FY 2014 Cooperating Technical Partner Region 2 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY 2014 Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) - Region 2 funding opportunity?

This is a FEMA funding opportunity under the Department of Homeland Security (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 14 MT 045 002 01) that supports the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program. The CTP Program is closely tied to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is intended to strengthen NFIP implementation through partnerships across federal, state, tribal, regional, and local entities.

What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The central purpose is to strengthen the NFIP by building and maintaining strong partnerships that help reduce flood losses, improve community resilience, and increase local involvement in flood mapping and flood risk data used for floodplain management decisions and insurance requirements.

Is this opportunity a grant or a cooperative agreement?

It is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means FEMA expects to remain more engaged than in a standard grant, including providing direction, coordination, and potentially technical support during performance of the work.

How does this funding relate to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

The work supported is intended to help NFIP State Coordinating Agencies and participating NFIP communities meet floodplain management and regulatory responsibilities, while improving how states, communities, and other sectors understand and mitigate flood risk. The program also emphasizes improving flood mapping and risk data that inform NFIP-related requirements.

What kinds of activities can CTP funding support under this opportunity?

FEMA describes three broad categories of supported work: program management, technical risk analysis and mapping, and flood risk communication. This can include technical mapping and study tasks, maintaining and updating flood hazard information, and improving how flood risk information is communicated to decision-makers and the public.

What is meant by “flood risk communication” in this program?

Flood risk communication refers to efforts to make flood risk information more understandable and usable, including use of flood risk-related datasets and tools that help communicate risk to the public and to local decision-makers.

Does FEMA emphasize any particular products or datasets?

Yes. A major emphasis is on expanding local capability and ownership of flood hazard data and mapping products, especially Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and other flood risk-related datasets and tools.

Does FEMA provide technical assistance or other support to awardees?

FEMA notes it may provide technical assistance, training, and data to support approved activities under the cooperative agreement.

Is cost sharing or matching required for this opportunity?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.

What does FEMA mean when it says FEMA funds are intended to “add to” leveraged resources?

FEMA indicates that FEMA funds are intended to supplement (not replace) partner resources. Leveraged resources may include partner staff time, data, and existing systems that support the work.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to established, qualified CTP partners. To qualify, an applicant must already have a signed CTP Partnership Agreement with FEMA Headquarters or a FEMA Regional Office.

Do applicants have to be part of the NFIP?

The recipient must either be (or represent) an NFIP community in good standing, or be a FEMA-approved nonprofit whose primary mission supports NFIP goals.

Are nonprofits eligible?

501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than universities) are listed among eligible applicant types, but eligibility is still gated by CTP status and having a signed CTP Partnership Agreement with FEMA. Nonprofits must also meet the additional criteria described by FEMA (for example, being FEMA-approved and having a primary mission that supports NFIP goals).

What types of government entities are listed as eligible applicants?

The eligible applicant types listed include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized tribal governments. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are also listed.

If an organization falls into an “eligible applicant type,” does that automatically make it eligible?

No. Even though several applicant types are listed, FEMA states eligibility is tightly defined and limited to established, qualified CTP partners with a signed CTP Partnership Agreement and the ability to perform the work.

What internal capabilities must an applicant already have in place?

Applicants must already have non-federally funded processes or systems to collect, develop, evaluate, disseminate, and communicate flood hazard and risk assessment data and mapping. Applicants must also demonstrate the capability to perform the funded work.

Are there performance and reporting expectations for recipients?

Yes. Recipients are expected to meet FEMA performance metrics and submit timely, accurate performance reporting.

Are there special requirements for mapping-related work?

For mapping-related work, FEMA may require use of the Mapping Information Platform (MIP). FEMA notes that this can include updating activity status at least every 30 days in the Studies workflow (and more frequently for Revisions).

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making for FY 2014 Region 2?

FEMA anticipated making about 4 awards under this Region 2 opportunity.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount for this opportunity was $950,000.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed is 97.045 (Cooperating Technical Partners).

When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted on July 1, 2014. The application deadline was August 18, 2014.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed is September 18, 2014.

Should applicants coordinate with FEMA before applying?

Yes. FEMA strongly encourages prospective applicants to coordinate with FEMA before applying to ensure proposed tasks align with FEMA program priorities, objectives, and measures, and to help shape a statement of work that fits what FEMA is seeking to advance through the program.

Where could applicants find additional program information?

Additional program information was provided through FEMA's CTP website.

Who should be contacted for application access issues?

Application access issues were directed to the FEMA GMD Systems Branch at GMD Systems Branch@fema.gov.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is DHS 14 MT 045 002 01.