Subject:
Title
Grant application with the United States Department of Homeland Security for the BioWatch program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Public Works Director of the grant application with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the BioWatch program.
• Application requests $227,290.00 ($92,000.00 carryover funds and $135,290.00 new funding) for continued support of County’s existing BioWatch program from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025.
• DHS agrees to cost share one hundred percent (100%) of approved costs; no County match is required.
• Grant Application is not attached due to security requirements. Public Works Director will submit on County’s behalf.
• Department Director’s electronic signature required on Non-Lobbying Certification.
Project No. 003906A; DHS Grant No. 060HBIO00014; in the amount of $227,290.00; program period June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025.
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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 Application is for continued DHS funding of the County’s BioWatch Program. BioWatch program field operations and sample collection activities are conducted by the 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 continuation application package requires final submittal via grantsolutions.gov by May 19, 2024, which will be submitted by the Public Works Director.
Background/Explanation:
The BioWatch program 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 not for public disclosure. Any public records requests made relating to this Application should be directed to DHS.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding request is for $227,290.00 ($92,000.00 carryover funds and $135,290.00 new funding) for project period June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. The grant provides 100% reimbursement of eligible costs. No County match is required.
The funding source is the Public Works Department, Environmental Management Division, Air Quality’s General Fund operating budgets for Fiscal Year 2024 and proposed Fiscal Year 2025.
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
Attachments:
Non-Lobbying Certification
Department Approval Memo
OMB Approval of Intent to Apply
Prior Award History
Delegation of Authority Memo