97.075: Rail and Transit Security Grant Program

97.075

Active

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) [DHS]

Sept. 23, 2022

Sept. 23, 2022

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) – Amtrak program, and the FY 2021 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), are two of four grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/FEMA’s focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to help strengthen the Nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. IPR provides funds to Amtrak to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. The TSGP provides funds to transit agencies to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. Among the five basic homeland security missions noted in the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the IPR and TSGP programs support the goal to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience. The 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for the field of emergency management and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. IPR and TSGP support the goal of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. Given the evolving threat landscape, it is incumbent upon DHS/FEMA to continuously evaluate the national risk profile and set priorities that help ensure appropriate allocation of scarce security dollars. In assessing the national risk profile for FY 2021, three priority areas emerge that are applicable to IPR and TSGP: 1) Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places; 2) Enhancing cybersecurity; and 3) Addressing emergent threats, such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Likewise, there are several enduring security needs that crosscut the Transportation Sector and form a second tier of priorities that help ensure a comprehensive approach to securing the Nation’s transportation systems. These are: 1) effective planning; 2) training and awareness campaigns; 3) equipment and capital projects; and 4) exercises.

B - Project Grants

Agencies eligible for the FY 2021 TSGP are determined based upon daily unlinked passenger trips (ridership) and transit systems that serve historically eligible Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdictions as indicated below. Certain ferry systems are eligible to participate in the FY 2021 TSGP and receive funds under this program. However, any ferry system electing to participate in and receive funds under the FY 2021 TSGP will not be eligible to participate under the FY 2021 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) and will not be considered for funding under the FY 2021 PSGP. Likewise, any ferry system that participates in the FY 2020 PSGP will not be eligible for funding under the TSGP. Sections 1405 (6 U.S.C. § 1134) and 1406 (6 U.S.C. § 1135) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 require that high risk public transportation agencies that receive grant funding develop a security plan based on a security assessment. Additionally, the statutes direct that grant funds be used to address items in the security assessment or the security plan. To be eligible for the FY 2021 TSGP, transit agencies must have developed or updated their security plan. The security plan must be based on a security assessment, such as the Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE), which is performed by the Transportation Security Inspectors-Surface Division of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This security assessment must have been conducted within the three years prior to receiving an FY 2021 TSGP award. A copy of the security plan and security assessment must be provided to DHS/FEMA upon request. Please see the Preparedness Grants Manual for more information on security plan requirements. Entities providing transit security (e.g., city/county police departments or the public transportation agencies’ own police departments) for a public transportation agency must approve the security plan. The signature of a responsible official from the agency’s transit security provider serves as this approval. If there is more than one provider in the core service area, all transit security providers must review and concur with the plan. Associated documentation of this approval must be provided to DHS/FEMA upon request. In addition, agencies’ transit security providers are encouraged to review the Investment Justifications (IJs) prior to submission. Each public transportation agency receiving funds through this program must also participate in a Regional Transit Security Working Group (RTSWG) or develop a RTSWG if one does not already exist. The RTSWG should serve as the forum for regional partners to discuss risk, planning efforts, and mitigation strategies. These discussions should be held regardless of funding to continue enhancing the overall security of the region. Regional working groups are a best practice for enhancing security and are encouraged for all jurisdictions. The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak) is the only entity eligible to apply for funding under FY 2021 IPR Program. For more information, refer to the FY 2021 TSGP and IPR Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation. In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, Management of Domestic Incidents, the adoption of NIMS is a requirement to receive Federal preparedness assistance, through grants, contracts, and other activities. Prior to allocation of any Federal preparedness awards in FY 2021, grantee must ensure compliance and/or alignment with the NIMS implementation plan. The list of objectives against which progress and achievement are assessed and reported can be found at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/ImplementationGuidanceStakeholders.shtm#item2. The primary grantee/administrator of FY 2021 TSGP and IPR Program award funds is responsible for determining if sub-awardees have demonstrated sufficient progress in NIMS implementation to disburse awards.

Specialized group; general public.

97.056 - Port Security Grant Program

https://sam.gov/fal/b79d074ad0da48e18be68562d68e66f9/view