States have developed State Homeland Security Strategies in accordance with the National Preparedness Goal and related national priorities. These strategies identify planning, organization, equipment, training, exercises, and technical assistance needs. The National Preparedness Directorate continues to assist states to identify and implement resources to accomplish goals and objectives identified in the respective state strategies.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used for planning, organization, equipment, training and exercises, as related to the program objectives, and will be administered by the respective State Administrative Agency (SAA).

The SAA must coordinate the implementation of this program with the State's Lead Law Enforcement Agency.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States, which includes any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any possession of the United States.

The State Administering Agency (SAA), designated by the Governor to administer DHS grant funds, is the only agency eligible to apply for these funds and is responsible for obligating the LETPP funds to local units of government and other designated recipients.

Local units of government and other designated recipients, as defined in the Conference Report accompanying the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2006, refers to "any county, city, village, town, district, borough, parish, port authority, transit authority, intercity rail provider, commuter rail system, freight rail provider, water district, regional planning commission, council of government, Indian tribe with jurisdiction over Indian country, authorized Tribal organization, Alaska Native village, independent authority, special district, or other political subdivision of any State".

Beneficiary Eligibility

State and local governments as well as U.S. Territory/Possession governmental units.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process to be followed as required by the State in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.

Award Procedures

Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued.

Deadlines

Refer to announcement or application guidance for further information.

Authorization

U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Refer to program guidance document.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

An annual appropriation is anticipated for this program.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Each State will receive a minimum allocation using the U.S.A. Patriot Act formula. All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive 0.75 percent of the total allocation. Four Territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will receive a minimum allocation of 0.25 percent of the total allocation. The balance of the funds will be allocated based on the analyses of risk and anticipated effectiveness as detailed in the program guidance. There are no matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Grantees are required to submit an Initial Strategy Implementation Plan (ISIP) within 60 days of the grant award date.

Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (CAPR) and Biannual Strategy Implementation Reports (BSIR) are required semi-annually.

The CAPR and BSIR are due within 30 days after the end of the reporting period (July 30 with a reporting period of January 1 through June 30, and January 30 with a reporting period of July 1 through December 31) for the life of the award.

Grantees are also required to submit quarterly Financial Status Reports (FSR).

The FSR are due 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30.

Final CAPR, BSIR, and FSR reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant award, whichever occurs first.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.

Records

Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0560-0-1-999.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $363,750,000; FY 08 est not available and FY 09 est not available. (included in 97.067)

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Refer to program guidance.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

For regulations and guidelines please refer to the LETPP section of the HSGP solicitation guidance and application kit.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, Grant Programs Directorate, 245 Murray Lane Bldg. #410, Washington, DC 20531. The Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) can be contacted at 1-800-368-6498 or E-mail: askcsid@dhs.gov. CSID is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.