[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
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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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