Subject:
Title
Competitive Award of the Cooperative Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Public Works (PW) Department Director of the Competing Award of the Cooperative Grant Agreement with United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 BioWatch Grant Program.
• Action provides $233,648.00 to continue funding of the BioWatch Program through July 31, 2027.
• FEMA is part of DHS. Reorganization of federal agencies moved BioWatch Program under FEMA.
• DHS-FEMA will reimburse the County 100% of project costs. No County match is required.
• Electronic signature by PW Department Director in FEMA GO portal is required to accept the Agreement by October 18, 2026. Due to the current No-Cost Extension (NCE) ending on September 30, 2026, and previous FEMA GO portal issues, we request approval be granted by October 2, 2026.
• Due to security requirements, a condensed award package has been attached. Public Works Director will accept award on County’s behalf.
• Funding for this grant is included in the FY27 Budget of the Public Works Department in the General Fund.
DHS-FEMA Grant No. EMW-2026-BW-05028 in the amount of $233,648.00; Program Period August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.Body
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
The Agreement provides the County with $233,648.00 in support of the existing BioWatch Program. The Grant funding is 100% reimbursable. There is no County match required. The Agreement must be electronically signed and accepted in the FEMA GO portal within 30 days of award receipt (by October 18, 2026). Due to the current No-Cost Extension (NCE) ending on September 30, 2026, and previous FEMA GO portal issues, we request approval be granted by October 2, 2026. Due to security requirements, a condensed award package has been attached. The Public Works Director will accept award on County’s behalf, as allowed by the Delegation of Authority Memorandum dated August 26, 2026.
Background/Explanation:
The BioWatch program has been ongoing since 2003 and is subject to certain information security restrictions per DHS-FEMA. All information is considered sensitive, but unclassified, for official use only, and not for public disclosure. Any public records requests made relating to this Agreement should be directed to DHS-FEMA.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact of this action is $223,648.00 in Federal Financial Assistance. Funding for this grant is included in the proposed budget of the Public Works Department in the General Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Public Works Director to approve and accept this Agreement is granted under Section 2-62(a)(1), as delegated per the Administrative Memorandum dated August 26, 2026.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
DHS-FEMA
Attachments:
Award Package
Grant Terms and Conditions
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Terms and Conditions
Notice of Award
Delegated Grant Authority Memorandum