[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76772-76774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27928]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Z-RIN 1660-ZA03]


Emergency Preparedness Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Emergency 
Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Directorate, Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of the availability of the Emergency 
Preparedness Demonstration Program (the ``Program'') for Fiscal Year 
2005. The Program will provide a single award of $1.5 million for a 
cooperative agreement with an eligible organization to conduct post-
disaster critiques and evaluations in disadvantaged communities 
affected by Hurricane Isabel, provide an assessment of emergency 
preparedness awareness in these communities, and develop 
recommendations for new methods to improve outreach to these and 
similar communities.
    These funds will be competitively awarded.

    Authority: Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5121-5206).

DATES: Completed applications must be received or postmarked by 
midnight, EST, January 21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Grants Management Division, FEMA Headquarters, 500 C Street, 
SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Swisher, Program and System 
Development Branch, Preparedness Division, FEMA, 500 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20472, 202-646-3561, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All information needed for the preparation 
and submission of information in response to this Notice is included in 
this Notice. An electronic copy of this information is also available 
on the Web at http://www.grants.gov/Find.

(a) Introduction

    The purpose of this notice is to advise of the availability of 
funds to conduct post-disaster critiques and assessments in 
disadvantaged communities, promote emergency preparedness awareness, 
and develop recommendations for new methods to improve preparedness. 
These targeted disadvantaged

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communities may include communities with a significant number of 
individuals who are socially disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, 
have special needs, or are underserved. A single award of $1,500,000 
will be available for this purpose in the form of a cooperative 
agreement between FEMA and the selected Grantee.
    The purpose of this project is to conduct research and workshops 
and assist FEMA to develop an Emergency Preparedness Demonstration 
Program targeting disadvantaged communities. The Program will involve 
research into the status of disaster awareness and emergency 
preparedness in disadvantaged households and communities in Delaware, 
Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the 
District of Columbia (the ``designated States''), which were impacted 
by Hurricane Isabel; to research the capacity of such communities to 
provide awareness education for the public, and provide data and 
information on the project. The Program will model ways of 
accomplishing program objectives in demonstration sites: improved 
awareness of the risk of disasters, awareness of the need for 
preparedness, and achievement of concrete improvements in disaster 
preparedness, response and recovery.

(b) Program Description

(1) Background

    Research and field experience reveal the disproportionate impact of 
major disasters on disadvantaged households and communities. Hurricane 
Isabel is a recent, catastrophic disaster, which severely impacted 
disadvantaged communities, and this provides a unique opportunity to 
study the preparedness of these specific groups through the Emergency 
Preparedness Demonstration Program.
    The research that will be carried out under the cooperative 
agreement will focus on communication about disaster hazards and risks 
and the potential efficacy of general and specific preparedness, 
prevention, response, and recovery actions by subject persons, 
families, and communities. In particular, the research will seek to 
uncover any perceptions, predispositions and motivations held by the 
community that limit the level of preparedness and the effectiveness of 
preparedness activities. Such factors may be identified in any or all 
group and institutional patterns: family, workplace, school, 
recreation, health care, business and industry, religious and 
charitable organizations, political organizations, quasi-governmental 
institutions and local governments. The research is open to any 
variation on the general concepts of perceived validity, credibility, 
confidence, and acceptability of actions by individuals and 
organizations throughout the institutional network of the community 
that can help explain who should do what, and how the community can 
become more adequately prepared for disaster.
    Numerous factors influence risk communication and the response, 
both to preparedness messages during normal periods and to emergency 
instructions when disasters occur. Research for the program focuses on 
weak links where disadvantaged groups and communities are not 
responding to emergency preparedness messages and/or emergency 
instructions, why that is the case, and what can improve the situation. 
If the initial 24-month period of performance is successful, the period 
of performance may be extended, depending on the availability of funds.
    FEMA's vision for the Program is that informed leaders and citizens 
of disadvantaged communities will be prepared to protect their 
families, homes, workplaces, and livelihoods from the impact of all 
hazards. Through collaboration and coordination with public and private 
organizations, FEMA will support the development and demonstration of 
model emergency preparedness information, training and community 
approaches. Pilot programs must first demonstrate that the materials 
and approaches are effective in specific disadvantaged communities, 
establishing and enhancing emergency preparedness and response systems, 
information materials, warnings and emergency instructions, and actual 
community response. The successful model(s) will become demonstration 
projects for broader replication.
    The FEMA Project Office (PO) will be proactively involved in 
research planning and analysis and must approve the research plan 
before it is implemented. The PO will be engaged in integrating 
application of research results into demonstration project design, 
guidance documents and technical assistance to demonstration projects. 
The PO or designated FEMA staff will coordinate State involvement in 
identifying disadvantaged communities as the subjects of research, and 
the PO, in coordination with designated States, must approve selection 
of demonstration sites. The FEMA PO will also coordinate identification 
and assessment of national organizations with local affiliates eligible 
for participation in local demonstration project networks.

(2) Use of Results

    The Program will apply the results to help reinforce the nation's 
overall emergency preparedness and response capabilities by assisting 
community-based organizations in strengthening the defenses and 
preparedness efforts of disadvantaged, vulnerable communities. All 
public education materials and approaches concerning disaster 
awareness, perceptions, preparedness, prevention, response and recovery 
developed for and provided to FEMA, under this project will be in the 
public domain.

(3) Description of Work to Be Performed

    In consultation with FEMA the Grantee shall conduct field research, 
develop materials, conduct workshops, and assist FEMA to develop an 
Emergency Preparedness Demonstration Program in the States of Delaware, 
Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and 
Washington, DC. The Grantee will--
     Conduct research into the status of emergency preparedness 
and disaster response awareness in socially and economically 
disadvantaged households located in urban, suburban and rural 
communities in the designated States, with an emphasis on those 
impacted by Hurricanes Isabel (2003). Comparisons with Hurricane Floyd 
(September 1999) and Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan (2004) and 
others may be used to confirm, elaborate or refine research results.
     Develop culturally competent educational and awareness 
materials, and modes of communication and program approaches that can 
be used to disseminate information to community organizations and 
institutions, and promote awareness of emergency preparedness education 
programs and materials.
     Provide technical assistance to State and local leaders 
and organizations.
     Provide a final report on Demonstration program results, 
and lessons learned in demonstration projects. Revised program 
materials will be appended.
     Provide a briefing and participate in discussion of 
results, their implications and applications.

(c) Eligibility

    An organization shall be eligible to be awarded a cooperative 
agreement with respect to this program if the organization is a non-
profit organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of

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the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) and exempt from 
tax under section 501(a) of such Code, whose primary mission is to 
provide services to disadvantaged communities, and that can demonstrate 
partnerships with a business enterprise or non-profit organization 
focused on the special needs of these communities, including 
enterprises located in a HUBZone. The Grantee will have the ability to 
award nominal subgrants (average $50,000) to support collection and 
reporting of demonstration program data and information over 
approximately 18 months. Eligible sub-applicants would include 
community organizations, local government organizations, and other non-
profit organizations in the designated States.
    Each applicant must certify status as a Sec. 501(c)3 private non-
profit organization, with knowledge of, experience in and capabilities 
for managing the project.

(d) Application Process

    FEMA will fund Emergency Preparedness Demonstration Program 
activities based on proposals that address the Program's priorities and 
maximize the benefits to be derived from the funds.
    Applications must be submitted in a paper format, and must include 
Standard Form SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance (for 
background/contact information), a FEMA Form 20-20 (for budget 
information), FEMA Forms 20-16A and 20-16C (for assurances and 
certifications), standard Form LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, 
and a Program Narrative (all grants administration forms have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
number 1660-0025, which expires July 31, 2007.). Each applicant is 
required to provide a narrative of specifics regarding the proposed 
activities that they plan to carry out with the grant funds, including 
an explanation of the activities planned and the benefits to be derived 
from completion of the activities.

Award Procedure

    A single cooperative agreement will be awarded on a competitive 
basis to be used as specified in the approved application and agreed to 
between FEMA and the recipient in the cooperative agreement. All 
proposals will be evaluated by a FEMA panel composed of subject-matter, 
program and grant experts. The successful application will have the 
proposal that in FEMA's judgment best addresses the program's 
priorities and goals. The panel will conduct an assessment of the 
proposal's merits, with respect to the detail provided in the proposal. 
The panel will make the award recommendation to the Grants Management 
Branch of the Financial and Acquisition Management Division. The Grants 
Management Branch will contact the applicant with the best proposal to 
discuss and execute the cooperative agreement.
    Completed applications must be received or postmarked by January 
21, 2005. Applications are required to include a narrative and the 
required FEMA forms. These forms are available online at http://www.fema.gov/ofm/grants2.shtm. Failure to submit all of the required 
forms will result in a disqualification of the paper application. 
Applications should be mailed to FEMA, Attn: Emergency Preparedness 
Demonstration Program, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 
20472.

(e) Eligible Activities

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide funds 
to an eligible organization to: (1) Acquire expert professional 
services necessary to conduct research on the status of emergency 
preparedness and disaster response awareness in disadvantaged 
communities; (2) develop and prepare informational materials to promote 
awareness among disadvantaged communities about emergency preparedness 
and how to protect homes, businesses and communities in advance of 
disasters; (3) establish consortia with national organizations, 
institutions of higher education, and community-or faith-based 
(501(c)(3) nonprofit) institutions with a demonstrated focus on the 
targeted communities to disseminate information about emergency 
preparedness to these communities; and (4) implement a joint project 
with an institution serving disadvantaged individuals and communities, 
which may include a part B institution (as defined in section 322(2) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)), an institution 
described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 326(e)(1)of that 
Act (20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)(1)(A), (B), or (C)), or a Hispanic-serving 
institution (as defined in section 502(a)(5) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(5))).
    Funds are for demonstration projects in the designated areas 
affected by Hurricane Isabel in September 2003 (Delaware, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District 
of Columbia).

(f) Evaluation Criteria

    A panel of subject matter expert will review the applications to 
determine the one that best addresses the program's objectives. The 
panel will use the following guidelines to determine the proposal with 
the highest rating, which will be the recommended Grantee.
    1. Technical and Management Factors (35 points).
    a. Understanding of the problem.
    b. Approach to address the problem.
    c. Demonstrated competence of Project Manager.
    d. Demonstrated competence of key professionals.
    e. Demonstrated competence among management and key professionals 
in building networks and coalitions with national and community 
voluntary, social, civic, fraternal and/or faith-based organizations.
    2. Project Organization and Management (20 points). Experience and 
performance in administrative management: The division of work into 
various tasks to be performed, and the coordination of those tasks to 
accomplish project activities and objectives.
    a. Definition of responsibility and accountability for key specific 
tasks and functions of specifically named key individuals within the 
organizations and units.
    b. Time commitment of key individuals to carry out the proposed 
tasks and responsibilities necessary to complete the project.
    c. Designation of tasks, subtasks, products, and time schedule for 
performance of those tasks and delivery of reports and products.
    d. Procedures for supervising, coordinating and evaluating task 
performance
    e. Procedures for monitoring time schedule and monetary control.
    3. Organizational Qualifications (45 points).
    a. Current and previous corporate experience in managing and 
conducting projects of similar scope and complexity and potential for 
controversy.
    b. Corporate experience in networks and coalitions with national 
and community voluntary, social, civic, fraternal and/or faith-based 
organizations.

    Dated: December 15, 2004.
Michael D. Brown,
Under Secretary, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of 
Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 04-27928 Filed 12-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-17-P