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Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant

FY 2008 Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program Guidance

FEMA has announced the Pre Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant program for FY 2008 (below). The PDM grant program will provide funds to states, territories, Indian tribal governments, and communities for hazard mitigation planning and mitigation projects prior to a disaster event.

The FY 2007 Congressional appropriation required that each state receive an allocated base amount of $500,000 provided that the projects submitted meet the eligibility criteria. Should the FY 2008 appropriation contain the same direction, FEMA will review the projects based on the selection criteria defined in the announcement.

The PDM 2008 program guidance provides critical information about eligibility, the National Evaluation Process, e-grant instructions, and other key aspects of the program. Please review the guidance. FEMA has established the application deadline for states to submit their application as January 31, 2008. In order to meet FEMA's deadline, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) must receive local sub-applications via E-grants (https://portal.fema.gov) by January 14, 2008. HSEMD is required to review, provide comments on, and to rank each local application that it submits to FEMA. 

Notes for completing the E-grants application:

  1. Registration is required prior to completing an E-Grant application. A paper E-grants Roles and Responsibilities matrix (below) is required to be completed and submitted to HSEMD prior to registering. Each person submitting and approving an e-grant application must register by completing a user name, password, and user profile. The individual creating e-grant application must give authorization/permission to the individual signing the application. If an applicant has completed this process in previous years, and the information is still valid, a new registration is not required.
  2. The primary point of contact and individual who signs/submits the application in e-grants must be from the jurisdiction, not from a Council of Governments (COG) or Regional Planning Commission (RPC). The alternate point of contact may be a COG or RPC representative. 
  3. For Mitigation project applications, Use FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis software (Mitigation BCA Toolkit version 3.0, July 2006). You can order this CD via email at bchelpline@dhs.gov .  Applicants must also attach ALL supporting data documentation because the FEMA national review committee will complete a separate BCA using these documents to validate submitted BCA's.  These documents may include assessor cards, technical drawings, Flood Insurance Studies, elevation certificates, detailed notes on how a data field was determined, etc. The BCA file (Excel file) must be e-mailed to jessica.alaniz@iowa.gov in addition to being attached to the E-grants application.  
  4. When detailing project costs, avoid the use of large lump sum costs. Whenever possible, quantify or provide additional breakdown of large lump sum costs items and identify the source of the cost estimate.
  5. When completing the Scope of Work (SOW), ensure that you allow a reasonable amount of time to complete the project or plan. FEMA required SOW revisions for plans that did not have at least an 18-month time frame for plans. Also for plans, be sure to identify a 3-month period for FEMA to review and approve the plan. Recommend a 3-year time period; performance periods for PDM Grants are 3 years. 
  6. Mitigation projects must be consistent with the State Plan (Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved 9-18-2007) and the local jurisdiction's FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. Applicants must have a FEMA approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to be considered for a project award.
  7. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)…must be a member and not sanctioned or suspended from the NFIP if mapped.
  8. Complete ALL sections of the e-grants application and required data fields…DUNS number, Federal Tax ID, etc.
  9. Technical assistance:

E- GRANTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:

FEMA will provide technical assistance regarding the e Grants system through the e Grants Helpdesk: 1-866-476-0544 or mtegrants@dhs.gov.

PROJECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:

Technical assistance for Engineering Feasibility, Benefit-Cost Analysis and Environmental/ Historic Preservation compliance is available through FEMA.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE HELPDESK: Phone: (866) 222-3580 (toll free)

E-mail:

enghelpline@dhs.gov

ehhelpline@dhs.gov

bchelpline@dhs.gov


FY2008 PDM Program Guidance

E-grants Roles and Responsibilities
This matrix must be faxed or mailed to HSEMD. Fax: 515-725-3260.

For Additional information, feel free to contact a member of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management's Hazard Mitigation staff.

John Wageman 515-725-3225

Jim Russell 515-725-3217

Jessica Alaniz 515-725-3247

Sherry McCloskey 515-725-3283