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Federal Agencies Seeking a Program Determination

If you're a federal agency looking to use priority ratings for contracts that support national defense, you need a "program determination" from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Here’s a guide on what that involves and how to get started.

What is a Program Determination?

A program determination confirms that your agency’s contract or order supports a national defense program, making it eligible for priority ratings.

This is based on the guidelines in Executive Order 13603, which focuses on ensuring that such authorities support necessary or appropriate national defense activities.

Who Decides?

The Secretary of Homeland Security is responsible for these determinations for all national defense programs, excluding military and energy production.

This responsibility has been passed on to the FEMA Administrator and then to the Associate Administrator of the Office of Policy and Program Analysis (OPPA).

What is Considered a "Program"?

In this context, a "program" refers to ongoing activities or projects needed to fulfill your agency’s mission. These might include:

  • Homeland security efforts
  • Emergency preparedness activities
  • Critical infrastructure protection
  • Continuity of government operations
  • Management of national stockpiles (excluding those handled by the Departments of Defense and Energy)
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Defense Production Act (DPA) Collaboration Partners

Coordination among federal agencies is crucial. Learn about how federal agencies are working together to enhance national defense and emergency preparedness.

How to Request a Program Determination

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  • Prepare Your Request: Use the Program Determination Request Template to describe your program and how it supports national defense.
  • Submit Your Request: Email the completed template to the FEMA DPA Division.
  • FEMA Review: If your request isn’t complete, FEMA will work with you to refine it.

Key Points to Include in Your Request

First Paragraph

  • State the name of your federal organization.
  • Describe the national defense program your agency supports.

Second Paragraph

  • Detail why your program qualifies for a determination.
  • Focus on activities that clearly support national defense, as defined by the DPA.
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Full Guidance

For details, definitions and examples of completing a program determination request, view the full guidance.

After Getting a Determination

Once you have your program determination:

  • You can use it to support priority-rated orders across any of the six resource jurisdictions.
  • If you need to use rated orders, submit a request to the relevant Resource Department along with your program determination and any required forms.

View the Resource Departments

More Information

For any questions about obtaining a program determination, contact the FEMA DPA Program Office at fema-dpa@femadhs.gov.