Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; Fire Prevention and Safety Grants
| Published date | 20 April 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 20509 |
| Record Number | 2021-08089 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Federal Emergency Management Agency,Homeland Security Department |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 74 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20509-20515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08089]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
[Docket ID FEMA-2021-0015; Internal Agency Docket No. DHS-20-GPD-044-
00-97]
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; Fire Prevention and
Safety Grants
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This Notice provides guidelines that describe the application
process for Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program grants and
the criteria the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will use to
award these grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. It explains the
differences, if any, between these guidelines and those recommended by
representatives of the Nation's fire service leadership during the
annual Criteria Development meeting, which was held December 11, 2019.
The application period for the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program was January
25, 2021, through February 26, 2021, and was announced on the
Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) website at: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters, www.grants.gov, and the
U.S. Fire Administration website at www.usfa.fema.gov.
DATES: Grant applications for the FP&S Grant Program were accepted
electronically at https://go.fema.gov from January 25, 2021, at 8:00
a.m. ET through February 26, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
ADDRESSES: Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Branch, DHS/FEMA,
400 C Street SW 3N, Washington, DC 20472-3635.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Patterson, Chief, Assistance
to Firefighters Grants Program Branch, (866) 274-0960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the FP&S Grant Program is to
enhance the safety of the public and firefighters by assisting fire
prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety
research and development. The FEMA Grant Programs Directorate
administers the FP&S Grant Program as part of the AFGP.
The FP&S Grant Program's authorizing statute requires that FEMA
publish the guidelines that describe the application process and the
criteria for grant awards in the Federal Register each year. Specific
information about the submission of grant applications can be found in
the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO),
which is available for download at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters.
Congressional Appropriations
Congress appropriated $355 million for AFG Program in FY 2020
pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
2020, Public Law 116-93. From this amount, $35.5 million will be made
available for FP&S Grant Program awards, pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
2229(h)(5), which states that not less than 10 percent of available
grant funds each year are awarded under the FP&S Grant Program. Funds
appropriated for all FY 2020 AFG Program awards, pursuant to Public Law
116-93, will be available for obligation and award until Sept. 30,
2021.
FEMA anticipates that it will receive approximately 670
applications and may award approximately 100 FP&S Grant Program grants.
Background of the FP&S Grant Program
The purpose of the FP&S Grant Program is to enhance the safety of
the public and firefighters by assisting fire prevention programs and
supporting firefighter health and safety research and development. FP&S
Grant Program grants are offered to support projects in two activities:
1. FP&S Activity: Activities designed to reach high-risk target
groups and mitigate the incidence of death, injuries, and property
damage caused by fire and fire-related hazards.
2. Research and Development (R&D) Activity: Projects aimed at
improving firefighter safety, health, or wellness through research and
development that reduce firefighter fatalities and injuries.
FEMA awards grants on a competitive basis to applicants that best
address the FP&S Grant Program's priorities and provide the most
compelling justification. A panel of reviewers evaluates each project
in accordance with the evaluation criteria. The highest rated projects
are recommended for funding.
Award Criteria
All applications for grants will be prepared and submitted through
the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system (https://go.fema.gov).
Applications submitted under the FP&S Activity will be reviewed by
a panel of fire service members using the following criteria:
Financial Need
Commitment to Mitigation
Vulnerability Statement
Project Description
Implementation Plan
Evaluation Plan
Cost vs. Benefit
Applications submitted under the R&D Activity will be reviewed
first by a panel of fire service members to identify those applications
most relevant to the fire service. The following evaluation criteria
will be used for this review:
Purpose
Potential Impact
Implementation by the Fire Service
Barriers
Partners
The applications that are determined most likely to enable
improvement in firefighter safety, health, or wellness will be deemed
to be in the ``competitive range'' and forwarded to the second level of
application review, which is the science panel review process. This
panel will be composed of scientists and technology experts who have
expertise pertaining to the subject matter of the proposal.
The Science Panel for the R&D Activity will review the application
and evaluate it using the following criteria:
Project Goals, Objectives, and Specific Aims
[[Page 20510]]
Literature Review
Project Methods
Project Measurements
Project Analysis
Dissemination and Implementation
Cost vs. Benefit (additional consideration)
Financial Need (additional consideration)
Mentoring (additional consideration for Early Career
Investigator Projects only)
Eligible Applicants
Under the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program, eligible applicants are
limited to those entities described below within each activity:
1. FP&S Activity: Eligible applicants for this activity included
fire departments and national, regional, state, local, tribal, and
nonprofit interest organizations that are recognized for their
experience and expertise in fire prevention and safety programs and
activities. Both private and public non-profit organizations are
eligible to apply for funding in this activity. For-profit
organizations, Federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to
receive an FP&S Grant Program award under the FP&S Activity.
2. R&D Activity: Eligible applicants for this activity include
national, state, local, federally-recognized tribal, and nonprofit
organizations, such as academic (e.g., universities), public health,
occupational health, and injury prevention institutions. Both private
and public non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding
in this activity.
The aforementioned entities are encouraged to apply, especially
those that are recognized for their experience and expertise in
firefighter safety, health, and wellness research and development
activities. Fire departments are not eligible to apply for funding in
the R&D Activity. Additionally, for-profit organizations, Federal
agencies, and individuals are not eligible to receive a grant award
under the R&D Activity.
Funding Limitations
Awards are limited to a maximum Federal share of $1.5 million
regardless of applicant type, in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 2229(d)(2).
R&D Activity applicants that applied under the Early Career
Investigator category are limited to a maximum Federal share of $75,000
per project year.
Cost Sharing
Grant recipients must share in the costs of the projects funded
under this grant program as required by 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(1) and in
accordance with 2 CFR 200.101(b)(1), but they are not required to have
the cost share at the time of application nor are they required to have
it at the time of award. However, before a grant is awarded, FEMA may
contact potential awardees to determine whether the grant recipient has
the funding in hand or whether the grant recipient has a viable plan to
obtain the funding necessary to fulfill the cost-share requirement.
In general, an eligible applicant seeking an FP&S Grant Program
grant to carry out an activity shall agree to make available non-
Federal funds to carry out such activity in an amount equal to, and not
less than, five percent of the grant awarded. Cash match and in-kind
matches are both allowable in the FP&S Grant Program. Cash (hard)
matches include non-Federal cash spent for project-related costs. In-
kind (soft) matches include, but are not limited to, the valuation of
in-kind services; complementary activities; and provision of staff,
facilities, services, material, or equipment. In-kind is the value of
something received or provided that does not have a cost associated
with it. For example, where an in-kind match (other than cash payments)
is permitted, then the value of donated services could be used to
comply with the match requirement. Also, third party in-kind
contributions may count toward satisfying match requirements provided
the grant recipient receiving the contributions expends them as
allowable costs in compliance with provisions listed above.
Grant recipients under this program must also agree to a
maintenance of effort requirement per 15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(3) (referred to
as a ``maintenance of expenditure'' requirement in that statute). Per
this requirement, a grant recipient shall agree to maintain during the
term of the grant, the grant recipient's aggregate expenditures
relating to the activities allowable under the FP&S Grant Program NOFO
at not less than 80 percent of the average amount of such expenditures
in the two fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the grant
amounts are received.
In cases of demonstrated economic hardship and upon the request of
the grant recipient, the FEMA Administrator may waive or reduce a
certain grant recipient's cost share or maintenance of expenditure
requirements, or both (15 U.S.C. 2229(k)(4)(A)). As required by 15
U.S.C. 2229(k)(4)(B), the Administrator established guidelines for
determining what constitutes economic hardship and published these
guidelines at FEMA's website: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1519836401291-5ab3e7fc3eaea15bea8a68b5638e892d/Eco_Hardship_Waiver_FPS_SAFER_AFG_IB_FINAL.pdf. Per 15 U.S.C.
2229(k)(4)(C), FP&S Grant Program nonprofit organization grant
recipients that are not fire departments or emergency medical services
organizations are not eligible to receive a waiver of their cost-share
for economic hardship requirements.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Per 2 CFR 25.200, all grant applicants and recipients are required
to register at https://SAM.gov, which is available free of charge. FEMA
requires active SAM registration at the time of application in FEMA GO,
and will not process any awards, consider any payment or amendment
requests, or consider any amendment unless the applicant or grant
recipient has complied with the requirements to provide a valid Dun &
Bradstreet (DUNS) database number and an active SAM registration with
current information. The banking information, employer identification
number (EIN), organization/entity name, address, and DUNS number
provided in SAM will be automatically transferred to the application
after the entity registers in FEMA GO at https://go.fema.gov.
Application Process
Applicants (identified by the Unique Entity Identifier) may apply
for funding under both eligible activities (FP&S and R&D) but must
complete separate applications for each eligible activity. Each
application may include up to three projects under that activity.
Applicants are limited to one application per activity, per application
period. Any applicant that submits more than one application per
eligible activity may have all applications deemed ineligible.
Under the FP&S Activity, applicants could apply under the following
categories:
Community Risk Reduction
Wildfire Risk Reduction
Fire & Arson Investigation
Code Enforcement/Awareness
National/State/Regional Programs and Projects
Under the R&D Activity, applicants could apply under the following
categories:
Clinical Studies
Technology and Product Development
Database System Development
Dissemination and Implementation Research
Preliminary Studies
Early Career Investigator
[[Page 20511]]
Prior to the start of the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program application
period, FEMA provided applicants with technical assistance tools
available at the AFGP website https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters and other online information to help them prepare quality
grant applications. AFGP also staffs a Helpdesk throughout the
application period to assist applicants with navigation through the
automated application as well as assistance with related questions. The
AFGP Helpdesk can be reached year-round through a toll-free telephone
number (866-274-0960) or email [email protected].
Applicants could access the application electronically at https://go.fema.gov. The application was also accessible from the Grants.gov
website: http://www.grants.gov. New applicants were required to
register and establish a username and password electronically at
https://go.fema.gov for secure access to their application. The FEMA GO
Helpdesk was available to assist applicants with technical issues and
could be reached at (877) 585-3242 or by email at [email protected].
The FEMA GO Helpdesk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET.
In completing an application under the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program,
applicants must provide relevant information on their organization's
characteristics and existing capabilities. Those applicants are asked
to answer questions about their grant request that reflect the funding
priorities, described below. In addition, applicants are required to
complete narratives for each project requested.
The following are the funding priorities for each category under
the FP&S Activity:
Community Risk Reduction--Under the Community Risk
Reduction category there are three funding priorities:
[cir] Priority will be given to programs that target a specific
high-risk population to conduct both door-to-door smoke alarm
installations and provide home safety inspections, as part of a
comprehensive home fire safety campaign.
[cir] Priority will be given to programs that include sprinkler
awareness that affect the entire community, such as educating the
public about sprinklers, promoting sprinklers, and demonstrating
working models of sprinklers.
[cir] Priority will be given to programs to conduct community-
appropriate comprehensive risk assessments and risk reduction planning.
Wildfire Risk Reduction--These are education and awareness
programs that protect lives, property, and natural resources from fire
in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) (not forestry), including
Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) or programs supporting fire
adapted community initiatives.
Code Enforcement/Awareness--These are projects that focus
on first time or reinstatement of code adoption and code enforcement,
including WUI codes for communities with a WUI-wildfire risk.
Fire & Arson Investigation--These are projects that aim to
aggressively investigate every fire.
National/State/Regional Programs and Projects--These are
projects that focus on residential fire issues and/or firefighter
safety and wellness.
Under the R&D Activity, in order to identify and address the most
important elements of firefighter safety, FEMA looked to the fire
service for its input and recommendations. In June 2005, the National
Fallen Firefighters' Foundation (NFFF) hosted a working group to
facilitate the development of an agenda for the Nation's fire service,
and in particular for firefighter safety. In November 2015, the NFFF
hosted its third working group to update the agenda with current
priorities. A copy of the research agenda is available on the NFFF
website at http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/resources/research-symposium-reports/.
All proposed projects, regardless of whether they have been
identified by the working group, will be evaluated on their relevance
to firefighter health and safety, and scientific rigor.
The electronic application process permits the applicant to enter
and save the application data. The system does not permit the
submission of incomplete applications. Except for the narrative
textboxes, the application uses a ``point-and-click'' selection process
or requires the entry of data (e.g., name and address). Applicants are
encouraged to read the FP&S Grant Program NOFO for more details.
Criteria Development Process
Each year, FEMA convenes a panel of fire service professionals to
develop the funding priorities and other implementation criteria for
the FP&S Grant Program. The Criteria Development Panel is composed of
representatives from nine major fire service organizations that are
charged with making recommendations to FEMA regarding the creation of
new funding priorities, the modification of existing funding
priorities, and the development of criteria for awarding grants. The
nine major fire service organizations represented on the panel:
Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD)
The FY 2020 Criteria Development Panel meeting occurred Dec. 11,
2019. The content of the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program NOFO reflects the
implementation of the Criteria Development Panel's recommendations with
respect to the priorities, direction, and criteria for awards. All of
the funding priorities for the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program are designed
to address the following:
First responder safety
Enhancing national capabilities
Risk
Interoperability
Changes for FY 2020
The following changes were made between the FY 2019 and the FY 2020
FP&S Grant Program NOFO:
Under section E--Application Review Information:
[cir] Fire Department applicants that can demonstrate their
commitment and proactive posture to reducing fire risk will receive
higher consideration.
Under sections D--Application and Submission Information,
E--Application Review Information, F--Federal Award Administration
Information, G--DHS Awarding Agency Contact and Resource Information,
and H--Additional Information:
[cir] Various grants management changes due to recent OMB revisions
to 2 CFR, particularly regarding SAM registration, performance
measures, procurement, closeout, and termination.
Under section E--Application Review Information:
[cir] New Research Terms and Conditions added.
Under Supporting Definitions:
[cir] Definitions added for Authority Having Jurisdiction, Career
Fire Department, Combination Fire Department, Human Subject, Interest
Organizations, Primary First Due,
[[Page 20512]]
Research, and Volunteer Fire Department.
Under National/State/Regional Programs and Projects:
[cir] Added guidance regarding human subjects.
Under Regional Projects:
[cir] Added guidance regarding regional projects.
Under Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation
(EHP):
[cir] Added updated process for EHP.
Under Ineligible Costs and Items for FP&S Activity:
[cir] Intruder alerting systems and deployment notification systems
were added as ineligible.
Under Award Administration Information (Appendix C):
[cir] Added updated process for Economic Hardship Waiver.
[cir] Added list of supporting documentation for advance and
reimbursement payment requests.
Application Review Process and Considerations
The FP&S Grant Program's authorizing statute requires that each
year FEMA publish in the Federal Register a description of the grant
application process and the criteria for grant awards. This information
is provided below.
FEMA will review and evaluate all FP&S Grant Program applications
submitted using the funding priorities and evaluation criteria
described in this document, which are based on recommendations from the
Criteria Development Panel.
Peer Review Process
Peer Review Panel Process--FP&S Activity
All FP&S Activity applications will be evaluated through a peer
review process. A panel of peer reviewers is composed of fire service
representatives recommended by the Criteria Development Panel. These
reviewers will assess each application's merits with respect to the
detail provided in the Narrative Statement on the activity, including
the evaluation elements listed in the Evaluation Criteria identified
below. The panel will independently score each project within the
application, discuss the merits and/or shortcomings of the application,
and document the findings. A consensus is not required.
Peer Review Panel Process--R&D Activity
R&D Activity applications will go through a two-phase review
process. First, all applications will be reviewed by a panel of fire
service experts to assess the need for the research results and the
likelihood that the results would be implemented by the fire service in
the United States. Applications that are deemed likely to be
implemented to enable improvement in firefighter safety, health, or
wellness will be deemed to be in the ``competitive range'' and will be
forwarded to the second level of project review, which is the science
review panel process. This panel will be composed of scientists and
technology experts who have expertise pertaining to the subject matter
of the proposal.
Science panel reviewers will independently score applications in
the competitive range and, if necessary, discuss the merits or
shortcomings of the project in order to reconcile any major
discrepancies identified by the reviewers. A consensus is not required.
Technical Evaluation Process
The highest ranked projects from both Activities will be deemed in
the fundable range. Applications that are in the fundable range will
undergo a Technical Review by the FEMA Program Office prior to being
recommended for award. The FEMA Program Office will assess the request
with respect to costs, quantities, feasibility, eligibility, and
recipient responsibility prior to recommending any application for
award. Additionally, FEMA will review whether the project duplicates
other federally funded research or prevention activities in order to
avoid duplication.
Once the review process is complete, each project's score will be
determined and a final ranking of project applications will be created.
FEMA will award grants based on this final ranking. Award announcements
will be made on a rolling basis until all available grant funds have
been committed. Awards will not be made in any specified order. FEMA
will notify unsuccessful applicants as soon as it is feasible.
Evaluation Criteria for Projects--FP&S Activity
Funding decisions will be informed by an assessment of how well the
application addressed the criteria and considerations listed below.
Applications will be reviewed by the peer reviewers using weighted
evaluation criteria to score the project. These scores will impact the
ranking of a project for funding.
The relative weights of the evaluation criteria in the
determination of the grant award is listed below.
Financial Need (Fire Departments-10 percent, Interest
Organizations-0 percent): Applicants must have provided details on the
need for financial assistance to carry out the proposed project(s).
Included in the description might be other unsuccessful attempts to
acquire financial assistance or specific details of the applicant's
operational budget.
Commitment to Mitigation (Fire Departments only-5
percent): Fire Department applicants that can demonstrate their
commitment and proactive posture to reducing fire risk will receive
higher consideration. Applicants must explain their code adoption and
enforcement (to include WUI and commercial/residential sprinkler code
adoption and enforcement) and mitigation strategies (including whether
or not the jurisdiction has a FEMA-approved mitigation strategy).
Applicants can also demonstrate their commitment to reducing fire risk
by applying to implement fire mitigation strategies (code adoption and
enforcement) via the application.
Vulnerability Statement (Fire Departments-15 percent,
Interest Organizations-25 percent): The assessment of fire risk is
essential in the development of an effective project goal, as well as
meeting FEMA's goal to reduce risk by conducting a risk assessment as a
basis for action. Vulnerability is a ``weak link'' demonstrating high
risk behavior, living conditions or any type of high risk situation.
The Vulnerability Statement should include a description of the steps
taken to determine the vulnerability and identify the target audience.
The methodology for determination of vulnerability (e.g., how the
vulnerability was found) should be discussed in-depth in the
application's Narrative Statement.
[cir] The specific vulnerability that will be addressed with the
proposed project can be established through a formal or informal risk
assessment. FEMA encourages the use of local statistics, rather than
national statistics, when discussing the vulnerability.
[cir] In a clear, to-the-point statement, the applicant should
summarize the vulnerability the project will address, including who is
at risk, what the risks are, where the risks are, and how the risks can
be prevented, reduced, or mitigated.
[cir] For the purpose of the FY 2020 FP&S Grant Program NOFO,
formal risk assessments consist of the use of software programs or
recognized expert analysis that assess risk trends.
[cir] Informal risk assessments could include an in-house review of
available data (e.g., National Fire Incident Reporting System) to
determine fire
[[Page 20513]]
loss, burn injuries, or loss of life over a period of time and the
factors that are the cause and origin for each occurrence, including a
lack of adoption and enforcement of certain codes.
Project Description (Fire Departments-20 percent, Interest
Organizations-25 percent): Applicants must have described in detail not
only the project components but also how the proposed project addresses
the identified capability gap, due to financial need and/or the
vulnerabilities identified in the vulnerability statement. The
following information should be included:
[cir] Project components.
[cir] Review of any existing programs or models that have been
successful.
[cir] Detailed description of how the proposed project components
fill the identified capability gap.
[cir] If working with Fire Service Partners/Organizations, identify
each partner/organization and the role(s) they will fill in the
successful completion of the proposed project.
Implementation Plan (Fire Departments-25 percent, Interest
Organizations-30 percent): Projects should provide details on the
implementation plan, discussing the proposed project's goals and
objectives. The following information should be included to support the
implementation plan:
[cir] Goals and objectives.
[cir] Details regarding the methods and specific steps that will be
used to achieve the goals and objectives.
[cir] Timelines outlining the chronological project steps (this is
critical for determining the likeliness of the project's completion
within the period of performance).
[cir] Where applicable, examples of marketing efforts to promote
the project, who will deliver the project (e.g., effective
partnerships), and the manner in which materials or deliverables will
be distributed.
[cir] Requests for props (e.g., tools used in educational or
awareness demonstrations), including specific goals, measurable
results, and details on the frequency for which the prop will be
utilized as part of the implementation plan. Applicants should include
information describing the efforts that will be used to reach the high
risk audience and/or the number of people reached through the proposed
project (examples of props include safety trailers, puppets, or
costumes).
Evaluation Plan (Fire Departments-15 percent, Interest
Organizations-15 percent): Projects should include a plan for
evaluation of effectiveness and identify measurable goals. Applicants
seeking to carry out awareness and educational projects, for example,
should identify how they intend to determine that there has been an
increase in knowledge about fire hazards, or measure a change in the
safety behaviors of the audience. Applicants should demonstrate how
they will measure risk at the outset of the project in comparison to
how much the risk decreased after the project is finished. There are
various ways to measure the knowledge gained about fire hazards,
including the use of surveys, pre- and post-tests, or documented
observations. Applicants are encouraged to attend training on
evaluation methods, such as the National Fire Academy's ``Demonstrating
Your Fire Prevention Program's Worth.'' In addition to a detailed
evaluation plan as described above, if awarded, grant recipients are
required to report on specific performance metrics through performance
reports and at closeout.
Cost vs. Benefit (Fire Departments-10 percent, Interest
Organizations-5 percent): Projects will be evaluated and scored by the
Peer Review panelists based on how well the applicant addresses the
fire prevention needs of the department or organization in an economic
and efficient manner. The applicant should show how it will maximize
the level of funding that goes directly into the delivery of the
project. The costs associated with the project also must be reasonable
for the target audience that will be reached, and a description should
be included of how the anticipated project benefit(s) (quantified if
possible) outweighs the cost(s) of the requested item(s). The
application should provide justification for all costs included in the
project in order to assist the Technical Evaluation Panel with their
review.
[ssquf] Meeting the needs of people with disabilities (additional
consideration): Applicants in the Community Risk Reduction category
will receive additional consideration if, as part of their
comprehensive smoke alarm installation and education program, they
address the needs of people with disabilities (e.g., deaf/hard-of-
hearing) in their community.
[ssquf] Experience and Expertise (additional consideration):
Applicants that demonstrate their experience and ability to conduct
fire prevention and safety activities, and to execute the proposed or
similar project(s), will receive additional consideration.
Evaluation Criteria--R&D Activity
Funding decisions will be informed by an assessment of how well the
application addresses the criteria and considerations listed below. All
applications will be reviewed by a fire service expert panel using
weighted evaluation criteria, and those projects deemed to be in the
``competitive range'' will then be reviewed by a science panel using
weighted evaluation criteria to score the project. Science panel
evaluations will impact the ranking of the project for funding.
Fire Service Panel Evaluation Criteria
Purpose (25 percent): Applicants should clearly identify
the benefits of the proposed research project to improve firefighter
safety, health, or wellness, and identify specific gaps in knowledge
that will be addressed.
Implementation by Fire Service (25 percent): Applicants
should discuss how the outcomes/products of this research, if
successful, are likely to be widely/nationally adopted and accepted by
the fire service as changes that enhance firefighter safety, health, or
wellness.
Potential Impact (15 percent): Applicants should discuss
the potential impact of the research outcome/product on firefighter
safety by quantifying the possible reduction in the number of fatal or
non-fatal injuries, or on the projected wellness by significantly
improving the overall health of firefighters.
Barriers (15 percent): The applicant should identify and
discuss potential fire service and other barriers to successfully
complete the study on schedule, including contingencies and strategies
to deal with barriers if they materialize. This may include barriers
that could inhibit the proposed fire service participation in the study
or the adoption of successful results by the fire service when the
project is completed, or project components most likely to cause delay
in successful completion.
Partners (20 percent): Applicants should recognize that
participation of the fire service as a partner in the research, from
development to dissemination, is regarded as an essential part of all
projects. Applicants should describe the fire service partners and
contractors that will support the project to accomplish the objectives
of the study. The specific roles and contributions of the partners
should be described. Partnerships should be formed with national fire-
related organizations, in addition to local and regional fire
departments. Letters of support and letters of commitment to actively
participate in the project should be included in the appendix of the
application. Generally, participants of a diverse population, including
both
[[Page 20514]]
career and volunteer firefighters, are expected to facilitate
acceptance of results nationally. In cases where this is not practical,
due to the nature of the study or other limitations, these
circumstances should be clearly explained.
Science Panel Evaluation Criteria
Project Goals, Objectives, and Specific Aims (15 percent):
Applicants should address how the purpose, goals, objectives, and aims
of the proposal will lead to results that will improve firefighter
safety, health, or wellness. Applicants should describe the specific
goals and objectives for each year of the project.
Literature Review (10 percent): Applicants should provide
a literature review that is relevant to the project's goals,
objectives, and specific aims. The citations should be placed in the
text of the Narrative Statement, with references listed at the end of
the Narrative Statement (and not in the Appendix) of the application.
The review should be in sufficient depth to make it clear that the
proposed project is necessary, adds to an existing body of knowledge,
is different from current and previous studies, and offers a unique
contribution.
Project Methods (20 percent): Applicants should provide a
description of how the project will be carried out, including
demonstration of the overall scientific and technical rigor and merit
of the project. This includes the operations to accomplish the purpose,
goals and objectives, and the specific aims of the project. Plans to
recruit and retain human subjects, where applicable, should be
described. Where human subjects are involved in the project, the
applicant should describe plans for submission to the Institutional
Review Board (for further guidance and requirements, see the FY 2020
FP&S Grant Program NOFO).
Project Measurements (20 percent): Applicants should
provide evidence of the technical rigor and merit of the project, such
as data pertaining to validity, reliability, and sensitivity (where
established) of the facilities, equipment, instruments, standards, and
procedures that will be used to carry out the research. The applicant
should discuss the data to be collected to evaluate the performance
methods, technologies, and products proposed to enhance firefighter
safety, health, or wellness. The applicant should demonstrate that the
measurement methods and equipment selected for use are appropriate and
sufficient to successfully deliver the proposed project objectives.
Project Analysis (20 percent): The applicant should
indicate the planned approach for analysis of the data obtained from
measurements, questionnaires, or computations. The applicant should
specify within the plan what will be analyzed, the statistical methods
that will be used, the sequence of steps, and interactions as
appropriate. It should be clear that the principal investigator and
research team have the expertise to perform the planned analysis and
defend the results in a peer review process.
Dissemination and Implementation (15 percent): Applicants
should indicate dissemination plans for scientific audiences (such as
plans for submissions to specific peer review publications) and for
firefighter audiences (such as websites, magazines, and conferences).
Also, assuming positive results, the applicant should indicate future
steps that would support dissemination and implementation throughout
the fire service, where applicable. These steps are likely to be beyond
the current study, so those features of the research activity that will
facilitate future dissemination and implementation should be discussed.
All applicants should specify how the results of the project, if
successful, might be disseminated and implemented in the fire service
to improve firefighter safety, health, or wellness. It is expected that
successful R&D Activity Projects may give rise to future programs
including FP&S Activity Projects.
Cost vs. Benefit (additional consideration): Cost vs.
benefit in this evaluation element refers to the costs of the grant for
the research and development project as it relates to the benefits that
are projected for firefighters who would have improved safety, health,
or wellness. Applicants should demonstrate a high benefit for the cost
incurred and effective utilization of Federal funds for research
activities.
Financial Need (additional consideration): In the
Applicant Information section of the application, applicants should
provide details on the need for Federal financial assistance to carry
out the proposed project(s). Applicants may include a description of
unsuccessful attempts to acquire financial assistance. Applicants
should provide detail about the organization's operating budget,
including a high-level breakdown of the budget; describe the
department's inability to address financial needs without Federal
assistance; and discuss other actions the department has taken to meet
their staffing needs (e.g., state assistance programs, other grant
programs, etc.).
Mentoring (additional consideration for Early Career
Investigator Projects only): An important part of Early Career
Investigator projects is the integration of mentoring for the principal
investigator by experienced researchers in areas appropriate to the
research project, including exposure to the fire service community as
well as support for ongoing development of knowledge and skills.
Mentoring is regarded as critical to the research skills development of
early career principal investigators. As part of the application
Appendix, the applicant should identify the mentor(s) who have agreed
to support the applicant and the expected benefit of their interactions
with the researcher. A biographical sketch and letter of support from
the mentor(s) are encouraged and should be included in the Appendix
materials.
Other Selection Information
Awards will be made using the results of peer-reviewed applications
as the primary basis for decisions, regardless of activity. However,
there are some exceptions to strictly using the peer review results.
The applicant's prior AFG Program, Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, and FP&S Grant Program grant
management performance will also be taken into consideration when
making recommendations for award. All final funding determinations will
be made by the FEMA Administrator, or the Administrator's designee.
Fire departments and other eligible applicants that have received
funding under the FP&S Grant Program in previous years are eligible to
apply for funding in the current year. However, FEMA may take into
account an applicant's performance on prior grants when making funding
decisions on current applications.
Once every application in the competitive range has been through
the technical evaluation phase, the applications will be ranked
according to the average score awarded by the panel.
The ranking will be summarized in a Technical Report prepared by
the AFG Program Office. A Grants Management Specialist will contact the
applicant to discuss and/or negotiate the content of the application
and SAM.gov registration before making final award decisions.
[[Page 20515]]
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2229.
Robert J. Fenton Jr.,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2021-08089 Filed 4-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-78-P
