FY 2012 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program | Apply Online

FY 2012 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program (DHS 12 MT 045 000 99) - FAQs

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is the FY 2012 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 12 MT 045 000 99), a FEMA grant under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It supports flood hazard identification work carried out through FEMA's CTP partnership framework.

2) What is the main purpose of the FY 2012 CTP Program funding?

The intent is to ensure established CTP partners have resources to carry out program management and flood mapping-related activities described in FEMA's CTP program guidance for that fiscal year, with the broader goal of strengthening and sustaining the data, methods, and coordination used to identify and communicate flood risk.

3) What does it mean that this opportunity is a cooperative agreement?

It means FEMA expects to be actively involved with awardees during the period of performance. This is not a "hands-off" award where funds are provided with minimal interaction; instead, FEMA anticipates ongoing engagement as partners carry out the work.

4) What kinds of activities does the funding support?

Funding is aimed at activities that help produce, maintain, or improve information used in flood hazard mapping and related risk identification efforts. While flood mapping is a central theme, eligible activities can also include foundational work that contributes to flood hazard identification even if the deliverable is not a map.

5) Do projects have to be geospatial or produce a map?

No. The announcement notes that eligible projects may or may not involve geospatial issues. This leaves room for management, coordination, technical support, and other partner-driven efforts that contribute to flood hazard identification even when the output is not a map product.

6) What are examples of eligible work mentioned or implied by the announcement?

The opportunity points to common support tasks such as planning and oversight, technical review, data development or integration, quality assurance, stakeholder coordination, and other efforts that help FEMA and communities maintain credible and current flood hazard information.

7) Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible, the applicant must already be a partner in the CTP program and must either be, or represent, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) community in good standing.

8) What does it mean to be an NFIP community in good standing for this opportunity?

The announcement requires that the applicant must either be, or represent, an NFIP community in good standing. In practice for this opportunity, it is an eligibility condition that must be met for an application to be considered.

9) Are there capability requirements beyond being a CTP partner?

Yes. The applicant must demonstrate the capability to carry out the funded activities.

10) Does the applicant need existing non-federal processes or systems in place?

Yes. The applicant must have existing non-federally funded processes and/or systems in place that support work contributing to flood hazard identification. The announcement signals FEMA is looking to invest in organizations that already have an operational baseline (workflows, staff capacity, data systems, or governance processes) that can be leveraged and expanded with federal support.

11) What types of organizations are listed as eligible applicants?

The opportunity lists the following eligible applicant types (subject to meeting the CTP and NFIP-related requirements): state governments; county governments; city or township governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category).

12) Are nonprofits eligible?

Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category.

13) Are universities and colleges eligible?

Yes. Public and state controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant types, provided they meet the CTP partner and NFIP community requirements.

14) Is this a competitive or discretionary opportunity?

This is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

15) How is this opportunity categorized?

The opportunity is categorized under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

16) How many awards did FEMA anticipate making?

FEMA anticipated making around 50 awards under this announcement.

17) What is the estimated total amount of funding available?

The estimated total program funding amount listed is $26,803,000.

18) Is there a minimum or maximum award amount?

The listing shows no specified award ceiling or floor. The announcement indicates award sizes may vary depending on the scope of proposed activities, available funds, and FEMA priorities for that fiscal year.

19) Is cost share or matching required?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources as part of the overall project budget and be prepared to document that match consistent with the program rules.

20) What kinds of match contributions are expected?

The announcement indicates match should be non-federal resources and may include cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions, depending on the specific guidance.

21) What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date is June 29, 2012. The original closing date was August 1, 2012, and it was extended to a current closing date of September 18, 2012. The archive date is October 18, 2012.

22) Was the application deadline extended?

Yes. The original closing date of August 1, 2012 was extended to September 18, 2012.

23) Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?

For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact listed is the GMD Systems Branch, with communication available by email.

24) What is the overall program emphasis beyond producing flood maps?

Beyond mapping outputs, the emphasis is on sustaining and strengthening the underlying data, methods, and coordination needed to identify and communicate flood risk, including partner-driven management and technical activities that keep flood hazard information credible and current.