FY 2010 Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Grant Program Fact Sheet

Overview
As appropriated by the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-83)  and authorized by section 614 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196c) as amended by section 202 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53), the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Grant Program is intended to improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure, strategically located, and fully interoperable EOCs with a focus on addressing identified deficiencies and needs. Fully capable emergency operations facilities at the State and local levels are an essential element of a comprehensive national emergency management system and are necessary to ensure continuity of operations and continuity of government in major disasters or emergencies caused by any hazard.  

Funding
In FY 2010, the total amount of funds distributed under this grant program was $57,600,000. Principal State, local, and tribal government EOCs were eligible to apply for construction or renovation assistance. Of this amount, $47,442,500 in non-competitive funding was appropriated for designated EOC projects throughout the Nation. The remaining $10,157,500 was allocated competitively to eligible State, local, and tribal government’s principal EOCs.

Eligibility
Principal EOCs of State, local, or tribal governments in the 56 States and territories were the only entities eligible to apply to FEMA for competitive FY 2010 EOC funds. Congress often creates a non-competitive aspect to the program by providing earmarks for certain EOCs around the country. The State Administrative Agency (SAA), designated by the Governor of each State and territory, was the only eligible entity able to apply for funding on behalf of each eligible State, local, and tribal government’s principal EOC. 

Allowable Costs
FY 2010 EOC Grant Program funds could only be expended for EOC construction or renovation costs and Management and Administration (M&A) costs to support the project. A maximum of five percent (5%) of funds awarded could be used for Management and Administration purposes associated with the grant award. Additionally, funds could be used for EOC design, construction, and renovation costs including, but not limited to, hardening of the structure and building envelope to resist natural and man-made hazards and the hardening of systems to better resist damage and contamination from natural and man-made events. Funds must be spent in compliance with rules and regulations noted in this EOC Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit. In addition, planning costs to support the EOC construction or renovation activities were allowable.


Application Process and Evaluation Criteria
FY 2010 EOC Grant Program applications were reviewed in two phases leveraging local knowledge and understanding of the applicant’s emergency management and preparedness capabilities, while also ensuring coordination and alignment with Federal, State, and local preparedness efforts. 
State Review:  The SAA, in coordination with the State Emergency Management Agency (EMA), reviewed all Investment Justifications (IJs) to score and prioritize the competitive projects and review the non-competitive projects. The SAA had the discretion to include other State, tribal, or local government representatives to participate in the State review.
SAAs objectively reviewed, scored, and prioritized eligible applicants using a FEMA-provided scoring worksheet and prioritization tracker. Applications were ranked by SAAs in consideration of two factors: 
* Need: The relative need for the nonprofit organization compared to the other applicants
* Impact: The potential impact of the nonprofit organization in achieving maximum prevention and/or protection results at minimal cost.

National Review:  The highest-scoring and highest-priority competitive IJs were reviewed and scored by a National review panel, to include FEMA regional staff and peer subject matter experts. The panel used the same scoring worksheet used by the SAA during the Sate Review period. FEMA will use the results of the reviews to make competitive funding recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security. IJs were reviewed by FEMA regional staff to ensure the proposed project was properly substantiated.
 



“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”
 


“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”