Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 20 GPD 044 00 99
The FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program - COVID-19 Supplemental (AFG-S) is a one-time supplemental grant opportunity run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA, built on top of the long-running Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. AFG is part of FEMA's broader set of firefighter-focused grant programs intended to improve safety for both the public and first responders dealing with fire and related hazards. This COVID-19 supplemental was specifically designed to address urgent pandemic-driven needs by getting money directly to frontline organizations so they could obtain critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies required to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The central purpose of AFG-S is straightforward: help eligible response organizations quickly secure PPE and essential materials that reduce exposure risk and sustain operations during the pandemic. Rather than funding general capability improvements, the emphasis here is on tangible, immediate pandemic response necessities, especially the equipment and supplies that protect firefighters and EMS personnel while they continue to answer emergency calls. FEMA framed this supplemental as part of a broader set of actions authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to strengthen nationwide readiness and resilience during the crisis.
Eligible applicants include fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (NAEMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTAs). The funding instrument is a discretionary grant. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 97.044 and was published under funding opportunity number DHS 20 GPD 044 00 99. FEMA anticipated a large number of awards (expected awards: 1,000), reflecting the nationwide scope and the widespread need for COVID-related protective supplies across emergency response agencies.
Grant selection is not described as automatic or first-come, first-served. FEMA indicates that awards must take into account several factors required of the FEMA Administrator, including the findings and recommendations of a Technical Evaluation Panel, the extent of the applicant's need (balanced against the broader need to protect the country as a whole), and the number of calls the applicant receives that request or require firefighting or emergency medical response. In other words, FEMA signaled that applicants would be weighed based on demonstrated need and operational demand, with expert review playing a formal role in the process.
Strategically, FEMA tied the AFG-S program to DHS and FEMA's larger mission frameworks. The opportunity explicitly links the program to the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review mission area of strengthening national preparedness and resilience, and it aligns the program with the 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan goal of readying the nation for catastrophic disasters. That positioning underscores that the supplemental funding was not only about immediate procurement, but also about maintaining continuity of emergency services and national response capacity during a large-scale public health emergency.
Key administrative details include a creation date of April 23, 2020, with an original application closing date of May 15, 2020. The stated award ceiling is $9,000,000, indicating the maximum amount that could be awarded to a single recipient under this opportunity. Overall, AFG-S can be understood as FEMA's targeted infusion of pandemic-specific support into the existing AFG framework, aimed at rapidly improving responder protection and sustaining emergency response operations during COVID-19.Apply for DHS 20 GPD 044 00 99
- The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program – COVID-19 Supplemental" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.044.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 23, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $9,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1,000 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program - COVID-19 Supplemental (AFG-S) FAQs
1. What is the FY2020 AFG-S (COVID-19 Supplemental) grant opportunity?
The FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program - COVID-19 Supplemental (AFG-S) is a one-time supplemental grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA. It is built on top of the long-running Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, with a specific focus on urgent COVID-19 pandemic-driven needs.
2. Who administers AFG-S?
AFG-S is run by DHS through FEMA.
3. How is AFG-S related to the regular Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program?
AFG-S is a one-time supplemental program layered onto the existing AFG framework. While AFG broadly supports firefighter-focused improvements that enhance safety for the public and first responders dealing with fire and related hazards, AFG-S was specifically designed to address immediate COVID-19 needs.
4. What is the primary purpose of AFG-S?
The central purpose of AFG-S is to help eligible response organizations quickly obtain critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The emphasis is on tangible, immediate pandemic response necessities that reduce exposure risk and help sustain operations.
5. What types of items or needs does AFG-S focus on funding?
AFG-S focuses on PPE and other critical supplies and materials required to support COVID-19 prevention, preparedness, and response. The program emphasizes essential materials that protect firefighters and EMS personnel while they continue responding to emergency calls during the pandemic.
6. Is AFG-S intended for general capability improvements?
No. Based on the description provided, AFG-S is not aimed at broad, general capability improvements. Instead, it prioritizes immediate, pandemic-specific needs, especially PPE and essential protective supplies.
7. Who is eligible to apply for AFG-S?
Eligible applicants include fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (NAEMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTAs).
8. What type of funding instrument is used for AFG-S?
The funding instrument for AFG-S is a discretionary grant.
9. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 97.044.
10. What is the funding opportunity number for AFG-S?
The funding opportunity number is DHS 20 GPD 044 00 99.
11. How many awards did FEMA expect to make under AFG-S?
FEMA anticipated a large number of awards, with expected awards listed as 1,000, reflecting nationwide demand for COVID-related protective supplies across emergency response agencies.
12. What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for AFG-S?
The stated award ceiling is $9,000,000, which indicates the maximum amount that could be awarded to a single recipient under this opportunity.
13. When was the AFG-S opportunity created?
The creation date provided for the opportunity is April 23, 2020.
14. What was the original application closing date for AFG-S?
The original application closing date was May 15, 2020.
15. Are awards made automatically or on a first-come, first-served basis?
No. FEMA indicated that selection is not automatic and not first-come, first-served. Awards are made based on factors the FEMA Administrator must consider, including expert review and measures of need and operational demand.
16. What factors does FEMA consider when selecting AFG-S award recipients?
According to the information provided, FEMA considers several required factors, including the findings and recommendations of a Technical Evaluation Panel, the extent of the applicant's need (balanced against the broader need to protect the country as a whole), and the number of calls the applicant receives that request or require firefighting or emergency medical response.
17. What role does the Technical Evaluation Panel play in the selection process?
The Technical Evaluation Panel provides findings and recommendations that the FEMA Administrator must take into account when making award decisions.
18. How does call volume affect AFG-S grant selection?
FEMA indicated that the number of calls an applicant receives that request or require firefighting or emergency medical response is one of the factors considered in award decisions, reflecting operational demand.
19. How does FEMA balance an individual applicant's need against national needs?
FEMA stated that award decisions consider the extent of the applicant's need, but that need is balanced against the broader need to protect the country as a whole.
20. How does AFG-S align with broader DHS and FEMA mission goals?
The opportunity explicitly ties AFG-S to the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review mission area of strengthening national preparedness and resilience. It also aligns with the 2018-2022 FEMA Strategic Plan goal of readying the nation for catastrophic disasters, emphasizing continuity of emergency services and national response capacity during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
21. Why did FEMA describe AFG-S as part of broader actions authorized by Congress?
FEMA framed AFG-S as part of a broader set of actions authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to strengthen nationwide readiness and resilience during the COVID-19 crisis, with an emphasis on getting resources directly to frontline organizations.
22. In practical terms, what problem was AFG-S meant to solve?
AFG-S was designed to address urgent pandemic-driven needs by providing funding so frontline organizations could quickly obtain PPE and essential supplies to reduce exposure risk and maintain the ability to respond to emergencies during COVID-19.
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