Furthermore, bidders/proposers are reminded that they must continue to utilize small, minority and women-owned businesses consistent with current State Law. Utilizing SDVOBs in State contracts will help create more private sector jobs, rebuild New York State’s infrastructure, and maximize economic activity to the mutual benefit of the contractor and its SDVOB partners. SDVOBs will promote the contractor’s optimal performance under the contract, thereby fully benefiting the public sector programs that are supported by associated public procurements.
Public procurements can drive and improve the State’s economic engine through promotion of the use of SDVOBs by its contractors. The State, therefore, expects bidders, proposers to provide maximum assistance to SDVOBs in their contract performance. The potential participation by all kinds of SDVOBs will deliver great value to the State and its taxpayers.
For purposes of this solicitation, applicants and sub-recipients are hereby notified the State of New York has set an overall goal of 6% for SDVOB participation or more.
Contractor will report on actual participation by each SDVOB during the term of the contract to the contracting agency/authority according to policies and procedures set by the contracting agency/authority.
Worker’s Compensation and Disability Benefits Insurance Coverage
Applicants must provide evidence of appropriate workers’ compensation and disability insurance coverage, or proof of a legal exemption, prior to being awarded a contract. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of the application. 3. Iran Divestment Act
As a result of the Iran Divestment Act of 2012 (Act), Chapter 1 of the 2012 Laws of New York, a new provision has been added to the State Finance Law (SFL), § 165-a, effective April 12, 2012. Under the Act, the Commissioner of the Office of General Services (OGS) will be developing a list (prohibited entities list) of “persons” who are engaged in “investment activities in Iran” (both are defined terms in the law). Pursuant to SFL § 165-a(3)(b), the initial list is expected to be issued no later than 120 days after the Act’s effective date, at which time it will be posted on the OGS website.
4. Vendor Responsibility
State Finance Law §163(9)(f) requires a State Agency to make a determination that an Applicant is responsible prior to awarding that Applicant a State contract which may be based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to the Applicants: (1) financial and organizational
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capacity; (2) legal authority to do business in this State; (3) integrity of the owners, officers, principals, members, and contract managers; and (4) past performance of the Applicant on prior government contracts. Thereafter, Recipients/Contractors shall at all times during the Contract term remain responsible. The Recipients/Contractor agrees, if requested by the Commissioner of DHSES, or his or her designee, to present evidence of its continuing legal authority to do business in New York State, integrity, experience, ability, prior performance, and organizational and financial capacity.
a) Suspension of Work for Non-Responsibility:
The Commissioner of DHSES or his or her designee, in his or her sole discretion, reserves the right to suspend any or all activities under the Contract, at any time, when he or she discovers information that calls into question the responsibility of the Recipient. In the event of such suspension, the Recipients/Contractor will be given written notice outlining the particulars of such suspension. Upon issuance of such notice, the Contractor must comply with the terms of the suspension order. Contract activity may resume at such time as the Commissioner of DHSES or his or her designee issues a written notice authorizing the resumption of performance under the Contract.
b) Termination for Non-Responsibility:
Upon written notice to the Recipients/Contractor, and a reasonable opportunity to be heard by appropriate DHSES officials or staff, the Contract may be terminated by the Commissioner of DHSES or his or her designee at the Contractor’s expense where the Recipients/Contractor is determined by the Commissioner of DHSES or his or her designee to be non-responsible. In such event, the Commissioner of DHSES or his or her designee may complete the contractual requirements in any manner he or she may deem advisable and pursue legal or equitable remedies for breach.
F. Satisfactory Progress
Satisfactory progress toward implementation includes, but is not limited to; executing contracts and submitting payment requests in a timely fashion, retaining consultants, completing plans, designs, reports, or other tasks identified in the work program within the time allocated for their completion. DHSES may recapture awarded funds if satisfactory progress is not being made on the implementation of a grant project.
G. General Specifications
By submitting the application, the applicant attests that:
1. Applicant has express authority to submit on behalf of the applicant’s agency. 2. Submission of an application indicates the applicant’s acceptance of all conditions
and terms contained in this RFA and all other terms and conditions of the award contract.
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3. The application and any resulting grant, if awarded, must adhere to, and be in full compliance with any, resulting contract(s) and relevant federal and states policies and regulations or be subject to termination.
4. Any not-for-profit recipients are required to be prequalified, prior to contract execution, by the State of New York upon application submission through the New York State Grants Gateway (https://grantsgateway.ny.gov)
H. Special Conditions
New York State Emergency Management Certification and Training Program
1. Participation in, and successful completion of, the New York State Emergency Management
Certification and Training Program (EMC Training Program) is a mandatory requirement under this Contract and a condition of funding. The EMC Training Program will be made available to, and required for, DHSES-specified county and city government officials in order to ensure a consistent emergency management preparedness and response strategy across the State. Attendee substitutions, except as expressly approved by DHSES, shall not be permitted or deemed to be in compliance with this requirement.
2. To fulfill the EMC Training Program requirement of the Contract and in order to be eligible for funding under this Contract, Contractors must arrange for DHSES-specified Contractor employees to receive and acknowledge receipt of EMC Training no later than 180 days after execution of this Contract. Copies of the training certificates for each required participant must be submitted to DHSES upon execution of the Contract, or, in the event that training is scheduled, but not yet complete, the Contractor will be required to submit a signed statement indicating the scheduled future dates of attendance, and no later than thirty (30) days after the training is complete, forward such training certificates to DHSES. Continued compliance with the EMC Training Program also requires an annual refresher training of one day per 365 day-cycle from the date of initial training for previously trained individuals if such person remains employed by the Contractor and fulfilling the same functions as he or she fulfilled during the initial training. Should a new employee be designated to serve in the DHSES-specified positions, then he or she must come into compliance with the EMC Training Program requirements not later than 180 days after taking office.
3. Contractors must commit to active participation in a DHSES Annual Capabilities Assessment as a condition of funding. Active participation includes making reasonable staff, records, information, and time resources available to DHSES to perform the Annual Capabilities Assessment and meet the objectives and goals of the program. Recipients must be aware that the process of conducting a DHSES Annual Risk Assessment is an ongoing process and requires a continued commitment on the part of the Contractor to ensure that it is effective.
4. All recipients and sub-recipients funded through this program agree to provide DHSES, upon request at any time during the life of the grant contract, such cooperation and information deemed necessary by DHSES to ascertain: (1) the nature and extent of any threats or hazards that may pose a risk to the recipients or sub-recipients; and (2) the status of any corresponding
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recipients or sub-recipients plans, capabilities, or other resources for preventing, protecting against, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from such threats or hazards.
5. Additionally, pursuant to Article 26 of the NYS Executive law, DHSES is authorized to undertake periodic drills and simulations designed to assess and prepare responses to terrorist acts or threats and other natural and man-made disasters. Funded recipients and sub-recipients agree to attend and participate in any DHSES-sponsored conferences, training, workshops or meetings (excluding those identified by DHSES as voluntary) that may be conducted, by and at the request of DHSES, during the life of the grant contract.
6. Failure to comply with any of the requirements, as listed above, may result in sanctions up to and including the immediate suspension and/or revocation of the grant award.
7. A debriefing is available to any entity that submitted a proposal or bid to a solicitation
(“Bidder”). A Bidder will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to its opportunity for debriefing. Debriefing shall be requested in writing by the unsuccessful Bidder within 5 business days of DHSES publicly releasing the final awards decisions. An unsuccessful Bidder’s written request for a debriefing shall be submitted to DHSES Director of Grants Program Administration. The debriefing shall be scheduled with 10 business days of receipt of the written request by DHSES or as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
XI. Questions Questions regarding the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Grant Program should be directed to the following email address: [email protected],gov. To the degree possible, each inquiry should cite the RFA section and paragraph to which it refers. Written questions will be accepted until 12:00 noon on May 22, 2019. Updates and frequently asked questions will be posted on the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) website (Please check the website frequently for updates): http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/targeted.cfm. All questions regarding the E-Grants System should be directed to DHSES via email ([email protected]) or telephone (866-837-9133). No technical assistance will be available after 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2019.
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Exhibit A: Allowable Costs Matrix
Reminder: Allowable costs for the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program are more restrictive than the more general FY2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) because of the specialized nature of this targeted grant program. Accordingly, please refer only to “Exhibit A” of this Request for Applications (RFA) for details on allowable costs. Personnel Cap: Under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program, there is a 50% cap on personnel costs. Personnel Costs include OT/Backfill for Training and Exercises; costs associated with hiring part or full-time staff; and most consultant costs (unless the consultant is developing defined deliverable or installing equipment).
Planning Costs Public education & outreach
Develop and enhance plans and protocols
Develop and conduct assessments
Hiring of full or part-time staff or contractors/consultants to assist with planning activities (not for the purpose of hiring public safety personnel fulfilling traditional public safety duties)
Conferences to facilitate planning activities
Materials required to conduct planning activities
Travel/per diem related to planning activities
Overtime and backfill costs (IAW operation Cost Guidance)
Equipment Categories AEL link: https://www.fema.gov/authorized-equipment-list Personal Protective Equipment
Explosive Device Mitigation & Remediation Equipment (e.g. locked explosive magazine)
CBRNE Operational Search & Rescue Equipment*
CBRNE Incident Response Vehicle (e.g. canine ready-vehicle equipped with environmental monitoring system, kennel insert)
Information Technology
Cyber Security Enhancement Equipment
Interoperable Communications Equipment
Detection Equipment
Power Equipment
CBRNE Reference Materials
Terrorism Incident Prevention Equipment
Physical Security Enhancement Equipment
Inspection & Screening Systems
CBRNE Logistical Support Equipment
Intervention Equipment
Other Authorized Equipment
Training Costs Overtime & backfill for emergency preparedness & response personnel attending FEMA-sponsored & approved training classes & technical assistance programs
Overtime & backfill expenses (for the purpose of developing/sustaining a canine team)
Training workshops & conferences
Full- or part-time staff or contractors/consultants
Travel
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Supplies (for Canine Handling)
Other items
Exercise Related Costs Design, Develop, Conduct & Evaluate an Exercise
Exercise planning workshop
Full or part-time staff or contractors/consultants
Overtime & backfill costs (for the purpose of developing/sustaining a canine team)
Implementation of HSEEP
Travel
Supplies (for Canine Handling)
Other Items
*Certain equipment (not all) within this category require DHS/FEMA approval pursuant to Information Bulletin 426.
Unallowable Costs
Planning Costs Develop and implement homeland security support programs & adopt ongoing DHS National Initiatives, including State Preparedness Reports
Establish, enhance, or evaluate Citizen Corps related volunteer programs
Organizational Categories Overtime for information, investigative, & intelligence sharing activities Hiring of new staff positions/contractors/consultants for participation in information/intelligence analysis & sharing groups or fusion center activities
Equipment Categories
Explosives
Weapons and Ammunition
Construction Costs (e.g. kennels, concrete pads, etc.)
Decontamination Equipment
Medical
Agriculture Terrorism Prevention, Response, & Mitigation Equipment
CBRNE Response Watercraft
CBRNE Aviation Equipment
Management and Administrative (M&A) Costs
Hiring of full or part-time staff or contractors/consultants to assist with the management of the respective grant program, application requirements, compliance with reporting & data collection requirements Development of operating plans for information collection & processing necessary to respond to FEMA data calls
Overtime and backfill costs (for operations/patrol)
Travel
Meeting related expenses
Authorized office equipment
Recurring expenses such as those associated with cell phones & faxes during the period of performance of the grant program
Leasing or renting of space for newly hired personnel during the period of performance of the grant program
Other
Veterinary Cost for Canine
Exhibit B:
Explosive Detection Canine Team "Capabilities" and Associated "Tasks"
Building Blocks for a Successful EDC Asset
The following is a detailed list of the Capability Areas, Associated Tasks and the component planning, equipment, training and exercise activities that build a successful team, based on the DHS Office for Bombing Prevention's Explosive Detection Canine Capability Assessment Program (sub-recipients can find recommendations on what activities they need to pursue in their individualized capability assessment report). Sub-recipients should prioritize which capabilities, associated tasks, and component activities are necessary for their jurisdiction and which are not part of your jurisdiction's mission, based on the chart below. Ideally, sub-recipients should progress through the three tiers of this list (Baseline, Mature, and Advance) by completing all capability components in one tier before proceeding to the next. If, for example, you will be seeking to develop an “Mature” capability when your individualized capability assessment report highlights deficiencies for one or more “Baseline” capabilities, sub-recipients should provide a justification in their application for why they are seeking to first develop a “Mature” capability over deficient “Baseline” capabilities (e.g. you are using local funds to be proficient in deficient “Baseline” capabilities highlighted in your individualized capability assessment report, they are performed by another specialty team or agency, or they are not part of your mission). Please note that some of the activities highlighted below may not be allowable under federal homeland security grant funding. Sub-recipients should
ensure that all project requests made in their application are found on the AEL (https://www.fema.gov/authorized-equipment-list). Key: Baseline Mature Advance
Capability Components Capability Area Associated Task
BASELINE Capabilities: EDC assets will begin to invest in foundational components that allow for the safe and effective ability to
proactively deter potential explosive incidents (e.g. transit and CI/KR sweeps, presence at high profile events, etc.) or respond to a potential incident and assess the need for a bomb squad to render safe. This chiefly includes the following: Acquisition of an EDC and completion of appropriate certification and recertification requirements; Purchase of equipment for the handling, maintenance and health of an EDC; Purchase of an EDC Team response vehicle (w/kennel insert and EDC environmental monitoring); Communications equipment; and Explosive Storage equipment as required under ATF regulations.
Training (Certification and Re-Certification Standards are Completed)
(TRAINING) EDC Certification (e.g. NYS DCJS EDC Certification and Re-Certification Standards) OBP Section 9- Maintain
Readiness
9.6 Does the Unit maintain certification requirements (PLANNING) EDCT has an established certification plan
(EQUIPMENT) Canine lead or leash
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Equipment for Maintenance & Health of EDC (e.g. leash, collar, first aid kit, feed/water bowl, etc.)
(EQUIPMENT) Canine collar or choke chain
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.4 Can the Unit provide basic equipment and services for the maintenance and health of the canine
(EQUIPMENT) Canine first aid kit
(EQUIPMENT) Canine feed and water bowl (Food for the canine is Not Allowable through this grant program)
(EQUIPMENT) Kennel (mobile or portable) at either agency or handlers' home (Construction costs, to include concrete pads, building of kennels, etc. are Not Allowable through this grant program)
(EQUIPMENT) EDCs are identified through microchip and/or tattoo (Vet costs are Not Allowable through this grant program)
Equipment for Transport (EDC Team Response Vehicle w/Kennel Insert & EDC Environmental Monitoring System)
(EQUIPMENT) Vehicle to transport the EDCT
OBP Section 2- Implement Bombing Incident Prevention and Response Plans
2.3 Mobilize personnel and equipment for bombing incident prevention and response
(EQUIPMENT) Kennel insert to secure and stabilize canine during transport
(EQUIPMENT) Environmental monitoring system for EDC when handler is away from the vehicle
Equipment for Communications (e.g. two-way radio, mobile wireless devices)
(EQUIPMENT) Two-way radio that provides secure voice communication OBP Section 1-
Implement Intelligence/Information Gathering and Dissemination
1.1 Send Out/Receive Operational Data
(EQUIPMENT) Mobile Wireless Devices that allow for secure communications
(EQUIPMENT) Interoperable communications capabilities with tactical units (e.g. Bomb Squads, SWAT) in jurisdictional coverage
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Equipment for Safe Storage of Explosive Materials (Explosive Storage Magazine & Lock; Fixed/Mobile Storage Capabilities)
(EQUIPMENT) Explosive Storage Magazine I/II/III
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.1 Can the Unit provide for the safe and secure storage and transport of explosive materials
(EQUIPMENT) Magazine, lock
(EQUIPMENT) Explosive Storage containers
(EQUIPMENT) Adequate fixed site explosives storage
MATURE Capabilities: EDC assets will begin to mature capabilities that were previously developed to establish "Baseline
Capabilities." This would include the development of protocols, procedures or guidelines for capabilities or equipment previously acquired (e.g. policies on deployment of assets) to ensure appropriate and consistent use. EDC assets will begin to implement training programs to ensure assets are appropriately trained to utilize equipment acquired and/or to enhance capabilities, specifically in relationship to the detection of common explosive odors and response capabilities in varied environments.
Equipment (Mobile Data Terminal) (EQUIPMENT) Equipment to access information from local, state, and federal law enforcement partners (e.g. state fusion center)
OBP Section 1- Implement Intelligence/Information Gathering and Dissemination
1.2 Analyze Information on Adversary Training, Tactics, and Procedures
Procedure Development (Request/Gather Operational Information Guidelines)
(PLANNING) Procedure or guidelines for requesting or gathering operational information
Procedure Development (Establish Policy Documents for Multi-Jurisdictional Response)
(PLANNING) MAA, MOU, MOA or MCA with appropriate agencies and jurisdictions in your region
OBP Section 2- Implement Bombing Incident Prevention and Response Plans
2.1 Have plans and procedures for incident prevention and response, including sharing of personnel and assets
Procedure Development (Explosive Device Response Operations and Bombing Prevention Guidelines)
(PLANNING) Procedure for Explosive Device Response Operations
(PLANNING) Procedure and guidelines for bombing prevention and response
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Training (EDC Unit Completes Training to Ensure Detection of Common Explosive Odors- Training Should be Informed by Jurisdictional, NYS, National and International Risk Profiles and/or Trends)
(TRAINING) Teams that can detect: ammonium nitrate; blasting agents, cast boosters; potassium chlorate-based mixtures; sodium chlorate-based mixtures; composition B; dynamite; emulsions; photoflash/pyrotechnic powder; nitrate-based mixtures; nitromethane; perchlorate-based mixtures; peroxide-based explosives (HMTD); peroxide-based explosives (TATP); PETN based-explosive compounds; tagged plastic explosives; untagged plastic explosives; RDX-based explosive compounds; SEMTEX; slurries; single based smokeless powder; double based smokeless powder; triple based smokeless powder; tetryl; TNT; urea nitrate; water gel; black powder
OBP Section 3- Incident Analysis
3.11 Can each team detect common explosive odors
Training (EDC Unit Completes Training to Ensure Response in Varied Environments Appropriate to Jurisdictional Risk Profile and Need)
(TRAINING) Teams that can conduct systematic search of open areas; motorized vehicles; railcars and mass transit rail system; buildings; industrial areas; maritime vessels; aircraft; stationary baggage; moving baggage; cargo and freight; personnel; integrated search operation (When purchasing training aides, only pseudo-explosives are allowed; actual explosives are Not Allowed through this grant opportunity)
OBP Section 3- Incident Analysis
3.9 Can the Unit conduct systemic searches in varied environments to locate explosive material
Training (EDC Unit Completes Requisite IED/HazMat/Explosives Related Training)
(TRAINING) Personnel with IED awareness training
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.5 Can the Unit identify training requirements needed to increase, improve, or maintain qualifications
(TRAINING) Personnel with IED response training
(TRAINING) Personnel with Hazardous Materials awareness training
(TRAINING) Personnel are participating in proficiency training
(TRAINING) Personnel are participating in other explosives related training (e.g. seminars, conferences, symposiums)
(TRAINING) EDCT has access to an area for training
Procedure Development (Multi-Year Training Plan)
(PLANNING) EDCT has an established training plan
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Procedure Development (Deployment of EDC Team Assets Guidelines)
(PLANNING) Procedure or guideline for call back of personnel OBP Section 2- Implement
Bombing Incident Prevention and Response Plans
2.3 Mobilize personnel and equipment for bombing incident prevention and response
(PLANNING) Procedure or guideline for transportation of personnel, assets, and equipment
Procedure Development (Communications Guidelines)
(PLANNING) Procedure or guidelines for use of communications equipment
OBP Section 1- Implement Intelligence/Information Gathering and Dissemination
1.1 Send Out/Receive Operational Data
Training (EDC Unit Completes Training for Providing First Aid to EDC)
(TRAINING) Personnel trained in first aid procedures for canines
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.4 Can the Unit provide basic equipment and services for the maintenance and health of the canine
Procedure Development (Guidelines for Veterinary Care and Appropriate Documentation of Care)
(PLANNING) Adequate veterinary care is available/provided to EDCs
(PLANNING) Adequate emergency veterinary care is available/provided to EDCs
(PLANNING) Procedure or guideline for documentation of canine care
(PLANNING) Procedure or guideline for kennel sanitation and maintenance
Training (EDC Unit Completes Training in Appropriate Storage and Transport of Explosive Materials)
(TRAINING) Personnel with training in transporting explosives
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.1 Can the Unit provide for the safe and secure storage and transport of explosive materials
(TRAINING) Personnel with training in storing explosives
Procedure Development (Guidelines Detailing Storage and Transport of Explosive Materials)
(PLANNING) Procedure for explosives storage
(PLANNING) Procedure for explosives transport
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ADVANCE Capabilities: EDC assets will begin to enhance their capabilities beyond those necessary for a mature team, in order to
meet risk and threat profiles and mission areas unique to a team's jurisdiction. For example, this may include developing capabilities in the appropriate acquisition, handling and disposal of training aids in order to provide jurisdictional or regional training opportunities to maintain/enhance proficiency in the detection of common explosive odors and/or varied environments. Additionally, some jurisdictions (e.g. larger urban environments) may seek to develop EDC assets cross-trained in radiological detection capabilities, are equipped and trained to provide support to specialty teams (e.g. tactical or bomb squads) or have broader abilities to produce and disseminate operational data to local, regional and state partners. Finally, EDC assets will utilize training and exercise opportunities to continually test capabilities and highlight areas for improvement or gaps to close.
Procedure Development (Guidelines for Acquiring, Disposing and Storage of Explosive Materials- Specifically Relating to Training Aids)
(PLANNING) Procedure for acquiring explosives materials
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.2 Can the Unit procure, maintain, and properly dispose of explosive materials
(PLANNING) Procedure for dispose of explosives materials
(PLANNING) Procedure or guideline to reduce potential cross-contamination of explosives materials while in storage and/or use in training
Training (Various IED Training Programs for Jurisdictional Partners- Based on Risk Profile and Need)
(TRAINING) Provide IED awareness training to public and private sector entities
OBP Section 2- Implement Bombing Incident Prevention and Response Plans
2.2 Provide IED training to the public/private sector, and emergency responders based on expected level of performance
(TRAINING) Provide IED response training to public and private sector entities
(TRAINING) Provide IED awareness training to public safety personnel and private sector security
(TRAINING) Provide IED response training to public safety personnel and private sector security
(TRAINING) Acquire adequate inert explosive training aids for training events
(TRAINING) Awareness-level training curriculum
(TRAINING) Responder-level training curriculum
Equipment for Radiation Detection (PRD)
(EQUIPMENT) Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) OBP Section 3- Incident Analysis
3.12 Can the Unit detect nuclear or radiological materials
Training (Appropriate Training to Ensure Successful Use of PRD)
(TRAINING) Personnel with training in Preventative Radiological/Nuclear Detection (PRND)
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Procedure Development (Guidelines Detailing Use of PRNDs and Jurisdiction's Roles and Responsibilities Concerning PRND)
(PLANNING) Procedure of guideline for the jurisdiction's Preventative Radiological/Nuclear Detection (PRND) roles and responsibilities
Equipment (Mobile Data Terminal)
(EQUIPMENT) Equipment to document and produce operational information
OBP Section 1- Implement Intelligence/Information Gathering and Dissemination
1.3 Document and Produce Analytical Documents
(EQUIPMENT) Incident Reporting Software
Training (Documenting/Producing Operational Information Guidelines)
(TRAINING) Adequate training on equipment and programs to document and produce operational information
Procedure Development (Document/Produce Operational Information Guidelines)
(PLANNING) Procedure or guidelines for documenting and producing operational information
Equipment (Mobile Data Terminal) (EQUIPMENT) Equipment to report incident information to local, state, and federal law enforcement partners (e.g. state fusion center)
OBP Section 1- Implement Intelligence/Information Gathering and Dissemination
1.4 Provide Critical Incident Info to Local, State, and Federal Repositories
Training (Reporting/Disseminating Incident Information)
(TRAINING) Adequate training in reporting and disseminating incident information
Procedure Development (Report/Disseminate Incident Information Guidelines)
(PLANNING) Procedure or guidelines for reporting and disseminating incident information
Conduct Exercises
(EXERCISES) Provide input to State or Local Improvement Plan Workshop (IPW) or Training &Exercise Plan Workshop (T&EPW)
OBP Section 9- Maintain Readiness
9.7 Does the Unit participate in exercises to assess strengths and/or identify areas for improvement
(EXERCISES) Engage in discussion-based exercise in last 12 months
(EXERCISES) Engage in operations-based exercises in last 12 months
Procedure Development (Exercise After Action Report and Improvement Plan to Inform Capability Development/Grant Requests)
(PLANNING) Procedure to provide an AAR/IP following completion of exercises
Exhibit C: Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) Template
**Only Required for Regional Projects** Reminder: The executed RPA must be submitted along with the application. The RPA is only for the purposes of the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program and does not constitute or infer mutual aid between the submitting and participating partners for successful regional partnerships under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. Signature: The FY2018 RPA is designed to be signed by the law enforcement agency Chief/Sheriff of the submitting and participating partners involved in a given regional partnership.
Regional Partnership Agreement Between ______________________ and _______________________
For the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program
Parties
The parties to the Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) are ________________________ and __________________________. (Note: Additional participating partners should be added to the RPA, as appropriate. Purpose This RPA is intended to build regional CBRNE Detection and Interdiction Capabilities by:
• setting forth the responsibilities of the Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program recipients; and
• ensuring that Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program recipients work together to
implement the projects, goals and objectives identified in their jointly-submitted Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program application under the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA).
Definitions The term submitting partner refers to the direct recipient of the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program award, who shall serve as fiduciary agent for the award. (See below for the specific responsibilities of the submitting partner.) The term participating partner refers to the other entity or entities that joined with the submitting partner in applying for funding through the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program.
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General Responsibilities of the Submitting Partner (SP) The SP is to act as the principal point of contact with the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for application, management, and administration of the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. The SP is responsible for submitting all required fiscal reporting documents to the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and for maintaining all appropriate records pertaining to this grant program. Specific details related to fiscal reporting and records maintenance are outlined in DHSES’ contract with the SP for the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. The SP is required to use the funds received through the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program in coordination with the participating partner, and in a manner that is consistent with their application. General Responsibilities of the Participating Partner(s) (PP) The PP(s) is responsible for coordinating with the SP to implement all projects funded under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. Project-Specific Responsibilities The responsibilities of the SP and each PP for each of the projects funded under the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program are outlined below1:
Project Responsibility of Submitting Partner
Responsibility of each Participating Partner
Points of Contact
Partner Name Telephone Email
Submitting Partner Primary Contact:
Submitting Partner Secondary Contact:
Participating Partner Primary Contact:
1 Suggestion: In order to populate this chart, information can be drawn from the “Regional Partnership and Project Description” table
of your FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Grant Program RFA Worksheet. Details are needed only for projects that are funded under
the FY2018 Explosive Detection Canine Grant Program.
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Participating Partner Secondary Contact:
Effective Date This RPA becomes effective upon its approval by all parties and is effective through August 31, 2021. Modification This RPA may be modified upon the signed consent of all the parties to the agreement. APPROVED BY: For ________________: ___________________________________ ________________ (Name/Title) (Date) For _________________: ________________________________ _______________ (Name/Title) (Date)
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Exhibit D: Explosive Detection Canine Training Schools and Estimated Costs Reference
Reminder: The following is a non-exhaustive reference list of Explosive Detection Canine Training Schools and their estimated costs for applicants to utilize as a reference in planning their budget for the Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. Applicants must confirm final costs estimates with the training school offering the Explosive Detection Canine Training Program. Applicants are welcome to utilize any training program to meet the certification requirement so long as it conforms to DCJS certification standards and/or has DCJS trained instructors. Applicants may be expected to verify the certification of a training program prior to contract development. Out-of-state training programs are not eligible under this grant program.
Training School Costs to be Considered *
New York State Police Canine Training Facility Cooperstown, NY POC: T/Lt. Jason Brewer Canine Unit Coordinator [email protected] (518) 821-5017
Tuition: $ 0.00 Per Diem: $ 800.00 (Estimated cost for meals during a 20-week training program, however, applicants are ultimately responsible for their own meals). Lodging is provided at no cost. Equipment: $500.00 (Equipment list provided)
Note: The New York State Police Canine Unit Coordinator is available to assist in the process of selecting a canine handler upon request. Certification Requirement: The New York State Police Canine Unit Training Facility meets and exceeds the certification requirements of this grant program.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTA Police Training Site) Dutchess County, NY POC: Captain John P. Kerwick [email protected] (914) 662-3429 (Work) (347) 992-1139 (Cell)
Tuition: $0-$1,500 (Based on class size) Per Diem: Applicants are responsible for their travel, meals and lodging costs for a 12-week training program.
Note: The MTA Police Department training program is 12 weeks long. Canine and handling equipment are not included as part of the training program and must be acquired by the applicant prior to training. Certification Requirement: The MTA Police Department offers DCJS approved courses and meets the certification requirements of this grant program.
* Applicants must contact the appropriate training school Point of Contact (POC) for final training costs. DHSES will not be responsible for providing final program costs during the application development process. Per Diems are estimated to include all travel, sustenance, and lodging costs throughout the entirety of the training program, unless otherwise noted.
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Exhibit E: National Counter-IED Capabilities Analysis Database (NCCAD)
Overview: The National Counter-IED Capabilities Analysis Database (NCCAD) uses a task-based methodology to provide a uniform analysis of bomb squad, explosive detection canine team, dive team, and Special Weapons and Tactics team capabilities throughout the United States. This methodology measures readiness, equipment, training, and assets required for effective response to improvised explosive device (IED) threats. This integrated information provides a snapshot of national IED preparedness that informs resource allocation and capability enhancements. Assessing/Addressing Preparedness: To date, the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) has surveyed and assessed nearly 1600 public safety teams, providing a snapshot of the level of preparedness to respond to IED threats nationwide. This detailed data provides critical decision-support information for Federal, State, local, and private sector security partners that have a role in bombing prevention. IP administers NCCAD and populates it during on-site surveys conducted with the Public Safety units to determine:
• Current operational capabilities;
• Desired capabilities; and
• Specific gaps related to training and equipment. The formal assessment reports provided by IP allow individual units, agency heads, and State and local Homeland Security officials to develop investment justifications that support State strategies for addressing national priorities as required by various DHS grant programs. NCCAD analyzes data on multiple levels including geographic area, type of unit, incident-specific resources, or any combination thereof for determining national capability. The database design provides access to readiness information for regular planning and real-time decision support during elevated threats, answering important questions about the level of a capability available. This source of measurable information feeds operational requirements for DHS Science and Technology initiatives that support bombing prevention. It also supports other DHS initiatives such as the Regional Resiliency Assessment Program and the development of Multi-Jurisdictional IED Security Plans by providing planners and vulnerability assessment experts with an accurate analysis of the IED prevention and response capabilities in the assessment areas. If you haven’t completed the Office for Bombing Prevention’s Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program in NCCAD, please contact Unit Chief Jenny Margaros (703-235-9381 or [email protected]) or Project Lead Richard McKee (703-235-9398 or [email protected]) to complete your individualized assessment.
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Exhibit F: Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) The mission of the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) is to collect, analyze and disseminate information and intelligence regarding arson and the suspected criminal misuse of explosives. The primary goal of the USBDC is to increase regional and national situational awareness to detect, deter and prevent future criminal or terrorist acts. To accomplish this the USBDC maintains and utilizes the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS), which is the single national repository for arson and explosives incident information established by Federal Statute and Attorney General designation. BATS is a free, web-based system accessible from any device connected to the Internet. Not only can you access the information you input, but you can search and analyze national data to discover trends, patterns and leads. In addition to incident information, BATS allows you to document activities; such as training, canine uses, disposal/destruction operations and other events. BATS provides customizable reports for incidents and tracking activities. To request a BATS user account, use the following link: https://www.atf.gov/content/bats-account-request-form. If you do not receive an e-mailed application, please check your junk mail folder, then contact the USBDC. For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact the USBDC via [email protected] or 800-461-8841.
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Exhibit G: Best Practices for Preparing an Effective Grant Application
What to do when you have received the Request for Applications (RFA):
• It is important to start early in preparing your application, highlighting deadlines and/or tasks that must be completed as part of the application process.
• Review all plans, strategies, policies and documents related to the grant you are applying for to ensure you can appropriately address the goals and objectives pertaining to the nature of the grant opportunity.
What to do when you are completing the application:
• Ensure that the proposed budget is realistic, reasonable, and articulate how your budget will address the objectives of the grant opportunity.
• If your grant application requires you to reference goals and/or objectives, make sure the goals and objectives you cite are measurable. Goals should reflect the long-term and global impact of a program or project. Meanwhile, objectives should be specific and measurable building blocks designed to meet your goals.
• Create an evaluation plan that demonstrates how you will assess your proposed projects for effectiveness and/or meeting the objectives of the grant opportunity, even if such a plan is not required.
• Address steps that will be taken to institutionalize, sustain, or enhance the capabilities or proposed project being developed after grant funding has been exhausted.
What to do prior to submitting your application:
Make sure that you have completed all the required sections of the application. Applicants are strongly recommended to share their completed applications with a colleague to ensure that the application is clearly written and addresses all the objectives of the grant opportunity.