FY 2024 Port Security Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions

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General Program Questions

1. What is the purpose of the FY 2024 PSGP?
   
   The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one (1) of four (4) 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.
   
2. What legislation authorized funding for the FY 2024 PSGP?
   
   The program is authorized by 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 the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. No. 118-47).
   
3. How much funding is available under the FY 2024 PSGP?
   
   The total amount distributed under the FY 2024 PSGP will be $90 million.
   
4. What are the changes in funding levels between FY 2023 and FY 2024?
   
   The FY 2024 funding level for PSGP is $10 million less than FY 2023.
   
5. Where is the FY 2024 PSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) located?
   
   The FY 2024 PSGP NOFO is located online at www.fema.gov/grants.
   
6. Who is eligible to apply for FY 2024 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 2024 PSGP will not be eligible to participate in the FY 2024 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). Likewise, any ferry system that participates in the TSGP will not be eligible for funding under the PSGP.
   
7. 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.
   
8. What types of security-related activities are allowable under PSGP?
   
   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.
   • Please refer to section D-12 of the PSGP FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed information on these allowable cost categories.
     
9. 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. that may support funding decisions for the requested project;
   • 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 2024 PSGP NOFO;
   • Realistic milestones that consider the Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) review process (if applicable), planning, procurement, and installation/implementation; and
   • Description of the project manager(s) level of experience.
     
10. How will the FY 2024 PSGP funds be allocated?
    
    PSGP recipients will be selected for funding through a competitive review process as outlined in the FY 2024 PSGP NOFO. Applicants will receive a 20% increase to their scores for addressing one or more of the following National Priority Areas in their IJ:
    • Enhancing cybersecurity; and
    • Enhancing the protection of soft targets and crowded places.
      
      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%.
      
11. How will the FY 2024 PSGP applications be submitted?
    
    Applying for an award under the PSGP is a multi-step process. Applicants are encouraged to register early in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system, as the registration process can take four (4) weeks or more to complete. Registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. Please refer to Section D in the FY 2024 PSGP NOFO for detailed information and instructions.
    
    All application materials will be posted on Grants.gov. Eligible applicants should submit their application through FEMA GO. For FEMA GO support, applicants should contact [email protected] or (877) 585-3242, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
    
12. What are the key dates associated with the FY 2024 PSGP?
    
    • Application start date: 04/16/2024
    • Application submission deadline: 06/24/2024 at 5p.m. ET
      
13. What is the FY 2024 PSGP period of performance?
    
    The period of performance is 36 months.
    
14. What other resources are available to address programmatic, technical, and financial questions?
    
    • For additional program-specific information, please contact FEMA Grants News at (800) 368-6498 or [email protected]. FEMA Grants News 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 DHS/FEMA Award Administration Help Desk via e-mail at [email protected].