[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60887-60888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23984]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Chemical Defense Demonstration 
Projects

AGENCY: Office of Health Affairs, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Expression of Interest.

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SUMMARY: The Chemical Defense Program (CDP), under the Department of 
Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs (OHA), is seeking 
Expressions of Interest (EOI) from state, local, tribal, and 
territorial (SLTT) government agencies to participate in a chemical 
defense demonstration project relative to a specific venue (e.g., 
indoor sports stadium, outdoor port facility, convention center). These 
projects will assist communities in enhancing their preparedness to 
respond effectively and quickly to a catastrophic chemical event. Using 
the DHS Form 10088 (9/12) posted on https://www.dhs.gov/publication/eoi-form-cdp-demonstration-project, interested SLTT governmental 
agencies must submit the completed and signed form to the DHS OHA CDP.

DATES: Submit the completed and signed DHS Form 10088 (9/12), either 
electronically or in hard copy, no later than 45 days from the date of 
the Federal Register Notice.

ADDRESSES: Submissions of DHS Form 10088 (9/12) shall go to the 
following:
    Hardcopy signed original document to Captain Joselito Ignacio 
Deputy Program Director, Chemical Defense Program Department of 
Homeland Security/Office of Health Affairs, 245 Murray Lane SW., Mail 
Stop: 0315 Washington, DC 20528; or Electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CAPTAIN JOSELITO IGNACIO, 202-254-5738 
OR [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The demonstration projects are based on 
appropriations found in Public Law 112-74 (Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2012) and Public Law 133-6 (``The Consolidated and Further 
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013''), which call for the Chemical 
Defense Program of DHS OHA to conduct a competitive selection of 
locations and venues to participate in chemical detection demonstration 
projects. The DHS OHA CDP will initiate, fund and manage the 
demonstration projects, but in close coordination with the selected 
SLTT government agencies and venue operators. The demonstration project 
will result in, among other things: (a) A review of current community 
preparedness capabilities as well as gaps protecting from and 
responding to a catastrophic chemical incident; (b) community and 
venue-specific risk assessments, based on likely scenarios, to provide 
information on chemical threats; (c) technology alignment to include 
review of existing or intended detect-to-warn or detect-to-treat 
capabilities in communities; (d) optimizing the communities' response 
system through decision analysis and the development of a concept of 
operations plan that defines common mission, roles, responsibilities 
and key actions necessary for responding to these events; and (e) 
exercise evaluation using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation 
Program (HSEEP) process. Through successful completion of these 
demonstration projects, the selected communities will have enhanced 
preparedness of their emergency management, first responder, and first 
receiver groups with the knowledge, skills and tools to act swiftly and 
competently in protecting lives and restoring peace of mind in response 
to a catastrophic chemical incident.
    As stated, DHS will conduct a competitive selection. A DHS 
selection panel, led by the DHS OHA CDP, will carefully review the 
completed and signed DHS Form 10088 (9/12) and rate each submission 
using weighted criteria on the basis of (a) chemical threat risk (which 
the DHS Chemical Terrorism Risk Assessments and SLTT government 
agencies' input will inform); (b) community interest to host a 
demonstration project; and (c) reasons given for desiring a 
demonstration project hosted in this community and specific venue. 
Numerically sequenced from high to low values, top tiered communities 
are then selected to have these projects conducted in their locations. 
All communities will receive notification of the selection results. 
Once selected, DHS OHA CDP will enter

[[Page 60888]]

into a Memorandum of Agreement with the selected SLTT government 
agencies to clarify roles and responsibilities.
    Selected SLTT government agencies must work cooperatively with DHS 
OHA CDP with all phases of the demonstration project. Expected 
activities include (a) participation in all planning meetings on site 
or via teleconference; (b) establish formal relationships with selected 
venues' owners and operators in order for DHS OHA CDP or its designated 
performers to have access to all outdoor and indoor spaces; (c) review 
and provide technical input on any developed guidance documents and 
plans by DHS OHA CDP or its performers within assigned deadlines and 
(e) serve as a community conduit with key stakeholders within the 
selected cities in order to gain input in the demonstration projects 
(e.g. emergency medical services, fire/hazmat, hospitals, public 
health). There are no funds given to the selected SLTT government 
agencies or venues as part of these demonstration projects, including 
funds for purchase of equipment.

    Authority: Pub. L. 112-74, Pub. L. 133-6.

    Dated: September 25, 2013.
Mark A. Kirk,
Director, Chemical Defense Program.
[FR Doc. 2013-23984 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
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