Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 09 GPD 075 1963
Apply for DHS 09 GPD 075 1963
- The Department of Homeland Security FEMA in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.075 Rail and Transit Security Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 8, 2009 and posted on Nov 5, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 23, 2009 Applicants are advised to carefully review the submission requirements contained within the FY 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $15,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Individuals Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses County governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses.
- Eligible applicants for the FY 2009 FRSGP are determined by DHS as Class I, II, and III freight railroad carriers that transport Security Sensitive Materials (SSM) and owners of railroad cars that transport TIH materials. A regulation defining SSM is currently under development however, a definition of SSM is provided below specifically for the purposes of the FY 2009 FRSGP. As designated by the Surface Transportation Board, a Class I railroad carrier is defined as a railroad with annual operating revenues for 2005 over 319.2 million a Class II railroad carrier is defined as a railroad with annual operating revenues between 25.5 million and 319.2 million and a Class III railroad carrier is defined as a railroad with annual operating revenues of less than 25.5 million. Class I, II, and III freight railroad carriers must also meet the following criteria in order to be eligible Transport Rail SSM. For the purpose of this grant, SSM is defined as 1) more than 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs.) in a single carload of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosive 2) a tank car containing a material poisonous by inhalation, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, including anhydrous ammonia but excluding residue quantities of these materials and 3) a highway route controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material, as defined in 49 CFR 173.403. Operate in or through a high threat urban area, as subject to the forthcoming Rail Transportation Security Final Rule, and as identified in Table 1 of the FY 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit. Certify they have developed and adhere to a vulnerability assessment and security plan that conforms to the requirements of 49 CFR 172.802. Freight railroad carriers may apply for training if they certify they have completed a vulnerability assessment and security plan that meet the requirements outlined in Part IV Section B. This grant program does not cover the expenses associated with conducting a vulnerability assessment or developing a security plan for Class I freight railroad carriers. Eligible Class II and Class III freight railroad carriers that have completed a vulnerability assessment and security plan that comply with 49 CFR 172.802 may request funding to conduct a new vulnerability assessment and to develop a new security plan security plan to meet the requirements. Funds may also be used to improve upon an existing security plan to meet the requirements. Eligible Class II and Class III freight railroad carriers may request funding for security awareness and emergency response training for railroad frontline employees if they can certify that the requirements for vulnerability assessments and security plans have been met by their existing vulnerability assessment and implemented security plan.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Fiscal Year 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) was a discretionary Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FEMA grant opportunity intended to reduce terrorism risk to the nations freight rail system, especially where rail operations intersect with high-threat urban areas and where trains move the most dangerous categories of hazardous materials. FRSGP sat under the broader Rail and Transit Security Grant Program umbrella (CFDA 97.075) and was described as one of several DHS infrastructure protection grant programs used to strengthen critical infrastructure security. For FY 2009, the program emphasized building a foundation for longer-term capital security improvements by supporting vulnerability assessments and security plans, delivering security and emergency response training to frontline rail employees, and expanding GPS tracking on railroad cars. The program priorities were tied both to DHSs overall investment approach and to requirements in Public Law 110-53.
Funding for this round was estimated at $15,000,000 total. The listing did not specify an award floor or ceiling (both shown as 0), which typically means awards were determined by DHS based on the quality of applications, risk considerations, and how well proposed projects matched program priorities and eligibility rules. No cost sharing or match was required, which lowered the barrier for eligible rail entities to participate.
Eligibility was narrowly defined even though the general grants.gov categories list many applicant types. DHS determined that eligible applicants were Class I, Class II, and Class III freight railroad carriers that transport Security Sensitive Materials (SSM), plus owners of railroad cars that transport toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) materials. Class status was based on Surface Transportation Board revenue thresholds using 2005 operating revenues: Class I over $319.2 million, Class II between $25.5 million and $319.2 million, and Class III under $25.5 million. To qualify, carriers also had to meet program-specific criteria tied to the nature of the materials moved, geographic risk, and security planning compliance.
For this grant competition, SSM was defined for FRSGP purposes (separately noting that a broader regulatory definition was under development). SSM included three major categories: (1) more than 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs.) in a single carload of Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives; (2) a tank car containing a material poisonous by inhalation as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, explicitly including anhydrous ammonia while excluding residue quantities; and (3) a highway route controlled quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) material as defined in 49 CFR 173.403. Beyond carrying SSM, eligible freight railroads also needed to operate in or through a high-threat urban area as identified in the FRSGP guidance (Table 1) and anticipated rail security rulemaking, and they had to certify that they had developed and were following a vulnerability assessment and security plan consistent with 49 CFR 172.802.
The program also drew important distinctions around what it would and would not pay for, depending on carrier class. The grant did not cover the costs of conducting vulnerability assessments or developing security plans for Class I freight railroad carriers. By contrast, eligible Class II and Class III carriers that already had a vulnerability assessment and security plan compliant with 49 CFR 172.802 could request funding to conduct a new vulnerability assessment and develop a new plan to meet the requirements, or to improve an existing plan so it met the standards. Training support was also conditioned on security planning: carriers could apply for security awareness and emergency response training for frontline employees if they certified that vulnerability assessment and security plan requirements had been met and implemented. In addition to planning and training, one of the highlighted capital-supporting activities was GPS tracking on railroad cars, reflecting a priority on monitoring and accountability for high-risk rail shipments.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted November 5, 2008, with an original closing date of January 13, 2009, later extended to January 23, 2009, and it was archived February 22, 2009. The funding opportunity number was DHS-09-GPD-075-1963, and the activity category was framed as homeland security preparedness. Applicants were directed to closely follow the FY 2009 FRSGP Guidance and Application Kit for detailed submission requirements, including how to prepare the core narrative and any required attachments.
The application package required an Investment Justification and any additional required attachments specified in the guidance, along with standard federal assistance forms: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information), SF-424B (Assurances), and SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities). For support, DHS referenced FEMAs grant information page and provided the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) Help Line at (800) 368-6498 and askcsid@dhs.gov for applicants who could not access the announcement electronically.
Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) FY 2009 - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the FY 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP)?
The Fiscal Year 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) was a discretionary Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FEMA grant opportunity intended to reduce terrorism risk to the nation's freight rail system. It focused especially on locations where freight rail operations intersect with high-threat urban areas and on shipments involving the most dangerous categories of hazardous materials.
2) How does FRSGP fit within DHS grant programs?
FRSGP was part of the broader Rail and Transit Security Grant Program umbrella (CFDA 97.075). It was described as one of several DHS infrastructure protection grant programs used to strengthen critical infrastructure security.
3) What was the main purpose of the FY 2009 funding round?
For FY 2009, the program emphasized building a foundation for longer-term capital security improvements. It prioritized support for vulnerability assessments and security plans, security and emergency response training for frontline rail employees, and expanding GPS tracking on railroad cars.
4) What was the total estimated funding available?
Total funding for this round was estimated at $15,000,000.
5) Were there minimum or maximum award amounts?
The listing did not specify an award floor or ceiling (both were shown as 0). This typically indicates that award sizes were determined by DHS based on application quality, risk considerations, and how closely proposed projects aligned with program priorities and eligibility rules.
6) Was cost sharing or a match required?
No cost sharing or match was required.
7) Who was eligible to apply?
DHS limited eligibility to (1) Class I, Class II, and Class III freight railroad carriers that transport Security Sensitive Materials (SSM), and (2) owners of railroad cars that transport toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) materials. In addition, carriers had to meet program-specific criteria tied to materials moved, geographic risk, and security planning compliance.
8) How were Class I, Class II, and Class III freight railroad carriers defined for this opportunity?
Class status was based on Surface Transportation Board revenue thresholds using 2005 operating revenues: Class I over $319.2 million, Class II between $25.5 million and $319.2 million, and Class III under $25.5 million.
9) What additional conditions applied beyond being a Class I, II, or III carrier?
Beyond transporting SSM, eligible freight railroads also needed to operate in or through a high-threat urban area identified in the FRSGP guidance (Table 1) and anticipated rail security rulemaking. They also had to certify that they had developed and were following a vulnerability assessment and security plan consistent with 49 CFR 172.802.
10) What did FRSGP mean by "Security Sensitive Materials (SSM)" for FY 2009?
For FRSGP purposes, SSM was defined specifically for this grant competition (and the materials noted that a broader regulatory definition was under development). SSM included three major categories: (1) more than 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs.) in a single carload of Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives; (2) a tank car containing a material poisonous by inhalation as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, explicitly including anhydrous ammonia while excluding residue quantities; and (3) a highway route controlled quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) material as defined in 49 CFR 173.403.
11) What is the relationship between SSM and TIH in the eligibility description?
Eligibility included carriers that transport SSM and also included owners of railroad cars that transport toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) materials. The program materials further described SSM as including a tank car containing a material poisonous by inhalation (as defined in 49 CFR 171.8), which is closely associated with TIH-type hazards in rail contexts.
12) What were the top priorities or investment areas for FY 2009?
The FY 2009 FRSGP priorities emphasized: (1) vulnerability assessments and security plans, (2) security awareness and emergency response training for frontline rail employees, and (3) expansion of GPS tracking on railroad cars.
13) Could a Class I freight railroad request grant funds to conduct a vulnerability assessment or develop a security plan?
No. The grant did not cover the costs of conducting vulnerability assessments or developing security plans for Class I freight railroad carriers.
14) Could Class II and Class III freight railroads request funding for vulnerability assessments and security plans?
Yes, with conditions. Eligible Class II and Class III carriers that already had a vulnerability assessment and security plan compliant with 49 CFR 172.802 could request funding to conduct a new vulnerability assessment and develop a new plan to meet the requirements, or to improve an existing plan so it met the required standards.
15) What was required to request funding for training?
Training support was conditioned on security planning compliance. Carriers could apply for security awareness and emergency response training for frontline employees if they certified that vulnerability assessment and security plan requirements had been met and implemented.
16) What kind of capital-supporting activities were highlighted?
One highlighted capital-supporting activity was expanding GPS tracking on railroad cars, reflecting a priority on monitoring and accountability for high-risk rail shipments.
17) What laws or policy requirements were the program priorities tied to?
The program priorities were tied to DHS's overall investment approach and to requirements in Public Law 110-53.
18) What was the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number was DHS-09-GPD-075-1963.
19) What was the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category was framed as homeland security preparedness.
20) When was the opportunity posted, and what were the deadlines?
The opportunity was posted on November 5, 2008. The original closing date was January 13, 2009, and it was later extended to January 23, 2009. The opportunity was archived on February 22, 2009.
21) What guidance were applicants told to follow?
Applicants were directed to closely follow the FY 2009 FRSGP Guidance and Application Kit for detailed submission requirements, including instructions for preparing the core narrative and any required attachments.
22) What narrative or program-specific document was required in the application?
The application package required an Investment Justification and any additional required attachments specified in the guidance.
23) What standard federal forms were required?
The required standard federal assistance forms were SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information), SF-424B (Assurances), and SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities).
24) Where could applicants go for help or more information?
DHS referenced FEMA's grant information page for support. For applicants who could not access the announcement electronically, DHS provided the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) Help Line at (800) 368-6498 and askcsid@dhs.gov.
25) Did the general Grants.gov applicant categories expand eligibility?
No. While general Grants.gov categories may list many applicant types, DHS determined that FRSGP eligibility for this opportunity was narrowly limited to specific freight rail carriers and rail car owners as described in the program guidance.
26) What compliance certification related to security planning was mentioned?
Eligible freight railroads had to certify that they had developed and were following a vulnerability assessment and security plan consistent with 49 CFR 172.802.
27) How did the program treat "residue quantities" for poisonous-by-inhalation materials?
Within the SSM definition used for FRSGP, a tank car containing a material poisonous by inhalation (49 CFR 171.8) was included, explicitly including anhydrous ammonia, while excluding residue quantities.
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