Transportation Security Grant Guidance Available

Earlier this week I wrote about the new surface transportation security grant guidance (see: Surface Transportation Grant Programs) that was supposed to have been issued by TSA on Wednesday. While that guidance did not appear on the TSA.gov/grants web site on Wednesday or Thursday, I did find it there on Friday afternoon. TSA Security Grant Web Pages They fiscal year 2009 Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) is outlined on a new web page. That page includes a link to the FRSGP Fact Sheet, a .PDF file. There is a separate page for the Trucking Security Program (TSP). Again, that page contains a link to the TSP Fact Sheet. Guidance Timing In my earlier blog I made the comment that people interested in filing for these grants needed to get their applications in as soon as possible. That was not correct. The grants listed in these documents are the ones that will be released next spring. For FY2008 this information was released in February. The earlier release date was mandated by Congress to allow state and local governments and companies more time to look at the requirements and prepare their grant proposals. Because of the early release of this guidance the DHS was able to move up the filing date for these grants. According to a November 5th news release, the filing deadline for these grants is January 13, 2009. Changes to FY2009 FRGSP The FRGSP Fact Sheet describes the following changes to the FY2009 program:

“Both railroad carriers and railroad car owners that meet specific eligibility requirements may apply for FY 2009 FRSGP funds. “There is no cost share requirement for applicants of the FRSGP for FY 2009. “Funding Priorities have expanded to allow for the procurement of Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking on railroad cars that transport TIH.”

Additional Information for FY2009 FRGSP TSA will conduct a conference call every Thursday between November 13th and January 8th. The conference call will provide an overview of the FRGSP and provide potential applicants a chance to get their questions answered. The phone number for the conference call is 1-877-988-9660 with a Participant Code of 6827433. There will also be a workshop held in Chicago to discuss the FRGSP in more detail. That workshop will be held on November 12th. Contact DHS Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) (1-800-368-6498 or email ASKCsid@dhs.gov) for more information. Briefing materials will be posted on the TSA grant web site after the meeting. FY2009 TSP The FY2009 TSP will include $7 Million in grants to implement “security improvement measures and policies primarily focused on the purchase and installation or enhancement of equipment and systems related to tractor and trailer tracking systems.” These will include:

Tractor and Trailer Tracking Systems Panic Button Capability Tractor Activation Capability Communication Plans

TSP Cost Share Requirements The TSP grants do require that a portion of the program receiving TSP grants must be paid for by non-Federal matching funds. Tier I applicants (11 or more tractors) are required to provide 50% of the project funds from sources other than the TSP grant. Tier II applicants (10 or fewer tractors) are required to provide 25% of the project funds. The applicant match may “either a cash or in-kind match”. Additional Information for FY2009 TSP TSA will conduct a conference call every Thursday between November 18th and January 13th. The conference call will provide an overview of the TSP and provide potential applicants a chance to get their questions answered. The phone number for the conference call is 1-877-988-9660 with a Participant Code of 6827433. There will also be a workshop held in Washington, D.C. to discuss the FRGSP in more detail. That workshop will be held on November 12th. Contact DHS Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) (1-800-368-6498 or email ASKCsid@dhs.gov) for more information. Briefing materials will be posted on the TSA grant web site after the meeting.