First let's run the numbers as announced today by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA.
FY 2012 Allocations
Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)—provides more than $830 million for states and urban areas to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other threats.
- State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)—provides $294 million to support the implementation of state homeland security strategies to build and strengthen preparedness capabilities at all levels. The 9/11 Act requires states to dedicate 25 percent of SHSP funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.
- Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)— provides more than $490 million to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in 31 high-threat, high-density areas. The 9/11 Act requires states to dedicate 25 percent of UASI funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.
- Operation Stonegarden (OPSG)—provides more than $46 million to enhance cooperation and coordination among federal, state, territorial, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to jointly enhance security along the United States land and water borders.
Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) Program—provides more than $339 million to assist state and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities.
Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP)—provides $6 million to eligible tribal applicants to implement preparedness initiatives to help strengthen the nation against risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)—provides $10 million to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack and located within one of the FY 2012 UASI-eligible urban areas.
Intercity Passenger Rail (Amtrak) Program— provides $10 million to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from terrorism and increase the resilience of the Amtrak rail system.
Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)— provides more than $97 million to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen risk management capabilities in order to protect against improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons.
Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)— provides more than $87 million to owners and operators of transit systems to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.
Besides the numbers, 2012 is considered a transition year to 2013 grants. Some of the other important aspects to consider include:
- The priority for this grant cycle is maintenance and sustainment activities. This is not just for providing operations and maintenance (O&M) for equipment, but also maintaining capabilities by funding training and exercises.
- They are using the term "Funding Opportunity Announcements" to describe the available funds. Generally the sum total is 40% lower than in previous years. The total funds available are $1.3B for 2012.
- Urban Areas (UASI) will not be divided into Tiers, but there are sure to be some tears over the decrease in funding. Expect the big five cities to get the most, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington and Houston. That's my guess anyway.
- There is a significant link to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and ensuring that capabilities that are funded are available regionally and nationally to be shared.
- When describing the threat it is OK to now include domestic terrorist threats as being a hazard.
- Applications are due on May 4, 2012 which gives applicants 80 days to apply. They anticipate that awards will be announced on June 29th and then awards made in August and September. All allocations must be accomplished by September 30th.
- The grant applications will be consistent across all the funding streams.
- The period of performance (limited to two years) will begin on either August 1st or September 1st.
- Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA) must be accomplished by the states by the end of this year. Individual organizations do not need them done for this grant cycle. Guidance on the preparation of THIRA is still to come.
