Subject:
Title
Competitive Grant Application with the United States Department of Homeland Security-Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Public Works Director (Director) of the Competitive Grant Application with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 BioWatch Grant Program.
• The BioWatch Program has been ongoing since 2003 under the DHS.
• FEMA is part of DHS. Reorganization of federal agencies moved the BioWatch Program under FEMA.
• Application requests $233,648.00 in continued support of County’s existing BioWatch program for program costs.
• DHS-FEMA agrees to reimburse 100% of grant approved costs. No County match is required.
• Grant Application is not attached due to security requirements. Director will execute outside of Legistar and submit on County’s behalf.
• PW staff will ensure Director’s wet signature requirement is met on the Assurances and SF424 application documents. Per County Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form isn’t applicable.
• Electronic signatures by PW Director in FEMA GO portal is required to submit the application, which is due by 11:59pm on July 30, 2026.
• Funding for this grant is included in the FY26 budget for Public Works within the Air Quality Program, General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
PID No. 003906A; Grant Request in the amount of $233,648.00; no County match is required; program period August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
The purpose of this Grant Application is for continued DHS-FEMA funding of the County’s BioWatch Program. BioWatch program field operations and sample collection activities are conducted by County’s Air Quality Section. Work under this award involves access to sensitive information from the federal government, which must be protected and safeguarded from public disclosure, in compliance with local, state, or federal laws. The application package requires electronic signature and final submittal via FEMA GO portal by 11:59 pm on July 30, 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 Application should be directed to DHS-FEMA.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding request is for $233,648.00 for expenses incurred during the project period August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027. The grant provides 100% reimbursement of eligible costs. No County match is required.
Funding for this grant is included in the FY26 budget for Public Works within the Air Quality Program, General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Director of Public Works to approve this Grant Application is granted under Code Chapter II, Article III, Section 2-62(a)(4) as further delegated per Administrative Memo dated March 28, 2016.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
DHS-FEMA
Attachments:
Assurances