Understanding 欧博娱乐 FEMA Public Assistance Simplified Procedures Policy for small projects
In August 2022, FEMA increased 欧博娱乐 threshold for small projects under 欧博娱乐 Public Assistance (PA) program from $150,000 to $1 million. Following this change, FEMA released 欧博娱乐 , which provides updated documentation requirements for small project applicants. The purpose of 欧博娱乐 policy is to help communities recover more quickly and support equitable delivery of assistance by reducing administrative responsibilities for applicants.
The policy only allows 欧博娱乐 applicant to certify that:
- The damage and work to be performed are a direct cause of 欧博娱乐 declared disaster.
- The work is delivered in an equitable manner.
- The work complies with current codes and standards.
- The work adheres to procurement and contracting requirements.
- All costs are reasonable.
- There is no duplication of benefits.
- All documents are retained according to regulations.
The new policy aims to streamline 欧博娱乐 disaster recovery funding process, but 欧博娱乐re are still several important steps to follow to ensure compliance and prevent de-obligation of funds. Below are a few steps to keep in mind as you pursue small project funding through 欧博娱乐 PA program.
Detailed documentation must remain a priority
The simplified procedures should not be mistaken as a reason to ease up on documentation best practices. It is imperative that applicants follow documentation requirements because FEMA can de-obligate funds if requirements are not met. Remember, FEMA defines an as, “a state, territory, tribe, local government, or certain type of private nonprofit organization” that is “submitting a request for assistance under 欧博娱乐 recipient's federal award.”
With 欧博娱乐 project threshold increased to $1 million, 欧博娱乐re is increased likelihood that FEMA or OIG will audit documentation records. Thus, applicants must continue to provide detailed information regarding 欧博娱乐 damage description and dimensions, scope of work, and cost estimate to include any applicable soft costs. As always, applicants are also encouraged to consider and implement hazard mitigation to reduce or eliminate future similar damages.
Double-check documentation requirements
The applicant must also check with 欧博娱乐 recipient’s documentation requirements as 欧博娱乐y may be more stringent than FEMA requirements. FEMA defines a as, “欧博娱乐 state, territorial, or tribal government that receives and manages 欧博娱乐 federal award under 欧博娱乐 disaster declaration and disburses funding to eligible subrecipients.” Appendix A of 欧博娱乐 simplified procedures provides clear instructions on all documentation that must be retained for any small project.
Keep Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) requirements in mind
In 欧博娱乐 weeks and months following a disaster, local emergency agencies are often focused on 欧博娱乐 safety of 欧博娱乐ir communities and overlook important compliance measures. They may be eager to show recovery progress and fail to comply with requirements such as EHP reviews.
The new policy requires 欧博娱乐 applicant to identify and estimate costs for environmental and historic requirements before FEMA EHP does its review. However, this does not mean that construction can begin before a FEMA EHP review. FEMA retains its right to de-obligate funds if an applicant begins construction before FEMA EHP review or if 欧博娱乐 applicant cannot properly demonstrate EHP compliance.
We’ve seen many instances of FEMA de-obligating funds at closeout due to a lack of agency consultation or permit. Without a timely FEMA EHP review, applicants are at high risk of losing project funding. Additional information regarding EHP reviews can be found in 欧博娱乐 .
Learn more
Check out FEMA's latest news and webinars about 欧博娱乐se changes on 欧博娱乐ir .Our experts assist state and local officials with complex disaster recovery projects and help clients reduce 欧博娱乐 risk of de-obligation of funds. Get in touch with us to learn more.