Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin No. 354 February 1, 2011 TO: All State Administrative Agency Heads All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact All Urban Areas Security Initiative Points of Contact All State Homeland Security Directors All State Emergency Management Agency Directors All Eligible Regional Transit Agencies All Private Sector Transportation Security Partners All Public and Private Sector Port Security Partners All Tribal Nation Points of Contact FROM: Elizabeth M. Harman Assistant Administrator Grant Programs Directorate Federal Emergency Management Agency SUBJECT: Extension Requests for FY 2006 Preparedness Grant Programs This Information Bulletin applies to the following FY 2006 preparedness grant programs: • Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) • Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) • Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP) • Chem-Buffer Zone Protection Program (Chem-BZPP) • Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) • Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) • Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) • Intercity Passenger Rail Program (IPR) • Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) FEMA is committed to working with our grantees on providing no-cost extensions to performance periods on our existing preparedness grant programs when justified. We understand that grantees experience issues with procurement processes, equipment delays, and other obstacles. However, it is also important to ensure the funds are obligated, expended and drawn down in a timely manner, within approved periods of performance and statutory limitations. Pursuant to the procedures set forth in 31 U.S.C. 1552: "On September 30th of the 5th fiscal year after the period of availability for obligation of a fixed appropriation account ends, the account shall be closed and any remaining balance (whether obligated or unobligated) in the account shall be canceled and thereafter shall not be available for obligation or expenditure for any purpose." The Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) has approved many no-cost extension requests for these grants. Given the fact that we are now past four years since the original issue date of these awards, FEMA is taking steps to set final period of performance deadlines so that we may begin to close these grants. Therefore, GPD would like to provide you the following parameters concerning these preparedness grants: • Final FY 2006 extension requests must be received by FEMA no later than March 31, 2011. • There will be no extensions on FY 2006 performance periods past June 30, 2011. • FEMA will begin to initiate closeout procedures on all FY 2006 awards on July 1, 2011. This will allow grantees the 90-day liquidation and close-out period prior to the expiration of funds availability, as is outlined in Program Guidance and in compliance with the terms and conditions of the award. • DHS/FEMA does not have the statutory authority to extend the availability of funds past September 30, 2011, per 31 U.S.C. 1552. This means that grantees will not be able to draw down funds from the Treasury after this date. All requests for grant extensions must be submitted from the grantee to your assigned Program Analyst, and must include a detailed, clear justification to support the extension request. In addition, all grantees requesting an extension must be in compliance with reporting requirements on all open awards in order for extension requests to be approved. All grantees are reminded to submit final programmatic and financial reports in a timely fashion so that the close-out process may begin shortly after the end of the performance period. Additional questions may be directed to your assigned Program Analyst or the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk at askcsid@fema.gov or 1-800-368-6498.