FY 2008 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP)

The summary for the FY 2008 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Department of Homeland Security FEMA, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

FY 2008 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP): Cost sharing or match requirement: Yes. The maximum Federal share of any project supported through IBSGP is 75 percent. Therefore, grantees are required to provide non-Federal funding (cash or in-kind) of at least 25 percent of approved project costs for the FY 2008 IBSGP. For example, if the total project cost is $100,000, the maximum the DHS grant award would be is $75,000 with the grantee required to provide the remaining 25 percent, or $25,000, of the project cost.Floor, if any, on amount of individual award: For Tier I applicants, the minimum amount that may be requested for projects focused on training and/or exercises is $50,000. There is no minimum amount for vulnerability assessment or security plan development. The minimum amount that may be requested for other projects is $100,000. For Tier II applicants, the minimum amount that may be requested for projects focused on training and/or exercises is $5,000. There is no minimum amount for vulnerability assessments or security plan development. The minimum amount that may be requested for other projects is $25,000. The purpose of the FY 2008 IBSGP is to create a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism, especially explosives and non-conventional threats that would cause major loss of life and severe disruption.Public Law 110-53 outlines several uses of funds for over-the-road bus security assistance in section 1532 (b), which are all eligible costs under the FY 2008 IBSGP. Those uses of funds are listed below in prioritized order for funding consideration for the FY 2008 IBSGP:. Development of assessments or security plans . Operating and capital costs associated with over-the-road bus security awareness, preparedness, and response training, including training for front-line employees for potential security threats and conditions (must be DHS-approved training courses). Live or simulated exercises for the purpose of assessing and improving the capabilities of entities to prevent, prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism (must be DHS-approved training courses). Public awareness campaigns for enhanced over-the-road bus security (must be DHS-approved). Operational costs to hire, train, and employ police and security officers, including canine units, assigned to full-time security or counterterrorism duties related to over-the-road bus transportation, including reimbursement of State, local, and tribal government costs for such personnel. Modifying over-the-road buses to increase their security. Installing cameras and video surveillance equipment on over-the-road buses and at terminals, garages, and over-the-road bus facilities. Constructing and modifying terminals, garages, and facilities, including terminals and other over-the-road bus facilities owned by State or local governments, to increase their security. Establishing and improving an emergency communications system linking drivers and over-the-road buses to the recipients operations center or linking the operations center to law enforcement and emergency personnel.. Implementing and operating passenger screening programs for weapons and explosives. Protecting or isolating the driver of an over-the-road bus. Chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive detection, including canine patrols for such detection. Acquiring, upgrading, installing, or operating equipment, software, or accessorial services for collection, storage, or exchange of passenger and driver information through ticketing systems or other means and for information links with government agencies, for security purposes. Overtime reimbursement, including reimbursement of State, local, and tribal governments for costs, for enhanced security personnel assigned to duties related to over-the-road bus security during periods of high or severe threat levels, National Special Security Events, or other periods of heightened security as determined by the Secretary of DHSNote: As in FY 2007, the program will continue to de-emphasize the procurement of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) for vehicles as a deterrent to terrorism. Video systems with the capability to stream live video to first responders, however, are encouraged.Allowable Expenses: Specific investments made in support of the funding priorities discussed above generally fall into one of seven categories. FY 2008 IBSGP allowable costs are therefore divided into the following seven categories (not listed in any particular priority): 1. Facility Security Enhancements2. Vehicle/Driver Security Enhancements3. Passenger Screening4. Training5. Exercises6. Development of Vulnerability Assessments/Security Plans7. Management and Administration