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The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (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 PSGP provides funds to state, local, territorial, and private sector partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical maritime transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism.
About the Program
What is the purpose of the FY 2023 PSGP?
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (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 PSGP provides funds to state, local, territorial, and private sector partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical maritime transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism.
What legislation authorized funding for the FY 2023 PSGP?
Section 102 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-295), codified as amended (46 U.S.C. § 70107). PSGP funding was appropriated by Congress in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-103).
How much funding is available under the FY 2023 PSGP?
The total amount distributed will be $100 million.
What are the changes in funding levels between FY 2022 and FY 2023?
The FY 2023 funding level for PSGP is the same as FY 2022.
Where is the FY 2023 PSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity located?
The FY 2023 PSGP NOFO is located online at www.fema.gov/grants.
Who is eligible to apply for FY 2023 PSGP funds?
All entities subject to an Area Maritime Security Plan, as defined by 46 U.S.C. § 70103(b), may apply for PSGP funding. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, port authorities, facility operators, and state, territorial, and local government agencies.
Any ferry system electing to participate and receive funds under the FY 2023 PSGP will not be eligible to participate in the FY 2023 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). Likewise, any ferry system that participates in the TSGP will not be eligible for funding under the PSGP.
- What is meant by “facility operator” as an eligible entity?
A facility operator owns, leases, or operates any structure or facility of any kind located in, on, under, or adjacent to any waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Examples of facility operators include, but are not limited to, terminal operators, ferry systems, bar/harbor pilots, and merchant’s exchanges. What types of security-related activities are allowable under PSGP?
Please refer to the FY 2023 Preparedness Grants Manual for detailed information on these allowable cost categories.
Allowable activities and costs will generally fall under one of the following categories:- Planning;
- Operational Activities, including Operational Packages;
- Equipment and Capital Projects;
- Training and Awareness Campaigns;
- Exercises; and/or
- Maintenance and Sustainment.
- What makes a strong Investment Justification (IJ)?
- Clearly identified threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences;
- Description of findings from a previously conducted vulnerability assessment;
- Details of any incident(s) including description, dates, etc.;
- A brief description of any supporting documentation (such as police reports or photographs) that is submitted as part of the application, if applicable;
- Explanation of how the investments proposed will mitigate or address the vulnerabilities identified from a vulnerability assessment;
- Clear linkage between investment(s) and core capabilities (See National Preparedness Goal);
- Verification that all proposed activities are allowable costs per the FY 2023 THSGP NOFO;
- Realistic milestones that consider the Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) review process, if applicable; and
- Description of the project manager(s) level of experience.
- How will the FY 2023 PSGP funds be allocated?
Projects submitted by a public sector applicant or projects otherwise certified by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port as having a port-wide benefit will have their final scores increased by a multiplier of 10%.
PSGP recipients will be selected for funding through a competitive review process as outlined in the FY 2023 PSGP NOFO. Applicants will receive a 20% increase to their scores for addressing one or more of the following National Priority Areas in their Investment Justification:- Enhancing cybersecurity; and
- Enhancing the protection of soft targets and crowded places.
How will the FY 2023 PSGP applications be submitted?
Applying for an award under the PSGP is a multi-step process; the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to register early to ensure it does not impact the applicant’s ability to meet required submission deadlines. Please refer to Section D in the FY 2023 PSGP NOFO for detailed information and instructions.
Eligible applicants should submit their initial application at least three days prior to the final application submission through the Grants.gov portal at www.grants.gov. Applicants needing Grants.gov support should contact the Grants.gov customer support hotline at (800) 518-4726, which is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week except federal holidays.
Eligible applicants will be notified by FEMA within one to two business days and asked to proceed with submitting their complete application package in the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants System. Applicants needing technical support with the ND Grants System should contact ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 865-4076, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Completed applications must be submitted in the ND Grants system no later than 5 p.m. ET on May 18, 2023.
- What are the key dates associated with the FY 2023 PSGP?
- February 27, 2023: NOFO released.
- May 18, 2023, 5 p.m. ET: Applications due to FEMA.
What is the FY 2023 PSGP period of performance?
The period of performance is 36 months.
What other resources are available to address programmatic, technical, and financial questions?
For additional program-specific information, please contact the FEMA Grants Information Desk at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR at (800) 368-6498. 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 at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.