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In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing $1.8 million to promote sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect intercity bus companies and the traveling public from acts of terrorism.
Overview
The FY 2024 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) is one (1) of four (4) grant programs that constitute the DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against potential terrorist attacks. The IBSGP provides funds to intercity bus companies to protect surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism.
Funding
In FY 2024, the total amount of funds distributed under this grant program will be $1.8 million. FY 2024 IBSGP funds will be awarded to support the creation of a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus companies and the traveling public from acts of terrorism. Eligible activities are outlined in the FY 2024 IBSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and FY 2024 Preparedness Grants Manual.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants under the FY 2024 IBSGP are private operators providing transportation by over-the-road bus that have completed a vulnerability assessment and developed a security plan that DHS has approved as described in Section 1531 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. Eligibility for funding is limited to applicants that meet one or both of the following criteria:
- Operate fixed-route intercity bus transportation providing services to one or more historically eligible Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-designated urban areas; and
- Operate a charter bus service using over-the-road buses and provide a minimum of 50 trips annually to one or more historically eligible UASI-designated urban areas.
Funding Guidelines
IBSGP recipients will be selected for funding through a competitive review process as outlined in the FY 2024 IBSGP NOFO. Applicants will receive a 20% increase to their scores for addressing one or more of the following National Priority Areas in their Investment Justifications:
- Enhancing cybersecurity; and
- Enhancing the protection of soft targets and crowded places.
Application Process
Applying for an award under the IBSGP is a multi-step process. Applicants are encouraged to register early in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system, as the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. Please refer to Section D in the FY 2024 IBSGP NOFO for detailed information and instructions.
All application materials will be posted on Grants.gov. Eligible applicants should submit their application through FEMA GO. Applicants needing technical support with the FEMA GO System should contact FEMAGO@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Completed applications must be submitted in the FEMA GO system no later than 5 p.m. ET on June, 24, 2024.
IBSGP Resources
To address programmatic, technical, and financial questions, a variety of resources are available, including:
- The FY 2024 IBSGP NOFO is located online at www.fema.gov/grants.
- The FY 2024 Preparedness Grants Manual is located online at www.fema.gov/grants.
- For additional program-specific information, please contact FEMA Grants News at (800) 368-6498 or fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA Grants News hours of operation are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
- For support regarding financial grants management and budgetary technical assistance, applicants may contact the FEMA Award Administration Help Desk via e-mail to ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.