CFDA#

97.067
|
|
Funder Type

State Government
|
IT Classification

B - Readily funds technology as part of an award
|
|
|
Authority

Maryland Department of Emergency Management
Summary

The goal for the UASI program is to enhance the security and resilience of high-risk urban areas by building, sustaining, and improving capabilities to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism. This goal focuses on enabling urban areas to address identified security gaps, increase interagency coordination, and strengthen critical infrastructure protection to reduce vulnerabilities in locations facing heightened risks.
The following are the five priority areas for FY 2025 that each recipient will be required to allocate:
- Enhancing the protection of soft targets and crowded places (This includes faith-based organizations and election sites)
- Supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and fusion centers
- Enhancing and integrating cybersecurity resiliency
- Enhancing election security
- Border Crisis Response and Enforcement Support
Recipients must allocate at least 30% of their UASI funds to the five NPAs.
A high-risk urban area must allocate the remaining 70 percent of their funding to gaps identified through their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) process. Likewise, there are several enduring security needs that crosscut the homeland security enterprise to which recipients should consider allocating funding across core capability gaps and national priorities. The following are enduring needs that help recipients implement a comprehensive approach to securing communities:
- Effective planning
- Training and awareness campaigns
- Equipment and capital projects
- Exercises
In Maryland, UASI funds are administered by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. This agency is responsible for managing the financial and reporting aspects of the grant programs in accordance with established federal guidelines and allocating funds to local, regional, and other state government agencies.
History of Funding

The FY24 allocation for the Baltimore area of Maryland was $3,410,728.
The FY22 and FY23 allocation for the Baltimore area of Maryland was $3,800,000.
The FY21 allocation for the Baltimore area of Maryland was $4,250,000.
Additional Information

For FY 2025, each UASI recipient is required to submit an Investment Justification (IJ) for the NPAs with minimum spend requirements (i.e., Enhancing Election Security and Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement). The investments must also account for at least the relevant minimum percentage of the applicant's SHSP allocations. SAAs may submit complete project-level information at the time of application, including the NPA IJs, but are not required to do so.
Per FEMA policy, the purchase of weapons and weapons accessories, including ammunition, is not allowed with HSGP funds. Unauthorized exercise-related costs include:
- Reimbursement for the maintenance or wear and tear costs of general use vehicles (e.g., construction vehicles), medical supplies, and emergency response apparatus (e.g., fire trucks, ambulances); and
- Equipment that is purchased for permanent installation and/or use, beyond the scope of the conclusion of the exercise (e.g., electronic messaging sign).
HSGP funds may not be used to support the hiring of sworn public safety officers for purposes of fulfilling traditional public safety duties or to supplant traditional public safety positions and responsibilities.
Equipment allowability is based on the Authorized Equipment List (AEL) available at: https://www.fema.gov/authorized-equipment-list