Subject:
Title
Non-Competing Continuation of the Cooperative Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security for the BioWatch Program.
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Recommended Action:
.Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the Non-Competing Continuation of the Cooperative Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the BioWatch Program.
• BioWatch program are field operations and confidential sample collection activities by the County’s Air Quality Division.
• This action approves DHS grant monies totaling $101,833.00 for budget period through February 28, 2021.
• DHS will reimburse County one hundred percent (100%) of project costs. No County match required.
• Recipient's signature is not required on the agreement.
DHS Award Number 06OHBIO00014-15-01 (Formerly: 2006-ST-091-000016); project period July 1, 2006 through April 30, 2025.
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protection services to ensure a safe and secure community
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air and other natural resources
Summary:
The purpose of this grant agreement is continued funding of the existing BioWatch Program. The Agreement provides the County $101,833.00 in grant funding and is 100% reimbursable with no required County match. Subsequent annual amendments for each project year of federal appropriation are required.
BioWatch program field operations and sample collection activities are conducted by the County’s Air Quality Division. 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 and federal laws.
Background/Explanation:
This project has been ongoing since 2003 and is subject to certain information security restrictions per DHS. All information is considered sensitive but unclassified for official use only and is not for public disclosure. Any public records requests received relating to this agreement should be directed to DHS.
Fiscal Impact:
This action provides for the remainder of the previously approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 - 2021 award of $169,721.00 for the budget period of May 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. The award amount previously issued totaled $67,888.00 of the approved application budget. The attached Notice of Grant Award provides for the remaining $101,833.00 to support the County’s on-going DHS BioWatch Program. Funding has been issued in the “other” category and may be re-budgeted as outlined in the approved application budget.
This grant provides 100% reimbursement for project costs. A County match is not required. This contract is consistent with the FY20 Revised Budget and FY21 Adopted Budget for the Public Works Department, Environmental Management Division.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to approve this agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer-Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
DHS
Attachments:
Notice of Grant Award
Grant Award History